The battle for the 2021 NBA championship is heating up as we wait for the final four teams in the Eastern and Western Conference Finals.
Out in the wild, wild West, the Phoenix Suns punched their ticket early to Conference Finals waiting for their next opponent, the Los Angeles Clippers. The Suns have been quite impressive as they booted out the defending champions Los Angeles Lakers in the first round before sweeping the Denver Nuggets led by Most Valuable Player Nikola Jokic. The Suns have had the luxury of resting their players. Reportedly, Chris Paul may miss the start of the series since he just entered Covid protocols.
Facing the Suns is the Los Angeles Clippers, who are going to their first Western Conference Finals ever in history. The Clippers needed to overturn a 25-point deficit in Game 6 yesterday to advance. However, the Clippers are at a disadvantage versus the Suns since their superstar Kawhi Leonard has been injured since the late stages of Game 4. The severity of his right knee injury is unknown. That the Clippers were able to win Games 5 and 6 without Leonard is a feat in itself versus a full-strength Utah Jazz team. It will take a near miracle for the Clippers to reach their first NBA Finals without Kawhi.
In the East, we will be treated to a pair of Game 7's starting today with the Milwaukee Bucks and Brooklyn Nets. The heavily-favored Nets look very vulnerable with injuries to their superstars in this do-or-die game. James Harden sustained a hamstring injury in Game 1 of the series but forced his way back in Game 5. He did not seem at full strength and struggled with his shots. Kyrie Irving, meanwhile, fell victim to an ankle sprain in Game 5 and will not play today.
This game is really the Bucks to lose since they have a significant manpower advantage. The Bucks have had their share of disappointments the past five years failing to advance to the Eastern Conference Finals. If they lose today's game, coach Mike Budenholzer's job is in jeopardy. More importantly, superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo may request for a trade since the team seems incapable of putting a championship team around him.
Another Game 7 will also be played between the Philadelphia 76ers and the Atlanta Hawks on Monday. The favored 76ers are getting mugged by the young and feisty Hawks team. The series has been close so far with four out of the six played being decided by five points or less.
Center Joel Embiid has been playing with a partially torn right lateral meniscus and the 76ers have been relying on their bench for scoring punch. The 76ers' season hangs in the balance and they will have a tough time beating back the upstart Hawks.
This has been an exciting playoffs with a lot of unexpected twists and turns. The battle for the right to represent their conferences in the NBA Finals is about to begin.
raffyrledesma@yahoo.com