It’s been a quick sprint into the NBA postseason. Play-in action gave us a Game of the Year contender with Grizzlies-Warriors, then a loopy late comeback in Heat-Hawks. Saturday’s full four-game slate gives way to an equally-loaded Sunday run.
We start the four Game 1s with high-flying Memphis at 68-win Oklahoma City. The Thunder finished with the best point differential in NBA history, and their guests are a fascinating, if flawed, young group. Then we get Magic vs. Celtics, as the reigning champs begin the march to No. 19 on their parquet home floor. The ever-resilient Miami Heat try juggernaut Cleveland in the third slot and we close out the weekend with a super-awesome Warriors-Rockets matchup.
Advertisement
Viewing guide for Sunday
| Game | Time (ET) | TV | Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Grizzlies at Thunder |
1 p.m. |
ABC |
|
|
Magic at Celtics |
3:30 p.m. |
ABC |
|
|
Heat at Cavs |
7 p.m. |
TNT |
Max |
|
Warriors at Rockets |
9:30 p.m. |
TNT |
Max |
Watching in-person? Get tickets on StubHub.
Memphis Grizzlies at Oklahoma City Thunder
Series odds: Thunder -2000, Grizzlies +1000
It’s been a disorienting season for the Grizz, who clawed through untimely injuries and a crisis of leadership to land the West’s final playoff berth. Ja Morant is a cipher, and the team is starting a rookie center (Zach Edey) with an undrafted guard (Scotty Pippen Jr.), but Memphis was on pace to set the franchise wins records before a stumble down the stretch. Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. anchored a spirited 20-point comeback in Golden State’s gym on Tuesday. They fell short in ways both awkward and enervating, but responded by balling out against the Mavs Friday.
Their reward? An all-time great regular season squad that went 35-6 at home. MVP favorite Shai Gilgeous-Alexander led the league in scoring. The team led the league in defensive rating, net rating, turnovers allowed and turnovers forced. Oklahoma City is deep, disciplined and always switchable. It’s the favorite to win the West until proven otherwise.
Coolest head-to-head playoff moment: This never gets old.
Expert picks
Orlando Magic at Boston Celtics
Series odds: Celtics -5000, Magic +1600
The Celts turned in a dignified regular-season effort as defending champs: top-five metrics on both ends of the floor, most 3-pointers made as well as the usual synergy between Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and the rest. The franchise has stacked consecutive 60-win years for the first time since 2007-09.
The favorites actually lost two of three meetings with the Magic, though all starters were on ice for the April 9 rubber match. Like Boston, Orlando plays with a particularly slow pace and grinds down opponents on D. No one is worse behind the arc (31.8 percent as a team, which is early-2000s clunky).
Advertisement
Playoff history: Orlando has claimed two of three all-time series. The Shaq-and-Penny Magic issued a 3-1 beatdown in 1995’s first round, and Dwight Howard’s Magic hung on in seven games in the 2009 conference semis. Boston got its revenge the following spring, advancing to the 2010 Finals with a 4-2 win.
Expert picks
Miami Heat at Cleveland Cavaliers
Series odds: Cavs -2500, Heat +1200
“I found this season to be quite a challenge. I felt alive by the challenge,” longtime Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said on Friday. “It was frustrating. I think those are the opportunities for the most growth, really just trying to figure things out. And then we’ve got a locker room that felt the same way. It brought us closer together.”
What a bizarre campaign for Miami, the league’s hustle-culture standard bearers, which had to suddenly having to pivot off Jimmy Butler. The Heat looked understandably out of sorts during and after the trade deadline, but their back-to-back road wins in elimination spots showed some courage. Davion Mitchell had a career-best moment in Atlanta on Friday, Bam Adebayo is still one of the best defenders in the business and Tyler Herro is leaping tall buildings in a single bound. He dropped 38 points in Chicago on Wednesday, then scored another 30 on Friday.
The resurgence likely ends here. Cleveland is a wine-and-gold wagon. It notched 60 wins for the first time without LeBron James, posting its best offensive numbers in 55 years of existence. First-year Cavs strategist Kenny Atkinson transformed a once-slow offense into the NBA’s top-scoring force (on just the 10th-fastest pace, no less). Six scorers put up at least 12.5 points per game, and the team went 34-7 on its own floor.
Playoff history: This is the first playoff series between LeBron’s first two teams.
Expert picks
Golden State Warriors at Houston Rockets
Series odds: Warriors -165, Rockets +140
It’s playoff basketball with Draymond Green and Dillon Brooks as principal actors. The haterade cooler will be brimming. What a way to wrap the weekend.
This series presents tough matchups and cruel rewards for both sides. Houston, a budding group with modest expectations this fall, scrapped its way up to No. 2 in the loaded West. Who had Ime Udoka’s defense-first set beating out Nikola Jokić’s Nuggets, both starry Los Angeles rosters and many others in this competitive conference? For their hard work, the Rockets get the searing and soaring Warriors with their championship pedigree.
Advertisement
Golden State, meanwhile, reversed its fortunes with the Jimmy Butler trade. “Play-In Jimmy” was in full effect this week. Steph Curry produced so many vintage moments against Memphis, and the emergence of Brandin Podziemski is the platonic ideal of the front office’s “two-timeline” system. The Warriors’ aggressive about-face has them favored in the series, but not quite in Game 1 against Houston, which is among the game’s best on defense and in clutch-time spots.
Jalen Green is 23 years old. Amen Thompson and Alperen Şengün are 22. That means Curry and Green have been in playoff spots since Houston’s core was in middle school. This should be one of the coolest opening-round series.
Playoff history: A perfect 4-0 for the Warriors. In a half-decade conference cold war that defined an NBA era, Golden State knocked Houston out in 2015, ’16, ’18 and ’19. All four were tough looks for James Harden and H-Town, but one fateful afternoon — and 27 consecutive clanks — was the heartbreak headliner.
Expert picks
Betting/odds, ticketing and streaming links in this article are provided by partners of The Athletic. Restrictions may apply. The Athletic maintains full editorial independence. Partners have no control over or input into the reporting or editing process and do not review stories before publication.
(Photo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown: Maddie Meyer / Getty Images)
This news was originally published on this post .
About the author
Paulo Nunes sinaliza time com a pior defesa do Brasil hoje: “Precisa contratar”
Paulo Nunes, comentarista do Grupo Globo (Reprodução/Globo) Paulo Nunes considera essencial que o Corinthians contrate novos zagueiros. Em sua análise, são notórias as falhas cometidas pelos defensores que não transmitem confiança aos seus torcedores. Neste domingo (27), por exemplo, o Timão levou quatro gols do Flamengo na sexta rodada do Brasileirão. Com Everton Cebolinha, Arrascaeta e dois de Pedro, o Rubro-Negro não teve muito trabalho para golear o adversário paulista. Nem mesmo Hugo Souza passou ileso, falhando clamorosamente no terceiro tento dos cariocas. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “É necessário e urgente que o Corinthians contrate um zagueiro. Ele não tem zagueiro. Se o Felix Torres tem jogado, é porque algo tem de errado”, disse Paulo Nunes. Alertado por Paulo Nunes, Corinthians é massacrado no Rio Novo técnico do Timão, Dorival Júnior acompanhou das tribunas do Maracanã o chocolate levado pelos corintianos. O […]
Boston’s Jarren Duran held back in confrontation with Guardians fan who allegedly heckled him over mental health struggles
Content warning: This story contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide and needs support now, call or text 988 or chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.The Cleveland Guardians apologized on Sunday afternoon after a fan at Progressive Field got into a heated confrontation with Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDuring the seventh inning of the Red Sox’s 13-3 win over the Guardians, a fan near the Boston dugout started yelling at Duran. That sparked an altercation where Duran had to be held back by multiple coaches, umpires and teammates.The fan in question, according to Cleveland.com, was then seen running away from the confrontation up the aisle, onto the concourse and out of the stadium.Though it’s unclear exactly what was said or what led up to it, Red Sox analyst […]
Referees acknowledge missed foul call at the end of Pistons-Knicks Game 4
DETROIT — Crew chief David Guthrie acknowledged that the game-sealing non-call during Sunday’s New York Knicks-Detroit Pistons game should have been called a foul.With the clock winding down in the game’s final seconds, Pistons star Cade Cunningham missed a stepback jumper. The ball smacked off a couple of hands, with the Knicks still up 94-93, and trickled to Detroit wing Tim Hardaway Jr., who rose for a 3-pointer in the left corner with New York energizer Josh Hart flying over to close out. Hardaway leaned in Hart’s direction and let go of an errant jump shot as Hart bumped him.AdvertisementNo call. The Knicks won by one, and they have a 3-1 lead in their first-round series with the Pistons.After the game, Guthrie told a pool reporter that there should, in fact, have been a foul called on Hart on the […]
Manchester City tem interesse na contratação do goleiro Diogo Costa, do Porto
Manchester City sonda goleiro do Porto (Foto: Divulgação/FC do Porto) O Manchester City pode ter novidades na próxima temporada em seu elenco, uma delas no gol. A equipe inglesa vem monitorando atletas da posição, com a possibilidade de Ederson deixar a equipe ao final do atual ano da Premier League E vem de Portugal o candidato dos sonhos dos Citizens para assumir a titularidade do gol. Segundo informações da imprensa europeia, Diogo Costa, atual arqueiro do Porto, está na mira da equipe azul da cidade de Manchester e já teria feito proposta aos Dragões pela contratação do atleta PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Porto recusa proposta As notícias indicam que o City ofereceu pelo titular da seleção portuguesa cerca de 40 milhões de euros (perto de R$ 260 milhões) por sua contratação. A proposta foi recusada pelo Porto, que estipulou que a multa […]
Sáblíková zveřejnila vztah s reprezentační kolegyní: Jsme spolu šťastné už dvanáct let
O osm let mladší rychlobruslařka na dva roky ovály opustila, v této sezoně se vrátila a na mistrovství světa se blýskla životním pátým místem na patnáctistovce, jen 25 setin od medaile. Z jejího úspěchu se radovala i Sáblíková, která na šampionátu získala stříbro na tříkilometrové trati a prodloužila svoji medailovou šňůru trvající od roku 2007.„Prožívám to hodně emotivně. Jsem za Niky hrozně ráda, v jakém se vrátila stylu, protože mi jí poslední dva roky, než přerušila kariéru, bylo líto, jak nemohla dát rychlobruslení sto procent,“ vyprávěla Sáblíková po sezoně.Nyní se rozhodla zveřejnit informaci, že jsou více než reprezentační kolegyně ze skupiny kouče Petra Nováka. „Víte, že jsem si vždycky chránila své soukromí a nadále to tak bude, protože je to pro mě nejvíc. Ale teď mám náznaky, že ho někdo chce řešit za mě a víc, než je mi příjemné,“ uvedla v příspěvku na Instagramu ke společné fotografii se Zdráhalovou.„Já […]
Craque Neto “carimba” tríplice coroa no Brasil em 2025: “Vai ser campeão”
Craque Neto, em transmissão da Band (Reprodução) Craque Neto, mesmo alfinetando o Flamengo, reconheceu o patamar extraordinário do clube carioca. Reagindo à goleada sofrida pelo Corinthians, no Maracanã, o ex-jogador, inicialmente, sinalizou o time de Filipe Luís como o próximo campeão do Brasileirão. Levando em conta o elenco repleto de grandes nomes e capaz de manter o forte nível em todos os duelos, o título da Libertadores também foi projetado. “Que time tem o Flamengo! O Flamengo tem um time formidável. Marcam com 11 e voltam com 11. É impressionante o que o Flamengo joga. Para mim, vai ser o campeão brasileiro e vai buscar o título da Libertadores. Eu não tenho dúvidas disso!”, disse o Craque Neto, em transmissão no YouTube. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Logo depois, uma nova previsão ocorreu no discurso do Craque Neto. Além do Brasileirão e da […]
Related
Paulo Nunes sinaliza time com a pior defesa do Brasil hoje: “Precisa contratar”
Paulo Nunes, comentarista do Grupo Globo (Reprodução/Globo) Paulo Nunes considera essencial que o Corinthians contrate novos zagueiros. Em sua análise, são notórias as falhas cometidas pelos defensores que não transmitem confiança aos seus torcedores. Neste domingo (27), por exemplo, o Timão levou quatro gols do Flamengo na sexta rodada do Brasileirão. Com Everton Cebolinha, Arrascaeta e dois de Pedro, o Rubro-Negro não teve muito trabalho para golear o adversário paulista. Nem mesmo Hugo Souza passou ileso, falhando clamorosamente no terceiro tento dos cariocas. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE “É necessário e urgente que o Corinthians contrate um zagueiro. Ele não tem zagueiro. Se o Felix Torres tem jogado, é porque algo tem de errado”, disse Paulo Nunes. Alertado por Paulo Nunes, Corinthians é massacrado no Rio Novo técnico do Timão, Dorival Júnior acompanhou das tribunas do Maracanã o chocolate levado pelos corintianos. O […]
Boston’s Jarren Duran held back in confrontation with Guardians fan who allegedly heckled him over mental health struggles
Content warning: This story contains references to suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide and needs support now, call or text 988 or chat with the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988lifeline.org.The Cleveland Guardians apologized on Sunday afternoon after a fan at Progressive Field got into a heated confrontation with Boston Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementDuring the seventh inning of the Red Sox’s 13-3 win over the Guardians, a fan near the Boston dugout started yelling at Duran. That sparked an altercation where Duran had to be held back by multiple coaches, umpires and teammates.The fan in question, according to Cleveland.com, was then seen running away from the confrontation up the aisle, onto the concourse and out of the stadium.Though it’s unclear exactly what was said or what led up to it, Red Sox analyst […]
Referees acknowledge missed foul call at the end of Pistons-Knicks Game 4
DETROIT — Crew chief David Guthrie acknowledged that the game-sealing non-call during Sunday’s New York Knicks-Detroit Pistons game should have been called a foul.With the clock winding down in the game’s final seconds, Pistons star Cade Cunningham missed a stepback jumper. The ball smacked off a couple of hands, with the Knicks still up 94-93, and trickled to Detroit wing Tim Hardaway Jr., who rose for a 3-pointer in the left corner with New York energizer Josh Hart flying over to close out. Hardaway leaned in Hart’s direction and let go of an errant jump shot as Hart bumped him.AdvertisementNo call. The Knicks won by one, and they have a 3-1 lead in their first-round series with the Pistons.After the game, Guthrie told a pool reporter that there should, in fact, have been a foul called on Hart on the […]
Manchester City tem interesse na contratação do goleiro Diogo Costa, do Porto
Manchester City sonda goleiro do Porto (Foto: Divulgação/FC do Porto) O Manchester City pode ter novidades na próxima temporada em seu elenco, uma delas no gol. A equipe inglesa vem monitorando atletas da posição, com a possibilidade de Ederson deixar a equipe ao final do atual ano da Premier League E vem de Portugal o candidato dos sonhos dos Citizens para assumir a titularidade do gol. Segundo informações da imprensa europeia, Diogo Costa, atual arqueiro do Porto, está na mira da equipe azul da cidade de Manchester e já teria feito proposta aos Dragões pela contratação do atleta PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Porto recusa proposta As notícias indicam que o City ofereceu pelo titular da seleção portuguesa cerca de 40 milhões de euros (perto de R$ 260 milhões) por sua contratação. A proposta foi recusada pelo Porto, que estipulou que a multa […]
Sáblíková zveřejnila vztah s reprezentační kolegyní: Jsme spolu šťastné už dvanáct let
O osm let mladší rychlobruslařka na dva roky ovály opustila, v této sezoně se vrátila a na mistrovství světa se blýskla životním pátým místem na patnáctistovce, jen 25 setin od medaile. Z jejího úspěchu se radovala i Sáblíková, která na šampionátu získala stříbro na tříkilometrové trati a prodloužila svoji medailovou šňůru trvající od roku 2007.„Prožívám to hodně emotivně. Jsem za Niky hrozně ráda, v jakém se vrátila stylu, protože mi jí poslední dva roky, než přerušila kariéru, bylo líto, jak nemohla dát rychlobruslení sto procent,“ vyprávěla Sáblíková po sezoně.Nyní se rozhodla zveřejnit informaci, že jsou více než reprezentační kolegyně ze skupiny kouče Petra Nováka. „Víte, že jsem si vždycky chránila své soukromí a nadále to tak bude, protože je to pro mě nejvíc. Ale teď mám náznaky, že ho někdo chce řešit za mě a víc, než je mi příjemné,“ uvedla v příspěvku na Instagramu ke společné fotografii se Zdráhalovou.„Já […]
Craque Neto “carimba” tríplice coroa no Brasil em 2025: “Vai ser campeão”
Craque Neto, em transmissão da Band (Reprodução) Craque Neto, mesmo alfinetando o Flamengo, reconheceu o patamar extraordinário do clube carioca. Reagindo à goleada sofrida pelo Corinthians, no Maracanã, o ex-jogador, inicialmente, sinalizou o time de Filipe Luís como o próximo campeão do Brasileirão. Levando em conta o elenco repleto de grandes nomes e capaz de manter o forte nível em todos os duelos, o título da Libertadores também foi projetado. “Que time tem o Flamengo! O Flamengo tem um time formidável. Marcam com 11 e voltam com 11. É impressionante o que o Flamengo joga. Para mim, vai ser o campeão brasileiro e vai buscar o título da Libertadores. Eu não tenho dúvidas disso!”, disse o Craque Neto, em transmissão no YouTube. PUBLICIDADE PUBLICIDADE Logo depois, uma nova previsão ocorreu no discurso do Craque Neto. Além do Brasileirão e da […]
Be the first to leave a comment