THE PLAYOFFS
BOS-MIA
Kristaps Porzingis vs. Bam Adebayo will headline Celtics-Heat
Jack Simone, Celtics Blog
Everything Heat said of Celtics matchup in NBA Playoffs
Souichi Terada, Mass Live
Heat embracing heavy underdog role in playoff series
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald
Is trust the only issue the Celtics have entering the playoffs?
Gary Washburn, Boston Globe
CLE-ORL
How Cavs’ Evan Mobley wrecked Orlando’s defensive game plan in playoff series opener
Chris Fedor, cleveland.com
Cavs respond to Magic with newfound intensity and physicality
Ethan Sands, cleveland.com
No offense, but Magic won’t ‘overreact to anything’ in Game 1 loss to Cavaliers
Josh Robbins, The Athletic
The Cavs' Two (Too) Big Advantage
Jacob Sutton, JSutt Hoops
Cavaliers grind out victory over Magic in Game 1
Nate Ulrich, Beacon Journal
Georges Niang’s confusing box score shows value of J.B. Bickerstaff’s new playoff chess piece
Jimmy Watkins, cleveland.com
The Playoffs are already exposing the Orlando Magic's weaknesses
Philip Rossman-Reich, Orlando Magic Daily
DAL-LAC
By the position: big man battle is the chess match of the series in Mavericks vs Clippers
Jordan Brodess, Mavs Moneyball
Clippers vs. Mavericks: First-round scouting report, prediction
Janis Carr, OC Register
Jason Kidd adapted and the Mavericks responded: Has he earned a contract extension?
Brad Townsend, Morning News
Kyrie Irving is the playoff partner Luka Dončić has been craving
Tim Cato, The Athletic
Clippers, with or without Kawhi Leonard, focused on Dallas and Luka Doncic
Janis Carr, OC Register
Doncic, Irving Embrace Being Ready to 'Empty Their Clip'
Grant Afseth, Sports Illustrated
DEN-LAL
Lakers’ promising start turns into same depressing story vs. Nuggets
Jovan Buha, The Athletic
Nuggets vs. Lakers: 3 takeaways from Denver's Game 1 win
Vinny Benedetto
Nuggets’ Game 1 win over Lakers shows it will take perfection to beat Denver
Tony Jones, The Athletic
Lakers start strong but still can’t solve Nuggets in series opener
Khobi Price, OC Register
Jamal Murray issues warning after Nuggets storm past Lakers in Game 1: “We’ll all shoot better next game”
Bennett Durando, Denver Post
Lakers takeaways: Why Anthony Davis and LeBron James weren’t good enough in Game 1
Dan Woike, LA Times
IND-MIL
Pascal Siakam is the key to the Indiana Pacers playoff success both on and off the court
Tony East, Sports Illustrated
Opportunity, experience, disruptors face Pacers
Tom Lewis, Indy Cornrows
First Round Playoff Preview – Bucks vs Pacers
Ti Windisch, ESPN
Indiana Pacers young players hoping inexperience isn't a factor in the playoffs: 'I haven't felt much pressure'
Tony East, Sports Illustrated
Pacers Playoff Primer: Haliburton refreshed, learning on the fly, and Carlisle sets new standard
Scott Agness, Fieldhouse Files
3 Biggest X-factors for Milwaukee Bucks
Dalton Sell, Behind The Buck Pass
If Bucks want to slow down Pacers, better transition defense is a must
Eric Nehm, The Athletic
How Doc Rivers' 'dangerous' conversations have led to buy-in from the Milwaukee Bucks
Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel
MIN-PHX
Anthony Edwards And The Timberwolves Torched The Suns In Game 1
Robby Kalland, Dime
Nickeil Alexander-Walker erases Suns’ lead, advantage with big performance
Star Tribune
Devin Booker needs to star for the Suns to advance, and he didn’t do it in Game 1
Doug Haller, The Athletic
Anthony Edwards leads the way as Timberwolves dismantle Suns in Game 1
Chris Hine, Star Tribune
Mike Conley’s call to arms spurs Anthony Edwards, Timberwolves to Game 1 win vs. Suns
Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic
Timberwolves use reworked defensive assignments, tighter focus to beat Suns in Game 1
Jerry Zgoda, Star Tribune
Takeaways from Suns Game 1 loss
Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic
NOP-OKC
Thunder-Pelicans preview: How New Orleans can slow down Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and OKC
Dan Devine, Yahoo Sports
Top-seeded Thunder say their maturity matters more than youth heading into playoffs vs. Pelicans
Associated Press
Thunder enter NBA playoffs respectful of everyone but fearful of no one
Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic
How the Thunder and Pelicans match up in NBA playoffs
Joel Lorenzi, The Oklahoman
NYK-PHI
Knicks’ bench trio thrives in huge Game 1 playoff win over 76ers
Peter Botte, NY Post
All for One & One for All...
Jonathan Macri, Knicks Film School
Josh Hart has new approach to Knicks’ playoff run: Think less
Fred Katz, The Athletic
Knicks must take advantage of Joel Embiid
Kristian Winfield, NY Daily News
Sixers’ fate rests on the shoulders — and knee — of Joel Embiid
Mike Vorkunov, The Athletic
In the 28 minutes Deuce McBride was on the floor in Game 1, the Knicks outscored the Sixers by 37 points
Tommy Beer, What’s On Tap
The Knicks didn't win pretty, but they're comfortable in the muck
Jonathan Macri, Knicks Film School
Sixers-Knicks takeaways
Keith Pompey, The Inquirer
3 reasons the New York Knicks were able to beat the Sixers in a dogfight
Jonathan Lurensky, Fansided
Josh Hart thriving as Tom Thibodeau’s do-it-all weapon
Peter Botte, NY Post
The Sixers left Josh Hart open from three-point range. The former Villanova star made them pay
Gina Mizell, The Inquirer
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