Cavaliers, Magic Open 2024 NBA Playoffs On Saturday
The Cleveland Cavaliers will host the Orlando Magic in Game 1 of the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs on Saturday afternoon at Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse.
The Cavaliers (48-34) finished in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings in the regular season and will open the postseason at home. They aim to improve over a woeful playoff showing 12 months ago. There’s no question that the Cavaliers will only go as far as the play of Donovan Mitchell will carry them. The star guard averaged 26.6 points per game during the regular season and will be Cleveland’s go-to player on offense, but the contributions of the other members of their “Big Four” won’t go unnoticed. Evan Mobley will have to deal with Paolo Banchero, Darius Garland (6.5 assists per game) will operate as the primary playmaker, and Jarrett Allen (16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds per game) will be a two-way force down low. The Cavaliers have home-field advantage for this series, and they were one of the best teams in the league at home during the regular season thanks to a 26-15 record.
The Cavaliers are listing Ty Jerome (ankle), Dean Wade (knee) and Craig Porter (ankle) in their injury report for the series opener Saturday.
The Magic (47-35) finished the regular season in fifth place in the standings. Even if they suffer a first-round exit, this season can be a massive success for an organization that picked near the top of the NBA Draft only a few years ago. The addition of Paolo Banchero, a second-year player who received his first All-Star nod this season, changed everything for the Magic, and now they have a young team that looks to contend for years to come in a surprisingly top-heavy East. The Magic will only go as far as Banchero can carry them, however. The forward led the team in both points (22.6) and assists (5.4) per game while tying for first in rebounds with Wendell Carter Jr. (6.9). Franz Wagner (19.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists per game) is another player to watch for in the series. Unfortunately, Orlando doesn’t have a lot of offensive weapons to unsettle Cleveland. The Magic will have to pull the upset by playing sound defense and limiting Donovan Mitchell as much as possible.
The Magic are not listing any player in their injury report for the series opener Saturday.
The Cavaliers (48-34) finished in fourth place in the Eastern Conference standings in the regular season and will open the postseason at home. They aim to improve over a woeful playoff showing 12 months ago. There’s no question that the Cavaliers will only go as far as the play of Donovan Mitchell will carry them. The star guard averaged 26.6 points per game during the regular season and will be Cleveland’s go-to player on offense, but the contributions of the other members of their “Big Four” won’t go unnoticed. Evan Mobley will have to deal with Paolo Banchero, Darius Garland (6.5 assists per game) will operate as the primary playmaker, and Jarrett Allen (16.5 points, 10.5 rebounds per game) will be a two-way force down low. The Cavaliers have home-field advantage for this series, and they were one of the best teams in the league at home during the regular season thanks to a 26-15 record.
The Cavaliers are listing Ty Jerome (ankle), Dean Wade (knee) and Craig Porter (ankle) in their injury report for the series opener Saturday.
The Magic (47-35) finished the regular season in fifth place in the standings. Even if they suffer a first-round exit, this season can be a massive success for an organization that picked near the top of the NBA Draft only a few years ago. The addition of Paolo Banchero, a second-year player who received his first All-Star nod this season, changed everything for the Magic, and now they have a young team that looks to contend for years to come in a surprisingly top-heavy East. The Magic will only go as far as Banchero can carry them, however. The forward led the team in both points (22.6) and assists (5.4) per game while tying for first in rebounds with Wendell Carter Jr. (6.9). Franz Wagner (19.7 points, 5.3 rebounds, 3.7 assists per game) is another player to watch for in the series. Unfortunately, Orlando doesn’t have a lot of offensive weapons to unsettle Cleveland. The Magic will have to pull the upset by playing sound defense and limiting Donovan Mitchell as much as possible.
The Magic are not listing any player in their injury report for the series opener Saturday.
Suns and Timberwolves Open Postseason
The Phoenix Suns take on the Minnesota Timberwolves at Target Center on Saturday afternoon in Game 1 of their Western Conference quarterfinal-round series.
The Suns (49-33) check into the series-opening matchup as the No. 6 seed after vaulting themselves into that position on the final day of the regular season, in conjunction with a New Orleans Pelicans loss. Phoenix won each of the last three games of the campaign, with its most recent success a 125-106 victory over these same Timberwolves. Bradley Beal led the Suns with 36 points, adding six rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block. Devin Booker furnished 23 points, seven assists, four rebounds and one steal. Grayson Allen delivered 20 points, six boards, one assist and two steals. Kevin Durant supplied 15 points, four rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block.
The Suns will remain without Damion Lee (knee) for Saturday's game.
The Timberwolves (56-26) come into the postseason as the No. 3 seed and fashioned a 3-3 record over the final six games of the regular season. Minnesota was in contention for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference until the final day of the season and was able to get Karl-Anthony Towns back from an extended absence due to a knee injury for the final two games of the campaign. Against Phoenix, Rudy Gobert led the way with 21 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block. Mike Conley provided 17 points, four boards, two assists, two blocks and one steal. Anthony Edwards registered 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Towns and Naz Reid produced matching 10-point tallies while pulling down six and four rebounds, respectively.
The Timberwolves come in without any short-term injuries to report.
Saturday's game marks the fourth meeting between the teams since the start of the regular season. The Suns hold a 3-0 series lead.
The Suns (49-33) check into the series-opening matchup as the No. 6 seed after vaulting themselves into that position on the final day of the regular season, in conjunction with a New Orleans Pelicans loss. Phoenix won each of the last three games of the campaign, with its most recent success a 125-106 victory over these same Timberwolves. Bradley Beal led the Suns with 36 points, adding six rebounds, five assists, two steals and one block. Devin Booker furnished 23 points, seven assists, four rebounds and one steal. Grayson Allen delivered 20 points, six boards, one assist and two steals. Kevin Durant supplied 15 points, four rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block.
The Suns will remain without Damion Lee (knee) for Saturday's game.
The Timberwolves (56-26) come into the postseason as the No. 3 seed and fashioned a 3-3 record over the final six games of the regular season. Minnesota was in contention for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference until the final day of the season and was able to get Karl-Anthony Towns back from an extended absence due to a knee injury for the final two games of the campaign. Against Phoenix, Rudy Gobert led the way with 21 points, supplementing them with seven rebounds, one assist, two steals and one block. Mike Conley provided 17 points, four boards, two assists, two blocks and one steal. Anthony Edwards registered 13 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal and one block. Towns and Naz Reid produced matching 10-point tallies while pulling down six and four rebounds, respectively.
The Timberwolves come in without any short-term injuries to report.
Saturday's game marks the fourth meeting between the teams since the start of the regular season. The Suns hold a 3-0 series lead.
Knicks Host 76ers In Game 1
By Dan Bruno
The New York Knicks play host to the Philadelphia 76ers in Game 1 of the Eastern Conference First-Round Playoffs at Madison Square Garden on Saturday evening.
The Knicks won the season series 3-1, winning twice on the road and once at home.
The Knicks (50-32) closed the season on an impressive run, including winning their final five games to claw their way up to second place in the East. Despite losing Julius Randle (shoulder), who led the way for most of the season, the Knicks were able to keep up their success behind a massive effort from Jalen Brunson and strong play from guys like Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart and Previous Achiuwa. Miles McBride also stepped up with a few impressive performances down the stretch. The Knicks finished the season with a 27-14 home record, including winning their final three home games. Brunson finished the season with averages of 28.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 0.9 steals per game, and he reached the 40-point mark in three of the last five games of the campaign. DiVincenzo averaged 15.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals, while Hart averaged 9.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 0.9 steals per game.
Meanwhile, the 76ers (47-35) finished the season ranked seventh in the East and battled through the play-in to earn the seventh playoff spot. Joel Embiid (knee) was sidelined for two months before returning to the court late in the season. He came up with 23 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and a steal in the play-in, but continues to battle through the injury and is listed as questionable for action. Tyrese Maxey averaged 30.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists over his final five appearances of the regular season and remains a critical factor in the Sixers' success. Tobias Harris averaged 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.0 steals during the season and must come up big to help his squad solidify an advantage in the frontcourt. The 76ers went 22-19 on the road during the regular season.
The Knicks won the season series 3-1, winning twice on the road and once at home.
The Knicks (50-32) closed the season on an impressive run, including winning their final five games to claw their way up to second place in the East. Despite losing Julius Randle (shoulder), who led the way for most of the season, the Knicks were able to keep up their success behind a massive effort from Jalen Brunson and strong play from guys like Donte DiVincenzo, Josh Hart and Previous Achiuwa. Miles McBride also stepped up with a few impressive performances down the stretch. The Knicks finished the season with a 27-14 home record, including winning their final three home games. Brunson finished the season with averages of 28.7 points, 3.6 rebounds, 6.7 assists and 0.9 steals per game, and he reached the 40-point mark in three of the last five games of the campaign. DiVincenzo averaged 15.5 points, 3.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.3 steals, while Hart averaged 9.4 points, 8.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 0.9 steals per game.
Meanwhile, the 76ers (47-35) finished the season ranked seventh in the East and battled through the play-in to earn the seventh playoff spot. Joel Embiid (knee) was sidelined for two months before returning to the court late in the season. He came up with 23 points, 15 rebounds, five assists and a steal in the play-in, but continues to battle through the injury and is listed as questionable for action. Tyrese Maxey averaged 30.0 points, 4.0 rebounds and 5.8 assists over his final five appearances of the regular season and remains a critical factor in the Sixers' success. Tobias Harris averaged 17.2 points, 6.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.0 steals during the season and must come up big to help his squad solidify an advantage in the frontcourt. The 76ers went 22-19 on the road during the regular season.
Nuggets Host Lakers in Game 1 on Saturday
The Denver Nuggets play host to the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 1 of the Western Conference First-Round Playoffs at Ball Arena on Saturday.
The Lakers (47-35) pulled off an impressive win to get to this point, beating the New Orleans Pelicans in the Play-In Tournament. Getting that victory on the road is a huge boost for this club, but it's no surprise since they finished the season winning 11 of their last 14 outings. That's the form we expected to see all season and it's exciting that LeBron James and Anthony Davis are fully healthy heading into this series. That's all LA fans wanted to see from the beginning because this team has a good chance against anyone as long as those superstars are taking the court.
The Nuggets (57-25) shocked the world when they took down the NBA Finals last season, and this is their first pursuit to repeat. It'll be a tougher road this time around because Denver finished second in the Western Conference. They were first last season and always take advantage when they have games at home. The Nuggets were 33-8 at Ball Arena this season and have one of the biggest advantages with their sky-high altitude. What really gives them a bump over every team is that they have Nikola Jokic. The two-time MVP is simply one of the greatest players over the last decade and is on his way to his third MVP this year.
Denver won all three matchups against LA during the regular season, winning each by at least eight points apiece. The Nuggets have won seven of their last 10 regular season games over the Lakers, which doesn't even include a four-game sweep in last year's Western Conference Finals.
The Lakers (47-35) pulled off an impressive win to get to this point, beating the New Orleans Pelicans in the Play-In Tournament. Getting that victory on the road is a huge boost for this club, but it's no surprise since they finished the season winning 11 of their last 14 outings. That's the form we expected to see all season and it's exciting that LeBron James and Anthony Davis are fully healthy heading into this series. That's all LA fans wanted to see from the beginning because this team has a good chance against anyone as long as those superstars are taking the court.
The Nuggets (57-25) shocked the world when they took down the NBA Finals last season, and this is their first pursuit to repeat. It'll be a tougher road this time around because Denver finished second in the Western Conference. They were first last season and always take advantage when they have games at home. The Nuggets were 33-8 at Ball Arena this season and have one of the biggest advantages with their sky-high altitude. What really gives them a bump over every team is that they have Nikola Jokic. The two-time MVP is simply one of the greatest players over the last decade and is on his way to his third MVP this year.
Denver won all three matchups against LA during the regular season, winning each by at least eight points apiece. The Nuggets have won seven of their last 10 regular season games over the Lakers, which doesn't even include a four-game sweep in last year's Western Conference Finals.