The 2021 NBA Playoffs have been one of the most exciting playoffs so far, the reigning champions, Los Angeles Lakers faced an early first-round exit, at least making it clear that we would have a new champion this year. Even in the regular season Lakers were clearly struggling after both their star players Anthony Davis and LeBron James were sidelined due to injuries. But against a strong Phoenix Suns they really didn’t stand a chance this year and were shown the door after Suns won by 4-2.
In the first round of the playoffs, Clippers handed Luka Dončić and the team a 4-3 loss in the long-drawn first-round playoff match. Nets had also advanced to the semifinals after they thrashed Celtics with a 4-1 convincing win. While Sixers eliminated Wizards 4-1 to set up a match with Hawks in the semi-finals. Just like 76ers, Hawks had stunned Knicks by beating them in five games. While the West top-seeded team, Jazz stayed in form and took down Grizzlies by 4-1 as well to set up a match with Clippers. Lastly, Nuggets had taken down Portland and won the series by 4-2.
The top-seeded teams, Utah Jazz and Sixers but later disappointed their fans after they were kicked out of the second round losing to Clippers and Hawks. On the other hand, Brooklyn Net’s deadly trio of James Harden, Kevin Durant, and Kyrie Irving also could not save Nets from elimination after Bucks took them down with a close 4-3 win to advance to the Conference Finals.
With the likes of Jazz, Sixers,and Nets who were heading to the playoffs with a great track record and star-studded line up eliminated from the playoffs. This NBA playoff became even more unpredictable than before.
The Conference Finals are now underway, where Phoenix Suns arrived with a clean 4-0 sweep of Denver Nuggets and are doing their best in the Western Conference Finals reaching the stage for the first time in decades. They are matched with Kawhi Leonard-less Los Angeles Clippers, while on the other side Chris Paul who is averaging 18.3 points, and 9 assists in the series, finally got his shot at the championship and iswell compliment by Devin Booker’s emergence on the field. Booker is averaging 26.2 points 5.6 rebounds and 4.8 assists in the series against Clippers.Paul George has picked up the slack for Clippers currently posting an average of 30.2 points 10.8 rebounds, 6.2 assists, and 1.4 steal in the WCF.
Deandre Ayton though has been great this season who averaged 14.8 points, 10.7 rebounds and 1.1 blocks overall including the regular season and playoffs. In the Conference finals, he has averaged with better numbers with 18.2 points, 13 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. Since CP3 is back in the lineup after serving time off due to the health and safety protocol they enjoy a 3-2 lead in the matchup currently and Phoenix has a lot of energy to push for the NBA finals and keep the momentum going there as well.
Compared to Clippers who are already without their star, Suns have a superior squad with a better defensive squad and are favored to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy this season. But if Clippers do manage to get past Suns they would be making their first appearance in the NBA finals.
In the Eastern Conference, we have an even more surprising match-up with Milwaukee Bucks and Atlanta Hawks. Bucks had traded for Jrue Holidaywho is averaging with 20 points, and 9.5 assists in the current series providing more support to Giannis Antetokounmpo on the floor, and together they have been the game-changer for Bucks who took out the reigning East champion Miami Heat in Round 1 with a clean 4-0 sweep. It was painful to watch Heat fold so quickly in the playoffs that too without a fight. But Hawks exhibit good energy on the floor riding the Trae Young train, he is averaging 32.7 points, 6 assists, and 3 rebounds so far in the East playoffs finals.
Currently,both the teams are tied in the series and Hawks might be without Young after he picked up an injury while Bucks would be without Giannis who has averaged 26.5 points, 5.5 assists, and 10 rebounds so far in the ECF after he was also seen limping off the court in Game 4. Hawks have had a surprising run but Bucks are good at shot-creating and can win the series easily even if Giannis would be absent for the next matches. Khris Middleton who is averaging 21 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 6 assists could still lead the team to a win.
This analysis was drawn on data provided by Data Sports Group
