After Game 1 of the NBA playoffs, eight teams lead 1-0 and eight teams are down 0-1.
Certain outcomes were anticipated. Other people weren’t, though.
Four upsets occurred according to seeding: Miami defeated Milwaukee, New York defeated Cleveland, the Los Angeles Clippers narrowly defeated Phoenix, and the Los Angeles Lakers defeated Memphis.
In this instance, a seven seed defeated a two seed, a five defeated a four, and an eight defeated a one.
The last time a seven seed defeated a two seed was in 2010, when San Antonio overcame Dallas in six games. The last time an eight seed defeated a one seed was in 2012, when Philadelphia defeated Chicago.
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Which team this season, down 0-1 in a first-round series, should be most concerned?
Milwaukee Bucks 4.
Giannis Antetokounmpo missed most of the Bucks’ loss to Miami due to a back contusion, but the Bucks have faced similar challenges in the past and prevailed in series, most notably in the 2021 Eastern Conference finals against Atlanta when Antetokounmpo missed Games 5 and 6. Both games were won by the Bucks, who went on to the NBA Finals. The Bucks should still prevail in this series because to Bobby Portis, Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, and a strong rotation. Tyler Herro of Miami is out of the series due to a fractured right hand, giving Milwaukee a larger advantage whether Antetokounmpo plays or not.
Phoenix Suns 3.
The Suns have enough offence with Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton to win most games. Simply put, they will defeat their opponents. The Suns occasionally, though, require stops and defensive rebounds. In Game 1, there weren’t enough of those. Even though the Clippers have Kawhi Leonard, the Suns should take advantage of the fact that they lack Paul George. The Suns also need to get Durant more offensively involved late in the game. He scored 10 points in the fourth quarter but only attempted one shot in the final 6:30. He can pass and is a selfless player, but the Suns need him to do more than that.
Cavaliers of Cleveland, No. 2
In the first game of their first-round series against New York, Cleveland, which went 20–21 on the road this year, forfeited the home-court advantage. The Cavaliers must triumph in a game at Madison Square Garden against the Knicks, who were 23-18, if they are to win this series. This season, New York had a stronger road record, going 24-17. For the Cavaliers, who are attempting to win their first series without LeBron James since 1998, this makes Game 2 crucial. Evan Mobley, a forward for the Cavaliers, was offensively disappointing; Cleveland’s bench has to play more effective minutes.
Grizzlies of Memphis
Memphis’ loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, 128-112, eliminated home-court advantage. It has been repeatedly stated that this is not a typical 2-7 matchup. James has participated in more postseason games than the whole Grizzlies roster. The Grizzlies, who were 35-6 at home and just 16-25 away from home, now need to win Game 2 whether Ja Morant (injured right hand) plays or not, at 100% or not. In Game 1, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Dillon Brooks all performed admirably. Can they get better, particularly on defence, and make up for Morant’s injury? Brooks favoured the Lakers and James. Can the Grizzlies handle this task?
