Cover the NBA playoff in 2023 from the Eastern Conference first-round playoff series between the Miami Heat and the top-seeded Bucks, which ended in an upset as the Heat became the sixth No. 8 seed to beat a No. 1 seed. In Game 5, the Heat staged a stunning fourth-quarter rally and tied the game on Butler's layup with half a second left in regulation. Bam Adebayo put the Heat ahead for good by dunking in a putback of Butler's missed driving layup attempt with 4:44 left in overtime. The Bucks trailed 128-126 and had the ball in the closing seconds, but the clock ran out before Grayson Allen could take a shot as he drove to the basket.
Table of Content
Eastern Conference Overview
The Heat advanced to a second-round series with the fifth-seeded New York Knicks, who completed their 4-1 series win over the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier on Wednesday. The Knicks controlled a series that was more one-sided than expected, even after Julius Randle aggravated his left ankle injury and missed the second half. Jalen Brunson scored 23 points, RJ Barrett added 21, and the Knicks downed the Cleveland Cavaliers 106-95 in Game 5 on Wednesday night to advance to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time since 2013. The fifth-seeded Knicks will meet Miami next.
Miami Heat Upset
The Miami Heat completed a shocking upset of the top-seeded Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday night with a 128-126 overtime win in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series. Jimmy Butler led the Heat with 42 points, while Bam Adebayo contributed 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists.
Miami produced a second consecutive comeback after outscoring the Bucks 30-13 in the final six minutes of Game 4. The Heat tied the game in regulation on Butler's layup with half a second remaining. They continued their momentum in overtime, with Adebayo's putback dunk of Butler's driving layup attempt putting Miami ahead for good.
The Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo's 38 points and 20 rebounds, struggled to maintain their lead in the fourth quarter and overtime. Milwaukee shot just 5 of 25 from the floor during this period, allowing the Heat to make a late comeback.
The Heat's upset victory over the Bucks marks the sixth time an eighth seed has beaten a first seed, with the last instance occurring in 2012 when the Philadelphia 76ers upset the top-seeded Chicago Bulls. Miami will now advance to the second round of the playoffs to face the fifth-seeded New York Knicks.
How the Celtics won convincingly
In this piece, we will examine the Boston Celtics' convincing 6-game victory over the Atlanta Hawks in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Despite being the clear favorites to win the series, the Celtics faced an unexpected challenge from the Hawks, who managed to take two games off them. However, the Celtics' firepower and creative guards helped them to score 30 points or more in all four quarters of the game, eventually securing their place in the second round.
Celtics' creative guards overwhelm Hawks
The Celtics' strategy of trading for Derrick White and Malcolm Brogdon has paid off well as they have been able to overwhelm their opponents with their creative guards and shot-making around the floor. The Celtics' ability to score with anyone has been key to their success, with players like Marcus Smart and Grant Williams stepping up in crucial moments of the game.
Brown and Tatum lead the way for the Celtics
Jaylen Brown outscored Jayson Tatum with 32 points to Tatum's 30, but Tatum had the rebounding and playmaking advantages, finishing just three assists shy of a triple-double. Both players made huge plays as the game wound down, with Brown's block on Murray and Tatum's massive putback dunk helping to secure the win for the Celtics.
What went wrong for the Hawks?
Hawks' star guards, Trae Young and Dejounte Murray, were unable to get going at the same time, with Young scoring 25 points in the first half and Murray going scoreless. In the second half, Murray found his offense, scoring all 14 of his points on the night, but Young struggled, going 1-of-13 from the field. Against a deep team like the Celtics, the Hawks needed both guards to be at their best, but they just didn't get enough.
New York Knicks Advanced
In another playoff game on Wednesday night, the New York Knicks defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 106-95 in Game 5 to advance to the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs for the first time since 2013.
Jalen Brunson led the Knicks with 23 points, while RJ Barrett added 21 points. Despite Julius Randle's absence in the second half due to a left ankle injury, New York controlled the series, winning four out of five games.
The Knicks will now face the Miami Heat in the second round of the playoffs, with Game 1 scheduled for Sunday in New York.
After 10 years for not advancing to the second round of NBA playoff. The New York Knicks finally advanced and are going to face Miami Heat. Tell us in the comments below who you think will win the series?
Summary: NBA playoffs 2023
In the NBA playoffs, the Golden State Warriors and Los Angeles Lakers faced off in an unexpected collision course, which may be the last meeting between two of the NBA's biggest stars. Stephen Curry's Warriors lost to the Sacramento Kings in a decisive game, while LeBron James' Lakers secured a playoff win against the Grizzlies. The Warriors' defeat shows that the reigning champion has lost its edge and is now playing with an arrogance that is almost insulting.
In contrast, the Kings played like seasoned veterans, with De'Aaron Fox pushing the pace and exploiting the Warriors' defense, while the Lakers played with a maturity befitting of a contender. The Grizzlies, on the other hand, showed themselves to be more bark than bite, lacking the grit and determination to overcome the Lakers. With the Warriors now dinged up and their confidence bruised, the Kings feel confident and ready to take on the champions on their home floor, knowing they have them on the ropes.
NBA Playoffs 2023 Round Two Schedule
- Denver Nuggets vs Phoenix Suns
- Game 1: Saturday, April 29 at 8:30 p.m. ET
- Game 2: Monday, May 1 at 10 p.m. ET
- New York Knicks vs Miami Heat
- Game 1: Sunday, April 30 at 1 p.m. ET
- Game 2: Tuesday, May 20 Eastern Time
- Boston Celtics vs Philadelphia 76ers
- Game 1: Monday, May 1 7:30 p.m. ET
- Game 2: Wednesday, May 3 8 p.m. ET
What's Next?
Miami Heat have pulled off an incredible upset by beating the Milwaukee Bucks in the first round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, becoming just the sixth No. 8 seed to defeat a No. 1 seed in NBA history. Led by Jimmy Butler's heroics and Bam Adebayo's clutch play in overtime, the Heat managed to overcome a 16-point deficit in the fourth quarter to win Game 5 and complete the upset. With the New York Knicks up next in the second round, the Heat will look to build on their momentum and make a deep playoff run.
