PISCOPIO PILLARS Part II - NBA Playoffs: TWO Games In
- Danny Piscopio
- Apr 24
- 4 min read
We're over a week into the 2025 NBA Playoffs and here is where the bracket stands. Half of the eight series are 2-0 and the other half are tied at one game a piece. The teams that are up two games to none are both #1 seeds Thunder and Cavaliers, the reining champion Celtics and the Pacers. There are teams that are in a very comfortable spot, teams that are feeling okay, and teams that are on Cancun alert. The Pillars, the foundation of the league as it stands today.
Already Bought Plane Tickets - Grizzlies, Heat
The Grizzlies have gotten beat by 51 in Game One, haven't cracked 100 points in either game vs. the Thunder, and haven't beaten a winning Western Conference Team in months. The Heat were the 10-seed that snuck into the playoffs. They were never going to give the Cavs a real run. They could still win a game but they're ready for their Delta flights.
Buying Their Tickets Today - Bucks, Magic
This could be the beginning of the end of Giannis in Milwaukee. Yes, he probably could have a better jumper to add to his game that he really hasn't done, however the Bucks are an aging team that is expensive and aging fast. The Magic are just a bit too young and not enough depth to compete with the Celtics, I love Banchero and Wagner and if they can make a couple nice moves in the offseason along with the continued development of the young stars, they can make a real run next year.
1992 First Round - Knicks, Pistons
I think the Knicks are in real trouble if the Pistons win either Game 3 or 4 since they home court advantage stolen from them. I still believe this is the Cade Cunningham series and I think his best games are yet to happen. He's not just gonna have lay ups and threes he can break down a defense pretty well and hit shots from anywhere inside the three-point line. I just think the Knicks are going to get worn down by Cade and this tough team.
Lightning & Molasses - Pacers, Timberwolves
Two different teams, styles and places they stand right now. The Pacers who play fast and efficient are a foot in to the 2nd round of the playoffs. They may not have a player better than Giannis, but the next four players (without Lillard) are better than anyone else on the Bucks. They are out-pacing and out-classing them and honestly could play the Cavs tougher than I originally thought. They were in the Conference Finals last season. The Timberwolves are also a fun young team, but play much slower and like to muck games up. They stole Game One on the road from the Lakers, and are now tied a game a piece heading to Minnesota. I still have the Lakers taking care of business in the series, making it hard for me to put them any higher on the Pillars.
Dog Fight - Warriors, Rockets
With Jimmy Butler possibly missing a game, or even his play slightly minimized due to the tailbone injury, the Warriors are going to be in a dog fight. The Warriors only chance of getting out of this series, let alone making a title run, is if Steph and Jimmy are playing at elite levels. Houston isn't a great shooting team, but the warriors don't have much size, and they will attack the paint along with Şengün controlling the high post and the paint. Ill still take the Warriors if Jimmy is okay, but this may go seven games.
Veterans' Galore - Clippers, Nuggets, Lakers
The winner of Clippers and Nuggets could be seriously worn down as through two games, has been easily the closest and toughest series. Elite playmaking, real defense being played and tons of veterans to help make it all possible. That series could easily go seven games. As for the Lakers, they dropped the first game of the series but came back for a Game Two win and I will still take the veteran on the court leadership of Bron and Luka along with their playmaking ability that in the half court offesnse especially late in games, they will put out three more wins.
Young n Explosive - Thunder, Cavaliers
Two of the youngest teams in the league, also two of the most explosive teams on both sides of the ball. Both taking care of the 8 seeds handily to this point. I think the Cavs just do not match up well with the team at the top of the pillars. As for the Thunder, for the first time maybe this year for me, I feel they have a real good shot to make the NBA Finals for the first time since 2012.
Still the Best Team - Celtics
They do need Jayson Tatum to be healthy post-1st round, but they are just too deep and too well-oiled as a team for me to put anyone above them. They kept the Magic just out of reach every time they made a little run last night in Game Two without Tatum, and that was also after Porzingis got elbowed in the face. There is not much else to say other than we'll see them in the finals in less than two months.
PISCOPIO PILLARS NBA PLAYOFFS PT. 2
Still the Best Team Celtics
Young n Explosive Thunder Cavaliers
Veterans' Galore Clippers Nuggets Lakers
Dog Fight Warriors Rockets
Lightning & Molasses Pacers Timberwolves
1992 First Round Knicks Pistons
Buying Their Tickets Today Bucks Magic
Already Bought Plane Tickets Grizzlies, Heat
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