NBA Playoff Week in Review: Western Conference
posted by Zaire Jones | May 3, 2024 | In SportsWith a little over a week into the NBA postseason, teams in the Western Conference are gaining momentum trying to advance to the next round.
One of those teams is the defending champion Denver Nuggets. The champs are one win away from sweeping the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round of the playoffs in the West. The Lakers have had double-digit leads in all three games but could not finish. Nikola Jokic has been dominant in the series, averaging 27 points, 15 rebounds and 8 assists. Along with Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and the other cast of players, they look to finish the series.
The other two top teams in the Western Conference, the Timberwolves and Thunder, are handling business.
The Timberwolves, led by Anthony Edwards, are currently up 2-0 on the big three Suns. Suns stars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal in their first postseason together have not found a consistent rhythm to Minnesota defense. Edwards erupted in game one, but it was Jaden McDaniels that took over game two for the Wolves. With the next two games being in Phoenix, the Suns look to turn the series around.
The Thunder and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are up on an undermanned Pelicans team. The young big three of Gilgeous-Alexander, Chet Holmgren, and Jalen Williams have jelled so well in the postseason that all three are averaging 20 plus in the first two games.
Lastly, the Mavericks and Clippers are deadlocked 1-1 in the most anticipated series of the first round. James Harden led the way for the Clippers in game one with 28 points. Without their top star Kawhi Leonard, Harden and Paul George had to step up. In game two, it was the Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving show. Doncic would finish with 32 points, and Irving would finish with 23.
In what is to be said as the best conference in the NBA, it is a new wave as the younger squads are asserting themselves as teams to stay in the NBA.
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