The initial phase of the NBA playoffs, despite some early one-sided series, has ramped up with upsets, comebacks, and even the unpredictable performance of teams like the Lakers. Crucial Game 6s are scheduled over the next couple of days.
So, what are the keys for the Pistons, Clippers, and Rockets to win Game 6 and force a deciding Game 7? And what must the Knicks, Nuggets, and Warriors do to secure a victory and advance? Here are insights from NBA experts.
New York Knicks at Detroit Pistons
How can the Knicks close out the series Thursday?
To clinch the series on Thursday, the Knicks must prioritize ball security, particularly in what`s expected to be a challenging road environment in Detroit. In Game 5, playing at a faster pace, New York uncharacteristically lost the turnover battle. Forcing passes, notably to backup center Mitchell Robinson, resulted in giveaways. Minimizing these unforced errors is essential for the Knicks to secure the win, especially given Jalen Brunson`s recurring ankle concerns.
What do the Pistons have to do to force a Game 7?
Detroit`s clearest path to forcing a Game 7 involves Ausar Thompson delivering a strong performance. He needs to contribute effectively on offense, stay out of foul trouble, and continue being their primary defender on Jalen Brunson. His Game 5 showing, where he scored 22 points and played significant minutes (29), was pivotal. Utilizing him as a short-roll passer also proved effective. If Thompson can maintain this two-way impact, it allows coach J.B. Bickerstaff to keep him matched up with Brunson, a crucial advantage given Brunson`s success against other defenders like Dennis Schroder.
Denver Nuggets at LA Clippers
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets have put the LA Clippers in a precarious position following Aaron Gordon`s clutch play in Game 4 and a dominant victory in Game 5. Gordon`s buzzer-beating dunk famously tied the series on Saturday, and Denver then secured a decisive 131-115 home win on Tuesday. The series now returns to Los Angeles, where Kawhi Leonard and the Clippers face a must-win situation to extend their season.
How can the Nuggets close out the series Thursday?
To finish the series, Denver must maintain their physical intensity and protect the basketball effectively. The Nuggets hold a +5 turnover advantage in their wins but a -14 margin in their losses. They successfully rebounded after a demoralizing Game 3 defeat. Furthermore, they`ve improved their perimeter defense, forcing players other than James Harden or Kawhi Leonard to generate offense. Although Ivica Zubac has performed well, it hasn`t been enough to carry the Clippers.
What do the Clippers have to do to force a Game 7?
James Harden needs to reassert himself and perform like “the system” he once described himself as for the Clippers. When Harden is scoring and distributing effectively, the Clippers control the game`s tempo. However, Christian Braun has successfully guarded him in recent games, significantly hindering his impact. After scoring 32 points efficiently in Game 1, Harden`s average has dropped to just 16 points per game on 41% shooting. Coach Tyronn Lue must find ways to get Harden more involved offensively, or the Clippers risk a “system failure” in Game 6.
Houston Rockets at Golden State Warriors
The Houston Rockets became the third team in the first round to force a Game 6, achieving this with a 131-116 victory over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday night. The series now returns to San Francisco for Game 6 on Friday, with the Warriors holding a 3-2 lead.
How can the Warriors close out the series Friday?
Golden State`s primary goal should be to continue limiting Jalen Green`s scoring impact, something they`ve managed successfully in every game except Game 2. Despite averaging 21 points in the regular season, Green has averaged just 8.0 points on poor shooting splits (29% field goals, 14% threes) in Houston`s three losses in the series. His 38-point Game 2 performance coincided with Houston dominating paint scoring 46-28. Furthermore, the Warriors need to protect the ball better, as Houston scored 14 points off 15 Golden State turnovers in Game 2 and 18 points off turnovers in Game 5.
What do the Rockets have to do to force a Game 7?
If Golden State successfully limits Jalen Green, Houston will need Fred VanVleet to continue his excellent three-point shooting; he`s made 12 of his last 18 attempts from deep. Additionally, Alperen Sengun, Dillon Brooks, and Amen Thompson must remain aggressive and capitalize on the open shots created by the defensive attention Green draws. Securing offensive rebounds for valuable second-chance points is another key factor. Coach Ime Udoka`s emphasis on converting defense into offense was evident in Houston`s strong first half of Game 5 and needs to be a consistent factor to force a Game 7.
