NBA has three series 2-0, one tied

The NBA’s second round tilted hard, fast. New York went into Philadelphia on Friday night and won again, San Antonio answered Minnesota’s opener with two straight, and the bracket suddenly looks lopsided. Going into Saturday, three of the four conference semifinal series are either already 2-0 or have moved beyond that, with only one matchup having been tied after two games. (nba.com) ### Which series are actually tilted? Knicks-76ers is the most extreme one now. New York beat Philadelphia 108-94 in Game 3 on May 8 and took a 3-0 lead, which is basically the playoff version of a flashing red light. (nba.com) Thunder-Lakers and Pistons-Cavaliers both sat at 2-0 entering Saturday’s Game 3s, while Spurs-Timberwolves became the one series that didn’t follow the same script after San Antonio recovered from its Game 1 loss. ### How did the Knicks get here? They’ve been the steadiest team of the round. New York blew out Philadelphia in Game 1, won a tighter Game 2, then handled the road test in Game 3 behind 33 points and 9 assists from Jalen Brunson, plus 23 points from Mikal Bridges. (nba.com) The important part isn’t just the 3-0 lead — it’s that the Knicks have averaged 117.7 points in the series while holding the 76ers to 98.0. That’s control at both ends. ### What changed in Spurs-Wolves? Victor Wembanyama happened — again, but louder. (nba.com) Minnesota stole Game 1 in San Antonio, 104-102, even with Wembanyama putting up a monster line. Then the Spurs answered by winning Game 2 big and took Game 3 in Minneapolis, 115-108, with Wembanyama scoring 39. So the one series that looked like it might stay messy and balanced has swung back toward San Antonio. ### Are the Thunder and Pistons really that comfortable? Pretty much, yes. Oklahoma City beat the Lakers 125-107 in Game 2 and carried a 2-0 lead into Los Angeles for Saturday night’s Game 3. (nba.com) Detroit did the same thing to Cleveland, winning 107-97 in Game 2 behind Cade Cunningham’s late control and taking a 2-0 edge on the road. The catch is that 2-0 feels safe until the home team grabs Game 3. Then the whole tone changes. ### Why does Game 3 matter so much? Because 2-0 is pressure, but 3-0 is nearly final. (nba.com) That’s what New York just demonstrated. For the Lakers and Cavaliers, Saturday is less about style and more about survival — lose again and the series stops feeling like a contest. For Minnesota, Friday already was that swing game, and the Wolves lost it at home. ### Is this all favorites rolling? Not exactly. Oklahoma City was a clear heavyweight, and New York has looked like one too. But Detroit’s rise has been one of the bigger stories of the bracket, and San Antonio-Minnesota was supposed to be the round’s most volatile matchup. (nba.com) Instead, the board has simplified quickly — one dominant East team, one dominant West team, one young Detroit group in command, and one Spurs-Wolves series now leaning San Antonio. ### What’s the bottom line? The second round stopped looking wide open in a hurry. (nba.com) New York is one win from the East finals, San Antonio flipped the only early split series, and the Lakers and Cavaliers entered Saturday playing to keep their seasons from sliding out of reach.