Entering Wednesday night, four of the five first round series were tied at 1-1, but the three favorites that played on Wednesday all won at home to join Portland as teams to own a 2-0 series lead before heading on the road.
Not all 2-0 and 1-1 series are created equal, however, and as we shift to the lower seeded teams getting the chance to host a couple games this weekend, it’s time to take stock of where each series stands and which we can expect to go deep into April — and which may end very soon. There are 2-0 series that indeed seem destined for sweeps, but others that feel as though the team down could now easily even things up now that they’re home. On the flip side, there are 1-1 series that look like they’ll go the distance or close to it, while others feel a bit more fluky.
We’ll explore all eight series here, going from least to most competitive, and start with the East’s top seed that looks to be on cruise control against a Blake Griffin-less Pistons squad.
8. Bucks-Pistons (2-0)
It would be a major shock if this series doesn’t result in a Milwaukee sweep. To their credit, the Pistons looked much better in Game 2, actually holding a one-point lead at halftime and cutting the Bucks lead to as few as seven in the fourth quarter. They even forced Giannis Antetokounmpo to play 30 whole minutes because it was marginally competitive late. The bad news is that, despite that effort, they still lost by 21 points as Milwaukee continues to overwhelm them with talent, athleticism, and execution. The Bucks have dominated lesser competition all season, and haven’t been very susceptible to letdown performances. They want to make a statement and sadly for the Pistons, they’re the team that has presented that opportunity.
7. Rockets-Jazz (2-0)
I don’t think anyone saw this coming, but it’s been real ugly for the Jazz. There were always some concerns that Houston’s offense was better than Utah’s defense and, as such, if it turned into anything resembling a track meet Utah would struggle to keep up. However, I’m not sure anyone expected two straight wire-to-wire blowouts, first by 32 in Game 1 and then 20 in Game 2. The hope for the Jazz is that going back home they’ll perform better and find a better offensive rhythm and feed off the crowd on the defensive end. That may be possible, but right now it looks like they’re simply overmatched by this Rockets team and have no answers for James Harden and this offense — which is especially concerning since, you know, defense is supposed to be the thing they’re good at.
6. Warriors-Clippers (1-1)
The 31-point comeback by the Clippers in Game 2 was one of the most incredible things I have ever watched and they, deservedly, were thrilled and encouraged by the result. I fear, however, that will be the last positive outcome for the Clippers in this series and the Warriors will lock in from here and put the pedal down. I mean, they won the first game going away and had a 31-point lead, so it’s not exactly looked like a competitive series for much of it. This Clippers team is fantastic and won’t quit, but I have a sneaking suspicion the Warriors won’t let that matter the next three games.
5. Raptors-Magic (1-1)
For two days, Toronto was in a minor panic that, once again, the Raptors were going to no-show a playoff series and disappoint after a strong regular season. And then Game 2 happened and a calm has been restored north of the border. I could be wrong, but I think this series ends in five games. Orlando’s been spectacular since the All-Star break, but Toronto figured out in Game 2 that they’re just better and can overwhelm them with talent so long as they simply execute. The Magic may have, pardon the pun, one more game of magic in them to make Toronto really sweat when Terrence Ross hits like eight threes or something, but I expect Toronto to handle their business.
4. Celtics-Pacers (2-0)
It’s 2-0, but it’s been a dicey 2-0 for Boston, requiring second half comebacks in each game. Last year, we saw Indiana thrive at home in a seven-game series against Cleveland, although that was with Victor Oladipo playing the starring role. This Pacers team clearly misses that creativity on the offensive end late in games, as the Celtics have been able to put the clamps on them when needed late. Still, they’re two absolutely atrocious quarters away from this being 2-0 their way, and they have to be fairly confident they can send this back to Boston.
3. Nets-Sixers (1-1)
The Sixers may have figured something out in that third quarter of Game 2 and put this away, but this is a Nets team that has lived in close games all season. I expect these next two games in Brooklyn to, if not include a Nets win, be at the least competitive. It may be as simple as being smart with the ball and keeping Philadelphia out of transition, because that’s where Ben Simmons feasts. Brooklyn may not win another game in this series, but I trust them to make the Sixers work hard to reach the semis.
2. Blazers-Thunder (2-0)
I considered putting this at No. 1, because this is by far the most intense playoff series, and I expect there to be an incredible atmosphere in OKC. Portland may just be the better team and sweep the Thunder. Russell Westbrook might just be unable of snapping out of his miserable shooting spell and Paul George’s shoulder is bothering him just enough to keep him from being the MVP-caliber star that led the Thunder earlier this season. However, even if that’s the case, the games are going to be thrilling to watch. Damian Lillard and Westbrook have the best rivalry between players at the same position in the NBA and make it must-see TV whenever they square off. While Game 2 became a runaway win for Portland, both games were tons of fun to watch for most of the proceedings, up until it got away from OKC late.
1. Nuggets-Spurs (1-1)
The only series not to feature a double-digit blowout thus far is Denver-San Antonio and that feels about right. It’s not a sexy matchup by any means — hence two of the first four games on NBA TV, more than any other series — but it is an incredibly even matchup, as evidenced by the first two games. Jamal Murray going nova in the fourth quarter of Game 2 gave this series plenty of intrigue going to Texas as it tied it up and provided a signature individual performance for the series. Of all the series, this feels like the one most likely to drag out to a potential seventh game.
