Wow! I was able to watch every second of all 4 games on the first day of the 2024 NBA Playoff, following the end of the Play-In Tournament. All of the games were full of competitive action.
Cleveland Cavs 97 🏀 Orlando Magic 83
I have the Magic winning the series, but they were shellshocked in game one versus the Cavs. The Magic lack experience in the playoffs and are a very young team. Cleveland took advantage of that and just kept knocking down shots. We are used to seeing the Magic be a top defensive team in the league, but Cleveland was the dominant team in all aspects of this game. the main point of the Magic’s failure was missed free-throw opportunities. Palo Banchero had a solid game, but with Donovan, Mitchell, Garland, Allen, and Mobley all coming at Orlando together, the #4 Cavs cooked the #5 Magic in Cleveland. I think Orlando will bounce back in the next game.
Minnesota Timberwolves 120 🏀 Phoenix Suns 95
Minnesota has struggled against Phoenix all season long. Phoenix double-teams Anthony Edwards and that seems to mess up the flow of their game for the Wolves. Phoenix has a true big three who can score - Kevin Durant, Bradley Beal, and Devon Booker. Minnesota has a more well-rounded team and is strong on both offense and defense. Durant was going off in the first half. Then in the third-quarter Anthony Edwards took over draining multiple shots in a row right in the face of Kevin Durant. Ant was letting KD hear it with some aggressive chatter too. Edwards either asserted his dominance or ignited a fire within Durant that would haunt him for the rest of the series. Minnesota played excellent defense all around. This led to the #3 seed Timberwolves handling the #6 Suns decisively in Minnesota.
New York Knicks 111 🏀 Philadelphia 76ers 104
Both of these teams are excellent. You could switch Sixers to the second seed and Knicks to the seventh seed and I would believe you. It just so happens that New York had a better regular season. The teams are quite evenly matched. Brunson and co. were hyped to play at home and the NYC crowd supported them the whole game. The Sixers kept up for most of the game, but we were all, shocked when Joel Embiid went down with yet another knee injury just before the first half ended. Thankfully, Joel came back in the second half and was able to play. The game remained close, but New York pulled away from Philadelphia. We watched #2 Knicks achieve victory versus #7 Sixers in New York.
Denver Nuggets 114 🏀 Los Angeles Lakers 103
Something tells me the Lakers will miraculously win this series. Game one did not prove my theory. The defending champs Denver Nuggets were playing great all game. The first half was close between the two squads, but midway through the third quarter, Denver decided to take full control. By the time the fourth quarter came around the Lakers only came as close as within six points. LeBron and AD were the only Lakers scoring. The last couple of minutes of the game were all Denver. Jokic and Murray continue to show that they are one of the most productive duos in the entire league. The entire Denver rotation works so well together still. The series opener was won by #2 Nuggets and lost by #7 Lakers in Denver.
Are you watching the 2024 NBA Playoffs?
