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D 2026 playoffs is underway, and our NBA insiders have you covered for every game. Journey to the finals. Which top seeds are traveling and which could be in danger of a first-round upset? Which stars are shining on the playoff stage and which players are falling apart?
as Eastern Conference Playoffs Moving on, here’s what’s most important and what to watch for in all four series.
More coverage:
Western Takeaway | Schedule and Results | Offseason Guide
The biggest takeaways from Game 6: There’s no point in beating the hawks when you can wait for them not to show up. The Knicks did just that, taking down Atlanta’s Spirit in a Game 4 blowout, and the series soon took shape. The Knicks had the most physical defense of the series and began preparing themselves for the next round, which could be a rematch. Boston Celtics. It was followed by a 50-point spread, with a parade of Hawks turnovers and Anunoby Continuing his hot streak — he outplayed Atlanta himself at one point in the first half. Karl-Anthony Towns There was another triple-double. Their last three games have at least shown that they are ready for the next challenge and the second round. — Vincent Goodwill
Round 2 Opponents: Celtics/76ers series winner (Celtics lead 3-2)
The biggest takeaways from Game 5: In some ways, this series felt like the Cavaliers stood up to their own past playoff disappointments. Even after Toronto won back-to-back games, Cleveland exuded confidence, noting how its mistakes allowed the Raptors to come back in the series. Still, despite trailing in the fourth Wednesday, the Cavs outscored the Raptors 24-17 in the final period, their first playoff win (also against the Raptors) since 2018 when starting the final quarter. They had lost their past 22 playoff games entering the fourth, according to ESPN Research.
The Cavs responded in Game 5 by leaning on their stars: Evan Mobley led the way with 23 points, James Harden Added 22 times Donovan Mitchell Had 19. The Cavs also got a huge boost and 19 points off the bench Dennis SchroederAn unheralded trade deadline acquisition, who scored 11 in the fourth.
The Cavs were pushed to the brink of elimination, and they responded with a big comeback win to take the first step toward overcoming their playoff monsters. — Jamal Collier
Game 6: Cavaliers at Raptors (Friday, TBD)
What to watch for in Game 6: The Raptors nearly stole the game with a win in Cleveland on Wednesday night, but now they will return to Toronto to try to extend their season. After winning a game with the worst shooting performance in postseason history, the Raptors responded with their best offensive game of the series, scoring 103 through three quarters and sweeping the Cavs into the finals.
Toronto is playing with a lot of confidence with contributions from up and down the roster — six players finished in double figures in Game 5 — and may need an all-out effort to salvage its season after another injury Wednesday. All star forward Brandon IngramHis status was questionable after playing just 11 minutes in 5 games before leaving with right ankle inflammation. The Raptors are already missing their starting point guard. Emmanuel Quickleywho is out for the rest of the series With a hamstring strain. — Collier
The biggest takeaways from Game 5: In between, a playoff feud began in Detroit Cade Cunningham And Paolo BancheroAnd the two put on a show.
Banchero scored 45 points, but it wasn’t enough as Cunningham wasn’t ready for his season to end. The Pistons point guard played as the star of the East’s best team in Game 5, and his 45 points kept Detroit’s season alive in Wednesday’s 116-109 win.
The Pistons came out like their season line, attacking the paint and committing five Magic fouls in the first three-plus minutes. No longer with Franz Wagner (Right calf strain) to guard him, Cunningham was nearly unstoppable early on. He scored 27 points in the first half, shooting 8-of-14 from the line and 8-of-8.
I got a couple of chips with the game Desmond Benn Both times in between. Despite trailing by 17 with 8:22 left in the second quarter, the Magic continued to fight. Banchero did his best to keep up with Cunningham, scoring 22 points in the first half to get the Magic within 66-60 at the break.
Orlando got within 71-69 early in the third Auser Thompson The injury forced him out of the game for a short period of time. But the Pistons held onto the magic.
Now Detroit has life and must win the remaining two games to advance. — Om Yongmisuk
Game 6: piston in magic (Friday, TBD)
What to watch for in Game 6: Detroit’s season is still on the brink of elimination, but at least the Pistons put pressure on the Magic. Orlando returns home knowing it still has two cracks in its stride, but wants to get to Game 6.
Wagner may not be available for the second straight game in Orlando. His condition going forward is uncertain.
Detroit will return to Orlando knowing it was right there in the Magic’s wins in Games 3 and 4: Banchero hit a 3 that went high off the rim and banked Game 4 late in Game 3 and Bane banked 3s.
If Detroit can get some bounces going its way, the Pistons might just go home and play for a Game 7. — Yongmisuk
Statistics to know: The Magic are the sixth 8-seed to take a 3-1 lead over a 1-seed since NBA playoff seeding began in the 1983-84 season. Four of the previous five 8-seeds had won the series, with the only loss coming to the 2002–03 Magic, who Lost to the Pistons In seven games.
Here are the previous 8-seeds with a 3-1 lead over the 1-seed:
• 2023: Miami Heat Over The Milwaukee Bucks
• 2012: Philadelphia 76ers Over Chicago Bulls
• 2011: Memphis Grizzlies Over San Antonio Spurs
• 2007: Golden State Warriors Over Dallas Mavericks
• 2003: Orlando Magic Over Detroit Pistons
The biggest takeaways from Game 5: The Celtics have done it again. A team that has disappointed its fans endlessly over the past few years in the playoffs, especially at home, lays another egg when it gets a chance to close out a series. Boston is now 19-12 at home in the past three plus playoffs, compared to 17-7 on the road. And the Celtics are now 1-7 in that same span when shooting under 30% from 3, as they lose their two in this series. Joel Embiid Was outstanding, scoring 33 points with eight assists for Philadelphia, and Quentin Grimes Off the bench was a tremendous influence. But the story of this game was Boston breathing life into another team when a streak seemed over. — Tim Bontemps
Game 6: Celtics at 76ers (Thursday, 8 pm ET, Peacock/NBC)
What to watch for in Game 6: Can Philly do it again? The 76ers originally only played six guys on Tuesday night, incl Joel Embiid For less than three weeks 39 minutes After his appendectomy. But the goal now is to survive to fight another game — and the 76ers did that Tuesday. They also found some things that clicked for them, too — and gave Boston plenty of fits beyond the missed 3-pointer. If the 76ers can somehow get another Thursday, it would set up a really interesting Game 7 in Boston on Saturday night. But Boston has always been the best on the road throughout this run — and it would be safe to expect the Celtics to play much better than they did in Game 5 on Thursday. — Bontemps
