Ant Returns, Round Two Continues

After an initial report came out that Anthony Edwards would be returning for game three, he shocked everyone and played in game one. The Knicks came out on fire and that flame was never extinguished. The final two semi-final matchups start tonight. Let's talk about it!

Monday Night Games 

New York Knicks DEF Philadelphia 76ers 137-98 (NY Leads Series 1-0)
There really isn't much to talk about in a thirty nine point win. The Knicks simply couldn't miss. AS a team they shot sixty three percent from the field and fifty one percent from three. Brunson scored thirty five points, shot sixty six percent from the field, fifty percent from three. He was a perfect eight for eight from the charity stripe. All that scoring in just three quarters of play time. The Knicks didn't play a single starter in the fourth quarter, and I can't blame Mike Brown for resting the starters when he can. The 76ers proved their worth against the Celtics, the Knicks know they need to stay fresh for as many games as it takes to end this series. Resting starters in a blow out is one way to do that. They face off for game two tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden at 7:00 pm on ESPN. Now let's get into the game of the night.

Minnesota Timberwolves DEF San Antonio Spurs 104-102 (MIN Leads Series 1-0)

Yesterday morning when I was writing the preview to this series the latest report on Anthony Edwards was he would return for game three at the earliest. Shortly before the game I saw a report that he would suit up and attempt to play in game one, and play he did. he logged twenty five minutes off the bench scoring eighteen points. He scored eleven of his points in the fourth quarter. For someone who was rumored to be out at least another week, having the impact on the game that he did is nothing short of remarkable. In the preview of the playoffs I said I had a bias towards the Timberwolves for the reason I love watching Ant play. I think last night proved what type of player he is. Someone who will stop at nothing to play when his team needs him most, will go out on the court healthy or injured and give his team as many quality minutes they need. This team is still my favorite to watch and Edwards is still my favorite player to watch. In a conference as brutal as the West, you never know when your time is coming to an end. Take advantage of the fact we still get to watch Edwards and the Wolves play basketball for at least four more games. 

Tuesday Night Game 1's

Cleveland Cavaliers at Detroit Pistons - 7:00 pm EST on Peacock

Both of these teams wrapped up their first round match ups in convincing wins on Sunday night. The Pistons in a more dominant fashion than the Cavaliers, but nonetheless both teams are still standing. The Pistons are the best team in the East record wise but I would argue that the Cavs are the best team remaining in the East based on skill. The Cavs also have the advantage when it comes to experience. In the regular season they split the series winning two games each. That's exactly how I see this series starting. My original prediction was Cavaliers over Pistons in seven games. Like the series out West I am not changing that prediction. But the order of games will change. Originally I had Detroit winning the first two games at home followed by the Cavs winning their first two at home. I am going to switch that up a bit.

Prediction:

Cleveland Cavaliers over Detroit Pistons (4-3)

Series Order: DET, CLE, CLE, DET, DET, CLE, CLE

Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder - 8:30 pm EST on NBC

The Lakers and Thunder both made quick work of their first opponents. Lakers eliminating the Rockets in six games, Thunder eliminating the Suns in a four game sweep. The biggest question for the Lakers is Luka Doncic. Is he able to return before his estimated date like Edwards to boost the Lakers? His return is set for game three and by then I think it will be too late for the Lakers. They will most likely be down two games to zero before Luka plays a minute this series. Even if Luka is able to return before game three I still don't think it will be enough to propel the Lakers past the Thunder in a seven game series. For LeBron James his season, and potentially career, could come to an end. If this is the end of LeBron in the NBA I would love to see him go out in front of the Laker fans. That means either he gets swept out of the league or they send it to game six. Unfortunately for him the most likely scenario that send him home in front of the fans is a sweep, I don't see a world where this series goes six games. What I will give LeBron is a win at home in game four to avoid the sweep and send the fans home happy. 

Prediction:

Oklahoma City Thunder over Los Angeles Lakers (4-1)

Series Order: OKC, OKC, OKC, LAL, OKC

Check back tomorrow for the recap of tonight's games and the look ahead at game two of the Knicks v 76ers and Wolves v Spurs series.