Saturday’s NBA playoffs games

This Saturday, 8 teams will begin their battles for a place in the second round of the NBA playoffs.

The first game is between the Bucks and the Pacers. The Milwaukee Bucks, led by Giannis Antetokounmpo, are seeking revenge for their defeat against the Indiana Pacers at the same stage of the playoffs last year, and good news: Damian Lillard is expected to return during the series. 

The Indiana Pacers, led by Tyrese Haliburton, want to return to the conference finals and this time reach the finals, and the Bucks are a formidable opponent, but an opponent they have already beaten...

In the West The Denver Nuggets are led by the reigning MVP and again a contender this year, Nikola Jokic. After firing their coach two weeks before the playoffs, it is now that we will know if the risk was worth it for this team, which will look more like a one-man army. 

Against them The Los Angeles Clippers are led by an aging but still effective James Harden. Kawhi Leonard is indeed back and gaining momentum; if he stays healthy, the Clippers will be very dangerous and could exorcise the demons of their past.

Next, the game between the Pistons and the Knicks. The Detroit Pistons, led by Cade Cunningham, are making the playoffs for the first time since 2019, and this very young team will look to make some noise, prove the success of their rebuild, and eliminate their opponents: 

The New York Knicks are led by Jalen Brunson. The team had a tumultuous summer marked by two major arrivals. This team, filled with talent but often plagued by injuries, has only one mission: to bring a title to the Big Apple.

Finally, in the evening, the Minnesota Timberwolves, with the young, talented, and explosive Anthony Edwards, will have to confirm their strong end to the season and justify their trade from last summer. They've shown they can step up their defense, and they'll need to do it again to win. 

The Los Angeles Lakers, led by King LeBron James, with the generational newcomer Luka Dončić by his side. They are all out for revenge this season and will be eager to go for a title to silence the critics once again. 

Saturday will be a big day for basketball, the first of the NBA playoffs that will accompany us until June.