The 2023 NBA playoffs are in full swing, and Sunday’s games promise to be some of the most exciting yet. With top teams battling it out for a chance at the championship, fans are eagerly anticipating every matchup.
Here are some picks and best bets for Sunday’s games:
Los Angeles Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns
In Game 1 of this series, the Suns came out on top with a dominant performance, defeating the Lakers 122-101. Despite LeBron James’ best efforts, the Lakers were unable to keep up with the Suns, who got contributions from up and down their lineup.
The Lakers will need to make adjustments if they hope to avoid falling behind 2-0 in this series. James, Anthony Davis, and the rest of the team will need to be at their best to keep up with the Suns’ high-scoring offense.
The Suns, meanwhile, will look to continue their Game 1 success and take a commanding lead in the series. Led by Devin Booker, Chris Paul, and Deandre Ayton, the Suns are one of the hottest teams in the league right now and will be tough to beat.
Pick: Suns to win
Miami Heat vs. Milwaukee Bucks
The Heat and Bucks faced off in Game 1 of their series on Saturday, with the Bucks coming out on top despite the loss of Giannis Antetokounmpo to a back injury. The Heat will look to bounce back in Game 2 and even the series, but they’ll need to find a way to slow down the Bucks’ offense.
The Bucks, on the other hand, will need to adjust to playing without their star player and find new ways to score. Khris Middleton and Jrue Holiday stepped up in Antetokounmpo’s absence in Game 1, but they’ll need to maintain their high level of play if the Bucks hope to advance.
Pick: Bucks to win
Utah Jazz vs. Memphis Grizzlies
The Jazz are the top seed in the Western Conference, but they were upset in Game 1 of their series against the Grizzlies. The Grizzlies’ young core of Ja Morant, Dillon Brooks, and Jaren Jackson Jr. put on an impressive performance, and the Jazz will need to find a way to slow them down.
The Jazz have one of the best defenses in the league, led by Rudy Gobert, but they’ll need their offense to step up if they hope to avoid falling behind 2-0 in the series.
The Grizzlies, meanwhile, will look to build on their Game 1 success and continue to play with the energy and intensity that has made them one of the most exciting teams in the league.
Pick: Jazz to win
Overall, Sunday’s games promise to be some of the most exciting yet in the 2023 NBA playoffs. Fans will be on the edge of their seats as top teams battle it out for a chance at the championship.
The NBA has announced the three finalists for each of the seven major awards for the 2023 regular season. Six of the awards, all presented by Kia, come with brand new trophies named after six historic NBA legends.
The Most Valuable Player winner will be presented with the Michael Jordan trophy. The Defensive Player of the Year trophy is named after Hakeem Olajuwan. The Rookie of the Year receives the Los Angeles Lakers-named Wilt Chamberlain trophy.
The Sixth Man of the Year will get the John Havlicek trophy. The Most Improved Player gets a trophy named after Minneapolis Lakers star George Mikan. And finally, the brand new Clutch Player of the Year Award winner gets the Lakers-named Jerry West trophy.
The Coach of the Year Award is the seventh major trophy, but it is unnamed and un-sponsored.
Some of the favorites for these awards include Sacramento Kings guard De’Aaron Fox for the Clutch Player of the Year Award and Kings head coach Mike Brown for Coach of the Year.
And 2023 sees one of the most intriguing MVP races in recent memory, with three finalists all with a strong chance to take home the final prize, including Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo, Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid and reigning back-to-back MVP winner Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets.
The Bucks and Oklahoma City Thunder lead the league with three award finalists. The Utah Jazz, New York Knicks and Kings each have two finalists.
The winners of these awards will be announced throughout the week of April 17, with the official schedule of announcements coming out on April 16.
Full list of NBA award finalists
Kia NBA Most Valuable Player
Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
Joel Embiid, Philadelphia 76ers
Nikola Jokic, Denver Nuggets
Kia NBA Defensive Player of the Year
Jaren Jackson Jr., Memphis Grizzlies
Brook Lopez, Milwaukee Bucks
Evan Mobley, Cleveland Cavaliers
Kia NBA Rookie of the Year
Paolo Banchero, Orlando Magic
Walker Kessler, Utah Jazz
Jalen Williams, Oklahoma City Thunder
Kia NBA Sixth Man of the Year
Malcolm Brogdon, Boston Celtics
Bobby Portis Jr., Milwaukee Bucks
Immanuel Quickley, New York Knicks
Kia NBA Most Improved Player
Jalen Brunson, New York Knicks
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
Lauri Markkanen, Utah Jazz
Kia NBA Clutch Player of the Year
Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat
DeMar DeRozan, Chicago Bulls
De’Aaron Fox, Sacramento Kings
NBA Coach of the Year
Mike Brown, Sacramento Kings
Mark Daigneault, Oklahoma City Thunder
Joe Mazzulla, Boston Celtics
