Six of eight squads have locked in their spots in the NBA Conference Semifinals
The GIST: With all due apologies to Ms. Jackson, the Eastern Conference (EC) No. 2 Boston Celtics prevailed over the No. 7 Atlanta Hawks last night, which means six of eight squads have locked in their spots in the Conference Semifinals.
- However, there are still two first-round games tonight that could determine who gets those last two berths. By all means, move at a glacial pace.
First-round series: Fridays are for Game 6s. The Western Conference (WC) No. 6 Golden State Warriors and No. 7 LA Lakers (both leading 3-2) host the No. 3 Sacramento Kings and No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies tonight at 8 p.m. ET and 10:30 p.m. ET, respectively.
- And if both squads capitalize on their home-court advantage, we’re in for an all-California WC semi. Totally rad.
Conference semis: It’ll be a superstar showdown when the No. 1 Nuggets host the No. 4 Phoenix Suns for the start of their WC semi tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. ET. Expect it to rain buckets with the Nugs’ two-time reigning MVP Nikola Jokić (aka the king of the triple-double) taking on the Suns’ Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. So bright, gotta wear shades.
- Then on Sunday, all eyes will be on Madison Square Garden as the EC No. 5 NY Knicks welcome the No. 8 Miami Heat — fresh off a massive upset of Giannis Antetokounmpo’s top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks — at 1 p.m. ET.
