Breaking down three likely contenders from each conference with NBA playoffs approaching
With about five weeks left in the NBA’s regular season, we have a pretty clear picture of the contenders for the Larry O’Brien Trophy.There have been seven different champions over the last seven seasons.Will that trend continue and a new team be crowned this season? Or will the Thunder repeat as champions?As the regular season winds down, here are the three most likely teams in each conference to reach the mountaintop in June.The Knicks shouldn’t be underestimated.
They’re seemingly lying in wait to hijack the East when the timing is right.Yes, they’re 0-3 against the Pistons (and 5 ½ games behind them through Friday night).
But this team wasn’t expected to reach the Eastern Conference finals last season, and we all saw their spectacular playoff run.The Knicks, third in the East (41-23), added Jose Alvarado, who’s as scrappy as they come.And Jalen Brunson, Mikal Bridges, Karl-Anthony Towns, OG Anunoby and Josh Hart want revenge after what happened last season against the Pacers in the penultimate round.Cleveland fell short last postseason, folding in the first round against the Pacers as Donovan Mitchell struggled with an ankle injury.
They’ve since traded Darius Garland for James Harden and seem as though they’re champing at the bit to bring Cleveland its first championship since 2016.The Cavs have the talent.The question is whether they can put it all together and be healthy enough to make a strong postseason run.Remember when this team was expected to tank this season after Jayson Tatum suffered a torn Achilles last May and then they lost Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Luke Kornet during the offseason?Well, the joke is on everyone who underestimated Jaylen Brown, who has helped the Celtics become the biggest surprise of the season.
They’re in second place in the East (42-21).LeBron James even recently questioned why Brown isn’t getting more consideration for the MVP award.
Oh, and guess what, Tatum returned Friday ag...