NBA playoffs 2022 – The stars, storylines and matchups to watch in the second round

After an exciting opening spherical of the NBA playoffs that noticed the NBA-best Phoenix Suns getting examined by the New Orleans Pelicans and their trio of unheralded rookies, Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks sending the Utah Jazz into an unsure offseason and the Boston Celtics breaking out the brooms towards the league’s preseason title favorites, right here we’re within the convention semifinals.

And though the upper seeds superior in each collection in Spherical 1, one thing tells us that will not occur once more alongside the highway to the NBA Finals.

The Memphis Grizzlies, who wanted three double-digit fourth-quarter comebacks to oust the Minnesota Timberwolves in six video games, may very well be weak towards Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Jordan Poole and a revitalized Golden State Warriors squad that simply eradicated the reigning MVP.

The Celtics have been the most popular workforce within the league because the begin of the season’s second half. Their reward? Giannis Antetokounmpo and the defending champion Milwaukee Bucks.

What drama awaits within the second spherical? Our NBA consultants break down every collection.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

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Sequence odds and stats

• Basketball Energy Index (BPI): Miami 75%

• Caesars Sportsbook: Miami -420 | Philadelphia +320

• Offensive scores: MIA (113.0, twelfth) | PHI (113.0, eleventh)

• Defensive scores: MIA (108.4, 4th) | PHI (110.2, twelfth)

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MIAMI HEAT (1)

How the Warmth acquired right here

The common season was a warfare of attrition for a Miami workforce that trotted out 23 totally different beginning lineups due to numerous accidents however nonetheless managed to seize the No. 1 seed within the Jap Convention.

That plug-and-play perspective got here in helpful within the first spherical, with Kyle Lowry (hamstring) lacking Video games 4 and 5 and Jimmy Butler (knee) out for Recreation 5, and the Warmth discovered a method to defeat the Atlanta Hawks with out them.

“I simply suppose that we’ve got one another’s again,” Warmth ahead Caleb Martin stated after eliminating Atlanta.

Sneaky first-round MVP: P.J. Tucker

Tucker’s numbers may not overwhelm — he ranked sixth on the workforce in factors per recreation (9.6), third in rebounding (6.2) and seventh in assists (2.4) — however his total impression shouldn’t be underestimated.

“He is the lifeline of our protection. He does not get as a lot credit score as he ought to, for my part,” Warmth middle Bam Adebayo stated after the membership’s closeout win over the Hawks, a collection by which Miami’s protection utterly flummoxed Atlanta All-Star guard Trae Younger.

“Sure nights, he solely will get two photographs and does not say something. So simply to have a teammate like that, I feel he is the true purpose our protection is the best way it’s.”

Tucker can be known as upon to infuse that very same depth into Miami’s second-round matchup towards Philadelphia and former teammate James Harden.

— Dave McMenamin

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PHILADELPHIA 76ERS (4)

How the 76ers acquired right here

After escaping the Ben Simmons saga and buying Harden to pair with MVP finalist Joel Embiid, Philadelphia completed fourth within the East. That set them up with a tough first-round matchup with the Toronto Raptors, who managed to push the 76ers to 6 video games even after falling behind 3-0 within the collection. The excellent news: A dominant Recreation 6 efficiency in Toronto acquired Philly again on monitor heading right into a matchup with Miami. The unhealthy information: Embiid is out indefinitely with a facial harm and concussion.

Sneaky first-round MVP: Danny Inexperienced

Inexperienced has been by way of quite a lot of playoff battles over his prolonged NBA profession. However the veteran confirmed his price even at this late stage along with his play towards Toronto. With Matisse Thybulle sidelined for video games in Canada because of not being absolutely vaccinated, Inexperienced’s minutes skyrocketed from slightly below 22 per recreation to over 31.

In the meantime, as Philadelphia’s solely true 3-and-D participant, Inexperienced made essentially the most triples (16) of anybody on the 76ers throughout the six video games towards the Raptors. His mixture of expertise and powerful taking pictures ought to hold him in a large function towards Miami.

— Tim Bontemps

What to look at: Embiid’s harm standing

How lengthy it takes Embiid to get better from an orbital bone fracture and concussion — he suffered each late within the fourth quarter of Recreation 6 towards Toronto — will decide whether or not this collection turns into a battle or a blowout.

Embiid, who caught an elbow from Raptors ahead Pascal Siakam with 3:58 remaining within the recreation, is now out indefinitely, robbing Philadelphia of its franchise centerpiece at each ends of the courtroom.

It is a devastating stroke of unhealthy luck for Embiid, who stated on many events this season how a lot satisfaction he took in lacking simply 4 video games this season because of harm and shedding his injury-prone label. Within the span of 1 week, he is suffered each a torn thumb ligament on his taking pictures hand and this harm.

The 76ers will attempt to determine the place to go from right here, however not one of the choices — enjoying DeAndre Jordan, enjoying Paul Reed extra, or going extremely small — are interesting. This workforce is constructed to be powered by Embiid.

— Bontemps

Sequence odds and stats

• Basketball Energy Index (BPI): Boston 62%

• Caesars Sportsbook: Boston -200 | Milwaukee +170

• Offensive scores: BOS (113.6, ninth) | MIL (114.3, third)

• Defensive scores: BOS (106.2, 1st) | MIL (111.1, 14th)

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BOSTON CELTICS (2)

How the Celtics acquired right here

After a rocky begin to the season, the Celtics discovered their rhythm after Christmas — and simply saved rolling. They pulled off a powerful first-round sweep over Kevin Durant and the Brooklyn Nets — doing an incredible defensive job on the previous MVP. Boston comes into this collection brimming with confidence after dominating the preseason NBA title favourite.

Sneaky first-round MVP: Marcus Sensible

Jayson Tatum took his recreation to a unique stage throughout the Nets collection, offering the kind of constant famous person performances that outlined his workforce’s wins (however within the shadow of Tatum’s greatness was the regular play), particularly on the defensive aspect of the ball — from the 2022 Defensive Participant of the Yr.

Sensible averaged 16.5 factors, seven assists and 4 rebounds throughout the collection, however his potential to be a difference-maker defensively was a giant purpose why the Celtics had a lot success towards Durant and Co. The 6-foot-4 Sensible is not afraid to combine it up with a lot greater gamers — which is able to serve him properly towards MVP finalist Antetokounmpo and the Bucks.

— Nick Friedell

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MILWAUKEE BUCKS (3)

How the Bucks acquired right here

The Bucks have been constructing to this second, the primary true take a look at of their title protection. Milwaukee completed with an an identical file as Boston throughout the common season, however the Bucks rested their starters on the season’s closing day, organising a first-round matchup with the Bulls (a collection they gained in 5 video games), however ceding homecourt benefit on this second-round showdown.

Sneaky first-round MVP: Jrue Vacation

Vacation put up modest scoring totals throughout the first spherical towards the Bulls, even with Khris Middleton sidelined for a lot of the collection, however Vacation turned up the depth on Chicago’s All-Star duo for your entire collection. Zach LaVine and DeMar DeRozan mixed to shoot 30% from the sector within the collection when guarded by Vacation, who shadowed the 2 alongside Wesley Matthews. General, the Bulls shot 29% within the collection when Vacation was the closest defender, in accordance with ESPN Stats & Data analysis. Vacation shot a career-high 41% from 3 throughout the common season, which may very well be essential contemplating the Bucks are virtually sure to require extra offense from Vacation on this collection.

— Jamal Collier

What to look at: Giannis vs. Boston’s inside protection

The winner of this collection will possible be decided within the paint in a conflict between an irresistible drive and an immovable object.

Bucks star Antetokounmpo, one of many league’s finest rim attackers, is up towards Boston’s inside protection, one of many stingiest within the league.

Antetokounmpo punished the Bulls inside throughout their first-round collection, averaging 18 factors per recreation within the paint. Throughout the season, Antetokounmpo led the NBA in made layups and dunks, averaged essentially the most factors per recreation within the restricted space and scored essentially the most factors within the league on direct drives, in accordance with Second Spectrum monitoring.

Now the true take a look at begins, particularly with Milwaukee lacking one among its finest perimeter scorers in Middleton.

Boston allowed the fewest factors within the NBA on direct drives and allowed the bottom paint area objective share within the league. They ranked second within the league in area objective share allowed on the rim and have been the perfect within the league since Jan. 1.

The Celtics have a number of defenders able to matching up with Antetokounmpo, together with Robert Williams III, Grant Williams (who held Antetokounmpo to 1-for-7 taking pictures on matchups within the half courtroom throughout the season) and Al Horford, who has guarded Antetokounmpo on shot makes an attempt extra often than any defender within the league, per Second Spectrum.

— Collier

WESTERN CONFERENCE

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Sequence odds and stats

• Basketball Energy Index (BPI): Dallas 54%

• Caesars Sportsbook: Phoenix -300 | Dallas +240

• Offensive scores: PHX (114.2, fifth) | DAL (112.5, 14th)

• Defensive scores: PHX (106.8, third) | DAL (109.1, seventh)

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PHOENIX SUNS (1)

How the Suns acquired right here

The Suns cruised by way of the common season with a franchise-record 64 wins however had some adversity thrown at them within the first spherical, when Devin Booker went down with a hamstring harm in Recreation 2 towards the New Orleans Pelicans. They bounced again with wins in Recreation 5 and 6 to shut out the pesky Pels.

Sneaky first-round MVP: Mikal Bridges

Bridges’ Recreation 5 was an all-time efficiency. Bridges performed all however 66 seconds and had 31 factors and went 4-for-4 from deep with 4 blocks. He turned simply the seventh participant in playoffs historical past to have 30 factors, 4 3s and 4 blocks in a recreation, becoming a member of LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Kawhi Leonard, Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter.

Bridges was additionally his ordinary defensive drive all through the collection. In accordance with ESPN Stats & Data analysis, Bridges held the Pelicans to 37% taking pictures (32-of-86) as the first defender. He additionally pressured 14 turnovers (tied for second most this postseason) and held New Orleans to 0.82 factors per play as the first defender.

— Andrew Lopez

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DALLAS MAVERICKS (4)

How the Mavericks acquired right here

Dallas gained its first playoff collection since its 2011 title run — coach Jason Kidd was there … at level guard — regardless of Luka Doncic lacking the primary three video games towards the Jazz because of a strained left calf. Guard Jalen Brunson, who averaged 27.8 factors and dedicated solely 4 whole turnovers, had a breakout collection.

Sneaky first-round MVP: Dorian Finney-Smith

Brunson was far too spectacular to qualify as sneaky, so let’s go along with Finney-Smith. The small ahead was the first defender on Jazz star Donovan Mitchell, who credited Finney-Smith all through the collection as the largest think about his inefficiency (39.8% from the ground, 20.8% from 3-point vary).

Finney-Smith was additionally a big offensive contributor, averaging 13.2 factors and a pair of.8 assists whereas going 17-of-43 on 3s. His rebounding (6.3 per recreation) was key to the success of the Mavs’ small lineups, typically with the 6-foot-7 Finney-Smith at middle. And he performed 260 of 288 minutes within the collection. The four-year, $55.5 million extension Finney-Smith signed in February already seems to be like a cut price.

— Tim MacMahon

What to look at: Luka vs. Phoenix’s perimeter protection

It figures that Suns coach Monty Williams will need his Defensive Participant of the Yr candidate on the famous person on the opposite aspect. However simply how a lot Bridges will guard Doncic when the photographs are going up will rely on how the Mavericks hunt their matchups.

Dallas and Phoenix met thrice this season, however Doncic didn’t play in two of these video games. Within the one recreation Doncic did play, Bridges had 31 half-court matchups towards him, double every other Suns participant, in accordance with ESPN Stats & Data analysis.

Nevertheless, NBA.com/stats exhibits that Doncic was simply 1-for-2 towards Bridges. Dallas’ objective was to get Bridges off of Doncic after they may. Bridges switched 9 occasions when guarding Doncic, with both Booker or Chris Paul changing into the first defender on six of these switches.

Regardless of the Suns did labored. Doncic was 9-of-23 total and 2-of-9 from distance in 38 minutes. How Phoenix tries to defend Doncic this time round may decide the end result of the collection.

— Lopez

Sequence odds and stats

• Basketball Energy Index (BPI): Memphis 67%

• Caesars Sportsbook: Memphis +200 | Golden State -240

• Offensive scores: MEM (114.3, 4th) | GS (112.1, sixteenth)

• Defensive scores: MEM (108.9, sixth) | GS (106.6, 2nd)

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MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES (2)

How the Grizzlies acquired right here

Memphis posted the second-best file within the NBA regardless of not having Ja Morant for 25 video games. The Grizzlies are within the second spherical, although, as a result of they performed their finest within the clutch. They trailed an unbelievable 68.5% of the time towards the Timberwolves however outscored Minnesota by 62 factors within the fourth quarter within the collection. It’s going to be quite a bit more durable doing that towards a workforce with championship expertise just like the Warriors.

Sneaky first-round MVP: Desmond Bane

Bane continues to emerge as a big-time participant for the Grizzlies. He led Memphis within the first spherical with 23.5 factors, 4.3 rebounds, 1.2 blocks per recreation whereas taking pictures 48.2% from 3. He can be wanted to not solely assist Memphis hold tempo from lengthy vary with Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson and Jordan Poole, however Bane should convey the power and explosiveness on each ends of the ground. The Warriors cannot let Bane get off within the second spherical like he did when he buried a complete of 15 3s in Video games 3 and 4 towards the Timberwolves.

— Ohm Youngmisuk

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GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS (3)

How the Warriors acquired right here

The Warriors’ common season was riddled with accidents to star gamers, stopping any true glimpse of their full potential. Then, within the playoffs, the Warriors confirmed simply how good they are often. Their new-look small-ball lineup led them to 2 blowout wins over the Nuggets, whereas Golden State’s different two wins proved this workforce can shut out tight video games.

Sneaky first-round MVP: Gary Payton II

It is easy to offer this honor to Poole, who throughout the first spherical loved his official popping out celebration as a rising star within the NBA. However Golden State’s true sneaky MVP of the collection was Payton. It is no coincidence that each time Payton checked right into a recreation towards the Nuggets, the Warriors went on a bit of run. All through your entire collection, Payton gave the Warriors his grade-A protection, going up towards rookie spark plug Bones Hyland for a lot of the collection, whereas additionally spending time on Monte Morris, Will Barton and even reigning MVP Nikola Jokic. Payton additionally gave the Warriors an offensive enhance, pulling down wide-open photographs the Nuggets dared him to shoot. His most memorable — and most essential — bucket was the dagger over Jeff Inexperienced that clinched the collection.

— Kendra Andrews

What to look at: Morant vs. Payton II

Payton has typically taken the project in guarding the opponents’ finest guard, and this showdown with Morant would be the matchup to look at.

Per Second Spectrum monitoring, Payton defended Morant in 88 half-court matchups throughout the common season, the third most of any participant, behind the New York Knicks’ RJ Barrett (109) and the Minnesota Timberwolves’ Patrick Beverley (108). And in accordance with NBA Superior Stats, Payton held Morant to 2-for-12 taking pictures (16.7%), the second-lowest area objective share allowed towards Morant this season with a minimal of 10 photographs defended.

Payton needs to be cautious about racking up fouls towards Morant, but when he could make issues tough on the Grizzlies famous person, it may present a large enhance for the Warriors within the second spherical.

— Andrews