NBA Â: update on unexpected conference finals

The Los Angeles Lakers are out, just like the Boston Celtics, or the Golden State Warriors … Franchises that have, however, historically ruled the NBA, and which we had in any case become accustomed to getting far away in the competition, with even some 32 appearances (and 17 victories) in the finals for the first, 21 (and 17) for the second, then 10 (and 6) for the third, especially back in strength in the 2010's …. But this year, none of them will play the final series, all of which have already left the game.

The defending champions, led by King LeBron James, were surprised in the first round of the 2021 playoffs by the Phoenix Suns. The same goes for the Celts, defeated by the Brooklyn nets, while the San Francisco warriors had not even passed the mini-Play-in roadblocks tournament …. Also, knowing that this is the first time since 1994 that none of the two best teams of the regular season (Philadelphia 76ers in the East and Utah Jazz in the West) have climbed into the last square, this has something to bring a fresh wind on the American floorboards, with four franchises somewhat unfamiliar at this stage of the competition.

The clippers versus the Suns, and the bucks against the hawks.

In the West, the Los Angeles clippers fulfilled the wishes of their fans, at last. Some will even say that they finally managed to break the curse, by defeating Jazz in 6 matches and thus qualifying for these conference finals for the first time in their history. An event in itself.

Now, to achieve the feat and make it to the top, they have to beat the Phoenix Suns, another damn outsider. Neither have they ever won the supreme title, but have at least twice touched it, having already been crowned conference champions in 1976 and 1993. It's going up, of course. But given their track record in the 2021 playoffs, where they dropped the Lakers in 6 matches before making only one bite of the Denver nuggets, 4-0 in half, they seem determined to find the finals a third time this year. Moreover, in the only game already played to date in the conference finals, last Sunday, the Suns won their first set against the clippers, 120-114. See you tonight, at 3: 00 on well sports, for Game 2!

In the east, we still find the Milwaukee bucks. They have been among the favorites for the last few years, with the "Greek freak" Giannis Antetokounmpo, elected twice MVP, in their ranks. And yet, despite a previous conference final in 2019, they still struggle to make it through to the end of the competition. They, who have already been consecrated as NBA champions in 1971 with the legendary Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, have once again this year the opportunity to seize their chance to reach these precious finals.

But be careful, they're going to be dealing with fierce Atlanta hawks, who swept the New York Knicks in the first round of the playoffs (4-1) before rubbing the Philadelphia 76ers, and making the feat in Game seven in half. Fifths in the regular season rankings, will they manage to outperform themselves again to take over the bucks? Answer from Wednesday evening, or rather in the night of Wednesday to Thursday, with a first match in this conference final is to be followed live from 02: 30 on well sports!

The full schedule of matches on well sports

West conference final: Phoenix Suns (2nd) vs. LA clippers (4th)

Eastern conference final: Milwaukee bucks (3rd) vs. Atlanta hawks (5th)

* if necessary

Follow the entire conference finals on bein sports, the exclusive NBA broadcaster in France! Remember that the channel is offered as an option at SFR, at 14.99 euros per month (without obligation). At the moment, it is even available in a pack with RMC Sport at an exceptional price: only 19 euros per month instead of 34 euros per month for SFR customers (one year commitment).

Sources: well sports, NBA, basketball USA, CBS Sports