Author: Sergey Atrakhov
The second round of the NBA playoffs is one of the hottest stages of the tournament. The eight best teams remain, playing the equivalent of semi-finals in each of the two Conferences. The outcome of the 2023 season promises to be exciting. And the most interesting thing for fans is on our website.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
Knicks or Heat? Who will have the best anniversary season?
The New York Knicks played their first game against the Miami Heat, losing 101-108 at home. On May 3, they are obliged to even the score in the series, because then the rivals will play two games in a row in Miami (May 6 and 9), and it would be better for the Kniks to travel with the series tied.
In the regular season, the Knicks finished 5th and the Heat 8th, narrowly avoiding the play-in zone.
Remember that the Knicks were champions twice (1970, 1973), but the last time was exactly 50 years ago. Miami has become the best team in the league three times, and that was relatively recently in 2006, 2012 and ten years ago – in 2013. There’s no doubt that the teams want to celebrate their anniversary seasons with joy.
Will the Celtics make the playoffs for the second season in a row?
The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76s will play in the second semi-final of this Conference. Having lost out in last season’s final, the Celtics, in the current regular season, came second and Philadelphia third. Perhaps, in this part of the competition, they are the main candidates for victory. The series will begin in Boston on May 2 and 4 and move to Philadelphia on May 6 and 7.
In the second half of the 20th century, the Celtics were one of the strongest teams in the league, winning 16 titles from 1957 to 1986. But in the following 37 years, only once – in 2008. The Fili’s achievements are more modest – they won three times, in 1955, 1967 and 1983.
WESTERN CONFERENCE
Are the Suns heading to their fourth final in history?
The Denver Nuggets have already beaten the Phoenix Suns 125-107
in their first home game. On May 2, the team will look to build on their success before two away games in Phoenix, scheduled for May 6 and 8.
For the first time in their history, Denver took first place in the Western Conference regular season (the Suns finished fourth in the regular season). It should be noted that the Suns have reached the NBA Finals three times (1976, 1993 and 2021), but have lost three times in the fight for the title.
The legendary Lakers against the defending champions Warriors
The Lakers had more time to rest because their semi-final opponent was only decided after the seventh game between the Sacramento Kings and the Golden State Warriors. The Goldens ended up winning, and now await the visit of Los Angeles on May 3 and 5. Then, on May 7 and 9, they will play in the “City of Angels”.
Last season’s champions, the Warriors, in the current regular season came 6th and the Lakers 7th. But it’s hard to pick a favorite here.
One of the most titled teams in the history of the League (17 titles, the last in 2020) against the reigning champions, who have become the best 7 times in their history – four times in the last nine years (2015, 2017, 2019, 2022).
Eastern Conference qualifiers
- New York Knicks (5) – Miami Heat (8)
April 30 101-108, May 3 (New York), May 6-9 (Miami)
- Boston Celtics (2) – Philadelphia 76s (3)
May 2 and 4 (Boston), May 6 and 7 (Philadelphia)
Western Conference qualifiers
- Denver Nuggets (1) – Phoenix Suns (4)
April 30, 125-107, May 2 (Denver), May 6 and 8 (Phoenix)
- Golden State Warriors (6) – Los Angeles Lakers (7)
May 3 and 5 (Philadelphia), May 7 and 9 (Los Angeles)