2nd Round Playoff Preview

The second round of the NBA Playoffs begins this weekend.  In the first round many series went the way they were expected with The Brooklyn Nets and Milwaukee Bucks both making easy work of their opponents and advancing to the next round. The Atlanta Hawks took care business against the New York and will face the Philadelphia 76ers in round 2. The 76ers won their series but the star of the team Joel Embiid a knee injury which could limit his effectiveness in the remainder of the playoffs. The Denver Nuggets will be taking the on the Phoenix in an anticipated matchup featuring Nikola Jokic and Devin Booker. The Suns beat the Lebron James and the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. The Utah Jazz await the winner of Dallas Mavericks vs the Los Angeles Clippers series, which has a game 7 on Sunday. I will point out 3 things to look out for in the 3 series that are set.  

 Brooklyn Nets vs Milwaukee Bucks

 

1.       Joe Harris will be an X Factor for the series if he can hit 4 threes a game it will force the Bucks to have to play one of the Nets star players without help.

2.       Milwaukee’s Perimeter defense will be key for them to win the series. 

3.       Ball movement will be pivotal and whichever team wins the Assist battle will win the series.

Philadelphia 76ers vs Atlanta Hawks

1.       3^rd scorer must emerge for the 76ers with Joel Embiid being limited with knee injury

2.       Hawks must shoot above 40% from 3-point line to win the series

3.       Ben Simmons’ aggressiveness, not necessarily scoring but when it comes to setting up teams to get open shots.

Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns

1.       Suns 3pt defense will be key against Nuggets in the series

2.       Can Michael Porter Jr carry over his round one performance?

3.       Deandre Ayton must  hold his own against Nikola Jokic