The top seeds have pretty much had things their own way in the NBA play-offs to set up some intriguing Conference semi-final match-ups.
All of the bookmakers’ favourites have progressed from the first round and some bumper play-off series are now on the agenda.
Given the strength of the line-up, fans will be undoubtedly be clamouring to access NBA streams to keep up-to-speed with the latest action. Read on as preview the Conference semi-finals.
Boston Celtics vs Milwaukee Bucks
The Milwaukee Bucks are not getting much love from the oddsmakers despite their 4-1 demolition of Chicago Bulls in the first round.
The reigning champions are expected to meet with much sterner resistance from the Boston Celtics, who are rated as favourites to reach the Eastern Conference final.
Boston silenced Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant on their way to a clean sweep of the Brooklyn Nets and could be tough to stop in the play-offs.
The Bucks head into the series without second-leading scorer after Khris Middleton suffered an MCL sprain in Game 2 against the Bulls.
Middleton’s absence will put more pressure on Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will be tasked with handling the threat posed by Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.
Boston’s defence was the key to their success against Brooklyn. If they can keep Antetokounmpo quiet they should progress to the next stage.
Miami Heat vs Philadelphia 76ers
The second Eastern Conference semi-final sees the Miami Heat go head-to-head with the Philadelphia 76ers.
The 76ers were on course to complete a clean sweep of the Toronto Raptors in the first round, before the Canadian outfit pulled the series back to 3-2.
However, a stunning 132-97 victory in Game 6 ended the Raptors’ hopes and sent the Sixers marching into the Conference semi-finals.
They are unlikely to have things their own way against Miami, with their well-drilled defence capable of keeping their star players in check.
All-Star forward Jimmy Butler was in fine form against the Hawks averaging 30.5 points, 7.8 rebounds, 5.8 assists and 2.8 steals per game.
If Butler can shake off a nagging knee problem, Miami should possess too much firepower for the Sixers in this series.
Phoenix Suns vs Dallas Mavericks
It took them longer than many pundits predicted, but the Phoenix Suns eventually sealed a 4-2 series win to see of the New Orleans Pelicans.
They now face the Dallas Mavericks, who beat Utah Jazz in six games despite being without Luka Doncic for part of the series.
The two sides met three times during the regular season, with the Suns winning each game by an average margin of 7.7 points.
However, the Mavericks improved massively after the trade deadline, posting a 19-7 record to bag the number four seed in the Western Conference.
While Phoenix are worthy favourites to progress to the Conference final, the Mavericks could prove troublesome during this series.
Doncic is on course to bag another All-NBA First Team selection this season, while head coach Jason Kidd’s defensive system is built to trouble the top teams.
Only six teams had a better defensive rating than Dallas during the regular season. If they reproduce that form against the Suns, a shock could be on the cards.
Memphis Grizzlies/Minnesota Timberwolves vs Golden State Warriors
The Golden State Warriors had little trouble beating the Denver Nuggets in the first round and look a good bet to go all the way this year.
Their likely opponents in the Conference semi-finals are the Memphis Grizzlies, who lead Minnesota Timberwolves 3-2 in their best-of-seven series.
Golden State have reached this stage of the play-offs in seven of the last 10 years and will fancy their chances of making further progress.
Stephen Curry was inevitably the star of the show against the Nuggets, averaging 28 points per game and 30 or more points in three of the last four games.
While his free throw percentage is currently just under 75%, he is shooting 50% from the field and 40.4% from deep.
Whichever team the Curry and the Warriors face, it will be a major surprise if they are defeated.
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