Morant, Giannis highlight injury marred start to NBA playoffs
USA TODAY Sports’ Jeff Zillgitt talks about the early injuries to superstars in the NBA playoffs.
SportsPulse, USA TODAY
Eight teams are up 1-0 and eight teams trail 0-1 after Game 1 of the NBA playoffs.
Some results were expected. However, some were not.
By seeding, there were four upsets – the Los Angeles Lakers over Memphis, New York topped Cleveland, the Los Angeles Clippers edged Phoenix and Miami knocked off Milwaukee.
That’s a seven seed beating a two seed, fives beating four and an eight topping a one.
A seven seed hasn’t beaten a two seed since 2010 when San Antonio ousted Dallas in six games, and an eight seed last eliminated a one seed in 2012 when Philadelphia defeated Chicago – the series when Derrick Rose tore an ACL in Game 1.
Which team trailing 0-1 in a first-round series this season should be most worried?
4. Milwaukee Bucks
Even though the Bucks lost to Miami and Giannis Antetokounmpo missed a majority of the game with a back contusion, the Bucks have been in this situation before and have won series – specifically the 2021 Eastern Conference finals when Antetokounmpo missed Games 5 and 6 against Atlanta. The Bucks won both games and advanced to the NBA Finals. With Jrue Holiday, Khris Middleton, Brook Lopez, Bobby Portis and a strong rotation, the Bucks should still win this series. Miami’s Tyler Herro is out for the series with a broken right hand, giving Milwaukee a bigger edge with or without Antetokounmpo.
3. Phoenix Suns
With Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, Chris Paul and Deandre Ayton, the Suns have enough offense to win most games. They’ll simply outscore opponents. However, there are games when the Suns need stops and defensive rebounds. They didn’t get enough of those in Game 1. As good as Kawhi Leonard is for the Clippers, they don’t have Paul George, and the Suns should take advantage. Another thing the Suns need to do is have Durant more involved offensively late in the game. While he scored 10 points in the fourth quarter, he took just one shot in the final six minutes, 30 seconds. He’s an unselfish player who can pass, but the Suns need him to shoot more than that.
2. Cleveland Cavaliers
Cleveland was 20-21 on the road this season and lost home-court advantage in Game 1 of their first-round series against New York. If the Cavs are going to win this series, they need to win a game at Madison Square Garden where the Knicks were 23-18. New York had a better road record this season at 24-17. This makes Game 2 a huge one for the Cavs, who are trying to win their first series without LeBron James since 1998. Cavs forward Evan Mobley was a disappointment offensively, and Cleveland’s bench must provide stronger minutes.
1. Memphis Grizzlies
Home-court advantage disappeared in Memphis’ 128-112 loss to the Los Angeles Lakers. It’s been said over and over that this isn’t a normal 2-7 matchup. James has more playoff appearances than the entire Grizzlies roster combined. Regardless if Ja Morant (injured right hand) is playing or not, 100% or not, Game 2 has turned into a must-win for the Grizzlies, who were 35-6 at home and just 16-25 on the road. Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane and Dillon Brooks were solid in Game 1. Can they improve, especially defensively, and compensate for Morant’s injury? Brooks wanted James and the Lakers. Are the Grizzlies up to this challenge?
Follow NBA reporter Jeff Zillgitt on Twitter @JeffZillgitt
