Eastern Conference Playoff First Round Series Previews: Top Fantasy Players, Trends, Injuries and More
Discussing the Eastern Conference matchups for the first round of the playoffs.
The NBA Play-In Tournament is wrapped up, and it’s time for the real NBA postseason to start up.
Here, we’ll break down the four first-round matchups in the Eastern Conference, going over the season series, top players and some injuries. Check out the Western Conference preview here.
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Cavaliers vs. Magic Preview
The postseason gets started with a Saturday game between No. 4 Cleveland and No. 5 Orlando. The teams split the four-game season series, with the teams going 1-1 at home/on the road. Three of the four games were decided by 10 points or less, but no final was within five points.
Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland led Cleveland against Orlando this season, averaging 27.3 and 26.7 points per game, respectively. Mitchell also averaged 7.3 assists, 4.3 rebounds and 2.7 steals, while Garland was at 8 assists, 3.7 rebounds and 1.3 steals. Both guys played three games.
Evan Mobley averaged 15 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4 assists and 1.5 steals and blocks across two games played. Max Strus played in all four games, averaging 12.8 points, 4.8 assists, 3.8 rebounds and 1 steal.
Sam Merrill averaged 12 points, 2.7 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal across three contests. Jarrett Allen was at 11 points, 9.8 rebounds, 2 assists and 1 steal across four games. Georges Niang produced 7.5 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in four games.
Dean Wade (who isn’t likely to play in game one) averaged 7.3 points, 4 rebounds and 1.3 steals in four contests. Caris LeVert only played in one game, posting six points, two rebounds and assist and one steal and block - he should be more involved in the postseason. Isaac Okoro averaged 6.5 points and 2 rebounds but played 26.2 minutes and should be involved in the playoffs.
Others might play a role during the series, but it’s hard to project right now. Check back to FantasySP during the postseason, as we’ll assess things often to help you get the best fantasy options into your lineups.
Paolo Banchero was Orlando’s best scorer against Cleveland, averaging 23 points across four games. He also averaged 6.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists.
Franz Wagner averaged 16 points, 5.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 1 steal, while Moritz Wagner was at 14 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1 steal - both across four contests. Cole Anthony also played in four games, averaging 11.3 points, 3.5 assists and 3.3 rebounds. Wendell Carter Jr. was also in double figures, averaging 11 points a game to go along with 5.5 rebounds and 1 assist and steal.
Gary Harris, Jalen Suggs, Anthony Black and Joe Ingles averaged 17.5 minutes or better against the Cavaliers. Harris was at 6.3 points, 2.7 assists and 1.3 rebounds and steals, while Suggs had 6.3 points, 2.5 assists, 1.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals. Black tallied 6.8 points, 1.3 rebounds and 1 assist and steal, while Ingles averaged 6.5 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.5 assists. Markelle Fultz and Jonathan Isaac didn’t play against Cleveland all season, but could make the playoff rotation.
Knicks vs. 76ers Preview
No. 2 New York and No. 7 Philadelphia also play Saturday. The Knicks won three of the four regular season meetings, with the wins coming in dominant fashion.
Jalen Brunson guided New York against Philly this season, averaging 22.3 points, 7.8 assists, 3 rebounds and 1 steal.
Donte DiVincenzo averaged 15.3 points, 4 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.5 assists and 1 block across four games. In four games, Josh Hart averaged 14.3 points and rebounds and 5.3 assists.
OG Anunoby played two games, averaging 12.5 points, 3 rebounds and 1 assist, steal and block. Bojan Bogdanovic appeared in three games, averaging 10.7 points, 1.7 rebounds and 1 steal.
Miles McBride averaged 8 points, 2.3 assists and 1.3 rebounds, while Isaiah Hartenstein tallied 6.5 points, 5.8 rebounds and 2.8 assists. Precious Achiuwa was at 11 points, 7.8 boards, 1.8 blocks and 1 steal.
Mitchell Robinson and Alec Burks are among the other players that could also factor into the rotation, especially with Julius Randle out for the season.
Joel Embiid will power the 76ers. He played in just one of the team’s matchups this season, going for 30 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks and assists and one steal.
Tyrese Maxey is another good fantasy option after averaging 26.3 points, 6 assists and 4 rebounds, although having Embiid around might trim his points per game mark. Kelly Oubre Jr. averaged 16.5 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 assists and steals. Buddy Hield averaged 13 points and 4.3 rebounds and assists.
Paul Reed averaged 8.8 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1 block, but might not play much with Embiid around. Tobias Harris struggled in four games against New York, averaging 6.3 points, 5.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.8 steals, although he might benefit from Embiid being out there.
Nicolas Batum, Kyle Lowry and Cameron Payne are other options to crack the playoff rotation.
Celtics vs. Heat Preview
No. 1 Boston topped No. 8 Miami in all three regular season matchups, but two of the final scores were within eight points. The Celtics will be the heavy favorites with Jimmy Butler being injured/out.
Jayson Tatum powered Boston against Miami this season, averaging 24.7 points, 8.7 rebounds and 6 assists. Jaylen Brown averaged 21.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.7 steals, while Kristaps Porzingis added 20.3 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1 steal and block.
Jrue Holiday and Derrick White each scored 16.3 points per game. Holiday also averaged 6 rebounds and assists and 1 block, while White had 4.7 boards, 4.3 rebounds and 2 blocks.
Payton Pritchard, Sam Hauser and Al Horford should all be among the key reserves.
Tyler Herro actually led Miami against Boston this season with 23.7 points per game, while Bam Adebayo was at 22.7 points - Butler averaged 15.5 points in two games. Herro also averaged 4.7 rebounds and 5.3 assists, while Adebayo was at 8.3 boards, 2.7 assists, 1.7 blocks and 1.3 assists.
Caleb Martin averaged 11.5 points, 5.5 rebounds and 1.5 assists across two games. Terry Rozier has been out of late, but could return for the playoffs, which would greatly help the Heat. Duncan Robinson averaged 9.7 points and 1 rebound and assist against Boston this season.
Haywood Highsmith, Nikola Jovic, Jaime Jaquez Jr. and Kevin Love should be involved as well if Butler or Rozier miss games.
Bucks vs. Pacers Preview
No. 3 Milwaukee should look like the favorite, but it was No. 6 Indiana that won four of the five matchups this season, and most of the wins came pretty convincingly. The Bucks also have some injury questions coming into the series.
Giannis Antetokounmpo averaged 42.2 points (including a 64-point outing), 13 rebounds, 5.4 assists, 1.6 steals and 1.2 blocks across five games against Indiana. Damian Lillard was at 20.3 points, 5.8 assists, 5 rebounds and 1.3 steals. Both are dealing with injuries right now - with Antetokounmpo’s being more serious - so keep a close eye on their status before Sunday’s first matchup.
Khris Middleton averaged 18.6 points, 5.6 assists and 5.4 rebounds across four games. Brook Lopez averaged 12.6 points, 4 rebounds and 1 assist, while Bobby Portis was at 10.2 points, 5.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists.
Malik Beasley averaged 9.4 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists, but was replaced in the starting lineup by Patrick Beverley late in the season. Jae Crowder and Pat Connaughton should also play a bunch, with AJ Green (if he’s cleared from his ankle injury) and Andre Jackson Jr. helping out.
Tyrese Haliburton led Indiana with 27 points, 11 assists, 5.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks per game against Milwaukee.
Myles Turner averaged 19.4 points, 7.2 rebounds, 2 blocks and 1.6 assists. Obi Toppin averaged 10.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.8 assists, while T.J. McConnell had 10 points, 5.3 assists, 4 rebounds and 1.5 steals across four games
Pascal Siakam was traded to Indiana after the team’s matchups, but will obviously be heavily involved for the Pacers. Aaron Nesmith, Andrew Nembhard and Jalen Smith are among the players who will help fill out the team’s rotation.
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