fbpx
Skip to main content

5 Takeaways from the NBA Playoffs Thus Far

Outside of the Golden State Warriors historic comeback in Game 3 of their series against the New Orleans Pelicans on Thursday night, there hasn’t been a whole lot of drama in the NBA Playoffs thus far.

In the Western Conference, the Houston Rockets and Warriors lead their series 3-0. Meanwhile, the San Antonio Spurs took control of their series against the Los Angeles Clippers in Game 3 at home on Friday night. And in one of the least-compelling series of the playoffs, the Portland Blazers are in a deep 2-0 hole against the Memphis Grizzlies.

Back East, there isn’t much to look at. All four series are either 3-0 or 2-0 at this point. And it looks like the Washington Wizards, Cleveland Cavaliers and Chicago Bulls should find a way to finish off sweeps in the coming days.

This doesn’t mean there aren’t things we can take away from what is happening in the Eastern Conference. LeBron James has his Cavaliers playing elite-level basketball. Meanwhile, Derrick Rose’s return to health could propel the Bulls to a deep run in the playoffs.

Let’s check in on five takeaways from the NBA Playoffs thus far.

1. The San Antonio Spurs and Golden State Warriors…

Courtesy of USA Today Sports

Courtesy of USA Today Sports: These two teams are destined to meet in the conference finals.

…and then everyone else out West. That’s pretty much where we are at right now. While it took a ridiculous 20-point fourth quarter comeback against New Orleans on Thursday, the Warriors are one win away from sweeping their first-round series. Stephen Curry is averaging 32 points, 4.3 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game in the series. Klay Thompson is also dropping an average of 25 points an outing. If Golden State continues to get this type of play from its two stars, it’s going to be a long remainder of the playoffs for the rest of the conference.

Meanwhile, Tim Duncan and the Spurs looked to be on the brink of a 2-0 series deficit against the Clippers on the road on Wednesday night. They responded by playing flawless basketball in overtime to tie the series at one. Then on Friday night, San Antonio absolutely dominated the Clippers, winning by 27 behind 32 points from Kawhi Leonard. Now up 2-1 with Game 4 at home, the Spurs can take complete control of the series.

Some may say Houston, who is up 3-0 on the Mavericks, have a shot in the West. That could very well be true, but it doesn’t match up well at all with either Golden State or San Antonio. In fact, James Harden and company went a combined 1-7 against those two teams during the regular year. While it’s too early to eliminate Houston as a serious contender, it’s highly likely that the West will be represented by either Golden State or San Antonio when all is said and done.

2. The “King” has Found a Kingdom

No one really expected the Boston Celtics to put up much of a fight against the Cleveland Cavaliers in the first round. In fact, Brad Stevens team has been much more impressive than most anticipated it would be. However, it appears that Cleveland is finding its real groove at the right time. LeBron James is leading a squad that looks to be as well-oiled as any in the Association right now.

Not only are James’ stats ridiculous (27.0 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6.0 assists in the series), he’s getting everyone else involved in the action. Kevin Love is putting up over 18 points and averaging nine rebounds per outing. Despite struggling a tad in Game 3, Kyrie Irving is also putting up 23 points per game. If these three continue to average nearly 70 points, it’s over for the rest of the East.

The interesting dynamic here is that Cleveland is getting solid production from some key role players, Tristan Thompson and J.R. Smith included. With some more balance, the Cavs are going to be incredibly difficult to knock off when all is said and done.

3. The Clippers Just Can’t Get it Right

Chris Paul may have played the worst game of his stellar NBA career in Game 3 on Friday night. The star point guard hit on just 3-of-13 from the field, turned the ball over six times and dished out just four assists in the 27-point loss to San Antonio. He also finished the evening -27 in 33 minutes of action. Needless to say, the Clippers need a whole bunch more out of Paul if they are going to make this a series.

After winning Game 1 convincingly and looking prepared to take a 2-0 series lead on Wednesday, Doc Rivers’ squad has once again found itself in full-on choke mode. There’s no more important game than Sunday afternoon’s clash against the Spurs in San Antonio. If the Clippers are unable to even the series there, they can call it a season. This team isn’t winning three in a row against Tim Duncan and company. And if it is a premature first-round playoff exit, there will be a lot of questions about this current roster’s ability to succeed in the postseason when the players pack up their bags for the final time.

4. With Derrick Rose Healthy, the Bulls Can Make a Run

Courtesy of USA Today Sports: Derrick Rose's return to health could propel the Bulls to the Finals.

Courtesy of USA Today Sports: Derrick Rose’s return to health could propel the Bulls to the Finals.

We can’t take too much out of a first-round series against the Milwaukee Bucks. However, we can look at Rose’s performance, and draw a conclusion about the Bulls chances moving forward in the playoffs. Now up 3-0 against Milwaukee, Chicago has an opportunity to close the series out Monday night and give Rose some extended rest before the conference semis.

As it relates to Rose, he’s been absolutely tremendous during the early part of the playoffs. The often-injured former MVP is averaging 24 points, eight assists and two steals per outing. He’s also shooting at a torrid 46 percent from three-point range. With Jimmy Butler also playing great basketball, Chicago has that one-two punch needed for a chance at the Eastern Conference title. And in reality, this is a squad that should be favored against the Atlanta Hawks should the two teams meet in the next round.

5. Building Blocks for Lower Seeds

I am not usually a fan of this term. If you are in the playoffs, your ultimate goal should be to win the title. For most, anything else would be a disappointment. This really can’t be said about two of the lowest seeds in each conference. Despite currently finding themselves in 3-0 series holes, Boston and New Orleans shouldn’t be hanging their heads.

For the Pelicans, it’s rather obvious they have one of the top-five players in the Association in the form of Anthony Davis. What he has done to alter the game of one of the top regular season teams in NBA history shouldn’t go unnoticed. Through three games, Davis is averaging 30 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks per game. With Jrue Holiday looking to return to full health and Eric Gordon doing his thing, the Pelicans will enter into the offseason with some solid building blocks. It’s now all going to be about getting that second guy behind Davis.

Boston is in a bit of a different situation. It’s nowhere near as far along in the building process as the Pelicans are, but this team has some solid youngsters on the roster. Jae Crowder, Isaiah Thomas, Jared Sullinger and even Evan Turner could be solid role players on a good team. The problem in Boston is that it doesn’t have that top-notch star player or even someone who could act as a top-tier No. 2 option. Danny Ainge has a plan here. He also has a ton of first-round picks over the next couple years. And despite a likely early exit, Boston is in much better position now than it was just three months ago.

Photo: USA Today Sports

Mentioned in this article:

More About: