Thunder, Knicks Reach Conference Finals With 4-0 Sweeps as Spurs Open Game 5 as 10.5-Point Favorites
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · May 12
Thunder, Knicks Reach Conference Finals With 4-0 Sweeps as Spurs Open Game 5 as 10.5-Point Favorites
8 articles · Updated · The New York Times · May 12
Oklahoma City and New York both closed out 4-0 second-round sweeps Monday, sending the Thunder past the Lakers and the Knicks past the 76ers into the conference finals.
The Thunder’s clincher was their tightest game of the series: the Lakers erased a 12-point third-quarter deficit and led late, but LeBron James missed a go-ahead shot and Austin Reaves missed a tying 3.
New York arrives far fresher after winning seven straight playoff games by an average of 26.4 points, making the Knicks the favorite to come out of the East and reach their first NBA Finals since 1999.
The remaining brackets are still unsettled: Cleveland evened its series with Detroit at 2-2 behind Donovan Mitchell’s 43 points, while San Antonio and Minnesota head into a pivotal Game 5 tied 2-2.
San Antonio is still favored to advance at -425 and is a 10.5-point home favorite Tuesday despite Victor Wembanyama’s Game 4 ejection, while Oklahoma City remains the clear title favorite.
With superstars sidelined, are the dominant Thunder and Knicks truly the NBA's best teams, or just the last ones standing?
Will the Cavaliers' perfect home record and winless road streak decide their series against the top-seeded Pistons?
Can Wembanyama’s unconventional training and Popovich's guidance lead the young Spurs to a championship ahead of schedule?