On April 20, Beijing time, the second round of the play-offs was in full swing, and the battle for the eighth place in the east and west had not yet been settled, but six groups of duels had been announced in advance. Historically, no team has ever won the championship by an eighth-place team in the division, so the ESPN expert panel has made in-depth predictions about what the playoffs will look like. Among them, there don't seem to be many counterattack dramas.
In the Eastern Conference focus battle, the Knicks faced off against the 76ers. Despite the 76ers' strength on paper, the Knicks seem to be favored by the pundits. After the Knicks lost Randle, they were more fluid on the offensive end and more solid defensively. As for the 76ers, the state of the emperor has become the key, and if they cannot return to their peak level, the road to counterattack will be extremely difficult.
In the Western Conference, the matchup between the Timberwolves and the Suns has attracted much attention. The two teams are evenly matched, but the Suns seem to face a bigger challenge. The Timberwolves' Towns and Gobert have some advantages on the inside, but the Suns' Booker and Beal are also not to be underestimated. In this round of the series, who can be better depends on the on-the-spot performance of the players on both sides.
The Lakers face the Nuggets, and the outlook is not optimistic. The Nuggets have a strong point like Jokic on the inside, and they can easily break down the Lakers' defense almost every time. Although the Lakers have a good backcourt, they still seem powerless in the face of the Nuggets' strong overall strength.
The battle between the Mavericks and the Clippers was equally exciting. The strength of the two teams is close, and it is difficult to predict who will win and who will lose. Leonard's health is key for the Clippers, and if he can return in time, the Clippers will have an advantage. However, the Mavericks' defensive ability and chemistry have improved, and they also have what it takes to beat the Clippers.
The Pacers-Bucks matchup is equally intriguing. The Bucks have a poor record against the Pacers this season and key players may miss the playoffs, which undoubtedly increases the risk of their elimination. The Pacers, on the other hand, are expected to come out on top in this matchup with their excellent offensive firepower and defensive system.
As for the series between the Cavaliers and the Magic, it did not attract much attention due to the disparity in strength. Although the Magic's young players are full of potential, they still need more experience and growth against the experienced Cavaliers.
Overall, this prediction shows the intensity and uncertainty of the playoffs. Every team has a chance to do wonders, and the winners will be the ones who can play their best when it matters most. It remains to be seen who will win the championship.