Perhaps the biggest knock against the NBA playoffs over the past few seasons has been its predictability. The same two teams, the Cleveland Cavaliers and Golden State Warriors, have met in the finals for the past three seasons, leaving the postseason devoid of suspense. Last year, those teams lost one game combined on their road to the finals. This year, however, things are different. While the Cavs and Warriors are both still in the hunt, a host of new competitors have led to some fascinating series and a fourth consecutive finals meeting between those two teams is very much in doubt. This blog will show you where to watch every game with a local fan club.
Visit FanWide.com to find a NBA watch party or fan club near you.
Nothing has proved the competitiveness of these playoffs like the first round we just witnessed. Typically, the first round has served as a stomping ground for elite teams, pitting them against weaker teams who just sneak into the playoffs to produce series that rarely are more than four or five games long. This year was different though. There was only one first round sweep and two series went to a game seven. LeBron James and the Cavs game seven triumph over Victor Oladipo and the Indiana Pacers registered the best overnight TV ratings for a first round series since 2004, which speaks a lot to the level of drama. It was LeBron’s first time ever being pushed that far in round one, where he has never lost. In addition to the closeness of these series, there was a lot of uncertainty going in. Could a shorthanded Celtics team stave off the Giannis Antetokounmpo lead Bucks? Would the Thunder’s big three of Russell Westbrook, Paul George and Carmelo Anthony put their regular season troubles behind them and deliver in the playoffs? Who would make round two in the West after seeds three through eight all finished within two games of each other? With so many questions, there was no shortage of fun for the viewers.
Round two has not proved to be any different. In the West, the heavyweight favorites, the Warriors and Houston Rockets, have both been pushed vigorously be the New Orleans Pelicans and Utah Jazz respectively, both surprise teams who entered the season with 200-1 odds of winning the title. While in the east the Cavs already booked their ticket to the conference finals after sweeping the Toronto Raptors and the Celtics are up 3-1 against the Philadelphia 76ers, neither was the heavy favorite to triumph. The Celtics have surprised many with their play while missing their two best players, Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward, to injury. On the other hand, the Cavs have their superstar, LeBron James. He has needed to hit two great buzzer beaters to put his team in this position, with the Raptors pushing the Cavs to their limit. This has made this second round of the playoffs so much more exciting than it has been in years past.
Because these playoffs have been so competitive, why not go to a game watch party to catch all the action. FanWide allows you to go to local sports bars and restaurants and hang out with the other local fans in your area. These playoffs have been too good to miss a moment and with the exciting atmosphere FanWide provides, they can become even better.
Here is where you can watch your favorite team!
- Click here to find Boston Celtics game watch parties
- Click here to find Cleveland Cavaliers game watch parties
- Click here to find Golden State Warriors game watch parties
- Click here to find Houston Rockets game watch parties
- Click here to find New Orleans Pelicans game watch parties
- Click here to find Philadelphia 76ers game watch parties
- Click here to find Toronto Raptors game watch parties
- Click here to find Utah Jazz game watch parties