Fans ready for NBA playoff season
April 21, 2023
Joe Johnson of the Brooklyn Nets shooting a free throw in a basketball game against the Boston Celtics in Barclays Center during a game in October 2012.
The NBA Playoffs recently started and everyone is excited to watch the games.
“I look forward to watching the playoffs,” Charlie Spiegel said.
The games began on April 15th, with the Play-In games. The Play-In is a tournament against the 7th, 8th, and 9th seed teams to fight for a spot in the playoffs.
This year, the Minnesota Timberwolves and Los Angeles Lakers secured a spot in the west, while the Miami Heat and Atlanta Hawks secured a spot in the east. These teams secure the 7th and 8th seed, with the 7th seed playing the 2nd seed, and the 8th playing the 1st, giving them a hard matchup. The 1st seed in the East are the Milwaukee Bucks, while in the East its the Denver Nuggets.
The Brooklyn Nets and New York Knicks are fan favorite teams around Patrick M. Villano School. The Brooklyn Nets are the 6th seed, matched up against the Philadelphia 76ers, led by NBA MVP Joel Embiid. The New York Knicks are the 5th seed, matched up against the Cleveland Cavaliers, led by Donovan Mitchell.
“I hope the Brooklyn Nets win, though I doubt they will, but I have hopes the Milwaukee Bucks can go far,” Spiegel said.
The former NBA Champions of the 2022 Playoffs were the Golden State Warriors, led by former two time NBA MVP Stephen Curry. The Warriors faced the Boston Celtics led by superstar Jayson Tatum. The series lasted six games eventually ending with the Warriors winning 4-2. Stephen Curry won the Finals MVP, an award to the player in the Finals contributing to the team the most.
“Nets could definitely put up a good fight against the 76ers, maybe 6 games, “Ethan Shelton, a 6th grader said. “I have the Milwaukee Bucks and Sacramento Kings in the NBA Finals. I believe the Kings could win it all this year.”
So far, there have been many injuries. Giannis Antetokounmpo of the Milwaukee Bucks had a back injury against the Miami Heat in Game 1 of the first round. Memphis Grizzlies star Ja Morant suffered a hand injury attempting a dunk over Anthony Davis of the Los Angeles Lakers. Anthony Davis also hurt his arm in that same play.
“I think that the Celtics are gonna win the championship. and Suns are going to beat the Clippers in 7 games,” Dominic DeSalvo, a 6th grader said. “Lakers are going to beat the Grizzlies in 7 games, as well.