Thursday’s installment serves up two of the closest opening-round series so far. The New York Knicks and Detroit Pistons have seesawed across their first two meetings, headlined by a 21-0 Knicks run on Saturday and a gutsy Cade Cunningham turn Monday. On the other side of the bracket, the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Clippers have put together consecutive bangers — Game 1 was a two-point OT grinder claimed by Nikola Jokić and Aaron Gordon, then Game 2 was another one-possession pressure-cooker won by reanimated Kawhi Leonard.
The slate begins in Motown, where the Pistons take their home floor after their first postseason W in 17 years. The last time Detroit scored a playoff win, it still employed Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups — Cunningham was in elementary school. Then we get the formidable, 68-win Oklahoma City Thunder in pursuit of a sweep of the Memphis Grizzlies, and close out with the Jokić and the Nugs in Inglewood.
Gratuitous NBA Playoffs quote of the week: “Close-out games are actually kind of easy” — Andrew Bynum, 2012
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New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons
Series tied 1-1
Series odds: Knicks -250, Pistons +200
Like a reasonably-priced latte or a tranquil 6 train car, something is looking a bit off in midtown Manhattan. New York’s fifth-rated offense has sulked down to just 32.8 percent behind the arc in these first two games. Karl-Anthony Towns, the sport’s self-professed best shooting big man, is just 1-for-5 on treys, with a paltry usage rate of 15.9 percent (his regular season mark was 27.4). Mikal Bridges was clanky in Tuesday’s loss, missing eight of his 11 3s, while Jalen Brunson had an atypical six turnovers.
Brunson is on a short list for the league’s most clutch hoopers, and the Knicks’ rangy starting five is still favored to advance past their upstart opponent. But there’s a discernible vibe shift as the series moves to Detroit. Cunningham dropped 33 points as a spoiler in the world’s most famous arena, and he should look even more comfortable at home in the Palace of Pizza (Little Caesars Arena is not in Auburn Hills, but still, we like this nickname). Fellow point guard Dennis Schröder was the momentum-swinger off the bench, finishing with a 20-piece on 10 shots.
New York went 24-17 on the road in the regular season. Detroit was 22-19 as a host.
Best playoff performer for both teams: Dave DeBusschere (eight postseasons, two titles, averages of 16 points and 12 rebounds per game)
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Oklahoma City Thunder at Memphis Grizzlies
Thunder lead series 2-0
Series odds: Thunder -10000, Grizzlies +6600
It was a relatively modest showing for OKC last time out … only winning by 19 points after Game 1’s spiritual mercy ruling of 51. Memphis had 14 giveaways to 17 assisted buckets; it was nearly doubled up on the offensive glass. The historically-daunting Thunder cruised with a 10-man rotation Tuesday, and five players had at least three assists.
What’s wild is how the West’s top squad hasn’t even needed its MVP favorite. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has opened with funky 33.3/23.5 shooting splits, and he’s still a plus-40 in 61 minutes. The only Grizzlies with an offensive rating above 100 are end-of-the-bench bigs Jay Huff and Marvin Bagley III. For reference, the carousel of humiliation that was this season’s Wizards posted a rating of 106.8. It’s looking like a third first-round exit in five Memphis campaigns.
Best playoff performer for both teams: Steven Adams (seven postseasons, reaching the 2014 Western Conference Finals with OKC in his rookie season)
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Denver Nuggets at LA Clippers
Series tied 1-1
Series odds: Clippers -190, Nuggets +160
Kawhi Leonard’s big-moment cache is already filled to the brim. We all remember his dismantling of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and “The Heatles.” His Game 7 triumph in Toronto is already ensconced in NBA all-time folklore. Now an elder statesman in these playoffs, Leonard’s steely disposition has indeed translated over to LA, though the two-time Finals MVP was still seeking his signature postseason work with the Clips.
Then, Monday happened: 39 points in 39 minutes, on robotic 15-for-19 shooting, adding five assists and two steals to one turnover. Down the stretch, his midrange game was the stuff of late-90s hoop dreams:
The Clippers come home with a lot of momentum. James Harden is at 46/40/100 shooting splits through two games. Ivica Zubac has clearly distorted Nikola Jokić’s languid, beautiful brand of ball. The Wall will be wailing on Thursday.
Denver’s had an exhausting run since the late-season firings of Michael Malone and Calvin Booth. It also has a singular, perennial-MVP talent manning the middle, and a core of title-tested shooters in his orbit. Jamal Murray’s averaging 22 points and 6.5 assists so far; Aaron Gordon was a deciding factor on Saturday; Russell Westbrook’s volatility also yields its rewards. We’re primed for an awesome nightcap with this pressurized Game 3.
Best playoff performer for both teams: DeAndre Jordan (nine postseasons, a championship with Denver and the league’s all-time leader in playoff field goal percentage)
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(Photo of Kawhi Leonard and Jamal Murray: Matthew Stockman / Getty Images)
