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Last night was the start of the conference finals, which should signify that new stars are here and ready for the big stage, and a victory for some small markets. So, I will start with the Western Conference finals, which began last night.
Western Conference Finals
#1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. #6 Minnesota Timberwolves
The Thunder have a short turnaround playing game one tonight after their game seven win on Sunday over the Nuggets. They take on the T’Wolves, who should be rested. This series will be competitive with several intriguing matchups. Still, the main matchup is Anthony Edwards and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who will decide who will be the new young star in the NBA. I have been arguing about who will win this series. As much as I want Anthony Edwards to continue this incredible playoff run, I’m picking OKC to win this series in six games and advance to the NBA finals.
Winner: Thunder in six games
Western Conference Finals X-Factor: Julius Randle
Julius Randle is the one player who will be crucial in this series. Randle has had a renaissance this postseason, and playing for his next contract in real time makes this more unique, but Randle’s performance will decide if this series goes long or not.
Eastern Conference Finals
#3 New York Knicks vs. #4 Indiana Pacers
Now, to the series that will be most entertaining, as the Knicks and Pacers face off again in their storied playoff rivalry. This series provides some needed basketball nostalgia and introduces some new stars, with Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton and New York’s Jalen Brunson. This has been another impressive playoff run by the Pacers, who should be considered serious contenders in the East after this postseason.
Still, Indiana may not have enough to stop this Knicks team at full strength and not have someone to stop Jalen Brunson in those late-game moments where he has been phenomenal. This is why I am taking the Knicks in seven games and returning to the NBA finals for the first time in 25 years.
Winner: Knicks in seven games
Eastern Conference Finals X-Factor: Andrew Nembhard
The options regarding which player will decide this series are endless, but I am selecting Andrew Nembhard as the x-factor. Whether it is his defensive task of guarding Jalen Brunson full court or his being a truly dependable knock-down shooter, Nembhard’s impact will be the deciding factor in whether the Indiana Pacers make it to the NBA finals or not.
