This year’s NBA Conference Finals offer a fascinating contrast. On one side, we have the Boston Celtics, a team steeped in legendary history, boasting of 17 championships. On the other end of the spectrum are the first-timers, Minnesota Timberwolves; along with the Indiana Pacers, who have played in the Finals just once, but are yet to win. Then there is the Dallas Mavericks, who are trying to get back to the Finals for the third time in history.
Eastern Conference:
- Boston Celtics (1st Seed): Already winning the first game, led by the dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum (averaging a scorching 26.9 ppg in the playoffs) and Jaylen Brown (contributing 23 ppg), the Celtics are a force to be reckoned with. Their play, anchored by Jrue Holiday has been a nightmare for the opposite teams.
- Indiana Pacers (6th Seed): The surprise of the East – The Pacers are playing with heart and hustle. Tyrese Haliburton (averaging 20.1 ppg) has emerged as a star, leading the Pacers. Siakam and Myles Turner cannot be taken lightly either. Can the Pacers’ underdog spirit overcome the Celtics’ experience?
Western Conference:
- Minnesota Timberwolves (3rd Seed): Karl-Anthony Towns (averaged 21.8 points, 8.3 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 62 games this season) is a force to reckon with and Anthony Edwards (contributing a flashy 25.9 points, 5.4 rebounds and 5.1 assists) is a scoring machine on the wing. Together, they form a great offense. Rudy Gobert, defensive player of the year, provides a sense of security in the backcourt.
- Dallas Mavericks (5th Seed): In Game 6, The Mavericks knocked off the No. 1-seed OKC Thunder to reach their second conference finals in three years. Luka Doncic averaged 33.9 points, 9.8 assists and 9.2 rebounds in 70 games this season. His court vision is unmatched and his ability to create scoring opportunities is a nightmare for defenses. Can Doncic’s brilliance carry the Mavericks through the West?
Matchup Stats:
With these two squaring off for the seventh time in playoff history, let’s see what to expect: The Celtics boast the league’s best defense, while the Pacers counter with a potent offensive attack. The Celtics are veterans of the Conference Finals stage, reaching this point six times in the last eight years. They dominated the first round, winning four out of six series. The Celtics are used to this stage and the pressure that comes with it with their sixth conference finals appearance in the last eight years.
Upsets happen, especially to the Celtics; they have lost as a favorite in three of the past four postseasons. Last spring, they blew their chance at the NBA Finals to the No. 8-seed Miami Heat. These Pacers, by basically any quantitative measure, are better than that Heat team was. There is a scenario, however unlikely, in which Indiana beats Boston.
The Timberwolves have been 19.4 points per 100 possessions better in the second half (plus-18.4) than they’ve been in the first half (minus-1.0), over their 11 playoff games. The difference has been almost entirely about offense and the same can be said for the Mavs. The next few games are critical in the Western Conference Finals.
Buckle up because the Conference Finals promise to be an unforgettable spectacle!
Other Articles
