Round 2! The semifinals of the NBA Playoffs are here with three series now decided. Who will the Nuggets and Wolves win? Knicks Pacers? Thunder Mavs?
And who will win Game 7 of the first-round series between the Cavaliers and Magic on Sunday for a chance to play the Celtics next? Our writers make their choices.
Round 2, Nuggets vs. Wolves: Who do you have?
Dan Devine: Nuggets at 7. I have confidence that Minnesota’s defense and Anthony Edwards are good enough to overcome the best competition in the league. but me KnownUndoubtedly, Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray, Aaron Gordon and company are good enough to do that. And in what feels like a string of coins, that certainty is enough to push me towards the defending champions.
Vincent Goodwill: Nuggets at 6. This is a 2-2 series, with both teams winning at the other’s home court before the champions use experience and effort to clinch another tough game. Minnie is well equipped to take them down, and this will be Anthony Edwards’ official coming out party, featuring Jaden McDaniels. I can’t wait, but this will bring out the best in Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray.
Ben Rohrbach: Nuggets in 7. This is a high-pressure series, perhaps the biggest of any non-final set, and Denver was an automatic bucket in the opening round. Although Anthony Edwards was amazing, he had never been in a situation like this before. Bet against Nikola Jokic at your own risk.
Jake Fisher: Nuggets at 7. Minnesota will likely pose the greatest, biggest and toughest playoff challenge Denver has ever seen dating back to the year it won the championship. The Timberwolves have enough size to combat the Nuggets’ length. Minnesota is a defensive juggernaut. Anthony Edwards is up, but the tie goes to the defending champion.
Check out our Nuggets-Wolves series preview.
Round 2, Knicks vs. Pacers: Who do you have?
Fisher: New York at five. Maybe the Knicks will prove too battered and bruised after a six-game battle with Joel Embiid and Philadelphia. But three days of rest before New York welcomes Indiana State to Madison Square Garden should be enough for Tom Thibodeau’s 40-minute marathoner to regroup and take care of Tyrese Haliburton and Co.
Devin: Knicks at 7. The Pacers, the No. 2 offense in the NBA with All-Star coach Tyrese Haliburton, are designed to play beautifully. But these Nyx are determined to destroy something beautiful.
Rohrbach: Knicks at 6. Madison Square Garden will be an absolute animal — one that this version of Indiana has never seen before — and the Knicks are tough enough to travel. Reggie Miller doesn’t walk through that door. Jalen Brunson and Nova Knicks are the Wildcats.
good intention: The Knicks are in sixth place. I’m not sure how good the Flying Brunsons are, or if they play hard and do it excellently. A matchup between Brunson and Haliburton would be fun, and there would be some reminders of the rivalry of the 1990s, but I don’t see the Pacers having enough to give the Knicks more than a minor scare at MSG.
Round 2, Thunder vs. Mavs: Who do you have?
Rohrbach: Thunder at 6. Despite the talent of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, who are great, Oklahoma City is just as impressive — and deeper — as a team. People will learn a lot about Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren, who all play beyond their years.
good intention: Mavericks at 7. Call for alarm! Not because Dallas is better, but because Oklahoma City is just that, more dynamic. Will the Thunder be desperate enough to match what Luka and Kyrie bring? They have Lou Dort and Williams to defend those two, Shai is tall on the wings, and Chet is on the edge. Wait, why should I be upset? If only because Dallas will realize its desperate moments of truth and Doncic will be the best player on the floor late. But I’m not sure about this choice.
Fisher: Thunder at 7. They were as ready as advertised in the first round, sweeping New Orleans without Zion Williamson standing in their way. OKC has a much more difficult task of competing with the All-Star playmaking group of Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving that Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum had hoped for. However, the Thunder simply know what the pros want, despite their youth and inexperience.
Devin: Thunder at 7. In what promises to be an absolute war, I think I trust Oklahoma City’s cadre of perimeter defenders to at least make Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving work everything more than I trust their counterparts in Dallas to put down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. And Jalen Williams. This, combined with OKC having home-field advantage, pushes me on the side of the young men being served.
Game 7, Cavs vs. Magic: Who do you have?
good intention: Cavaliers. Who remembers what I originally chose? I don’t think it matters because this series has had a lot of unexpected twists and turns, even if we get to an expected Game 7. How healthy is Donovan Mitchell? Because if he strikes again, this time at home, Orlando won’t be able to handle it. I think Orlando is better, but that doesn’t mean they’ll win the series. not yet. Home team on 7.
Devin: Charm. I picked Orlando before the series, and I’m sticking with it. Even in its wins, Cleveland looked shaky. And Game 6, which witnessed the Cavaliers team, without the name Donovan Mitchell, shooting 6 for 19 after the end of the first half, and started Without goals In the fourth quarter, he didn’t exactly inspire confidence. Orlando finished the job and sent Cleveland into a very difficult situation. very Interesting off season.
Rohrbach: Cavaliers. It should come as no surprise that the home team has won every game in this series, given the lack of playoff experience on both sides (beyond Donovan Mitchell). Players perform roles best at home, as the old cliché goes, and magic depends on a lot of them.
Fisher: Charm. Orlando had the worst regular-season road record (18-23) of any playoff team, but the Magic clearly have what it takes to win in Cleveland. They were on hand for Evan Mobley to take care of business in Game 5. Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner are ready for this moment. Orlando was built with the motto that its defense would travel. It is time to reverse this trend.