NBA Playoffs Open Thread - June 3

The Philadelphia 76ers don’t begin their second-round series against the Atlanta Hawks until this Sunday (June 6) at 1:00 pm ET, and until then we have the end of some exciting series to watch.

No. 3 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 6 Portland Trail Blazers — 8:00 pm ET (TNT, TNTOT)

Nuggets-Blazers Game 5 was a thriller. Nikola Jokic put up 38 points, 11 rebounds and 9 assists to lead the Nuggets (with Michael Porter Jr. and Monte Morris both contributing 25-plus points) to a 147-140 double overtime win. Meanwhile, Damian Lillard was absolutely incredible. He dropped 55 points and 10 assists with just one turnover, shooting 17-of-24 (70.8 percent!) overall and 12-of-17 (70.6 percent!!) from three, with countless crazy shots off the dribble.

Watching Jokic and Lillard go off in this series has been awesome to watch, and this game should be no different.

No. 2 Phoenix Suns vs. No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers — 10:30 pm ET (TNT, TNTOT)

Anthony Davis wasn’t available in Game 5 due to injury, and the Suns took advantage. Phoenix won with ease, 115-85, led by 30 points from Devin Booker. Meanwhile, the Lakers’ supporting cast did little to help LeBron James on offense, and the Suns blitzed them 32-10 in the second quarter alone.

Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (left knee contusion) and Davis (left groin strain) are both listed as questionable for Game 6 tonight. It’s a real shame that injuries have had such an impact in these playoffs, but if Davis isn’t back for Game 6 (or is at least below 100 percent) the Suns have an excellent chance to advance to the second round.