Category: Basketball

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Opening round series can often be duds in the NBA Playoffs. This Round 1 pairing of the Toronto Raptors and Cleveland Cavaliers can be something better.

Game 1 of what should be a very tight series tips off in Cleveland on Saturday, and I’ve got a same-game parlay that draws options from interesting situations and circumstances for both teams.

Here are my best Raptors vs. Cavaliers predictions and NBA picks on April 18.

Our best Raptors vs Cavaliers SGP for Game 1

The Cleveland Cavaliers draw first blood at home against a Toronto Raptors team that has been cursed in the opening contest of the playoff series. The Raptors are 4-12 SU in Game 1 outings since 2014. Cleveland has the inside-out scoring and tightens the bolts on defense when it has to.
 
Not all fans may be familiar with the Cavaliers’ Dean Wade. However, the 6-foot-9 forward plays an important role in how Cleveland will defend Toronto. He’s expected to jump into the starting lineup and log more minutes than his standard 21 per game. 

When Wade gets 25+ minutes of floor time, his rebounding rate soars over five boards per game.

Scottie Barnes will draw plenty of touches for Toronto, especially if point guard Immanuel Quickley is limited (questionable). When he went down in March, Barnes became the Raptors’ primary ball handler, and his assist production spiked.

He’s dished out seven or more dimes in eight of his past dozen outings.

This article originally appeared on Covers.com, read the full article here and view our best betting sites or check out our top sportsbook promos.

The Sixers have advanced in the NBA’s Play-In Tournament following a home win over the Magic. I wrote about the scenes from the victory down in South Philadelphia already, so I’ll hit you all with a new column to keep that energy flowing…

It was ‘The Andre Drummond Game’

Before their matchup with Orlando, I had wondered who the unsung hero of the game would be for the Sixers if they pulled this one out. I would’ve not guessed Andre Drummond, who, to be frank, infuriated me throughout the season whenever he was on the court. That wasn’t the case at all on Wednesday.

Joel Embiid was sidelined and Adem Bona got the nod as starting center, but Drummond played 31 minutes, totaling 14 points, 10 rebounds, two assists, three blocks and three steals. He stuffed the box score! The 32-year-old Drummond brought a level of physicality that the Sixers desperately needed against an opponent like Orlando. The Sixers don’t win that game without him delivering that level of performance.

The two threes he made during the game that made the Sixers faithful erupt at the arena? Those were the highlights of the evening.

Tyrese Maxey debuted his new signature New Balance sneakers in the win

Maxey, donning the Sixers’ black throwback uniforms on Wednesday, had the perfect sneakers to match with his new New Balances:

Tyrese Maxey’s first signature shoe: the New Balance Maxey v1 pic.twitter.com/cU5XDyWLCW

— HG (@Harrison_Grimm) April 15, 2026

My wife would kick me out of the house if I bought another pair of sneakers, but these look like perfect summer footwear for bopping around the city.

Per GQ, the sneakers will release later this year for $130.

Paul George needs to hit another gear, but I’m not sure he still has one

Paul George, who would turn 36 the day of a potential Sixers-Celtics Game 7, was 6-of-16 from the field and 1-of-6 from deep on Wednesday. The Play-In was his 11th game since returning from a 25-game anti-drug policy suspension. He needs to be better than that if the Sixers are to have even a puncher’s chance against Boston, particularly with Embiid’s timeline to getting back unknown as he recovers from surgery for appendicitis.

I always thought the “Playoff P” nickname was a bit of a misnomer for a guy, in the middle of his 16th pro season, who’s never reached the NBA Finals, but if he was ever going to live up that billing in its true form, it needs to be now.

‘We want Boston!’

As the Sixers inched closer to victory over Orlando, “We want Boston!” chants broke out at Xfinity Mobile Arena:

Sixers fans chanting

We want Boston pic.twitter.com/uoDj9iFwKz

— John Clark (@JClarkNBCS) April 16, 2026

Famous last words? I respect the energy from our fan base even though I’m sure people online will clown us in the event that the Celtics make quick work of the Sixers over the next week-plus.

A Sixers-Celtics prediction…

Celtics in five, sadly. Am I a coward for not at least tricking myself into hoping and dreaming of an unprecedented upset given the talent disparity and the specific opponent? Maybe! I’ll still be rooting like hell either way.

After an 82-game grind that at various points felt like a thriller, a slog, a dark comedy, and a group therapy exercise for everyone invested in Minnesota basketball, the Timberwolves have arrived exactly where they finished a year ago: the Western Conference’s sixth seed. On paper, that sounds almost boring. Same slot, same franchise trying to push through the same door for a third straight spring. But anyone who has watched this team closely knows there is nothing copy-and-paste about the situation the Timberwolves are walking into now.

Last year, the sixth seed felt a little like a gift basket. The Wolves drew a Los Angeles Lakers team that was trying to figure itself out, wrestling with new pieces, lacking real depth, and most importantly, vulnerable to the exact kind of physical, frontcourt-heavy pressure Minnesota wanted to apply. This time around, there is no such soft landing. There is no confused opponent trying to assemble the plane while already in the air. Instead, waiting on the other side is Nikola Jokic, the best player on the planet, and a Denver Nuggets team that looks more stable, deeper, and frankly nastier than the version Minnesota regular-season swept a year ago.

This formidable first-round matchup is the fitting punishment for a team that failed to meet the lofty expectations thrust upon them this season. Minnesota flirted with being a top-tier Western Conference team. They briefly put a hand on the three seed. They spent stretches looking like they might finally seize control of their own destiny. And then, like they did far too many times this season, they let go of the rope.

Now, to be fair, the Wolves did not exactly limp into the postseason in disgrace. They had injuries. They had guys rotating in and out. They had Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels miss time. They had all the usual wear and tear that comes when you’ve gone to the Western Conference Finals two years in a row and are trying to keep a veteran-heavy, expectation-heavy team alive through another 82-game marathon. But they also had too many nights where the problem wasn’t health or fatigue or roster construction. The problem was that they just didn’t show up with enough seriousness.

That is the tension hanging over this series.

Because if you are looking for reasons to believe in Minnesota, there are plenty. This team has been to back-to-back Western Conference Finals. It has playoff scar tissue. It has a real star in Edwards. It has size. It has defensive versatility. It has a deeper roster than this franchise has almost ever had. And perhaps most importantly, it has actual lived experience against Denver. They know what Jokić looks like over a seven-game series. They know what the Denver crowd feels like when things start rolling downhill. They know the physical toll, the emotional swings, and the pressure that comes with a series this massive.

They also know they can beat Denver.

That matters.

There are only a handful of teams in the league that can say that with a straight face. Minnesota is one of them. They went toe-to-toe with Denver before. They took them seven and lived to tell the tale. They’ve matched up well historically. Even in a season where the Wolves never quite found the same down-the-stretch cohesion they had a year ago, there remains a real belief that this is not some impossible draw. Difficult? Absolutely. Brutal? Without question. But impossible? No.

Still, belief and reality are not always on speaking terms in April.

The reality is that the Nuggets did not spend the past few months standing still. After taking a step back from their 2023 title peak and bowing out in the semifinal round in consecutive postseasons, Denver responded the way smart, motivated contenders usually do: they got sharper. The front office instability and the Mike Malone firing might have created a little drama, but it also pushed the organization to recalibrate. They brought in Cam Johnson and Jonas Valanciunas. They brought back Bruce Brown. This is not a team waiting to be exposed. This is a team that looks like it spent the year quietly taking notes.

That is why the Wolves cannot treat this like 2024’s sequel.

It is not enough to show up and expect that the old script will still work. This is not a series they can win by playing B-plus basketball and hoping Denver blinks first. Minnesota is going to have to be at or near its best. That phrase gets thrown around too loosely in sports writing, but here it actually applies. If the Wolves are going to move on past the first round for a third straight year, and only the fourth time in franchise history, they are going to need the best possible version of themselves. Not the version that sleepwalks through random regular-season Tuesdays. Not the version that gives away fourth quarters like unwanted coupons. Not the version that thinks it can flip the switch in the final five minutes and survive. The real version. The dangerous version. The one that has spent the last two postseasons convincing everyone this franchise is not just a cute story anymore.

And maybe, if you want to search for a silver lining, there is one.

For all the frustration of the final few weeks, for all the injuries and lineup juggling and weird late-season sputtering, the Wolves should be walking into this series relatively fresh. Edwards, Randle, McDaniels, and Gobert have all effectively been on reduced mileage programs over the past two weeks. They are not entering this series like a team that has been redlining into the finish line. Against Denver, where the series is likely to be a bar fight stretched across two weeks, freshness matters. They need their apex Timberwolves.

That is really what this series comes down to. This team has title aspirations, or at least it has been carrying itself like a team that wants to pretend it does. And title aspirations are not just about surviving the first round. They are about proving that beating Denver is not some one-off act of defiance from two years ago, not some piece of franchise folklore that gets dragged out every April like an old VHS tape. It is about showing that the Wolves can still play with championship pressure on their shoulders and not flinch. It is about getting back to the Western Conference Finals and, for the first time in franchise history, pushing beyond it.

That is the challenge. That is the opportunity. And that is why this series feels so massive.

Because if you strip away the standings drama, the regular-season wobbling, the what-if games they donated over the winter, and the endless debates over seeding, this is where the season was always headed. Toward a real opponent, a real test, and a real answer. Can the Wolves finally take all of that talent, all of that postseason experience, all of that maddeningly inconsistent regular-season potential, and turn it into four wins against the best player in basketball and a team built to maximize him?

And with that in mind, here is what has to happen for the Timberwolves’ core players if Minnesota is going to survive this first-round war and keep the bigger dream alive.

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Anthony Edwards: The Series Has to Bend to Him

If the Timberwolves are going to beat Denver, it starts with Anthony Edwards playing like the best player in the series.

That is a huge ask when Nikola Jokic exists. It is also the reality.

Hopefully this week off has done for Ant what it looked like it desperately needed to do, which is get his body right, get his legs back under him, and get him back to looking like the version of himself that can tilt an entire playoff series with force, shot-making, and swagger. But, and this is the key part, it cannot be empty-calorie hero ball.

That is the trap with Ant sometimes, and it is a trap that feels especially tempting in a series like this, where the stakes are high, the opponent is elite, and your star naturally wants to grab the game by the throat. There will absolutely be moments where that is needed. Late clock. Final two minutes. Series swinging in the balance. Of course you want Anthony Edwards taking those shots. He has proven over and over again that he can hit the dagger, that he can rise into a jumper with two defenders draped all over him and somehow make it feel inevitable. Those moments are his. That is part of what makes him special.

But for the other 47 minutes and 30 seconds, this has to be a series where Ant operates within the flow of the offense and uses his gravity like the superpower that it is. Denver is going to load up on him. They are going to try to wall off driving lanes and force him into difficult, high-degree-of-difficulty jumpers. The counter to that is not just to take even harder shots and try to out-alpha the problem. The counter is to weaponize everything, the three ball, the mid-range, and the downhill attacks. But also the playmaking. He needs to be the guy who doesn’t just score 32, but who creates six or seven other baskets because Denver is so terrified of him getting to his spots.

It has been joked about for years now that Anthony Edwards is secretly Michael Jordan’s son. Cute joke. Fun meme. But if there is ever a time to lean fully into the MJ mythology, the killer instinct, the refusal to blink, the sense that the moment belongs to you because you said so, this is it.

The Wolves do not need Ant to impersonate Jordan stylistically. They need him to channel that mentality, that ruthless understanding that great teams do not advance because their best player had a nice statistical series. They advance because their best player imposed his will on everything around him.

That is the bar.

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Julius Randle

There may not be a more polarizing player on this roster than Julius Randle, and honestly, that is pretty understandable. When you are the main incoming piece in the trade that shipped out Karl-Anthony Towns, a franchise pillar and beloved player, you are never walking into a neutral room.

The tricky part with Randle is that his game almost invites that emotional volatility. When he is bad, he is loudly bad. The ball sticks. The offense bogs down. He dribbles the air out of the possession, lowers his shoulder into traffic, and suddenly you are staring at a forced miss or a live-ball turnover while everyone else stands around watching. Defensively, he can drift. He can have possessions where he looks fully engaged followed by possessions where he appears to be operating under the assumption that someone else will handle it.

That is the frustrating version. The one that makes you yell at your television and start fantasizing about alternate trade constructions.

But when Julius is right, when he is locked in and forceful and fully engaged, he becomes one of the most valuable players on the team because he gives Minnesota something very few guys on the roster can: self-created offense with real force behind it.

Against Denver, there is real value in having a player who can bully his way into the paint, who can create a decent look out of a broken possession, and who can absorb contact and still finish. The Wolves are going to need that bruising version of Julius. Because this is not a finesse series. This is not a spread-you-out-and-jack-40-threes series. This is a weight-bearing series. A leverage series. A series where size and force have to matter.

Even that is not the full version of what Minnesota needs. Because the best playoff Julius is not just the bully-ball Julius. It is also the facilitator Julius.

It is the version who draws two defenders into the lane, keeps his head up, and sprays the ball out to open shooters instead of forcing some impossible interior contortion act. The Wolves need him reading the floor, finding cutters, kicking out to Ant, Dante, Jaden, and everybody else when the defense loads up. When Randle is doing that, both scoring and orchestrating, the offense takes on a completely different shape.

Minnesota also needs him to be credible from three. When he takes those shots, they need to matter. They need to go in often enough to punish Denver for cheating off him. They need to keep the spacing real. If Randle is bricking wide-open threes and drifting through defensive possessions, this gets ugly. If he is knocking them down efficiently and playing engaged basketball on both ends, this gets a whole lot more manageable.

We have already seen what playoff Julius can look like when everything is aligned. Last year against the Lakers and Warriors, he was a player who didn’t just support the stars but occasionally looked like one himself. That version changed the geometry of the floor.

The Wolves need that guy again.

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Rudy Gobert

No player on the Wolves has drawn a more difficult, more essential, or more exhausting first-round assignment than Rudy Gobert.

Rudy is the center of gravity here because Jokic is the center of gravity over there. That is the matchup. That is the series. Everything else branches off from that central problem.

Gobert is the only player on Minnesota’s roster with the size, discipline, and defensive instincts to take the first punch from Jokic and keep getting back up. That does not mean he will stop him. Nobody stops him. Rudy’s purpose is to make every decision harder, every pass a beat slower, every look a little more annoying, every rebound a little more physical.

We saw these two go to war in the 2024 semifinals, and yes, Gobert did not do it alone. He had Karl-Anthony Towns. He had Naz Reid. He had wave after wave of bodies helping wear Jokic down. That will be true again here. This is going to take all three of Minnesota’s bigs, maybe even more if foul trouble becomes a thing. But Rudy is still the center of the strategy.

To do that, Gobert has to be both aggressive and smart. The Wolves cannot afford foul-trouble Rudy. They cannot afford the version that gets baited into cheap whistles or overcommits on a possession and suddenly finds himself on the bench while Jokic takes a breather from the hardest part of his night. Rudy has to pick his spots. He has to stay disciplined.

He also has to dominate the glass.

Denver cannot be allowed to feast on second chances. The Wolves cannot survive a series where they defend for 18 or 20 solid seconds and then let Jokic or Valanciunas or some cutting wing grab the rebound and restart the torture chamber. Gobert has to be there cleaning everything up, ending possessions, denying extra life, and making Minnesota’s defense feel finished rather than unfinished.

Then there is the offensive side, which matters more than people like to admit.

The Wolves need high-efficiency Rudy. They need the version who catches lobs cleanly, who has ready hands in traffic, who puts back misses, who punishes Denver when they rotate too aggressively toward Ant or Randle. Against a team as smart as Denver, wasted easy points become haunting points. Gobert has to make Denver pay when they concede space behind the play.

When Rudy is truly locked in, he is not just a rim deterrent. He is a possession finisher. He keeps the defense anchored and the offense moving. He makes the Wolves feel bigger, meaner, more stable. We saw it in Game 5 against the Lakers last year, when he more or less reached into that series and pulled the Lakers’ soul out through their rib cage. The Wolves need that version of him now more than ever.

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Jaden McDaniels

Defensively, McDaniels’ assignment is about as serious as it gets. He’s going to spend long stretches chasing Jamal Murray and trying to disrupt the rhythm of one of the most dangerous playoff guards in basketball. He’ll also have his hands full at times with players like Cam Johnson and Bruce Brown.

But here’s the part that matters just as much: offense.

The Wolves don’t need Corner-Spectator McDaniels. They need the aggressive version, the one who attacks closeouts, gets downhill, and lives in that deadly mid-range/paint area where he’s quietly one of the most efficient players on the roster. When McDaniels is scoring 15–18 points on high-percentage looks, the offense unlocks.

This has to be a two-way series for Jaden. If he brings both ends, the defensive menace and the opportunistic scorer, he becomes the kind of player Denver has to account for on every possession. That’s when things start to tilt.

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Donte DiVincenzo

You already know what you’re getting from Donte in terms of effort. That’s not the question. He’s going to dive on the floor, chase loose balls, and generally play like a guy who thinks every possession is a schoolyard brawl. That part is locked in.

What isn’t always locked in, and what will define his impact in this series, is the shooting.

This Wolves team, for better or worse, is still heavily tied to the three-point line. When the shots fall, they look borderline unstoppable. When they don’t, things fall apart…. quickly. Donte sits right in the middle of that equation. He’s one of the purest shooters on the roster, but he’s also prone to the kind of streakiness that can swing a game, or a series, in either direction.

Minnesota doesn’t need him to go nuclear every night, but they do need consistency. If Donte can hit at a high clip, punish rotations, and make Denver pay for helping off him, he becomes the kind of connective piece that keeps the offense humming. If he goes cold for long stretches, it puts even more pressure on Ant and Randle to manufacture everything.

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Ayo Dosunmu

The Wolves spent most of the season trying to solve their point guard situation like it was a puzzle missing two or three pieces. Then Tim Connelly swooped in at the deadline and brought in Ayo Dosunmu, giving the team something it had been lacking: juice.

Ayo changes the tempo. He gets the Wolves out of half-court mud and into transition opportunities where things are simpler and cleaner. His ability to speed things up is incredibly valuable.

And then there’s the sneaky part: the shooting. He’s not a volume bomber, but he’s absurdly efficient when he does let it fly. If Ayo is knocking down open threes, he becomes a real problem because now you have to guard him honestly, and once that happens, his driving lanes open up, his playmaking improves, and suddenly he’s dictating possessions instead of just participating in them.

He doesn’t have to be the star of the series. But if he consistently tilts the pace and hits timely shots, he would instantly put his name in the running for the best trade deadline acquisition of the season.

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Naz Reid

Naz Reid is the definition of a “what version are we getting tonight?” player, and in a series like this, that unpredictability can either be a problem or a weapon.

At his best, Naz is a nightmare matchup. He stretches the floor. He can score inside and out. He brings energy off the bench that changes the feel of the game. And most importantly, he gives the Wolves a third big body to throw at Jokic, which is absolutely essential over the course of a seven-game series.

At his worst, especially when the shoulder has been bothering him, he can look a step slow, a little out of rhythm, and not quite the same offensive spark.

Minnesota needs the good version. The one who is nailing threes, who’s finishing through contact, and who’s spacing the floor and forcing Denver’s bigs to make decisions.

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Bones Hyland

Every playoff series has a moment, or two, or three, where things get weird. Shots aren’t falling. The offense stalls. Nobody can generate anything clean. And that’s when a guy like Bones Hyland becomes incredibly valuable.

He can come in, hit three shots in 90 seconds, and completely flip the energy of a game. He can attack the rim, pull up from deep, and play with the kind of fearless aggression that doesn’t always make sense but sometimes is exactly what you need. He’s not going to be consistent every night. That’s not his role. But if he gives you two or three explosive scoring bursts over the course of this series, that could absolutely swing a game.

In a matchup this tight, one stolen game can change everything.

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Mike Conley

Two years ago, Mike Conley was the steady hand guiding this team through one of the most emotional series in franchise history. This time around, his role is going to be much smaller, maybe even sporadic.

That doesn’t mean it’s unimportant.

If Conley sees the floor, it’s because the Wolves need calm. They need organization. They need someone to slow things down and make sure the offense doesn’t spiral into chaos. Even if he doesn’t play much, his presence still matters. Leadership in the playoffs isn’t always about minutes. Sometimes it’s about making sure the guys who are playing don’t lose the plot.

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Terrence Shannon Jr.

If there was one guy who used the final week of the regular season to bang on the door and demand attention, it was Terrence Shannon Jr.

Thirty-three against Orlando. Another 20+ against Houston. Suddenly, the flashes we’d been waiting for all season started to look a lot more real. Shannon brings something this team doesn’t have a ton of: straight-line speed, downhill pressure, and a willingness to attack the rim without overthinking it.

Will he have a big role in this series? Maybe not.

But if foul trouble hits, or if the Wolves need a jolt of energy, or if someone simply isn’t bringing it, Shannon has at least put himself in the conversation as a guy who can step in and give you real minutes.

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Jaylen Clark

All season long, Jaylen’s role has fluctuated, but what Clark brings is something you can’t really manufacture: instinctive, disruptive, borderline annoying defense. He’s the kind of guy who can come in cold and immediately pick up full court, blow up a dribble handoff, or turn a routine possession into a fast-break in the other direction.

And in a series against a player like Jamal Murray, having a defensive wildcard matters.

Clark may not be part of the primary rotation, but don’t be surprised if there are moments where Murray strings together a few buckets, the Wolves need a different look, and Finch reaches down the bench and says, “Go bother him for a few minutes.” That’s Clark’s lane. He’s not there to score 15. He’s there to disrupt, to inject energy, and to give Minnesota a defensive gear they don’t otherwise have.

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Joan Beringer

Every playoff series has that moment where your depth gets tested in a way you didn’t plan for. A couple quick fouls, someone tweaks something mid-game, and suddenly you’re looking down the bench…

That’s where Joan Beringer comes in.

He’s not expected to play meaningful minutes in a perfect-world scenario. But against a team like Denver, where Nikola Jokic has a habit of dragging bigs into foul trouble and physically wearing teams down, having another capable body matters more than you’d think.

Beringer gives you size. He can soak up a few minutes, contest a couple shots, grab a rebound or two, and just… survive a stretch. Think of him as the “break glass in case of emergency” option. You don’t plan around him, but if the moment calls for it, having that extra layer of depth could quietly save you in a game that hangs in the balance.

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Chris Finch

Now it’s time for a little Chris Finch discourse.

On one hand, it’s fair to say this team underachieved relative to its talent. You don’t go to back-to-back Western Conference Finals and expect finishing sixth to feel like a clean success. There were too many nights where the effort wasn’t there. Too many games where they played with their food. Too many collapses that turned wins into head-scratching losses.

Some of that is on the players. Some of that is on the coach.

But zoom out for a second. Finch is still, by basically every meaningful measure, the best coach this franchise has ever had. He’s taken them further, more consistently, than anyone before him. That matters.

Now comes the part where he has to level up again.

Playoff coaching is different. It’s about adjustments. It’s about recognizing when things are slipping and calling that timeout before the avalanche hits. It’s about rotations, matchups, counters, and making sure your team doesn’t fall back into the bad habits that haunted them in January and February.

Finch has the pieces. Now he has to put them together in a way that gets the absolute best version of this team onto the floor for as many of these next seven games as possible.

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That’s a long list of names. A long list of expectations. And honestly, when you step back and look at it, you can make a pretty strong case that this is the deepest, most versatile roster this franchise has ever rolled into a playoff series with. Top to bottom, in terms of guys who can swing a game on a given night? This might be the one.

And that’s what makes this whole thing so fascinating… and, if we’re being honest, so maddening.

Because we’ve seen it. Over 82 games, we’ve seen the version of this team that looks like a legitimate contender, the one that locks in defensively, moves the ball, hits threes at a respectable clip, and suddenly turns into a serious problem for the team in the opposing jerseys. We’ve also seen the other version. The one that sleepwalks through a Tuesday night, blows a fourth-quarter lead, or spends three possessions in a row dribbling into bad shots like they’re trying to speedrun a collapse.

That’s the push and pull of this entire season. The reason it’s felt like a roller coaster instead of a coronation.

But here’s the thing: none of that matters anymore.

This is the part of the season where reputations get made or rewritten. Where you either prove what you are… or you don’t.

There are no more dress rehearsals. No more “we’ll figure it out.” No more blaming the schedule, or injuries, or chemistry, or whatever excuse you want to reach for. This is it. This is the moment this team has been building toward since they walked off the floor in Oklahoma City last May.

The opponent isn’t exactly a soft landing.

Denver brings the best player on the planet, a team with championship pedigree, and a roster that’s been sharpened specifically for this kind of fight. There’s no easing into this postseason. It’s straight into the deep end.

But here’s the flip side, and it’s the part that should give Wolves fans just enough irrational confidence to talk themselves into this thing: Minnesota knows this team. They’ve been here before. They’ve stood toe-to-toe with this group and survived. They’ve proven that they can beat this opponent in a playoff setting.

So now it comes down to something simple, even if it’s not easy: Can they be the best version of themselves, four times in seven games? Can they string together the defensive intensity, the offensive flow, the composure, the shot-making, all the things we’ve seen in flashes, and actually sustain it when it matters most?

They have to lean into what they are at their peak. They have to become what they’ve teased all season long.

Apex predators.

Not the team that shows up for three quarters. Not the team that waits for someone else to close. Not the team that plays with its food.

The one that hunts. The one that finishes. The one that leaves no doubt.

Because the potential is there. We’ve all seen it.

Now it’s time to prove it.

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My favorite thing about betting on the NBA Playoffs is finding value in the game-to-game adjustments.

Players who may have served a minimal support role during the regular season suddenly become pillars of a series strategy. It can take our wagers to strange and unknown places, like Cleveland Cavaliers forward Dean Wade.

Wade was in and out of Cleveland’s starting lineup but will be counted on heavily against the Toronto Raptors in Round 1 of the Eastern Conference playoffs.

Our Raptors vs. Cavaliers predictions see Wade rising in the rotation, and my NBA picks like him to get after it on the glass in Game 1 on April 18.

Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 1 prediction

Raptors vs Cavaliers best bet: Dean Wade Over 3.5 Rebounds (-125)

Heading into this Round 1 series, the big question for Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Kenny Atkinson was how he would counter Toronto Raptors small forward Brandon Ingram.

According to what team analysts believe, Atkinson will go with size as his best option, rolling out 6-foot-9 forward Dean Wade alongside Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. This gives Cleveland a long and interchangeable defense-first lineup, with Wade able to counter Ingram’s perimeter play.

Not only is Wade a great defender, but he’s also counted on to clean the glass. He’s averaged 4.3 rebounds since the All-Star break with 8.6 rebounding chances per contest. He’s collected at least four boards in 15 of his last 24 outings.

Wade averaged around 21 minutes per game but was limited at the end of the year after injuring his ankle. With time to heal and an increased role, his rebound rate will soar on Saturday.

Wade has logged 25 or more minutes in just 24 of his 59 games. But when he draws that floor time, he averages more than five rebounds and has snatched up four or more boards in 18 of those 24 showings.

The rebounding chances will be there, considering the Cavaliers can put this Toronto transition attack in sand and force the Raptors to play a half-court game. Cleveland gives up the sixth-lowest points per play to transition offenses and doesn’t budge for easy looks inside, with the fifth-lowest points in the paint allowed.

Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 1 same-game parlay

The Cavaliers slow down the Raptors' attack and force them into a half-court contest, plugging up the interior with their defensive length. Toronto isn’t a great perimeter team and will struggle to counter the triples from James Harden and Donovan Mitchell.

Scottie Barnes carries the weight for this Toronto team, especially if point guard Immanuel Quickley is limited. He missed time with foot and hamstring ailments, leaving Barnes as the primary ball handler and sparking a surge in his assists. Quickley is questionable, and Barnes will have plenty of touches in Game 1.

Raptors vs Cavaliers SGP

• Cleveland moneyline
• Dean Wade Over 3.5 rebounds
• Scottie Barnes Over 6.5 assists

Our "from downtown" SGP: Deep Thoughts

With the Cavs defense pushing Toronto to the perimeter, Ingram is forced to take and make triples to keep pace with Cleveland’s combo of Harden and Mitchell. Both sharpshooters are projected for at least three triples in Game 1.

Raptors vs Cavaliers SGP

• Cavaliers -8
• Brandon Ingram Over 1.5 made threes
• James Harden Over 2.5 made threes
• Donovan Mitchell Over 2.5 made threes

Raptors vs Cavaliers odds for Game 1

• Spread: Raptors +8 | Cavaliers -8
• Moneyline: Raptors +275 | Cavaliers -350
• Over/Under: Over 219.5 | Under 219.5

Raptors vs Cavaliers betting trend to know

The Toronto Raptors are 4-12 SU and ATS in Game 1 of a playoff series going back to the 2014 postseason. Find more NBA betting trends for Raptors vs. Cavaliers.

How to watch Raptors vs Cavaliers Game 1

Raptors vs Cavaliers latest injuries

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The NBA playoffs are finally upon us, and that means one thing: it’s time to place every team in arbitrary tiers made by yours truly. 

First, we need to reiterate one thing. In any given year, only a handful of teams have legitimate shots at the title, as history’s shown that teams need a player good enough to go down as a top-35(ish) all-time great, along with an All-NBA level sidekick. This year, only three squads meet those thresholds: the Thunder, Spurs, and Nuggets. 

However, since all of those juggernauts play in the West, we also need to factor in the path to the title for every team. That’s why the East’s best, Boston, are lumped in as a title contender, while the Wolves are in a tier with some lesser teams. 

As usual, let’s start at the top.

The favorite: Thunder

OKC was going to be the favorite no matter what, and the only question that remained was who they needed to beat to repeat as champs. Well, after the Spurs’ loss to Denver in the final regular season game, the Thunder officially have a Mickey Mouse path to the Conference Finals, as they’ll only need to go through a poor play-in team and either the Burnergate Rockets or a hobbled Luka-led Lakers. 

Given their bye to the semis, I think the title is essentially a coin toss between the Thunder and the entire field. OKC remains the deepest team in the league with arguably the best player too, and they went 64-18 while prioritizing health for 2/3 of the season. All the underlying metrics point to the Thunder being a historically great team, with a +11.9 net rating on the back of a ludicrous 107.3 DRTG, and they could’ve flirted with 70 wins if the regular season was a priority. OKC’s potential flaw is the lack of a second offensive option, as JDub has been injured all year and has not played at the level he did last postseason. I’d bet on the Thunder winning if JDub is at 90% of his usual level, but if that can’t happen, then the title race could be more open than expected. 

Legitimate title contenders: Spurs, Nuggets, Celtics 

The Spurs could’ve had the same Mickey Mouse path to the Conference Finals that the Thunder do had they taken care of business against Denver last week. Instead, they’re now facing a potential gauntlet with the Nuggets on their side of the bracket and OKC waiting in the third round, if they even make it that far. I was seriously contemplating picking San Antonio to win it all had they beaten Denver’s C-team, and they’re still talented enough to do it, but a more realistic scenario is a competitive loss to the Nuggets or Thunder before heading into next year as one of the favorites — similar to OKC in 2024. 

Denver, meanwhile, was my preseason title pick, and their ceiling remains high enough for that to happen. The Nuggets’ 122.5 ORTG is the best ever, and that number exceeds 130 when both Jokic and Murray play. However, their 117.5 DRTG is also 21st in the league, and Peyton Watson is still recovering from a calf strain. Denver’s recipe to the finals is rediscovering their early-season form, especially on defense. The Nuggets were a top 5 defensive team for roughly the first 20 games of the year, and while a lot of that was due to shooting luck, they passed the eye test with flying colors. If they can get back to that level and keep Aaron Gordon healthy, Denver is on par with OKC, but they’ll also need to beat the Spurs first to reach the defending champs.

Boston, meanwhile, isn’t in the same realm as the other teams, but they have a much easier path to the finals. Neither of the Jays are on the level of a Shai, Wemby, or Jokic, and yet, the Celtics’ championship DNA and coaching means that they’ve got a shot at beating any of those teams — especially if the West’s representative is beat up from the wars they’ll wage.

Finals contenders: Knicks, Pistons

Even though Boston is listed in a tier above, I wouldn’t pick them over the entire East field. Both the Knicks and Pistons have the talent to make it to the finals, with the only difference being that neither team seem capable of beating any of the West’s juggernauts. Still, New York and Detroit are two of just six teams with both a top-10 offense and defense, and credit should be given to their respective bigs.

KAT has improved his defense drastically in the last third of the season and shouldn’t be considered a liability if he keeps up his current play. On the other end, Jalen Duren averaged 23/10 when Cade was out with his collapsed lung, giving the Pistons a potential second scoring option good enough to get through the East. 

I still expect Boston to get to the finals, but both the Knicks and Pistons can make things very interesting. 

The fraud: Cavaliers

If you still believe in the Cavs, I really don’t know what to say. They’ve turned into Clippers East and will inevitably flame out as usual. 

Since the Harden trade, Cleveland has the fourth-best offense (121.4) but the 13th-ranked net rating (+4.5) and 18th-ranked defense (116.9). They went 21-9 with an extremely easy schedule and had trouble blowing out tankers due to their defense. If the Cavs don’t get upset by Toronto in the first round, then they’ll be out-toughed by the Pistons in the second. Just look at how their 2023 series against the Knicks went. 

I truly wish Cavs fans the best of luck, but don’t be surprised when Mitchell gets banged up, the team gets outrebounded by 100, and Harden goes 2/11 in another elimination game. 

Upset potential: Timberwolves, Hawks, Raptors, Hornets*

As back-to-back Western Finalists, the Wolves deserve a better fate than this. Unfortunately, their path to the finals includes facing the Nuggets in round 1, and potentially the Spurs and Thunder in rounds 2 and 3. Moreover, this is a team that has a negative net rating since February, and Ant and McDaniels are just returning from injury. I would be shocked if they took Denver to a game 7, let alone win. 

Atlanta has been one of the five best teams for almost two months now, and they will be a difficult test for the Knicks. Yes, they had a cupcake schedule during their winning streak, but the Hawks continued dominating until the end of the season, finishing the year 16-5 with a +12 net rating, good for third in the league during that span. 

The Hornets, meanwhile, still need to beat the “PB no J” Magic, and assuming they do, have a real shot at upsetting Detroit too. This Charlotte team is a 50-win team hiding in plain sight, as they have one of the five best records in the league since the new year (33-16) with the second-best net rating at +11.2 — three points better than Detroit.

Lastly, Toronto’s placement here says as much about the Cavs as it does the Raptors, but they also had a better net rating (+6.0) than Cleveland since the Harden trade, while placing top 10 in both offense and defense during that span. Even if they beat the Cavs, I expect a relatively uncompetitive series against Detroit/Charlotte in round 2. 

Thunder fodder: Lakers, Rockets

Do we even need to elaborate? The Lakers virtually have no shot against Houston with Luka still sidelined, and Houston was the team everyone wanted to play due to their anemic offense and shocking chemistry issues with getoffmy KD. Moreover, the winner will face a rested OKC team that’ll likely sweep their first-round matchup with Shai sitting every fourth quarter. 

There’s always next year, though! I heard a certain Kalshi ambassador might be available. 

Participation medal: Sixers, Blazers, Warriors/Suns*, Magic* 

Truly the circle of sadness, none of these teams have a shot at winning any first-round series. Still, many of them will be worth watching for the entertainment value. I’d love to see some Steph magic (sorry Phoenix) for perhaps the final time in the playoffs, and Portland could give the Spurs some trouble with their physicality and size against Wemby. 

In the East, Philly vs Boston is a classic rivalry, and Embiid hasn’t been ruled out of the series yet. As for Orlando, well, can their season just end already? The Hornets are a much more entertaining team, anyway. 

Finals prediction: Thunder over Celtics in 6

Interestingly, I chose this matchup last season too, and only half of that came true. I’m not as confident this year due to the wildcards in the East, and it hinges heavily on how large a load Tatum can handle. In 16 games, The Plagiarizer averaged 21.8/10/5.3 on 41/33/82 splits, looking like 85% of his usual self. More importantly, Tatum ramped his minutes up to 36.2 over five games in April, scoring over 20 points in every contest. It remains to be seen if he’s able to guard opposing bigs again, but regardless, the Celtics have the best combination of toughness, playoff pedigree, and matchup versatility in the East.

OKC’s path has already been laid out. It’ll be shocking if they dropped more than two games in the opening two rounds, and could meet an extremely banged-up Spurs/Nuggets team coming off a 7-game war. With that said, San Antonio has a unique matchup advantage over the Thunder, and if Denver gets past them, it could be a sign that they’ve regained their early-season form. OKC will be challenged and pushed to the brink, but I’m still confident in their ability to be the first back-to-back champs since the dynastic Warriors.

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Cavaliers played an uninspired first 43 minutes against a tanking Indiana Pacers team that only had nine available players in early April. The final five minutes were different.

Cleveland was up four with five minutes to play before hitting the accelerator. They scored 11 points over the next three minutes to push their lead to 13 as they cruised to what became a stress-free victory.

Controlling the last few minutes has been a trend over the back half of the season. Since the beginning of February, the Cavs have registered the third-best offensive rating (131) and best net rating (+34.6) in clutch situations (when the game is within five points in the final five minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime). Before February, Cleveland ranked 23rd in offensive rating and 13th in net rating in that setting.

According to their head coach, there’s one reason for their success: James Harden.

“Give him the ball and get out of the way,” Kenny Atkinson said.

That simple plan has worked. The Cavs had an outrageous 143 offensive rating and a +57.9 net rating in just over 40 clutch minutes Harden has played since the trade. That has resulted in a 13-2 record in clutch-time games during that stretch.

The Cavs have done a good job of incorporating some of Atkinson’s motion-based offense with the traditional, isolation sets that Harden is used to working with. However, at the end of games, they’ve opted to slow the game down and space the floor.

“We do some stuff and some sets, and it’s more him getting the right matchup,” Atkinson said. “We have really worked on our spacing in his iso situations or pick and roll, we have worked on that. But 99% of it is James Harden making the right play.”

The simple and effective plan has worked for the Cavs, but only because the team’s franchise player has been willing to cede control of the offense late.

“A lot of the times I feel like if you want to deny me the ball, go ahead,” Donovan Mitchell said. “This man’s done it for 17 years at the highest level, you know what I mean? And vice versa.”

The two have had conversations about how to best work in the postseason, which shows through in the results. Mitchell pointed to multiple clutch-time plays from earlier this year to prove how those discussions have paid off. The first was from their win over the Golden State Warriors on April 2.

The Warriors were denying Mitchell on the wing, so he allowed Harden to dictate that possession. “James gets to his stuff, hits Evan, Evan hits Max, I cut. That’s one.”

Next, Mitchell pointed to a play late against the Denver Nuggets shortly after the trade to help seal a road-win.

“Then you can go to Denver, where they blitz him. He hits me, I hit JA,” Mitchell said.

And lastly, Mitchell highlighted the following possession. The defense didn’t blitz Harden, allowing him to take the off-the-dribble three. Sequences like this are possible when you have two elite playmakers. The defense can really only try to take away one.

“Sometimes our best offense is letting him operate and being able to find a way to manipulate the game and trust him that it’s going to be the right play,” Mitchell said.

The spacing is the key to making these three plays work. Harden’s game is built on creating mismatches. Having everyone properly spaced forces the defense to commit to a double or leave individual players on an island. No matter which the defenses chooses the Cavs are betting their talent can win out in the end.

“The spacing is the most important thing,” Harden said, “and once we got the spacing, then everything else should take care of itself, which is very, very key going into the postseason because you’re in late-game situations; you’ve got to make sure you execute.”

“They know he’s got to have the ball,” Atkinson said. “They know where to space. Communicating with them all the time. He’s always communicating with our screeners on what to do. So he’s coaching it too. It’s not just making the plays. He coaches it with the guys out there, which is what the great quarterbacks do.”

Quarterback play often decides tight playoff games in the NFL. While it isn’t a one-to-one comparison here, it’s fair to say that the Cavs didn’t have great quarterback play last postseason. They dropped all three games in the second round against the Pacers that entered a clutch situation. When games got close, the Cavs weren’t able to generate efficient offense. That cost them, especially in Game 2 when they blew a seven-point lead in the final minute and were outscored 36-21 in the fourth quarter.

Harden should help in this equation. Despite his previous playoff shortcomings, he’s at the very least shown he can solve what was previously an issue for the Cavs in the regular season by consistently generating quality looks late in games. That will need to translate over to the playoffs if the Cavs want to reach their goals.

“We’re not going to have our best games [all the time], it’s just natural,” Mitchell said. “No one’s had a perfect playoff run. So when the going gets tough, when you have a guy like him alongside you, you’re very calm. We’re very calm as a group and understand that, hey, we’re going to get the best shot somehow, some way.”

The New York Knicks can take solace that Trae Young is nowhere to be found in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series against the Atlanta Hawks, and thus, Knicks fans don't have a chance to spit on him because he was torching their team.

Young is in a Washington Wizards uniform after a January trade, but when he was in Atlanta five years ago, he single-handedly led the Hawks to a five-game drubbing of the Knicks, leading to more postseason dread for New York.

Nothing has changed in the big picture for the Knicks, who are seeking their first Finals appearance since 1999, and welcome the visiting Hawks to kick off the best-of-seven series.

Here is a breakdown of the Knicks-Hawks series:

How the Knicks can advance

Of course, Jalen Brunson wasn't on the Knicks roster in 2021 and joined the team the next offseason after leaving the Dallas Mavericks and signing a four-year, $104 million free-agent contract.

The Knicks' playoff fortunes begin and end with Brunson, the reigning Clutch Player of the Year, so it is imperative that he gets going early and also gets his teammates involved. That means Karl Anthony Towns needs to be aggressive on both ends of the floor, and in his two games this season against the Hawks, he averaged 28.5 points and 13.5 rebounds. But the bench is the X-factor for New York, which ranked third in offensive efficiency and fifth in 3-point percentage, and can generally go nine or 10 deep during the postseason, which might give them an advantage the longer the series goes on.

New York, winners of 53 games, played at a faster pace and hoisted more 3-pointers this season than under predecessor Tom Thibodeau. But one disadvantage is that, looking ahead to Boston, a healthy Jayson Tatum could be staring them right in the face in the second round.

How the Hawks can advance

Atlanta has played outstanding basketball over the last two months, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them advance out of this round.

Their defense must be elite, and the Hawks have a top-10 defense, just like the Knicks, who are more than capable of turning stingy defense into instant offense. Job number one for Atlanta is to stop Brunson on the offensive end and make him a liability on defense, using their guards' height advantage. They must also win the rebounding battle and pound the ball inside, as New York's lack of rim presence, especially shot blocking, can be used to their advantage.

Jalen Johnson has turned into a star, averaging 22.5 points, 10.3 rebounds, and 7.9 assists per game, and teaming with Nickeil Alexander-Walker, a nearly 21-point-per-game scorer, the Knicks will have their hands full against one of the best distributing teams in the league. The addition of Jonathan Kuminga should help, especially when Atlanta struggles in the half-court. But the Hawks must run the Knicks out of the gym to have a chance, but they might not have the offensive firepower to stay in the series.

Prediction: Knicks in five

Knicks vs hawks Series schedule: TV, stream information

• Game 1: Atlanta at New York, Saturday, April 18, 6 p.m., Prime Video
• Game 2: Atlanta at New York, Monday, April 20, 8 p.m., NBC, Peacock
• Game 3: New York at Atlanta, Thursday, April 23, 7 p.m., Prime Video
• Game 4: New York at Atlanta, Saturday, April 25, 6 p.m., NBC
• Game 5: Atlanta at New York, Tuesday, April 28, TBD, (if necessary)
• Game 6: New York at Atlanta, Thursday, April 30, TBD (if necessary)
• Game 7: Atlanta at New York, Saturday, May 2, TBD (if necessary)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Knicks vs Hawks NBA playoffs prediction, schedule, matchups, analysis

It feels like the difference between the NBA’s regular season and playoffs becomes more stark every year. While high-scoring games and tanking talk dominated the national discourse over the league’s 82-game slog, there was quietly a fascinating championship race bubbling beneath the surface. There are several viable contenders in both conferences this season, and if the play-in tournament is any indication, the product is going to be so much more competitive and engaging than the regular season ever was.

The Oklahoma City Thunder enter the playoffs as the favorites to win it all, and they’re fighting against the recent history of the league to do it. No team has won back-to-back championships since Kevin Durant was on the Golden State Warriors back in 2017 and 2018. OKC has the likely MVP in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander along with the league’s best defense, but occasional outside shooting woes and lingering injuries to co-star Jalen Williams make the Thunder vulnerable.

The San Antonio Spurs and Denver Nuggets are both dreaming of winning it all behindx their superstar big men Victor Wembanyama and Nikola Jokic. The race in the East is even more wide open with the top four teams in the playoff bracket all believing they have what it takes to reach the 2026 NBA Finals.

With the playoffs about to get underway, let’s rank every team in the field by their championship chances. We’ll update this story with the two No. 8 seeds once those are decided in the final round of the play-in tournament.

14. Portland Trail Blazers

The Blazers are back in the playoffs for the first time in five years, and they have a strong foundation to continue growing for the future. Portland has a burgeoning star creator in Deni Avdija and a defense that ranked No. 3 in the league since the All-Star break. Avdija’s ability to take bumps on his drives to the rim and consistently get to the foul line gives this team a chance to generate consistent offense when everything else fails. Donovan Clingan feels like a star in the making for his rebounding and rim protection, but he’s about to have his hands full against Victor Wembanyama in the first round. I think Portland can take a game off the Spurs, but I’d be surprised with anything more than that.

13. Los Angeles Lakers

It’s a shame that the Lakers will head into the offseason without knowing how good this team truly is. Luka Doncic’s hamstring strain and Austin Reaves’ oblique strain will decimate Los Angeles’ chances in the playoffs with both expected to miss the start of their first-round series against Houston, if not the entire thing. LeBron James is the focal point once again for the Lakers, but he just doesn’t have enough help to advance even if Houston can get caught in the mud offensively. I would have picked the Lakers to win this series with Doncic and Reaves healthy, but that’s not the case, so I have to go with the Rockets.

12. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors deserve a lot of credit for jumping from 30 wins to 46 wins on the back of an elite defense. Scottie Barnes has taken a real leap on both ends, the Brandon Ingram addition has worked out reasonably well, and the front office has hit the jackpot with some value free agent signings (Sandro Mamukelashvili) and second-round picks (Jamal Shead). The catch with Toronto’s turnaround is they still can’t beat a good team, with most of their wins coming by taking care of business against bottom-feeders. The Raptors at least know who they are as a team, which should work to their advantage in a first-round series against a new-look Cleveland team that’s still coming together after the trade deadline. I’d be surprised if Toronto wins a series, but they should keep things competitive if nothing else.

11. Philadelphia 76ers

Joel Embiid’s health has haunted the 76ers on just about every playoff run of his career, and it’s happening again. Embiid is sidelined after having his appendix removed earlier this month, but Philly didn’t need him to earn the No. 7 seed in the East by beating the Magic in the play-in. Tyrese Maxey has had a special season, and he can take over any game in crunch-time even if the Boston Celtics have some ideal defenders to throw on him. Embiid miraculously returning to peak form would give Philly a chance in this series, but Boston still feels like a comfortable favorite to advance, even if it takes six games.

10. Atlanta Hawks

The Hawks traded Trae Young and Kristaps Porzingis ahead of the deadline, and suddenly morphed into one of the best teams in the Eastern Conference. Since the deadline, Atlanta ranks No. 6 in the league in net-rating, outscoring opponents by 7.4 points per 100 possessions. The New York Knicks have more talent on paper, but the Hawks are playing such good ball on both ends that there’s a real chance for an upset. Atlanta has the bodies to throw at Jalen Brunson on the perimeter, with Nickeil Alexander-Walker and Dyson Daniels getting the assignment most of the series. Alexander-Walker will also be counted on to produce offensively as he shares the creation burden with C.J. McCollum. The fun thing about the Hawks is that almost everyone in the lineup can attack off the dribble, and it should put a Knicks team with a couple weak links defensively in an uncomfortable position. I still like New York to advance, but it won’t be easy.

9. Houston Rockets

The Rockets felt like they would be toast in the first round of the playoffs for most of the second half of the season, but a strong closing kick plus a favorable matchup against a Lakers team missing its two best players gives Houston a reason to believe. The Rockets aren’t the same team without injured starters Steven Adams and Fred VanVleet, but there’s still a pathway to advancing here. Kevin Durant has put up an All-NBA caliber year at age-37, and he’s again going to have to carry the offense for long stretches in this series. Alperen Sengun is a workhorse in the middle who should have his way with Deandre Ayton. Amen Thompson could be a breakout candidate with elite defense and transition scoring, but there are questions about his halfcourt offense. It’s hard to believe we’re getting another KD vs. LeBron series in 2026 — it would just be a lot more fun if everyone else around them was healthy.

8. Minnesota Timberwolves

Wolves vs. Nuggets might be the best rivalry in the NBA at this point as the two teams prepare for their third playoff series in four years. The Wolves remain something of a mystery even after 82-games with recent injuries to Anthony Edwards and Jaden McDaniels, the trade deadline acquisition of Ayo Dosunmu, and the integration of Bones Hyland into a real rotation piece. Minnesota is still an elite defensive team with Rudy Gobert on the floor, posting a 109.4 defensive rating in his minutes that would have ranked third in the league. Of course, Nikola Jokic poses unique problems even for the league’s best defenders, and it feels like Minnesota’s only real chance is if it’s offense reaches levels it hasn’t hit during the regular season. Edwards will have to play at his best level to give Minnesota a chance, but the Wolves also need Julius Randle to repeat his inspired playoff run last year, and for Dosunmu and Naz Reid to stay hot as shooters. It feels like a long-shot the Wolves can win this series, but it’s hard to discount them after back-to-back conference finals trips.

7. Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavs traded Darius Garland for James Harden at the deadline to become bigger, tougher, and more durable for the playoffs. Harden turned in another All-NBA caliber season at age-36, but it’s hard to trust him in the playoffs after so many high profile failures. Cleveland’s biggest issue is that the team just hasn’t really been healthy all season, but it finally seems like they should have all their key pieces for this run. Harden has helped take Jarrett Allen’s offense to the next level, and their pick-and-roll combination could determine Cleveland’s offensive ceiling just as much as Donovan Mitchell’s shot-making. The Cavs’ defense has been a little spotty, and keeping Toronto in check in transition will be a good gauge of their overall level. It feels like the Cavs could be in for more changes if they go bust on this run (a LeBron reunion, anyone?), but there’s still significant upside here if it all comes together.

6. New York Knicks

The Knicks have tons of talent, but often leave their fans wanting a little bit more. The starting lineup has essentially played teams even for two years, and that’s not good enough given the cap space and future assets devoted to that grouping. Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns should be a deadly pick-and-roll combination, and they’ve started to look a bit more in-tune to end the season. Miles McBride is back from injury and offers some sorely needed shot-making upside and lineup versatility. Mitchell Robinson always feels like an injury waiting to happen, but his offensive rebounding is dominant and can change a series. I want to see how the Knicks can defend against Atlanta’s transition offense and unpredictable pick-and-roll combinations. I want to see if Brunson and KAT can stay on the floor defensively together in the game’s biggest moments. The Knicks can absolutely win the East, but it feels like they should have been the favorite given preseason expectations, and I can’t confidently say that’s the case.

5. Detroit Pistons

The Pistons’ worst-to-first story is absolutely incredible. Two years ago, Detroit won 14 games. This season? 60 games and the No. 1 seed in the East. Cade Cunningham is back from a collapsed lung, and should be ready to carry this team in tough moments. The star point guard has a lot on his plate because Detroit just doesn’t have much shooting or halfcourt creation around him. The Pistons spent the regular season developing the league’s deepest bench, and players like Daniss Jenkins and Paul Reed are about to be in the spotlight for big minutes. Jaren Duren needs to prove his offensive explosion can translate to playoff settings, while the wing combination of Ausar Thompson and Ron Holland must prove they are ready for primetime so early in their careers. Detroit’s model of an elite defense and a superstar guard worked pretty well for the Thunder in their championship run last season. A lack of trust in the offense is the one thing holding me back from picking Detroit to make the Finals, but they have as good a chance as anyone in the East.

4. Boston Celtics

Raise your hand if you believed the Celtics would be in for a gap year as Jayson Tatum recovered from a torn Achilles. I’m ashamed to admit I thought so, too. Instead, the Celtics enter the playoffs as the Eastern Conference favorites, with Tatum back in the lineup and a young and more athletic supporting cast around him. Joe Mazzulla got the most out of the patchwork front court, and now Neemias Queta needs to cement his breakout season in the playoffs. Jaylen Brown’s career year will also be under the microscope on this run, as will the shot distribution between him and Tatum late in close games. Derrick White getting hot with his shot would change everything for Boston, but he’s still somehow an elite player even when his jumper is cold. Boston’s offense always hunts great shots, and the defense is even tougher with Tatum happy to do the dirty work. This isn’t the best Celtics team of the Jays era, but it’s still damn good, and maybe even the best in the East.

3. San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs’ preseason win total was set at 44.5 games by Vegas. Instead, San Antonio won 62 games and forced some uncomfortable questions about whether Victor Wembanyama is already the best player in the world. The Spurs put the rest of the NBA on alert by beating defending champion Thunder three straight times in Dec., and they kept rolling from there. Wembanyama is a problem without a solution for opponents; there are times where I think he’s the most talented player in league history thanks to his 8-foot wingspan, elite speed and coordination, high motor, and burgeoning skill. San Antonio was widely expected to have shooting questions around their young French superstar, but that didn’t really matter much as Julian Champagnie, Harrison Barnes, and Devin Vassell all hit at least 38 percent from deep. The spotlight will be on Stephon Castle to prove himself as a future All-Star, and there are some questions about how his physical two-way player translates without proven shooting ability. The Spurs finally put a good supporting cast around Wemby just as he reached a new level of dominance. This team is absolutely going to win championships eventually, but there are a couple veteran teams in front of them that I think will be hard to get past this year.

2. Denver Nuggets

Nikola Jokic has been the best player in the world since the dawn of the 2020s, and this playoff run is shaping up to be a golden opportunity to continue adding to his legendary resume. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander feels like he’s finally started to pull away Jokic’s crown, and Wembanyama is coming for it if he doesn’t already have it. Jokic is simply too good of a player to retire with only one championship, and this is a real chance to win another one. The Nuggets improved their depth over the offseason, which came in handy as they were hit by a rash of injuries to key rotation pieces during the regular season. As the bench developed, Jamal Murray solidified his place as a worthy second banana by turning in the best season of his career. We’ve seen Murray have killer playoff runs before, and he feels primed for one this year. The health of Aaron Gordon and to a lesser extent Peyton Watson could determine Denver’s ceiling. If they can beat the Wolves, a potential second round matchup with the Spurs is looming, and the winner likely gets the Thunder. It’s an incredibly difficult road just to get to the Finals, but Denver has the offensive ceiling to do it. Will they defend enough? Will they stay healthy? Denver still has some questions to answer, but if it all comes together, it still has championship upside.

1. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Thunder felt like a potential dynasty after winning the championship last season, and now the basketball world is about to see if they’re up for it. OKC’s championship defense is every bit as good as it was a year ago. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander almost feels unstoppable at this point: he’s slippery enough to get wherever he wants with his handle, long enough to shoot over anyone, and his knockdown touch on mid-range pull-ups is suddenly now extending beyond the three-point line. Every other piece on the Thunder plays their role to support SGA, and there are multiple members of this supporting cast destined for stardom in their own right. Chet Holmgren is an elite two-way big with excellent rim protection and the perimeter skill of a wing. Cason Wallace is growing into a lockdown defender, and Ajay Mitchell is developing into the supplementary ball handler OKC needs when Shai sits. The shooting can be a little bit spotty, and Jalen Williams missing most of the season to this point is certainly unnerving. It’s easy to forget that the Thunder really didn’t look all that dominant on their playoff run last season, getting the benefit of opponent injury luck in their two toughest series. Still, this defense will travel in any matchup, they won’t have to play Denver or San Antonio until the conference finals, and SGA really is tracking as an all-time great. The Thunder are good enough to break the NBA’s no repeats streak. It’s going to take a Herculean effort to stop them.

There’s a strange, almost cruel symmetry to the way this first-round series between the Rockets and the Lakers has taken shape.

Three weeks ago, the Lakers looked like one of the NBA’s best teams, on the precipice of making a deep playoff run. Meanwhile, the Rockets were stumbling through March grasping for something to hold onto.

Now the roles have reversed, violently.

The Lakers limp into the postseason missing their top two scorers in Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves — that’s nearly 60 points per game gone like smoke.

The Rockets enter the playoffs soaring, winners of nine of their last 10 games. They’ve rediscovered their identity, and it starts and ends on the defensive end.

The Lakers will try to hold onto the rope long enough for their two stars to try to come back later in the series. Until then, here are some of the matchups to look for:

LeBron vs the Machine

The Lakers’ only chance of getting past Houston without Doncic and Reaves hangs on the back of a 41-year-old LeBron James.

Houston won’t treat him like a king. The Rockets will treat him like the head of the snake. Stop him and let the role players try to beat you. Unfortunately for the Lakers, Houston has a lot of players on its roster who can do that.

Let’s start with Amen Thompson — long, relentless and unapologetically physical. He finished fifth for NBA Defensive Player of the Year voting last season, and we expect another top-five finish this year. Thompson will take on the assignment of guarding James straight up at times, stripping away the need for help defense thereby allowing the rest of the players to stay home on their assignments.

When Thompson’s not on LeBron, the Rockets can also throw 6-foot-11 forward Jabari Smith Jr. on him with his over 7-foot wingspan. If they want a different look, Houston coach Ime Udoka can also put 6-8 physical forward Tari Eason on him.

Alperen Sengun vs DeAndre Ayton: The Battle Beneath

In a series defined by perimeter defenders and NBA legends, the most important matchup in the series might happen in the paint.

Turkish big man Alperen Sengun is now a fulcrum. He’s a two-time All-Star and a problem in the paint who demands constant attention. The assignment of guarding him belongs to former No. 1 overall draft pick Deandre Ayton.

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In his first season with the purple and gold, Ayton has been inconsistent, his focus and effort drifting at times — until recently. The last six weeks have offered a glimpse into what he can be when he’s engaged, physical, present and focused.

Ayton has the most difficult assignment of any Lakers player. Rebound everything. Keep the Rockets off the offensive glass. Contain Sengun as much as he can, be the rim defender when the Lakers switch to a zone defense and run the pick and roll with James and Luke Kennard in order to make a dent on offense as well.

Different Defensive Looks and Disruption

Not an individual matchup, but we expect the Lakers to give the Rockets different looks on defense throughout the series. The team frustrated its opponents throughout the season by switching to a zone defense during games. We expect some zone looks in this series as well.

Houston isn’t a strong 3-point shooting team outside of Reed Sheppard, which could allow the Lakers to play zone sometimes and dare the Rockets to beat them from distance. They also want to disrupt passing lanes, force turnovers and blitz Kevin Durant. Blitzing Durant when he had the ball worked in their last two matchups in Houston. In their first matchup March 16, they erased a six-point halftime deficit by blitzing Durant and holding him scoreless the entire second half until a last-second layup in garbage time.

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The Rockets have one of the slowest paces of play and will want to slow down the game and grind it to a halt in the half court. The Lakers, meanwhile, need chaos and to get out in transition. Quick strikes before the Rockets’ defense can even set up.

Houston will need Sheppard’s 3-point shooting in this series, but when he’s on the floor, look for LeBron and the Lakers to hunt him on defense. Drag him into screens. Force switches. Attack.

LeBron James vs. Kevin Durant: The Last of the Mohicans

Durant is the quiet storm that hovers over this series. Houston’s elite perimeter defenders allow Durant to expend his energy on the offensive end of the floor, where he can take over entire games.

The Lakers will likely throw the smaller Marcus Smart and stronger Rui Hachimura at him, hoping the combination can disrupt his rhythm. LeBron will even guard him at times as well. Help will inevitably come. It has to. But every second defender you throw at Durant allows someone else to be wide open.

If Houston finds those players and they make those shots, the Lakers are in big trouble.

Expect James to have the ball in his hands most of the time on offense, hunting mismatches and forcing Houston to make tough decisions. On defense, LeBron will lurk, providing help on Durant.

This might be the final chapter between LeBron and Durant and who wins the individual battles could be the player who leads his team to victory in the series.

Game 1 on Saturday will go a long way to decide who will win the series. Both teams will try to set the tempo early and impose their will. Houston has the momentum, the depth and the defense that travels.

The Lakers have LeBron, shooting and the hope that if they hold onto the rope long enough, Doncic and Reaves can return to rescue them later in the series.

We’re about 24 hours away from game one! Before the Minnesota Timberwolves begin on their postseason quest, let’s review their performance throughout the 82-game regular season. We had 42 voters chime in on their player grades as well as what they think will happen in the playoffs in…

Canis Pulsus Vol. 48 – Final Report Card & Playoff Predictions

(Note: Canis Pulsus Vol. 48 data was collected through 4/15)

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Anthony Edwards

A- (47.6%)

Quarter 1: A- (47.1%)
Semester 1: A (40.3%)
Quarter 3: A- (34%)

Ant finishes the season with an A- grade, right around where he was all season. It feels like while Edwards leveled up in certain areas of his game, while there’s still some glaring holes in other areas. Worst of all, this was the most amount of games he’s missed in a season. He missed 21 games with a good chunk of those coming near the end of the season. As they say, the Wolves will only go as far as Ant can take them.

Full voting results:

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Julius Randle

B (33.3% each)

Quarter 1: B+ (38.2%)
Semester 1: A / B+ (31.9% each)
Quarter 3: B (28%)

If you had to plot Julius Randle’s effectiveness throughout the season, it would look like a damn seismograph. High peaks early, immediately turning into low valleys, spiking up and down the rest of the way. Randle almost got the Andrew Wiggins “The Best Ability to Availability” award had he not been shut down for the final three games of the season for rest. His Hyde and Jekyll tendencies will be a huge factor in the postseason.

Full voting results:

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Jaden McDaniels

B+ (34.1% each)

Quarter 1: A- / B+ (35.3%)
Semester 1: A / A- (31% each)
Quarter 3: A- (34%)

It felt like Jaden was having a career-best season, especially early on. Despite some regression later in the year, Slim still finished with career-highs in scoring, shooting, and playmaking. The consistency must improve if he truly wants to emerge as that long-term second star next to Ant that many are hoping for. Perhaps most importantly, his mental game must keep improving. We had a fair share of “Jaden getting lost in the game” due the return of foul issues or other shenanigans.

Full voting results:

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Rudy Gobert

B+ (31%)

Quarter 1: B+ (35.3%)
Semester 1: A (33.3%)
Quarter 3: A (28%)

Rudy finished the season as the league-leader in field goal percentage. He was fairly consistent and reliable as that “floor raiser” the Wolves have become used to. Gobert will surely end up on another All-Defensive team after a solid season. Opponents keep trying him in isolation situations, and they keep failing. Rudy did struggle at the charity stripe this season though, reverting to his first sub-60% season in 10 years.

Full voting results:

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Donte DiVincenzo

B (35.7%)

Quarter 1: B (35.3%)
Semester 1: B (34.7%)
Quarter 3: B+ (36%)

The real Mr. 82 has been solidly “good” all season. Sometimes great, sometimes not so much, but for the most part, consistent. Donte saw a spike in playing time this season, averaging a career-high 30.4 minutes per game. He launched and sank more three-pointers than he did in his first season with Minnesota, but the efficiency has ticked down at all three levels. No matter how his stroke is feeling, the Big Ragu always is going to put his body on the line and make the hustle plays.

Full voting results:

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Ayo Dosunmu

A (42.9%)

Quarter 3: B+ (28%)

Ayo received the highest grade of any player and it’s much deserved. In just 26 games with the Wolves, Dosunmu notched 14.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 3.5 assists per game on elite shooting splits (.521/.414/.925). He has simply been amazing and will hopefully be a part of the Timberwolves organization for a long, long time. He’s truly one of the biggest X-factors for Minnesota in their postseason run.

Full voting results:

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Naz Reid

B(50%)

Quarter 1: B- (35.3%)
Semester 1: B (40.8%)
Quarter 3: B+ (34%)

What a rollercoaster of a season it’s been for Naz. It began with a really tough start to the season on the heels of a heart-breaking family tragedy. He eventually found his form as the year progressed, but has been dealing with a bevy of injuries recently. Naz is trying to get right before the postseason starts because he will play a big role in Minnesota’s success.

Full voting results:

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Kyle Anderson

B+ (31.7%)

The Wolves welcomed back their Chinese-Jamaican King! SlowMo has been deployed early and often by Coach Finch. After playing just 24 of 57 possible games this season between Utah and Memphis, Anderson played in 19 of 21 possible games with Minnesota. He’s picked up almost exactly where he left off on the defensive end of the court. You can bet he’s going to see the court during the postseason.

Full voting results:

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Mike Conley

C- (28.6%)

Quarter 1: C (29.4%)
Semester 1: C- (23.9%)
Quarter 3: C (30.6%)

Minnesota Mike played in 46 of the Wolves first 60 games, which included a 2-3 week vacation during the NBA trade deadline. Then he essentially received 12 straight healthy scratches after that. Conley has since found opportunities on the court amid Minnesota’s injury spell, and he has taken advantage of those opportunities. Most importantly, he’s hit 45.2% of his three-pointers after shooting just 31.1% earlier in the season. Can he have one more magic (Mike) moment in the playoffs?

Full voting results:

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Bones Hyland

B (29.3%)

Quarter 1: Incomplete
Semester 1: B+ (30%)
Quarter 3: B / B- (26.5% each)

Bones has been a revelation for the Wolves this year. Not quite as consistent or versatile as the other half of Twin Turbos, Hyland has provided much-needed bench scoring amid Naz Reid’s struggles. He’s having the most efficient season scoring the ball and is a spark plug that galvanizes both his teammates and fans. The Skelly Celly has also taken a grip around all of Minnesota.

Full voting results:

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Jaylen Clark

C (23.8%)

Quarter 1: B+ (21.2%)
Semester 1: B- (31.9%)
Quarter 3: C (22%)

There were a lot of high hopes for Clark County’s role this year. The defensive hole that Nickeil Alexander-Walker left behind was one that many thought Clark could step into, and despite some early season success, has found himself in a bit of a doghouse. Finch has only played Jaylen in 14 of the team’s final 22 games, and under 10 minutes in half of those games. The infamous stat of the Wolves record when Clark plays 15 minutes of more concludes at 20-5, for now.

Full voting results:

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Terrence Shannon Jr.

B (24.4%)

Quarter 1: C+ (26.5%)
Semester 1: Incomplete
Quarter 3: Incomplete

TJ Shannon, similar to Clark, was expected to have a significant role with the Wolves this season. Unfortunately, he floundered early. He received just a C+ grade for the Quarter 1 Progress Report, then went missing in action due to a nagging foot injury for the next two quarters of the season. Shannon finished with a bang in this final quarter. Well, more like his final three games, where he averaged 27.3 points on 55.6% shooting from the floor. TJ sunk 3.3 threes and 7.3 free throws during that stretch, just a glimpse of his full potential.

Full voting results:

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Joan Beringer

B (26.2%)

Quarter 1: Incomplete
Semester 1: B+ (30%)
Quarter 3: B (22%)

The 19-year-old Frenchman appeared in 40 regular season games, but just double-digit minutes in seven of those games. Finch has been very selective with how he’s deployed the rookie much to the fans chagrin. There’s been enough flashes to be optimistic about his near-term and long-term future. Joan dominated by averaging a double-double in 11 G League games with Iowa, so hopefully we can see him continue next season with Minnesota.

Full voting results:

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Joe Ingles

A+ (33.3%)

Quarter 1: Incomplete
Semester 1: Incomplete
Quarter 3: Incomplete

Joe Ingles played basketball! Well, 5.7 minutes in 27 games may not seem like much, that’s actually more than the 19 games he appeared in a season ago. Joe is always bringing the good vibes and as the kids say, “Unc still got it!” In his only non-garbage time game of the season, Ingles posted 15 points, 6 boards, and 10 assists against the Pelicans in game 82! A+ for Joe.

Full voting results:

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Rocco Zikarsky / Julian Phillips/ Enrique Freeman / Zyon Pullin

Incomplete

The three two-way players and Julian Phillips each had strong seasons and performances with the Iowa Wolves, helping them end their 11-year playoff drought. They didn’t have any true opportunities to play a meaningful role with the Timberwolves, but if you want to hear more about their seasons, check out my Iowa Wolves coverage.

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Coaching staff

B (38.1%)

Quarter 1: B (29.4%)
Semester 1: B+ (33.8%)
Quarter 3: B+ (30%)

Every year, we hear the “Fire Finch” chants. Every year, he proves how silly that would’ve been. This hasn’t been a banner regular season for Chris Finch, but is it all his fault? There’s fervent voices on both sides of this argument, but he has notched the same record with the Wolves as he did last season. There’s been considerably more injuries and roster losses, though many still thought Minnesota should’ve taken a step forward.

Full voting results:

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Front office

A (28.6%)

Quarter 1: B (29.4%)
Semester 1: A- (31.9%)
Quarter 3: A (28.6%)

The front office did a great job at the trade deadline and putting together the Twin Turbos. Hindsight always makes it easy to nitpick though. Choosing Naz over NAW. Choosing Rob Dillingham. But in the meantime, the Wolves still have a lot of value on their roster and have the opportunity to keep the core together long-term this summer. There may be a lot of changes in the offseason, but Tim Connelly has done well once again.

Full voting results:

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Ownership

A (26.8% each)

Quarter 1: B (26.5%)
Semester 1: A (31.9%)
Quarter 3: A / B+ (20% each)

Wolves fans finally got to enjoy the return of Kevin Garnett at Target Center. It was a beautiful night of basketball with a ton of highlights from the young guys and good vibes all around. Ownership has done their part to make fans enjoy the overall experience this season, but they may need to consider how to get them in the seats with the decline of attendance and rising prices.

Full voting results:

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What will be the result of the round one Denver Nuggets matchup?

Wolves in 7 (28.6%)

The result is not too surprising with just 59.5% of voters going with the Timberwolves. There was a dueling pair of 21.4% of votes for Wolves in 6 and Nuggets in 6. Either way, fans are expecting a long and drawn out series between two teams who are 14-14 against each other in all-time postseason games.

Full voting results:

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The key for the Timberwolves to defeat the Nuggets is…

Defense and limiting Jamal Murray

More than half the responses included locking in on the defensive end and limiting the non-Jokić players, particularly Jamal Murray. In his four regular season matchups against Minnesota this year, Murray averaged 31.5 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 7.3 assists. That’s pretty good. The Wolves cannot simply rely on one of two players to slow him down though, as it will be a total team effort.

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My hot take from the Wolves-Nuggets series is…

No ice packs will be harmed this time around

In case you forgot, Jamal Murray threw objects onto the court from the bench during a live play that could’ve severely injured players, yet received nothing but a fine.

I was glad to see there was a voter who felt certain that this wouldn’t be the case this time. Some other interesting answers included:

• Jokic will not get a triple double
• TJ Shannon will provide solid bench scoring
• Jaden McDaniels will average more than 20 points per game
• Ayo will be too much for Denver to handle
• Kyle Anderson will have a triple-double
• Jamal Murray crashes out
• Chris Finch will get out coached again and his seat will be burning hot
• Core vs non-core for next season will become obvious

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With the regular season over, my feelings on the direction of the Timberwolves are…

Slightly optimistic (61.9%)

Preseason: Very optimistic (63.3%)
Quarter 1: Slightly optimistic (61.8%)
Semester 1: Very optimistic (70.8%)
Quarter 3: Slightly optimistic (54%)

There’s reason to not be overly optimistic considering the difficult task Minnesota has ahead of them. This iteration of the Wolves hasn’t stormed the league, but anything is possible in the playoffs. Will Ant, Jaden, and Naz be at close to full health? Will a fully rested Julius pay dividends? How about the debut of playoff Ayo and Twin Turbos)? There’s plenty of questions ahead.

Full voting results:

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The Minnesota Timberwolves finish the season with a 3.19 GPA, just a slight dip from their 3.26 third quarter grades. That’s still an improvement from the 3.05 they finished with last season! Thank you to all who have participated.

This season, the Spurs played the Portland Trail Blazers three times landing with a 2-1 edge over Rip City. In each of those three games, Victor Wembanyama sat out with an injury or injury management.

On November 26th, the Spurs played in Portland. Wemby was sitting out the fifth of twelve games while nursing a left calf strain.

On January 3rd, Wembanyama was sitting out his second game as a result of hyperextended left knee obtained during the New Year’s Eve matchup against the New York Knicks.

And then as the season was winding down, Victor once again sat out on April 8th with a left rib contusion after colliding with Paul George two days prior.

Portland, coming off a game-ending upset in Phoenix, secured the 7th seed and now face the Spurs in the first round of the playoffs.

While the Spurs didn’t have much trouble with the Trail Blazers in those three games, there are some logistical considerations.

For one, Portland’s head coach is Tiago Splitter. Splitter won the 2014 NBA title with the Silver & Black, the run of which included a gentleman’s sweep of the Trail Blazers. He knows the Spurs playbook and was an adept big man, so counter strategizing will be something to watch.

With Donovan Clingan as their starting center and Robert Williams III as back up, Wemby will have his hands full on the boards as well as physically in the paint.

Portland also features Sidy Cissoko and Blake Wesley. While neither is expected to be an X-factor, never put it past a competitve player to motivate against their former team.

Over the years, the Spurs and Trail Blazers have met four times in the posteseason. The Trail Blazers got the best of the Spurs in 1990, but the Spurs have been victorious in the latter three, two of which (1999 and 2014) led to successful title runs.

History says this matchup means something.

3 out of 4 times the Spurs met the Portland Trail Blazers in the playoffs…

A Finals run followed.

Twice? An NBA championship. pic.twitter.com/YxKNWRLlNX

— SpursRΞPORTΞR (@SpursReporter) April 15, 2026

Tiago Splitter was asked if he thought Manu and Boris Diaw were rooting for the Spurs or for him as he leads the Trail Blazers.

He stated that he was confident Manu was all in on the Spurs, but that he’d be better off asking Boris Diaw after a couple of glasses of wine.

Series kicks off Sunday night.

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This is the third of a series of roundtable questions I’m asking the staff here at Peachtree Hoops about the Hawks as we approach the postseason. Today’s question: what’s the most difficult matchup that the Knicks pose for the Hawks?

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Wes: Mitchell Robinson stands out to me, especially in the wake of the news that Jock Landale will be re-evaluated in two weeks from his ankle injury (effectively eliminating him from this series). He’s still arguably the best rebounder in the league (21 rebounds — eight offensive — in 38 minutes played against the Hawks this season), and his overall physicality and disruption (four blocks and four steals in those 38 minutes) has been tough for the Hawks and their thin front line to handle.

Jackson: Karl-Anthony Towns. KAT has feasted on the Hawks’ defense throughout his tenure with the Knicks, and I wouldn’t be shocked if he, not Jalen Brunson, was New York’s leading scorer in this series. Onyeka Okongwu brings nice defensive switchability for Atlanta, but his lack of size to contend with Towns and backup Mitchell Robinson around the basket could be a major Achilles heel for Atlanta in this matchup.

Malik: Mitchell Robinson without a doubt. The last time these two played, Robinson controlled the glass on both ends of the floor and the Hawks didn’t have an answer. It will be interesting to see if Jock Landale can return at some point during the series, or will Quin Snyder try to play Tony Bradley a few minutes to try to offset Robinson. 

Graham: Karl-Anthony Towns is the easy answer. He averaged 28.5 points on 63% shooting from the field to go with 13 rebounds; he just dominated this matchup and the Hawks have absolutely no good answer to contain him. And if they did manage to limit him, I have no doubt that you’d see Mitchell Robinson pick up the slack with the attention on KAT; and there’s no good answer for the Hawks for Robinson’s rebounding either – it’s just a fundamental flaw of the roster the Hawks have to find some way to limit (because I don’t think offensive rebounding/second chance scoring can be stopped in this series). Elsewhere, whoever Jalen Johnson’s matchup is, he has to win it convincingly in order for the Hawks to win this series. 

Hassan: Jalen Brunson is New York’s best player, Karl-Anthony Towns has given Atlanta problems in each of their four matchups this season, but I’m going to go with OG Anunoby, New York’s best defender and their third-banana on offensive end. Anunoby has averaged 18.3 points per game on 52.5% shooting from the field and 43.8% from deep in New York’s wins this season compared to just 13.4 points per game on 39.1% shooting from the field and 28.6% from three in their losses. Keeping him in check is going to be crucial for Atlanta to win this series. 

Jalen Johnson drew the Anunoby assignment during the regular season series against the Knicks – with Dyson Daniels guarding Jalen Brunson and Nickeil Alexander-Walker on Mikal Bridges – and held Anunoby to just 5-for-15 shooting when the two were matched up. Will this defense hold up in the postseason? 

All in all, I’m going into this series with the assumption that Brunson and KAT are going to get theirs every night, so the swing factor for Atlanta (in addition to winning the rebounding battle, as noted by my fellow writers) is going to be limiting the ‘other guys’ – and Anunoby is at the top of that list.

Jaylen Brown just put together the best season of his career and it wasn’t particularly close. Averaging 28.7 points, 6.9 rebounds and 5.1 assists per game, Brown showed that not only can he be the number one option on a playoff team, but he can be the number one on a really good playoff team.

Now, Brown is ready to prove he can be the number one option on an NBA Finals team, maybe even a championship team.

The way he has scored the ball in bunches has been among one of the most fun things to watch on the Celtics this season. He had 35 games with 30+ points and seven 40+ point games this season, not to mention the 50 he scored against the Clippers in January.

From Day 1 of training camp, JB set the bar for this team and led them to 56 wins. Now, he has the opportunity to do it in the playoffs.

One of the things we forget about last year’s playoffs is Brown played through a partially torn meniscus in his right knee, which clearly has not bothered him this year.

He has become one of the top-10 players in the NBA this season and the moment has arrived to prove it in the playoffs.

The return of Jayson Tatum makes the Celtics good enough to win the Eastern Conference and Brown is ready to guide them to that goal. He is the offensive engine with his mid-range shots being a big boost to the team. He will take the toughest assignment on defense from time to time and set the tempo for the game that way.

All season the Celtics have gone as Jaylen Brown has gone and it has been going pretty well for Boston since the start of December. The road won’t be easy, the Celtics should win in the first round but beyond that waits the Knicks and then likely the Pistons or Cavaliers.

“Losing to the Knicks feels like death,” he said after losing to New York in the second round. “But I was taught that there’s life after death. So, we’ll get ready for whatever’s next.”

Jaylen Brown on being eliminated by the New York Knicks

“Losing to the Knicks feels like death. But I was taught that there’s life after death. So we’ll get ready for whatever’s next.” pic.twitter.com/JzwUkSB0qk

— Fullcourtpass (@Fullcourtpass) May 17, 2025

Whatever’s next has arrived. The NBA Playoffs are here and the Celtics have a real chance to make a run at the title. A lot of that depends on Jaylen Brown continuing his high play from the regular season which I have every expectation that he will do.

Jaylen Brown has emerged this season in a way that no one expected him to and has become one of the best players in the NBA. It is time for him to prove that he is just that and lead the Celtics on another deep playoff run.

Who would you rather have in a Game 7: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Nikola Jokić or Victor Wembanyama?

Wemby will no doubt be the answer to this question at some point in the (perhaps not-too-distant) future. But for now, I defer to those with at least some playoff experience. For my money, Jokić still reigns supreme as the best player alive, and for that reason, he’s my pick. CDL

Jokić. Not since peak Shaq has there been an offensive force this inevitable. He’s in the top 10 ever, already. 6ft 11in, 284lb, unguardable. Guard’s mind, center’s mass, wing’s skill. Makes everyone around him better, putting a battery in their back. Srećno. That’s Serbian for good luck. LE

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There’s not a finer player on the planet right now than Jokić, who at 31 is on a course to be in my all-time top five by the time he calls it a career. You’d truly never hear the end of it if he played in New York or LA. But at the moment, in a one-off and even as a playoff debutant, I’d fancy a punt on the vertiginous upside of Wembanyama. Game 7s have a way of tilting on chaos and no one creates more of it by erasing shots, stretching defenses and warping opponents’ decision-making. If he hits his ceiling for one night, whatever that may be, it’s a fait accompli. BAG

You know what? Gimme Victor. I don’t think we’ve fully reckoned with the Jordanesque scale of his competition problem. The Frenchman spent the previous offseason training with Shaolin monks, a fact that can never be overstated. He marked the Spurs’ regular-season series triumph over the Thunder, who were threatening the 2016 Warriors’ single-season wins record, by absorbing their supporter chants and squad culture like Thanos. He remained a viable MVP candidate even while playing under a wholly legitimate minutes’ restriction. Put all that in a 7ft 4in alloy of Steph off the dribble and Shaq in the paint and, sure, I’ll take my chances. AL

Team that will be most missed in these playoffs

Call me nostalgic, but I’m still pining for last season’s Indiana Pacers. It seems cruel and unusual that we had that team ripped from us in such dramatic and devastating fashion, and a playoffs without the scintillating Tyrese Haliburton and his never-say-die supporting cast is an objective downgrade. CDL

Missed – as in absent? The Lakers are technically in the playoffs, but not really: Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves are gone, and so is any illusion of the team being at full strength. LeBron James, once again, will drag what’s left of the roster for as long as it lasts, maybe for the final time in LA. LE

It’s Miami for me. Only three teams seeded fifth or worse have managed to scratch their way into the NBA finals since 2000. Six teams ever. Two of them were Erik Spoelstra joints: the 2020 and 2023 Heat. Even in down years, there’s an institutional culture in South Beach seemingly lab-made for postseason mayhem: adaptive, opportunistic, built for disorder. The East side of the bracket just feels less dangerous without Coach Spo scheming another batch of role players into playoff giant-killers. BAG

It still smarts to be denied the chance to see this newly emboldened version of Miami’s Bam Adebayo who can apparently go for 83 points on any given night. It further feels especially cruel that the Hornets got to play on after LaMelo Ball’s dirty defense on Adebayo in their play-in matchup on Tuesday – though Ball was fined, which, I suspect, comes as little consolation to Spoelstra’s crew. AL

High seed at risk of going out early

Conventional wisdom would say this is the Lakers, and that’s probably the correct pick. But it feels a little too obvious to choose the team who lost their top two scorers, Dončić and Reaves. So keep an eye on the second-seeded Spurs. They’re set to face the winner of Nuggets-Timberwolves in round two, and if that’s Denver, I’d pick the more experienced team to survive and advance. CDL

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The top-seeded Pistons, although this hinges on Charlotte making it through as the No 8 seed in Friday night’s play-in. Matchups are fate. Detroit can’t trade twos for threes with a Hornets team carrying the greatest shooting rookie ever and a pack of dawgs. That series could turn into carnage, fast. LE

I’m afraid it’s the Knicks. The first-round series with Atlanta is dicier than a 3-6 matchup suggests. The Hawks’ length, shooting and post-All-Star surge make them dangerous floaters who have already shown they can push New York to the brink in three tightly wound regular-season contests, including last week’s barn-burner played at playoff intensity. If Jalen Brunson gets crowded by Dyson Daniels and Nickeil Alexander-Walker and the Knicks’ deeper supporting cast stalls, it could get late early in Gotham. BAG

How about the Knicks drawing the short straw against Atlanta, one of the league’s most improved teams after the All-Star break? More impressively, the Hawks did so after turning over the core of their roster, making this a far trickier matchup for New York, who were lucky to make it out of Atlanta last week with a three-point win and keep themselves in the driver’s seat for the No 3 seed. The back-and-forth between Brunson and CJ McCollum has the potential to be box-office stuff. AL

Long shot to win

Take a walk with me, if you will, down Pigs-flying-with-dodo-birds Lane. An NBA folk tale for the ages: LeBron James, one last time, puts a woefully ill-equipped team on his back, for one round ... just long enough to facilitate the return of Dončić and Reaves from injury. The Lakers then go on a memorable playoff run, lift the trophy and send James into retirement as a five-time champion. Is it likely? No. Would it be fun? The most. CDL

The Spurs. I called it pre-season. They’re ahead of schedule now, but Wemby sniffing a title in year three tells you what he is already. Around him: a swarm of fearless two-way wings and guards, a swarm of killer instinct. LE

The Pistons. Can a No 1 seed that paced the Eastern Conference for the final 157 days of the regular season really be considered a long shot? When the oddsmakers are pricing them as the seventh favorite to win the title, the answer is yes. Nobody seems to believe in Detroit’s youth movement, even after the third 60-win season in the team’s 85-year history. Their edge is a workmanlike consistency: a deep, unselfish system that’s held through injuries and doesn’t beat itself. BAG

The Hawks have length, bounce and brilliant tactician in Quin Snyder – who may well have the best NBA roster he’s ever coached. What’s more, they’ve caused headaches for higher seeds in the past, pushing eventual champion Milwaukee to six games in the 2021 conference finals and spooking Boston in similar fashion in the 2023 first round. AL

Most important player this postseason

Jokić will, once again, face a gargantuan task. To get to the finals, he will probably have to overcome the thorn in his side that is the Timberwolves, take down Wemby and a red-hot Spurs team, and, ultimately, dethrone the reigning champions. But I believe if anyone is capable of such a task, it’s the Serbian superstar. CDL

Gilgeous-Alexander. If his MVP trajectory falters – or worse, he’s injured – it derails OKC’s ascendent dynasty and throws the field into chaos, where anyone can bag the crown. LE

Wembanyama. The 22-year-old from the Paris suburbs was breathlessly hyped as the NBA’s best prospect since LeBron when he was still a gangly teenager, but he’s somehow managed to exceed those expectations while growing mentally, physically (he’s 7ft 5in now?!) and even spiritually. The Spurs have emerged as a trendy pick to win it all after besting the Thunder in four of their five regular-season meetings and their cheat code at center remains the biggest potential spanner in the defending champs’ repeat bid. BAG

Narratively, it’s Anthony Edwards. The Minnesota star already shown he can drag a team deep into the playoffs, albeit with a roster that hadn’t yet peaked. But if he can manage the trick again – with a thinner supporting cast, in a return to the sixth seed – it sure would make a helluva statement. AL

Eastern Conference finals

Knicks over Pistons. CDL

Knicks over Pistons. LE

Pistons over Celtics. BAG

Celtics over Pistons. AL

Western Conference finals

Thunder over Nuggets. CDL

Spurs over Thunder. LE

Thunder over Spurs. BAG

Thunder over Spurs. AL

Your NBA champion will be ...

At the risk of dampening intrigue, I really do think the Thunder are likely to be repeat champions. They got healthy at the right time, their chemistry appears to be at an all-time high, SGA is favorite to win MVP and for some unknowable reason, Daryl Morey gift-wrapped them yet another perfectly suited bench player in Jared McCain. The Nuggets will give them a run for their money in the conference finals, but ultimately, I just can’t pick against this Thunder machine. CDL

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The Knicks. They already bloodied Boston and Detroit in last year’s playoffs. There’s the revenge for 1999 angle; even the Spurs don’t scare them. OKC, young and brilliant, wilt under MSG’s big city lights. Brunson, born to play basketball, takes the Knicks to the promised land, achieving sainthood. For a fanbase title-starved for more than five decades, this is more than a championship run. We’re talking generational spiritual repair, the kind people chase in deserts, dreams and God. LE

The Thunder. Let the dynasty chatter begin. Oklahoma City are the most complete team with the deepest rotation in the most adaptable system. There are no weak points to attack. SGA is the MVP-caliber talent who anchors everything, but it’s the collective that makes them overwhelming. They can win fast or slow, big or small, ugly or pretty. The question now is whether anyone can consistently disrupt them. The Spurs managed it in the regular season, but knocking OKC out of the playoffs will require near-perfect basketball for four quarters, four times. I wouldn’t bet on it. BAG

The Celtics. Less than a year after Jayson Tatum went down with a ruptured achilles and threw Boston’s future in doubt, he roars back and leads the Celtics to their 19th championship, rekindling dynasty talk and putting the rumors of unrest between him and Jaylen Brown to rest for good. Joe Mazzulla, now undeniably a mad genius, celebrates by getting a pet wolf – but his wife says he can’t keep it in the house. So the Celtics build a habitat outside the Garden, and fans make a tradition out of hurling the jerseys of their vanquished rivals, putting a basketball spin on the idea of being “thrown to the wolves”. AL