Tonight kicks off the second round of 2023 NBA Playoffs after a mostly predictable — yet somewhat exciting — first round.

Denver, Boston, Philadelphia, and Phoenix all did what they were supposed to do as the favorites: win. Au contraire, Miami, New York and Los Angeles proved seeding is meaningless.

The better teams and bigger stars emerged and led their teams to the next round, setting up a thrilling set of matchups in the second round — at least in the West. 

Here’s a look at how the second round ends. 

EAST 

(3) Philadelphia 76ers vs. (2) Boston Celtics 

CELTICS IN 6 

Good night, Philadelphia. It’s been fun, but it’s time to go home. 

Trae Young and Atlanta showed that with the right amount of star power — you can catch the Celtics on an off night and steal a game or two. 

Philadelphia will do the same in this series IF star Joel Embiid plays. Embiid and Harden, at least, have earned enough respect as stars to make any one stop and think before they say the Celtics will sweep them in this series. 

They have the talent to beat the Celtics but not the legs. The Celtics are younger, deeper and just as talented — which is a nightmare matchup for the older, top-heavy 76ers. 

If Embiid doesn’t play, a sweep is possible. Harden is great, but he’s not what he used to be. Especially against THIS team at THIS level of the playoffs. 

(8) Miami Heat vs. (5) New York Knicks

MIAMI IN 6 

Want the truth? I didn’t see this as the next round bout in the 1-8, 4-5 bracket.

But now that we’re here, it isn’t COMPLETELY shocking. Jimmy Butler and the Heat have already dismantled the Milwaukee Bucks before (2020) and a Jalen Brunson team has already beaten a Donovan Mitchell team (2022). Both were series that could’ve gone either way. Realistically, there were no real favorites. 

The Heat have single-handedly altered the landscape of the East race by defeating the Bucks. It’s now more competitive. They are that team that can beat any of the remaining East teams and make it to the Finals. They’re that dangerous. 

The flip side of this is that they are still an eight-seed — and their roster reminds us of that. So, if they just croak against the Knicks, will it really be a surprise? 

They are playing with no expectations — which probably compelled Playoff Jimmy to emerge out of the shadows. He’s back and halt the surging Knicks. 

I love New York and what they have going over there. They could, behind Jalen Brunson and company, make it to the Eastern Conference Finals. But not this year. 

 

WEST

(4) Phoenix Suns vs. (1) Denver Nuggets 

DENVER IN 7

It’s time for the Nuggets to put up or shut up. This is their year. This is their chance to win a championship.  

Everyone is healthy, their roster is deep and the stars are playing well. It’s now or never. They have to do what the Clippers would have done had Kawhi Leonard and Paul George been healthy: set the Suns. 

Phoenix has two grenades in Kevin Durant and Devin Booker. Add in Chris Paul who pulls the pin, and every team has to run for cover. 

The difference between the Suns and the Nuggets, though, are they are not EVER afraid of the moment. They are some natural born killers who play to win and will fight until defeat. Teams have to take their hearts for them to stop going after them. Because that’s the way they operate – they are some heart-snatching you-know-whats.

This will be the best series of the second round or  at least that’s the expectation. Sit back, relax and enjoy the show. 

(7) Los Angeles Lakers vs. (3) Sacramento Kings/(6) Golden State Warriors

VS. KINGS – LAKERS IN 6

VS. WARRIORS – WARRIORS IN 7 

 I’ve seen the light — or in the Kings’ case, the beam — and will give respect where respect is due: The Sacramento Kings are legit. Like, for real. Those dudes have arrived. 

They are young, fearless and well-coached. I didn’t expect them to BLOW OUT the Warriors on their home floor in an elimination game. Who does that?

A winning team. A team that isn’t blinded by the golden aura of the legendary Warriors. Hell, they have their own aura. They radiate purple. They didn’t enter the playoffs to say they overcame their playoff drought. That’s consequential. They are playing to win. 

I’m proud of those dudes. They have what it takes to beat the Warriors and advance to the next round 

But that’s where it will end. Unlike the Warriors, the Lakers don’t have a Steve Kerr disciple coaching their team who knows odds and ends of the Warriors. They are a team with two mammoth stars who have the physique and experience to match their enormity. 

The Kings are nice. The Kings are ascending. But you can’t expect me to believe they will dethrone two teams full of Hall of Famers in one year. More power to them if they do. It’s important they truly believe they can and do it. 

It’ll do WONDERS for the league if they do. 

On the flip side, if the Lakers meet the Warriors it’s anybody’s series. Both teams are not what they used to be and are on the downward side of their respective hills. It’s better to flip a coin to decide who’ll win. 

If the Warriors emerge victorious from the brawl with the Kings, they’ll be better for it. They’ll carry that momentum into the next round and knock off the Lakers.