The 2013 NBA Playoffs have had everybody on their seat. Two series have concluded as the rest are still left up in the air. Some teams have a chance to lock up their respective series as they have already won three of the required four to advance to the second round. Here we look at each series and bring updates on where each of the 16 teams stand in the NBA Playoff bracket.
Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks
Heat win 4-0
It was probably only a mystery to Brandon Jennings. The Bucks' guard predicted a victory for his team in six games. Well, the series never made it to six games and the Heat didn't even need Dwyane Wade active in the second game as they went on to do just fine without him.
LeBron James scored 98 points and guess who followed up with the second most points, Ray Allen with 67. Once again, the Heat look unstoppable as their bench is packed with talent and can bring energy and skill to the court even when their starters are resting.
San Antonio Spurs vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Spurs win 4-0
Ultimately, this one became sour to the eyes. The Lakers were unhealthy. Injuries went beyond Kobe Bryant as Steve Nash, Steve Blake, Metta World Peace and Jodie Meeks were out of commission in the latter part of this series. The Lakers had to rely on the likes of Chris Duhon, Andrew Goudelock and Darius Morris in Game 4. Unfortunately, the Lakers unhealthiness took away from the Spurs obvious dominance in this series.
Now, we go down the list of teams with dominant leads in their series and currently with the greater advantage in the series.
New York Knicks vs. Boston Celtics- Knicks Lead 3-1
The Celtics battled to win Game 4. The Knicks were without the Sixth Man of the Year, which hobbled their offense until Raymond Felton decided to step it up late in the game. Now, if the Knicks were able to push Game 4 to overtime, practically without any offense, then they should be able to wrap the series up with J.R. Smith back in the lineup.
Game 5 is today, Wednesday, at 7 p.m. ET
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Houston Rockets- Thunder Lead 3-1
Serge Ibaka reacted like the Thunder had just lost Game 4 along with the series the way he fell to the ground after missing a potential game-tying layup as time ran out in the fourth quarter. However, the fact is that the Thunder have the series on lock after taking a 3-0 lead. Dropping Game 4 only allows the Thunder to return to Oklahoma City and clinch entry into the second-round in front of their home crowd.
The Thunder and Rockets also face off today at 9:30 p.m. ET
Chicago Bulls vs. Brooklyn Nets- Bulls Lead 3-2
They say the Bulls are pressured to win at home now, but in reality, the Nets are pressured to avoid losing to a No. 5 seed that is plagued by injuries and simply won the fifth seed because the Atlanta Hawks bombed their last couple of games. The Nets have the pressure in this one as they want to avoid an early exit from the playoffs following the addition of numerous free agents and a lot of money spent over the summer.
Game 6 is Thursday in Chicago.
Golden State Warriors vs. Denver Nuggets- Warriors Lead 3-2
The scary part was that Stephen Curry didn't play his best basketball. He only scored 15 points and the Warriors turned a 22-point deficit into a five-point deficit with just minutes remaining in the game. The Nuggets had too much energy in this game, though Warriors coach, Mark Jackson would probably refer to this as playing dirty. Like the Bulls, Thunder and Knicks, the Warriors will have a chance to clinch a second round berth in front of their home court.
Memphis Grizzlies vs. Los Angeles Clippers- Grizzlies Lead 3-2
They stole one at the Staples Center on Tuesday night as their modern day version of the Twin Towers (Zach Randolph, Marc Gasol) were too dominant for the weak Clippers lineup. After struggling in Game 1 and almost coming away with the win in Game 2, the Grizzlies have won three straight games and now are on the verge of eliminating the Clippers from the first round of the playoffs.
Indiana Pacers vs. Atlanta Hawks- Series Tied 2-2
The Hawks and Pacers have evenly traded punches. The Pacers destroyed the Hawks in Indiana, then the Hawks demolished the Pacers in Atlanta. If the trend continues, this series will be going seven games and the Pacers will eventually provide the knockout punch.
We will find out who has the upper hand in this series tonight, Wednesday, as they face off for their Game 5 matchup.
Here's what the 2013 NBA Playoff Bracket looks like and what happens after a team gets into the second round.
EASTERN CONFERENCE:
Miami Heat
vs.-------------------- Heat
Milwaukee Bucks
Brooklyn Nets
vs.--------------------
Chicago Bulls
New York Knicks
vs.--------------------
Boston Celtivs
Indiana Pacers
vs.
Atlanta Hawks
WESTERN CONFERENCE:
Oklahoma City Thunder
vs.-----------------------------
Houston Rockets
Los Angeles Clippers
vs.-----------------------------
Memphis Grizzlies
San Antonio Spurs
vs.---------------------------- SPURS
Los Angeles Lakers
Denver Nuggets
vs.----------------------------
Golden State Warriors
