Seeding a revolution
The National Basketball Association (NBA) play-offs begin today on a different note. The Utah Jazz enter the post-season as the sole owners of the No. 1 spot in the play-offs for the rst time in franchise history. The Philadelphia 76ers clinched the top seed in the Eastern Conference for the rst time since 2001 – ve years after their 10-win season. Yet the title favourites are the Brooklyn Nets, who in a year of change are looking to become maiden NBA champions.
WESTERN CONFERENCE EASTERN CONFERENCE
Wins Losses Wins Losses 1 Utah Jazz 52 20 1 Philadelphia 76ers 49 23 8 Golden State Warriors/ 39 33 8 Washington Wizards 34 38 Memphis Grizzlies 38 34
Wins Losses Wins Losses 4 Los Angeles Clippers 47 25 4 New York Knicks 41 31 5 Dallas Mavericks 42 30 5 Atlanta Hawks 41 31
Wins Losses Wins Losses 3 Denver Nuggets 47 25 3 Milwaukee Bucks 46 26 6 Portland Trail Blazers 42 30 6 Miami Heat 40 32
Wins Losses Wins Losses 2 Phoenix Suns 51 21 2 Brooklyn Nets 48 24 7 Los Angeles Lakers 42 30 7 Boston Celtics 36 36
First-round clash to watch: First-round clash to watch: Suns v Lakers Bucks v Heat The Suns, with their All-Star backcourt of Chris Paul This is a rematch of last season’s East semi- nals, and Devin Booker, have been one of the biggest which Miami won in ve games en route to reaching surprises this season. Phoenix’s reward for their rst the Finals. Bucks star and two-time reigning MVP play-off game in 11 years is a meeting with the Giannis Antetokounmpo will attempt to lead the defending champions, who have LeBron James and league’s most offensive team (120.1 points per game) Anthony Davis healthy again. past Jimmy Butler and the Heat d efence.
With fellow NBA All-Star Donovan Mitchell’s tness Sixers centre Joel Embiid averaged 28.5 points, 10.6 doubtful, centre Rudy Gobert will be the Jazz’s rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in the regular season, leading man. He was the regular season leader in making him a Most Valuable Player (MVP) candidate. total rebounds (960) and total blocks (190).
PHOTOS: AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE, REUTERS STRAITS TIMES GRAPHICS