May 22 NBA Games: What to Watch For
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The NBA Finals are just around the corner, but there are still some big games to be played before then. Here’s a look at some of the must-see match-ups happening on May 22.
Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Boston Celtics
The Eastern Conference Finals between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics tips off on Wednesday, and there is no shortage of storylines.
The Cavs are fresh off a tough seven-game series with the Toronto Raptors, while the Celtics had an easier time dispatching the Philadelphia 76ers in five games.
Cleveland will be without star forward Kevin Love, who suffered a concussion in Game 6 against Toronto. His absence will be a big blow to the Cavs, who will need to rely even more on LeBron James.
Boston, meanwhile, is as healthy as can be. All-Star guard Kyrie Irving is playing some of the best basketball of his career, and he will be a tough matchup for Cleveland’s defense.
The Celtics are also a deep team, with multiple players capable of stepping up in Love’s absence. Forward Marcus Morris has been a revelation in these playoffs, and he will likely see an increase in playing time against the Cavs.
This series has all the makings of being a classic. It should be a great matchup between two evenly matched teams, and it should go down to the wire. Be sure to tune in on Wednesday for what promises to be an exciting series opener.
Houston Rockets vs. Golden State Warriors
The Rockets and Warriors will meet in Game 7 of the Western Conference finals on Monday night, with a spot in the NBA Finals on the line. The Warriors are coming off a 115-86 shellacking of the Rockets in Game 6, which was played without Houston star Chris Paul due to a hamstring injury.
Golden State will be heavily favored to win at home in Game 7, but the Rockets proved in their Game 5 victory that they can compete with the Warriors even without Paul. Houston will need another big game from James Harden, who was excellent in Game 6 despite the team’s loss.
The Warriors will be seeking to return to the NBA Finals for the fourth straight year, while the Rockets are looking to make their first trip to the Finals since 1995.
Oklahoma City Thunder vs. Utah Jazz
The Oklahoma City Thunder and Utah Jazz are set to face off in the first game of the NBA’s Western Conference Finals on Sunday, May 22. The Thunder are coming off a hard-fought victory over the San Antonio Spurs in the previous round, while the Jazz swept the Houston Rockets.
This matchup will feature two of the best defensive teams in the NBA. The Thunder finished the regular season with the second-best defensive rating in the league, while the Jazz were not far behind at fourth. On offense, both teams rely heavily on their All-Star point guards – Russell Westbrook for Oklahoma City and Donovan Mitchell for Utah.
The winner of this series will advance to take on either the Golden State Warriors or Portland Trail Blazers in the NBA Finals.
