NBA Playoff Takeaways: Round 2

Photo by Bill Streicher from USA Today Sports

In the West, things are as expected.

In the East? Maybe not so much.

Here’s what we learned from round 2.

*Cavaliers defeat Pistons 4-3

The Pistons need a second star.

We thought it was going to be Jalen Duren, but Duren completely disappeared this postseason.

Your All-Star Center can not be playing less than 30 minutes a night come playoff time, but Detroit had no choice. He wasn’t performing.

And because of that, even though James Harden had his typical 2 for 10 shooting night in a game 7, the Cavs are moving on, and the Pistons are headed home.

*Knicks defeat 76ers 4-0

The Knicks, by a HUGE margin, are the best team in the East right now.

Ever since they fell behind 2-1 in the series against Atlanta, they have rattled off 7 straight wins, and all of them have been absolutely dominant.

And now, with the Pistons out of the way as well, it is Finals or bust for the Knicks.

And if it’s bust…

I don’t really know where they go from here.

But I don’t think they have to worry about that.

Then again, it is the Knicks.

*Thunder defeat Lakers 4-0

SGA, the now officially two time MVP, didn’t even play that well by his standards. The Lakers did a good job shutting him down as best as they can.

And it just straight up didn’t matter, because when it came to the benches, in stepped Ajay Mitchell who had three straight 20 point games to complete the sweep for OKC.

The Thunder really should be the pinnacle franchise for basketball fans.

Small market, smart GM, aggressive defense, and a super deep team that doesn’t rely on one superstar.

They are the type of basketball team that I grew up with, and that old heads claim made the past better.

And yet, nobody likes them.

Not fans, not coaches, not players, and not the media.

It’s odd.

*Spurs defeat Timberwolves 4-2

The Spurs have had the perfect first two series for a young playoff team that needs experience.

The first series, their superstar Victor Wembanyama went down with a concussion. They had to find a way to overcome that.

In the second series, despite the Timberwolves injuries and Anthony Edwards not being fully healthy, they got a test of an experienced playoff team that was not going to lay down and roll over.

Now, we get what we were all hoping for.

Thunder vs Spurs for a spot in the NBA Finals.

The two time MVP against the future (or maybe currently) best player in the sport.

Two teams that played intense regular season games because they just do not like each other.

Get ready.

This is going to be a fun one.