The current NBA season has been characterized by a clear divide between the top teams and the rest. The Oklahoma City Thunder, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Boston Celtics all achieved impressive win totals between 61 and 68, while no other team surpassed 52 victories. Consequently, these three entered their second-round playoff series as strong favorites. The fourth series also featured a higher seed, the Golden State Warriors (a Play-In team), though they were coming off a tough seven-game first round. Despite these factors, all four higher seeds likely felt confident heading into the second round.
However, the initial days of the second round have delivered stunning results. After three days and five games, *all* the higher seeds have lost their opening games. The Cavaliers dropped both of their first two home contests against the Indiana Pacers. Both the Celtics and Thunder were defeated at home on Monday. Then, on Tuesday, the Minnesota Timberwolves lost Game 1 on their home court to the Warriors, even with Stephen Curry leaving the game due to an injury. This confluence of events marks an unprecedented moment in NBA history.
The NBA has never before witnessed all four visiting teams win their respective second-round series openers. This postseason round is currently the most upset-friendly we`ve seen, at least based on the start. Of course, for this trend to fully define the round, the lower seeds must continue their success. Indiana holds a significant advantage with a 2-0 lead and three remaining home games, but the other series are far from decided. The Warriors are still assessing Curry`s injury status, and oddsmakers in Las Vegas still consider the New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets significant underdogs in their matchups.
Just recently, the league`s top teams appeared destined for deep playoff runs. The Eastern Conference path seemed set for a highly anticipated Boston vs. Cleveland clash, while Western Conference contenders were expected to battle for the chance to challenge the young Thunder for a spot in the Finals. Instead, these initial results hint at a potential final four featuring unexpected participants like the Knicks, Pacers, Warriors, and Nuggets.
It remains likely that some, if not all, of the favored teams will eventually overcome their early deficits and advance. However, the unpredictable nature of these opening games offers a refreshing sense of parity, particularly in a league often criticized for predictable postseason outcomes. If the favorites are to reach the next round, they will now have to earn it by winning on the road or mounting comebacks against teams that have already proven they can win away from home.
Jasper Hawthorne