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West Semifinals - Game 1Series starts 5/4

Lowe: What to expect from this Timberwolves-Nuggets clash of the titans

On paper, they're even: Minnesota with its top-ranked defense and average offense, Denver with its surgical offense and solid defense. Here are the matchups, schemes and counters that will determine what should be an epic Western Conference battle.

22hZach Lowe
Bart Young/NBAE via Getty Images

Andscape

Anthony Edwards' superstar turn

2hJustin Tinsley

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    FORECASTING THE PLAYOFFS

    Predicting Wolves-Nuggets, Pacers-Knicks and other conference semifinal matchups

    Which teams will reach the conference finals? Our experts make their picks for each second-round matchup.

    4hESPN
    Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

    MAVS ELIMINATE CLIPPERS

    Kyrie Irving nails four-point play vs. Clippers to help Mavs advance to Round 2

    11h
    0:33

    Dallas spent trade season surrounding Luka with lob threats -- it's working

    The Mavericks might have dealt their way into the perfect supporting cast around Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving.

    11hTim MacMahon

    MAGIC-CAVALIERS

    GAME 7: 1 P.M. ET SUNDAY ON ABC

    Cole Anthony dazzles to the rim for tough finish as Magic force Game 7

    14h
    0:32

    'That's all we've known growing up': Chippiness fueling Magic's playoff run

    The Magic are relying on physicality, a core of young players, and a bit of trash talking.

    1dKendra Andrews

    LAKERS SEEKING A NEW COACH

    McAfee wonders if JJ Redick could be Lakers' next coach

    20h
    2:51

    Shelburne: Darvin Ham fell short of Lakers' high expectations

    21h
    1:33

    MAVS-THUNDER

    GAME 1 ON TUESDAY

    Youth in revolt? Why the young Oklahoma City core could buck history's trend

    With a young roster, draft flexibility and cap space, the Thunder's championship window might be wide open for the foreseeable future.

    1dKevin Pelton
    Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images

    Key numbers behind the Mavericks-Thunder matchup

    20m
    1:19

    WHAT'S NEXT FOR SIXERS?

    Philly's playoff exit raises a slew of questions -- and dramatically answered another

    Injuries continue to haunt Joel Embiid and the 76ers as they exit the playoffs. But, behind Tyrese Maxey's rise and an offseason full of options, Philly has reasons for optimism despite its first-round defeat.

    1dTim Bontemps
    Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images

    Stephen A.: Tyrese Maxey now face of Sixers franchise

    1d
    1:31

    A BAD LOOK FOR PAT BEV

    Stephen A.: Pat Bev's actions are inexcusable

    1d
    2:30

    Beverley loses his cool, chucks ball at fan from Bucks bench

    1d
    0:21

    BUCKS ELIMINATED

    How a blockbuster trade and two coaching changes delivered another first-round exit in Milwaukee

    Despite two coaching swaps and the addition of Damian Lillard, the Milwaukee Bucks were eliminated from the postseason without a healthy Giannis Antetokounmpo.

    2dJamal Collier
    Gary Dineen/Getty Images

    What each eliminated NBA team needs to do this offseason

    We break down the summer priorities and needs for the NBA teams that have already been sent home.

    11hBobby Marks

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