NBA Update

In the NBA East, it is almost certain that the conference’s semi-final round will match the Toronto Raptors and Boston Celtics (that is certain) while the Milwaukee Bucks, leading the Orlando Magic, 3 games to 1, will face the Miami Heat.

The Celtics (Boston is now 14-6 vs the Sixers franchise in ‘offs series and this was the first time in 16 best of 7 series between the franchises, 14 as Boston vs Philadelphia-there were two best of 7 series matching Boston and the Syracuse Nationals– either team swept the other), Raptors and Heat all swept their “prelims,” with Milwaukee, likely (12 or so point favorites) to make it 4 straight wins, after dropping their series opener to the Orlando Magic.

In Western Conference play, (can not say out west as this “charade,” which I fear will benefit the great player, but systemic “team switcher,” LeBron  James–alas I hail his efforts to fight systemic racism, albeit with speech peppered with “double negatives,” is being played in a bubble in East coast Florida) the Lakers led by James and Utah led by Donovan Mitchell have (3-1) series leads vs Portland and Denver respectively.

The Clippers, a potential roadblock to another “King James coronation,” are (2-2) with Dallas, while Houston, I suppose the tougher potential Lakers’ “quarters” foe are (2-2) vs Oklahoma City.

I once loved the Lakers, suffering their many close call defeats and as my late father remarked, getting “is that all there is,” but relief from their 6 titles (’72 and 5 with Magic., Kareem and Company in the ’80’s, before no longer rooting for them). It has been a long, sick road and why do I care?!! 

Donovan Mitchell has led the Utah Jazz to a (3-1) series lead vs the higher seeded favorite Denver Nuggets.

Denver and the Clippers are the only teams among the 16 NBA ‘offs qualifiers, never to have made an NBA final series.