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If NBA followers exterior of Pennsylvania did not know the identify Tyrese Maxey, they positive do now.
Whereas the Toronto Raptors have been keying in on superstars Joel Embiid and James Harden, the Philadelphia 76ers‘ second-year guard was showcasing why he’s such an necessary participant of their success with 38 factors in a Recreation 1 win.
If the 76ers have been to make a deep playoff run, “The Maxey Recreation” could be the efficiency that sparked all of it.
That obtained us considering: What different X elements are hiding within the first spherical of the playoffs? Which under-the-radar gamers may swing a sport — or perhaps a sequence — by themselves?
Our NBA specialists are breaking down one participant from all 16 playoff groups who may get sizzling from lengthy vary, present a defensive spark or come out of nowhere to guide his staff to a victory.
MORE: Takeaways from Day 2 of the playoffs | Intel on all 16 teams
Johnson simply had the best season of his younger profession, placing up private bests throughout the board. He turned one of many high Sixth Man of the Yr contenders by averaging 12.5 factors in simply 26.2 minutes per sport whereas capturing a scorching 42.5% from 3.
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Cameron Johnson places up a brand new profession excessive in factors, dropping 38, together with the ridiculous buzzer-beater to down the Knicks.
Working example: March Four vs. Knicks
In a sport with out Chris Paul and Devin Booker, Johnson poured in a career-high 38 factors in 28 minutes off the bench, together with 9-of-12 from deep and the game-winning 3-pointer on the buzzer.
Johnson additionally hit at the least two 3s in 12 of the 21 playoff video games he appeared in final yr, providing a glimpse of what he can do on the brightest stage. His worst sport out of the Suns’ total run, nevertheless, may need been within the Bucks’ NBA Finals-clinching win in Recreation 6, when Johnson scored simply three factors on 1-for-5 capturing, certainly giving him motivation for a bounce-back this postseason.
— Dave McMenamin
Herro can get sizzling in a rush and will probably be essential to any main success the Warmth have within the postseason. His capacity to area the ground will create much more alternatives for Jimmy Butler, Bam Adebayo and different teammates. Herro already has proved he is not afraid of the largest stage, as he confirmed through the 2020 playoffs when he repeatedly hit necessary pictures through the Warmth’s run to the Finals.
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Tyler Herro and Duncan Robinson mix for 60 factors off the bench in a 123-100 Warmth win.
Working example: Jan. Eight vs. Suns
With the Warmth enjoying with out Butler and Adebayo, it was Herro who dropped 33 and went 12-for-20 from the sphere in a 123-100 rout of the league-leading Suns. The distinction in Herro’s sport this season is his consistency. Warmth coach Erik Spoelstra knew what he was getting from the Kentucky product on most nights, and that’s what ought to assist propel Herro throughout this postseason run.
— Nick Friedell
After logging solely 9 minutes in final yr’s playoffs, Clarke might want to play a serious position on this sequence with Minnesota if the Grizzlies need Jaren Jackson Jr. to spend so much of time as the first defender on All-Star heart Karl-Anthony Towns. Clarke thrives as a roll menace offensively and may guard forwards.
Working example: Nov. Eight and Jan. 13 vs. Timberwolves
Clarke was a crucial contributor in each of Memphis’ wins over Minnesota this season. He averaged 17 factors and eight.5 rebounds whereas capturing 66.7% from the ground in these two video games, because the Grizzlies outscored the Timberwolves by 25 factors with Clarke on the ground. Memphis was plus-20 in 23 minutes towards the Minnesota this season when Clarke joined Ja Morant and Jackson on the ground.
— Tim MacMahon
When White arrived in Boston on the commerce deadline, he was exactly the participant the Celtics wanted: one of many league’s higher perimeter defenders who is also a fast decision-maker offensively. What may make or break Boston’s hopes of a deep playoff run is White’s 3-point capturing. He shot below 31% with the Celtics after being at round 35% the earlier two seasons.
Working example: April 7 vs. Bucks
Whereas Boston misplaced to Milwaukee late within the common season, White’s efficiency — 19 factors and 7 rebounds, plus 4-for-Eight in 3-point capturing — is strictly the sort of displaying the Celtics will wish to see frequently through the playoffs.
— Tim Bontemps
The Warriors performed 10 gamers by halftime of their Recreation 1 win towards the Nuggets. And the wild factor is, they in all probability may have performed 11.
Kuminga did not see rotational minutes, however Warriors coach Steve Kerr has made it clear he’s the subsequent man up off the bench. The Warriors see Kuminga as a man who generally is a game-changer. If somebody on the courtroom is not having a great evening or they simply want an additional dose of power, the Warriors will go to the 19-year-old rookie.
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Jonathan Kuminga throws down highly effective dunk vs. Miami Warmth
Working example: March 23 vs. Warmth
As Kuminga noticed an elevated minute load by way of February and March, he confirmed the worth he can add to Golden State. In opposition to the Warmth, Kuminga was the very best participant on the ground for the Warriors. He not solely displayed his physicality however confirmed off his improved ballhandling and his nearly signature hesitation and spin transfer, and Kuminga did it towards one of many league’s high defenders in Bam Adebayo.
Kuminga has been capable of keep prepared, even when he is not enjoying constant minutes. And in a state of affairs such because the playoffs, throughout which lineups and rotations can change evening to nighttime, Kuminga must be ready to make his impression — and probably shift a sport or sequence.
— Kendra Andrews
Opposing groups have spent a lot consideration defending the paint in an try and decelerate Giannis Antetokounmpo that it typically has left Allen with a ton of area to shoot from 3. And Allen entered the postseason on a heater, capturing 47.9% from past the arc because the All-Star break. Allen already has been at the center of controversy during Bulls-Bucks matchups this season, so it could be ironic if he may swing a sport along with his efficiency.
Working example: April 5 vs. Bulls
Allen hasn’t shot properly from Three towards the Bulls this season, however he has discovered success scoring towards Chicago. Of their last regular-season matchup, Allen registered 12 factors within the first half — tied for the staff excessive — to assist deflate the Bulls’ probabilities of an upset.
— Jamal Collier
Finney-Smith would have been a coveted free agent if Dallas did not signal him to a four-year, $55 million contract extension instantly after the commerce deadline. He’s predominantly often called a defender — and is taking over Donovan Mitchell as his main task within the first spherical. However Finney-Smith additionally has developed into a serious 3-point menace, changing 45.2% of his six makes an attempt per sport over the previous two months.
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Dorian Finney-Smith reveals off his imaginative and prescient with good go vs. Utah Jazz
Working example: March 7 vs. Jazz
The Mavs hope Finney-Smith’s efficiency in a late-season win over the Jazz is an indication of the impression he’ll make on this sequence. He had 21 factors on 8-of-14 capturing (4-of-10 from 3-point vary) in that sport. Extra importantly, he made Mitchell work for each look, because the Jazz’s All-Star guard completed with 17 factors on 5-of-19 capturing.
— MacMahon
With Matisse Thybulle sidelined for the games in Toronto as a result of he is not totally vaccinated, Inexperienced has been thrust into the beginning lineup. And whereas the three-time NBA champion is not fairly as spry as he was at age 34, he’s the one two-way wing Philadelphia has on its roster — and he’ll be leaned on all through the playoffs because of this.
Working example: April 7 vs. Raptors
Throughout Philadelphia’s loss in Toronto with out Thybulle late within the common season, Inexperienced completed with 18 factors, 5 rebounds, 4 assists, one steal and a block in 39 minutes, together with going 6-for-7 from 3-point vary. That is the sort of efficiency Philadelphia would like to get a number of instances in these playoffs.
— Bontemps
Clarkson’s manufacturing and effectivity dipped this season on the heels of his 2021 Sixth Man of the Yr marketing campaign, however his scoring off the bench continues to be a crucial ingredient of the Jazz’s success. Utah went 16-6 when Clarkson posted at the least 20 factors this season. The Jazz are 5-1 when Clarkson has scored 20 or extra in playoff video games.
Working example: April 5 vs. Grizzlies
Mitchell struggled in a late-season assembly with Memphis, going 6-of-24 from a flooring. The Jazz nonetheless managed to beat the Grizzlies in time beyond regulation largely on account of Clarkson delivering an environment friendly 22-point efficiency off the bench by capturing 7-of-13 from the ground. Clarkson additionally had 5 assists that evening, matching his fourth-highest whole of the season.
— MacMahon
Trent averaged a career-high 18.Three factors and shot 38.3% from 3-point vary this season, giving the Raptors a 3rd constant offensive weapon alongside Fred VanVleet and Pascal Siakam — all whereas being a stable defender and enjoying 35 minutes an evening.
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Gary Trent Jr. will get the steal and finishes it off with a slam dunk because the Raptors lead vs. the 76ers.
Working example: April 7 vs. 76ers
In Toronto’s last assembly with Philadelphia through the common season, Trent poured in 30 factors and helped the Raptors safe a win. For a staff that’s offensively challenged at instances, a efficiency like that might swing a sport in what is predicted to be a really aggressive sequence.
— Bontemps
Whereas Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. have been out this season, the Nuggets have been in determined want of an offensive spark at any time when reigning MVP Nikola Jokic rested. They obtained it from their first-round pick of VCU. Hyland averaged 10.1 factors and 36.6% capturing from behind the arc, however he got here on in March by averaging 14.Three factors, 4.Three assists and 47.6% 3-point capturing.
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Bones Hyland drills the go-ahead Three late within the 4th quarter
Working example: March 14 vs. 76ers
What could possibly be greater than Jokic vs. Joel Embiid? Look no additional than when the Nuggets received at Philadelphia to see how a lot of an X issue Hyland may be. Hyland scored 21 factors off the bench, however he was so good within the fourth quarter that he managed to overshadow the MVP showdown between Jokic and Embiid. Hyland hit 4 3-pointers — three straight in the midst of the fourth — to assist the Nuggets beat the Sixers. Already a fan favourite in Denver, Hyland’s impressed sport in Philadelphia got here in entrance of Delaware firefighters and first responders who helped save him from a house fire in 2018. —
— Ohm Youngmisuk
Milwaukee has allowed essentially the most 3-pointers per sport in three of the previous 4 seasons, together with 2021-22, and if there’s one Bulls participant most poised to take benefit, it is Coby White coming off the bench. White shot a career-best 38.5% from past the arc this season, however he has proved to be a streaky shooter in his first three NBA seasons. If he will get sizzling from 3, he may go on a run to swing a sport on this sequence.
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Coby White hits facet of basket, recovers for two
Working example: Feb. 11 vs. Timberwolves
White was within the midst of the most effective capturing stretches of his profession in February, when he shot 48.7% from Three on seven makes an attempt per sport. He helped spark the Bulls to victory towards the Timberwolves, ending with 22 factors on 8-of-12 capturing (6-of-10 from 3), together with hitting all 4 of his 3-point makes an attempt within the fourth quarter.
— Collier
Beasley quietly completed fifth within the NBA in 3-pointers this season, shattering the Timberwolves’ franchise document with 240 treys. Like many gamers who reside behind the arc (75% of his shot makes an attempt have been 3s), Beasley ran cold and warm. He shot 40% in Minnesota wins and 35% in losses.
Working example: Nov. 24 vs. Warmth
When Patrick Beverley left with an adductor pressure within the first quarter, Beasley stepped up. In a season-high 38 minutes, Beasley scored 29 factors on 9-of-19 capturing. Minnesota was plus-12 with Beasley on the courtroom in a formidable double-digit win over Miami.
— Kevin Pelton
Brown was constant over the past two months of the season on each ends of the ground, whereas averaging near 15 factors a contest in March and April. Brown has proved he can knock down 3-pointers frequently, offering Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving some assist when groups attempt to load up on them. Brown shot 41.9% from past the arc in March, and he has been open about how defenses nonetheless aren’t respecting his shot.
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Kyrie Irving’s dime beneath the basket to Bruce Brown helps the Nets maintain on to defeat the Cavaliers and earn the No. 7 seed within the East.
Working example: Tuesday vs. Cavaliers
Brown racked up 18 factors, 9 rebounds, Eight assists and three steals in 40 minutes through the play-in win over Cleveland. He believes he can put up these sort of numbers every evening, and Brown was a defensive spark for a Nets staff that light on that finish of the ground down the stretch.
— Friedell
Murphy’s capturing is what made him engaging as a prospect when chosen with the No. 17 choose in final yr’s draft. He has been a mainstay within the Pelicans’ rotation since March 7, and through that point, he has made 43.8% of his 3s on 4.Three makes an attempt per sport. Murphy can are available and rating in bunches to present the Pelicans a giant elevate, if wanted.
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Trey Murphy III will get fortunate bounce on late Pelicans 3-pointer
Working example: Friday vs. Clippers
Look no additional than the competition that despatched the Pelicans to the playoffs to see what sort of game-changing capacity Murphy can have. He performed the ultimate 16 minutes towards the Clippers within the elimination sport of the play-in match and knocked down 4 3-pointers, together with one to place the Pels up seven late and assist full their comeback.
— Andrew Lopez
Okongwu will probably be known as on to play a much bigger position for Atlanta due to the knee injury to starting center Clint Capela. John Collins (finger, foot accidents) returned from a monthlong absence on Sunday towards the Warmth, however Okongwu will shoulder beginning duties. In six video games as a starter this season, Okongwu averaged 10.5 factors and seven.Three rebounds.
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Onyeka Okongwu places it in for two off a lob from Trae Younger
Working example: March 31 vs. Cavaliers
Okongwu put up 17 factors and 12 rebounds in 25 minutes towards Cleveland. As a rim runner, he suits completely into what Atlanta needs to do with Trae Young working the offense. Okongwu can also present a lift on the defensive finish, averaging 2.2 blocks per 36 minutes through the common season.
— Lopez
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