Everything to know about the 16 teams
The NBA playoffs are here. Let's take a closer look at the 16 teams that still have a chance to win the 2024 title.
In the Eastern Conference bracket, the Boston Celtics ran away with the top overall seed, but that didn't mean this race lacked drama down the stretch. The New York Knicks needed overtime on the final day of the regular season to secure the No. 2 seed, completing a final month of reshuffling below the Celtics in the standings.
The Western Conference postseason picture is stacked with superstars. It's led at the top by the Oklahoma City Thunder, whose massive rebuild is far ahead of schedule. The No. 3-seeded Minnesota Timberwolves, meanwhile, finally figured out their center partnership and have a face-of-the-league-caliber player in guard Anthony Edwards. Both contenders will try to stop the defending champion Denver Nuggets, led by two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
And the play-in races in both conferences came down to the wire, as the Los Angeles Lakers, Philadelphia 76ers, New Orleans Pelicans and Miami Heat made it out of the tournament with the final playoff spots.
Who will get to the conference semifinals? Which contenders should be worried? Our NBA insiders break down the mighty, the middling and every team in between ahead of the first round.
Note: NBA title and first-round odds for 2024 provided by ESPN BET.
Jump to a team:BOS | CLE | DAL | DENIND | LAC | LAL | MIAMIL | MIN | NO | NYOKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
Boston's road to the postseasonThe Celtics have been atop the league standings virtually all season. They join the Thunder as the only teams in the top five in both offensive and defensive rating, and Boston's offseason trades for Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday have worked out as well as the Celtics could have hoped. With the rest of the East slumping behind them, the Celtics have been in cruise control for two months, able to manage injuries while rolling to the NBA's best record.
Biggest concernCrunch-time issues in the playoffs have plagued Boston for years, and they are why the Celtics acquired Porzingis in the deal that sent guard Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies. Tatum has consistently struggled in late-game situations, including going 1-for-7 on tying or go-ahead shots inside the final 10 seconds of games this season, and the hope is that Porzingis' ability to take advantage of mismatches will give the Celtics a different look in those moments in the playoffs. Boston has struggled in the past when teams have switched and forced it into isolation situations late in games.
One postseason predictionThe world will get to know Sam Hauser. Much has been made of Boston's lack of depth this season, but that's in part because Hauser, one of the league's best 3-point shooters, has been completely overlooked. The 26-year-old shot 42.4% from 3-point range on 5.9 attempts per game this season as coach Joe Mazzulla's preferred seventh man after the five starters and top reserve Al Horford. If the Celtics have the kind of playoff run they are expecting, Hauser will play a big part in it and likely will have several big shooting performances.
-- Tim Bontemps
New York's road to the postseasonThe Knicks have returned to the postseason with three things: a physical, tough-as-nails defense, the best rebounding club in the NBA and stellar performances all season from Jalen Brunson, who's played the part of superstar for this short-handed club. New York has shown glimpses of being the East's top contender outside of Boston -- particularly during a nine-game win streak in January after acquiring forward OG Anunoby.
Biggest concernJulius Randle put up brutal efficiency numbers in his two playoff appearances, but missing the former All-NBA forward for the remainder of the season is brutal for a club that looked poised for a deep run. Now Brunson, despite carrying the Knicks offense all season, will take that burden into the postseason as defenses game-plan for the breakout star guard. It certainly helps that New York is accustomed to playing without Randle. (The Knicks also lacked Mitchell Robinson and Anunoby, each of whom are back after long injury absences.) But the other key question is whether the team, short-handed for months, can reach a higher level of play after grinding through the regular season to secure the No. 2 seed.
One postseason predictionWing Josh Hart, who fits coach Tom Thibodeau's game plan perfectly and sees big minutes as a result, reels off multiple triple-doubles during the Knicks' first-round series. After logging zero triple-doubles over the first 418 games of his regular-season career, Hart had six of them over a 24-game span in late January to late March. With Thibodeau likely to tighten the rotation, don't be surprised if Hart benefits statistically.
-- Chris Herring
Milwaukee's road to the postseasonWhat a wild season for the Bucks. It began with a blockbuster trade for All-NBA guard Damian Lillard days before training camp and an extension for Giannis Antetokounmpo before the start of the season. First-year coach Adrian Griffin started 30-13 but was dismissed midseason because the team still believed it could reach a higher ceiling. Doc Rivers took over and the results have been inconsistent -- the Bucks are 17-19 since Rivers' debut Jan. 29.
Biggest concernThe health of Antetokounmpo. Milwaukee is hopeful Antetokounmpo will be able to recover in time for the first round after straining his left calf during the final week of the regular season. Antetokounmpo missed the final three games to receive treatment and rest with hopes he can be close to 100 percent by the start of the playoffs. Antetokounmpo got injured in the playoffs last season and the Bucks were upset in the first round by the Heat. Looking to avoid another letdown, the Bucks will rely even more on Lillard if their two-time MVP is sidelined or limited.
What to watch in the first roundThe Bucks transition defense vs. the Pacers. Indiana won four of its five meetings with Milwaukee this season in part because the Pacers consistently used their speed as an advantage to score on the Bucks in transition. It was one of the first things Rivers tried to clean up upon his arrival to Milwaukee. While the Bucks have made improvements in that area, their focus on Tyrese Haliburton will be key. On the flip side, Antetokounmpo might be a factor when returning to this series: He averaged 42.2 points and 13.0 rebounds in five games vs. Indy this season.
One postseason predictionThe Bucks will prove to be the toughest challenge for the Celtics in the East bracket. Milwaukee has been as inconsistent as any of the challengers behind Boston, but the Bucks also possess the most star power. Antetokounmpo and Lillard have shown flashes of an unstoppable two-man game, and when Khris Middleton has shared the floor with the duo, the Bucks have one of the best net ratings in the NBA.
-- Jamal Collier
Cleveland's road to the postseasonThe Cavaliers have two strong interior defenders in Jarrett Allen and Evan Mobley and a dangerous offense built around an All-Star backcourt of Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland. But those four players have missed a combined 87 games this season, capping them as a solid defense (115.0 points allowed per 100 possessions, No. 7 in the NBA) and an average offense (117.5 points scored, No. 17).
Biggest concernHealth is Cleveland's top question going into playoffs, particularly regarding Mitchell. Each of the other starters has played at least seven straight games and seems to be building toward playoff form. Mitchell, however, has missed 15 of his past 21 games because of injury and is managing a left knee issue. Even when he has played, he has averages of just 14.3 points on 33.3% shooting during those six games. If Mitchell can't provide his full offensive impact, the Cavaliers will be hard-pressed to advance beyond the first round.
What to watch in the first roundMitchell vs. the Magic defense, led on the perimeter by Jalen Suggs. These two teams have split their four-game series during the regular season, and Mitchell was the key to every outcome. In the Cavaliers' two wins, Mitchell averaged 30.0 points on 48.8% shooting (44.4% from 3) with 9.5 assists and 5.0 rebounds. In the Magic's two wins, Mitchell sat out one game entirely and was held to 22 points on 6-of-18 shooting with 3 assists in the other. In this series, the Cavaliers will likely go as far as Mitchell can take them.
One postseason predictionThe Cavs will take down the Magic in six games or fewer. The Magic had an excellent season behind tough defense and relying on Paolo Banchero to provide the offense. In the playoffs, though, the Cavaliers have more scoring from the perimeter in addition to their defensive big men. I think Mitchell will prove healthy enough to play at his All-Star level, and he and Garland will be too much for the Magic to overcome.
-- André Snellings
Orlando's road to the postseasonOrlando has a tenacious, top-three defense, led by Jalen Suggs and Jonathan Isaac, that turns over opponents at the highest rate in the league. Offensively, the Magic get to the line more frequently than any club and have won close contests at one of the highest clips in the NBA. In budding 21-year-old superstar Paolo Banchero and 22-year-old wing Franz Wagner, this should be just the beginning of a perennial playoff run for Orlando, which hasn't made it past the first round since 2010.
Biggest concernFor how talented and skilled the Magic are defensively, the club's offense ranked just 22nd in efficiency this season. The lack of spacing and 3-point shooting, in particular, have been concerning. Orlando is 22nd in 3-point percentage and 23rd in 3-point attempts rate. If there's a bright side, the Magic are 13-12 this season when making fewer than 10 triples.
What to watch in the first roundBanchero's offensive possessions against Evan Mobley will be fascinating to watch and could go a long way in deciding who wins the series. Banchero ra
- Last
News by day
4 of May 2024
