PLAYOFF NBA, TODAY’S MATCHES: WARRIORS AND CELTICS ON THE FIELD

WESTERN CONFERENCE: SACRAMENTO KINGS – GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS

16/04, ore 2.00

I Sacramento Kings they were undoubtedly the revelation of this year; after years of darkness, the team coached by Mike Brownelected as Best coach of the 2022-23 season from its peers, managed to reach the playoffs after a 17-year absence, managing to close the regular season with a record of 48 wins and 34 losses, placing third in the Western Conference. The Sacramentos will face i Golden State Warriors, winners of the last NBA season, who, despite the difficulties that emerged this season, are certainly not a team to be underestimated, also considering that in the four previous clashes the Warriors prevailed three times. In short, this series seems to be the perfect clash between the “old generation” and the “new”, who certainly won’t back down to oust one of the most successful teams in recent years from the throne.

EASTERN CONFERENCE: PHILADELPHIA 76ERS – BROOKLYN NETS

15/04, ore 19,30

The match that will open this NBA post season. THE Sixers are definitely favorites for the passage of the round, especially for the stars they can field. Harden, Maxey e Embiid they can make the difference at any moment, with the Cameroonian MVP candidate center and the former Rockets point guard aiming for the ring, the first of their sensational career. Conversely, the Nets revolutionized the roster in February with the added the Irving and Durant and the entry of a group of solid players like Cam Johnson, Mikal Bridges and the return of Dinwiddie. To compete for the title, however, is too little compared to the other contenders, however, also considering Ben Simmons in the rose. The last precedent between the two dates back to the last day, at Easter, when the Sixers won 134 to 105. The Nets have not beaten Phila since March 11, 2022, with the last five games all won by Doc’s boys Rivers.

EASTERN CONFERENCE: BOSTON CELTICS – ATLANTA HAWKS

15/04, ore 21,30

At 21.30 in Italy the defending champions of the Eastern Conference will take the field, as well as one of the top three favorites for the ring that escaped last year. Needless to say i Celtics they have like target the title. Compared to last season, the rotation has been lengthened, with the inclusion above all of Brogdon from Indiana, who gave a big hand in the offensive phase. The Hawks they beat by surprise Miami in Play-ins, thus avoiding i Bucks. Boston and Atlanta also went head to head on the final day, with the Celtics ripping off the fifth straight win against Quinn Snyder’s boys and seventh in a row at home. Atlanta on the road has lost four of its last six. A series that seems obvious even in this case, but the Hawks have players like Collins and Murray, plus shots from Trae Young, who appeared in great shape in the match against Miami. Tatum and his teammates are called to a series of great attention in the defensive phase.

EASTERN CONFERENCE: CLEVELAND CAVALIERS – NEW YORK KNICKS

16/04, ore 00

A very balanced series on paper. The regular season saw the two teams achieve a rather similar score: 51-31 for the Cavs and 47-35 for the Knicks. This year’s precedents smile at New York, 3-1, but Cleveland has shown a much better defensive solidity, being the best franchise of the NBA for points concededjust 8764, with the second-place Heat trailing by more than 300 points (9003). Bickerstaff built a great defensegoing against the tide of the modern game which sees the prevalence of small quintets: a choice that paid off. New York is back from an ups and downs in terms of results (5v, 5p) as opposed to Cleveland, which boasts seven wins in its last ten. In such a balanced series, defections will make the difference. The Knicks in this case start penalized, with Randle’s stopdefinitely out for race 1.

(Credits: Getty Images)

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