NBA Notebook: Conference Finals Preview

The conference finals begin on Tuesday, May 20. TNT will televise the East and ESPN has the West. Here’s our preview of both matchups with betting odds next to the favorite…

EASTERN CONFERENCE

(3)New York (-155) vs. (4)Indiana
The battle between the two upstarts will be defined by the battle for pace. Indiana likes to push it. The Pacers, no pun intended, have driven the pace throughout these playoffs, playing at the second-fastest tempo in the postseason. With Tyrese Haliburton at the wheel, they do it smoothly—they’re red-hot from behind the arc and have been the most efficient offensive team in the playoffs. New York is ready to make it a grind, a real street battle, as exemplified by the physical and mental toughness of their own great point guard, Jalen Brunson. The Knicks also play tough defense and have thrived in close games during the first two rounds.

Brunson and Haliburton are both playing at high levels and can be expected to keep doing so. The big question for the Knicks is Karl-Anthony Towns. Averaging 20 points/11 rebounds per game in the first two rounds, he’s been terrific. He has to keep it up and play like a star, because Indiana is deeper. The Pacers have six players who average between 10ppg and 17ppg per night. They might be led by Haliburton, but they can get a different hero each night. For the Knicks, while Josh Hart and Mikail Bridges are valuable, they have to ride both Brunson and Towns to reach the Finals. Both teams need to rebound better than what they have so far in the playoffs. Pacers in 6.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

(1)Oklahoma City (-350) vs. (6)Minnesota
The Thunder’s offense hasn’t been vintage in getting through the first two rounds, but their defensive tenacity has made up for it. Oklahoma City ranks first in defensive efficiency for the postseason and they’re also rebounding the ball well. Forcing misses and cleaning them up is a good way to survive. They can feel better about their offense in that Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, while still shooting just 29 percent from three-point range for the playoffs, started to find his rhythm towards the end of the second round.

Minnesota has a terrific point guard of their own in Anthony Edwards and the battle between “The Ant” and “SGA” will be compelling. Both will get their numbers and the result may come down to which one can do it more efficiently. When we look at the supporting cast, the Timberwolves have the third-best player on the floor. Julius Randle has stepped up with a big postseason, averaging a 24/6/6 line through two rounds. Jaden McDaniels has also been more consistent in the playoffs than his OKC counterpart, Jalen Williams. Where the Thunder can counter is that Rudy Gobert mostly has to man the interior on his own for Minnesota. There could be an opportunity for Chet Holmgren and Isiah Hartenstein to clean up on the offensive glass. Timberwolves in 6.