The NBA playoffs are back and we have what looks to be an epic and unpredictable postseason. With the play-in matchups decided we now know what all the first round matchups are. Of course, some matchups likely will not have a lot of drama but there are two series in particular I think will have must see games every night. The two series I am referring to are the Golden State Warriors versus the Sacramento Kings and the New York Knicks versus Cleveland Cavaliers. All of these teams have All-NBA talent and play an exciting brand of basketball and should result in two incredibly entertaining series. Both series will be great and its a relative toss up on who will be victorious but which matchup will be better?
The defending champion Warriors are matching up with a Kings team that is making their first playoff appearance since 2006. For many analysts, the reason they believe the Warriors should be favored in this series is due to the lack of playoff experience for the Kings. However, that is in part what I believe makes this series so fascinating as the Kings look to make the upset. Though the Kings will have face pressure matching up with a great Warriors team what make this matchup so special is what is at stake for both teams. For the Kings, they have an opportunity to play in front of a home crowd that is excited to see their team back in the playoffs. They also have a chance to defeat a historically great team with championship expectations. As for the Warriors, they are looking to make what could be another epic championship run in a wide open western conference.
Both teams have detractors that could cost them in the series as though the Kings have the #1 ranked offense they also have the 25th ranked defense in the league. This will pose a challenge as the Warriors will capitalize by imposing their will defensively while the Kings could struggle to get stops. The Warriors primary issue has been a struggle for them all season as they are a completely different team at home as oppose to on the road. On the road they had a record of 11-30 which was the fourth worst road record in the league. Another factor is the possible impact of former Warriors assistant coach and current Kings head coach and coach of the year award winner, Mike Brown. Brown will likely be sure to keep his team prepared to not assume the Warriors road struggles will continue since he is familiar with the Warriors and how they are known to elevate their game in the postseason. With the Warriors starting out the series on the road in Sacramento it will be interesting to see if their regular season road struggles continue in this series.
The first round of the 2023 NBA playoffs will make for some exciting basketball but this Warriors-Kings series could be only a great series but possibly give us one of the signature moments of the postseason.
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