Preview capsules on the NBA’s conference semifinal sequence:
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West: No. 6 Minnesota (49-33, 4-2) vs. No. 2 San Antonio (62-20, 4-1)
Season sequence: Timberwolves, 2-1.
Schedule: Game 1 at San Antonio, Monday; Game 2 at San Antonio, Wednesday; Game 3 at Minnesota, Friday; Game 4 at Minnesota, May 10; Game 5 at San Antonio, May 12 (if crucial); Game 6 at Minnesota, May 15 (if crucial); Game 7 at San Antonio, May 17 (if crucial).
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How they received right here: San Antonio beat No. 7 Portland 4-1, Minnesota beat No. 3 Denver 4-2.
Storyline: Minnesota rallied within the first spherical after dropping Donte DiVincenzo (Achilles tendon) and Anthony Edwards (knee) to accidents. Edwards could possibly play in some unspecified time in the future on this sequence — “week to week” is the official phrase at this level — and that might give the Timberwolves a critical increase. The Spurs had a penchant for getting right into a little bit of hassle at instances in Round 1, although they rallied and wound up profitable in 5 video games. Spurs star Victor Wembanyama‘s mild solely appears to get brighter.
Prediction: Spurs in 6.
West: No. 4 LA Lakers (53-29, 4-2) vs. No. 1 Oklahoma City (64-18, 4-0)
Season sequence: Thunder, 4-0.
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Schedule: Game 1 at Oklahoma City, Tuesday; Game 2 at Oklahoma City, Thursday; Game 3 at Los Angeles, Saturday; Game 4 at Los Angeles, May 11; Game 5 at Oklahoma City, May 13 (if crucial); Game 6 at Los Angeles, May 16 (if crucial); Game 7 at Oklahoma City, May 18 (if crucial).
How they received right here: Lakers beat No. 5 Houston 4-2, Oklahoma City beat No. 8 Phoenix 4-0.
Storyline: Game 1 of this sequence would be the 299th profession playoff sport for Lakers star LeBron James, which is way over anybody else in league historical past — and is definite to remain that means for a very long time. The 41-year-old James averaged 23.2 factors, 7.2 rebounds and eight.3 assists within the Round 1 win over Houston, and he’ll probably have to be that good or higher to provide the Lakers an opportunity on this sequence. The Thunder are the defending champions, have the MVP favourite in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and appear to have simply navigated the problems that include a title protection. Will Luka Doncic return for the Lakers? That may change issues later within the sequence.
Prediction: Thunder in 6.
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East: No. 7 Philadelphia (45-37, 4-3) vs. No. 3 New York (53-29, 4-2)
Season sequence: Tied, 2-2.
Schedule: Game 1 at New York, Monday; Game 2 at New York, Wednesday; Game 3 at Philadelphia, Friday; Game 4 at Philadelphia, May 10; Game 5 at New York, May 12 (if crucial); Game 6 at Philadelphia, May 14 (if crucial); Game 7 at New York, May 17 (if crucial).
How they received right here: 76ers beat No. 2 Boston 4-3, Knicks beat No. 6 Atlanta 4-2.
Storyline: Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla was requested what modified over the ultimate three video games of the Boston-Philadelphia sequence — all Boston losses — and his reply was that Joel Embiid got here again for the 76ers. Simple, however true. When Embiid is efficient, the 76ers can beat anyone. When he is laboring, they have an inclination to battle. Embiid had 86 factors within the final three video games of that Philly-Boston sequence. Meanwhile, New York is coming off a historic 51-point, series-clinching rout of Atlanta to get again to Round 2. The Knicks additionally received the final three video games of that sequence, so each groups are coming in bursting with momentum.
Prediction: If Embiid stays like this, 76ers in 7.
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AP NBA: https://apnews.com/nba