Only two teams will emerge from the Eastern Conference Semifinals – here’s why it will be these teams.

The NBA playoffs’ initial round has drawn to a close, signaling the commencement of the Conference Semifinals. In the Eastern Conference, the matchup kicks off on Monday night with the New York Knicks facing the Indiana Pacers in Game 1, while the clash between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics begins on Tuesday night.

Having triumphed over their opponents in the opening round, these four teams have progressed to the next stage. However, only half of them will advance to the Conference Finals, a formidable challenge in itself.

Each of these teams boasts talent, experience, and a formidable arsenal, positioning them for success not only in the Conference Finals but potentially in the NBA Finals. Nonetheless, only two will ultimately prevail. Here’s why these teams are poised for victory.

Boston Celtics

Celtics are favored in their series against the Cavaliers

One potential advantage the Cavaliers may hold over the Celtics as they enter the Semifinals is that the Celtics had only two nights to prepare for their opponent, leaving them with limited time to adjust their game plans. However, the Celtics have demonstrated their capability to overpower any adversary, and their prospects of achieving that in this series are far from slim.

In the first round of the playoffs, the Celtics dispatched the Miami Heat in five games, largely dominating them in most aspects of the game. While it’s true that the Heat were short-handed without Jimmy Butler, the Celtics still asserted their dominance across nearly every category.

Boston threatens opponents on both sides of the ball. They demonstrated this in particular in the first round of the playoffs, with Jayson Tatum leading the charge, averaging nearly 22 points and 10.4 rebounds per game in that series. He formed a deadly one-two punch with Jaylen Brown, who averaged 22.8 points and 7.0 rebounds per game in that series.

The Celtics boast a formidable array of offensive weapons, complemented by Jrue Holiday’s defensive prowess and the depth of their bench, rendering them a feared opponent and the favorites in this matchup. Moreover, they enter this series well-rested, with nearly a week’s gap since their last game.

However, the Cavaliers may benefit from momentum as they come off a decisive Game 7 victory against the Orlando Magic. Donovan Mitchell has been exceptional in this series and poses a significant threat to the Celtics.

Additionally, the absence of Kristaps Porzingis from the Celtics’ lineup could work in the Cavaliers’ favor. Nevertheless, this loss may be balanced out if Cleveland is without Jarrett Allen for the series. While the Cavs have solid pieces beyond Mitchell, they lack the depth of the Celtics, making the latter the expected victors in this matchup.

New York Knicks

Knicks are favored in their series against the Pacers

In a closely contested series characterized by striking similarities between the two teams, the New York Knicks emerged victorious over the Philadelphia 76ers. It’s not to suggest that the Knicks relied solely on luck (although perhaps there was a bit in Game 2), but rather their adeptness at adapting game plans mid-series to counter the Sixers’ top two stars.

Despite Joel Embiid’s ongoing battle with complications from knee surgery and Bell’s Palsy, he still managed to score 50 points in Game 3. However, the Knicks adjusted their strategy in subsequent games to effectively neutralize Embiid, rendering him largely ineffective.

During this period, Tyrese Maxey emerged as a key player for the Sixers. While Game 5 belonged to him, the Knicks quickly adapted and refocused their defensive efforts on Maxey, successfully containing him in Game 6. Their ability to adapt to the evolving circumstances of each game was instrumental in securing victory, a trait they’ll need to carry into their next series against the Indiana Pacers.

The Pacers received a fortunate break when facing the Milwaukee Bucks without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who was sidelined due to a calf injury. Additionally, Damian Lillard’s Achilles injury led to his absence in several critical games during the series.

Nevertheless, the Pacers’ victory in six games remains valid, and they aim to maintain their momentum and potentially upset the Knicks.

While the Knicks sometimes struggle with half-court offense, the Pacers excel in this aspect. Their fast pace and floor spacing contribute to their offensive prowess, which could pose a challenge for the Knicks. However, the Pacers are susceptible to teams with strong scoring from the backcourt, an area where the Knicks excel.

Jalen Brunson, in particular, has shone in that role both this season and in the series against the Sixers. OG Anunoby also possesses a huge threat, especially defensively, and his presence on the court automatically gives the Knicks an advantage.

It is these factors that play into New York’s favor, which is why they are the favorite in this series. However, it will not be easy for either team, so expect this series to be another tight, close affair.