By Trejan Rowbotham
May 2, 2018
Utah Jazz (5) vs. Houston Rockets (1)
Houston leads 1-0
The Utah Jazz were the underdog going into their first round matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, but that did not stop them from pulling off the incredible upset in six games. Featuring rookie sensation Donovan Mitchell, the Jazz’s consistency on both ends of the floor proved to be too much for the underwhelming Thunder. The Jazz look to continue their hot streak as they battle the best team in the NBA in the second round.
Led by MVP-hopeful James Harden, the Houston Rockets generated a gentleman's sweep against the Minnesota Timberwolves in the first round. As the Rockets tamed the Timberwolves, Harden averaged a team-high 29.0 ppg. Harden’s dominance of the first round carried over to start the second round. He dropped 41 points on Utah in game one and looks to showcase his skills in an even greater way for the remainder of the series.
New Orleans Pelicans (6) vs. Golden State Warriors (2)
Golden State leads 2-0
The Pelicans are the six seed in this year’s playoffs; the Portland Trail Blazers were the three seed. Despite the lower seeding, the determined Pelicans pulled off a sweep of the struggling Blazers in the first round. It was the only sweep in the first round.
The reigning champion Golden State Warriors defeated the San Antonio Spurs in the first round in a five game series. The Warriors, led by the return of Stephen Curry, have gotten out to a quick 2-0 lead to start the Western Conference Semifinals; Curry chipped in 28 points in 27 minutes off the bench during his return to the hardwood.
Cleveland Cavaliers (4) vs. Toronto Raptors (1)
Cleveland leads 1-0
The Cleveland Cavaliers have made it to three straight Finals, but their streak was tested early in this season’s playoffs. Needing seven games to defeat the Indiana Pacers, the Cavs were shaky at best in the first round. Nonetheless, the team rallied around its superstar player, LeBron James, and won the series in a thrilling seven game series.
The Toronto Raptors’ All-Star duo of DeMar DeRozan and Kyle Lowry outlasted the Washington Wizards’ All-Star duo of John Wall and Bradley Beal in the first round. The series ended up going six games, but the Raptors’ overall abilities overpowered the Wizards. Their next daunting opponent will be none other than the Cavaliers, who already have a 1-0 lead in the series.
Philadelphia 76ers (3) vs. Boston Celtics (2)
Boston leads 1-0
The Philadelphia 76ers produced a gentleman’s sweep in their series against the Miami Heat in the first round. Led by Rookie-of-the-Year-favorite Ben Simmons, Philadelphia withstood a rejuvenated Dwyane Wade and ended the series on their home floor in game five.
The Boston Celtics have been riddled with injuries all season. With two All-Stars out of commission, the burden to win weighs heaviest on Celtics’ Head Coach Brad Stevens. Miraculously, Stevens put together a winning strategy to eek by the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round; the series went the distance and was closed out in Boston for game seven. Faced with fierce talent on his opposing sideline, Stevens will seek to continue his winning ways in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, where his team is currently leading 1-0.
*all stats are courtesy of espn.com.
*NBA Playoffs logo courtesy of logos.wikia.com/wiki/The_NBA_Playoffs
*all other photos are from espn.com
The opinions expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Infuse Student Media or Southwest Baptist University.
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