The NBA Conference Finals cast is almost set as two teams have already advanced, with the Heat and the Warriors beating their respective opponents in six games.
Meanwhile, the Suns, Mavericks, Bucks, and the Celtics are all having a Game 7 on Monday, and only the two of them are going to progress to the final four.
There’s more NBA 2022 highlights to come for hoops fans as we head deeper into the postseason, and SBOTOP is always here to bring to you the best basketball action.
So continue to read on below as we review the latest around the Association.
Playoff Jimmy Butler is built different
The Heat have heard it all from the “bubble fraud” and “the Heat have no star” jokes. But Miami have proven doubters wrong after flying under the radar all season long.
This postseason, the Heat have been a different animal as they’ve advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals for the second time in three seasons after beating the underwhelming Hawks and the injury-ravaged Sixers.
Playoff Jimmy Butler has been instrumental in their run so far as his numbers have improved after an underwhelming performance during their first round exit against the Bucks last term.
The 32-year-old forward is now averaging 28.7 points – which is good for third behind the likes of Luka Doncic and Giannis Antetokounmpo – 7.6 rebounds, 5.4 assists, and 2.1 steals per game on 52-per cent shooting from the field.
After Game 6 of the ECSF, Jimmy Butler was heard taking a shot at the Sixers, shouting “Tobias Harris over me?” Butler have spent just one season in Philadelphia before moving on to Miami since the Sixers went ahead and gave extensions to both Ben Simmons and Tobias Harris instead of him.
It worked out well for him, though, as he proceeded to make the NBA Finals in his first season with the Heat, and they are favoured by the NBA 2022 odds to make it back there again with him leading the way.
Splash Brothers have woken up
After suffering a 39-point beatdown by the Grizzlies in Game 5, the Warriors replied with a solid closeout performance in Game 6, 110-96, to return to the Western Conference Finals.
Golden State were led by Klay Thompson and Steph Curry as they’ve combined for 59 points and 14 three-pointers, while Andrew Wiggins, Draymond Green, and Jordan Poole provided meaningful contributions with 18, 14, and 12 respectively.
The Warriors withstood a testy series against the Grizzlies, which is something that they need after breezing through the Nuggets in the first round.
The Splash Brothers were inefficient at times against Memphis and they have to be much sharper in the WCF. Their collective experience will play a role against either the Mavericks or the reigning West champs Suns.
Jayson Tatum and Luka Doncic spectacular in Game 6
Luka Doncic secured his first victory in an elimination game, while Jayson Tatum had a signature performance to help the Celtics take back home advantage yet again during their respective victories in Game 6.
The Mavericks point guard had 33 points, 11 rebounds, eight assists, and four steals – which is more than the Suns’ starting backcourt (32 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, three steals).
Since turning 37, Chris Paul has been underwhelming for Phoenix while Devin Booker was shut out from three in Game 6, and those will be the key for the Mavericks if they are to advance. Furthermore in Game 6, Dallas held Phoenix to a season low in scoring (86) and a playoff-low of 40-per cent shooting with 22 turnovers.
Monday will be the first Game 7 of Devin Booker’s career, while Chris Paul has a 3-4 record in Game 7s, including 2-2 on his team’s home court.
Jayson Tatum, on the other hand, wasn’t about to let the Celtics fall to the Bucks just yet by putting up a performance for the ages as the 24-year-old dropped 46 points, nine rebounds, four assists, and seven three-pointers, in their 108-95 Game 6 win.
Two nights ago, the Celtics suffered a late collapse against the defending champions at home as Jrue Holiday made clutch plays on both ends of the floor. So when the Bucks were making a push in the final quarter of Game 6, Boston made sure that there were no comebacks this time. Regardless of who wins Game 7, we have witnessed the birth of a new rivalry for years to come in Tatum and Antetokounmpo – two young and gifted players who are taking over the league.
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