Tomorrow, the final two matchups of the NBA playoffs in the 23-24 season will begin, with the Pelicans hosting the Kings and the Heat taking on the Bulls.
The closest encounter in the first round of the Western Conference playoffs should be the battle between the Mavericks and the Clippers, the two teams have met in the playoffs in the past, and the Clippers have become the final winners, but the situation may be different this year, on the one hand, the Clippers big man Leonard is injured, and the Mavericks' roster depth has been strengthened after the trade, and the Mavericks may still have a clear advantage in some matchups, and the Mavericks should have a chance to upset the Clippers in the first round of the playoffs.
In the East, the Cavaliers and the Magic are believed to be inseparable, the Cavaliers met in the first round of the playoffs last season, and this year may happen again, I personally think that Mitchell and Garland, the backcourt duo, will definitely have some problems in the playoffs.
If it weren't for Embiid's injury, the 76ers' regular season ranking would definitely not be seventh in the East, and the Knicks would be able to win the second place in the East in the 23-24 season, which will surprise many fans, Brunson and Maxey, the two backcourt collisions are also full of highlights, of course, the Knicks also need to find a way to limit Embiid's play, the 76ers will have some advantages in this group of matchups, and it seems that their personnel depth is even better.