NBA sets second-round bracket

The NBA’s second round is no longer a projection board — it’s live. All four conference semifinal matchups are locked, two of them already tipped, and the bracket has a very different shape than people expected a week ago. Boston is out. Detroit is in. The defending champion Thunder are still here, but the Lakers are bringing star power and injury questions into the biggest West matchup. (nba.com) ### Which teams actually made it? The final eight are Pistons, Cavaliers, Knicks, and 76ers in the East, plus Thunder, Lakers, Spurs, and Timberwolves in the West. That gives us four second-round series: Detroit vs. Cleveland, New York vs. Philadelphia, Oklahoma City vs. Los Angeles, and San Antonio vs. Minnesota. (nba.com) ### Why does the East feel so strange? Bec(nba.com)enth, came back from a 3-1 deficit to beat the Celtics in seven games, including a 109-100 Game 7 win in Boston. Detroit also had to survive seven games, rallying past Orlando after trailing 3-1, and that sent the Pistons to the second round for the first time since 2008. (nba.com)ed? New York opened the round by blowing out Philadelphia 137-98 in Game 1. Minnesota did the same basic thing in a very different style — it escaped San Antonio 104-102 on the road. So the Knicks lead 1-0 in the East semifinal, and the Timberwolves lead 1-0 in the West semifinal. (nba.com) ### Why is Spurs-Wolves suddenly (nba.com)ory lesson even in a loss. He blocked 12 shots, which set a single-game NBA playoff record, and Minnesota still found a way to win. That’s what makes this series feel volatile — San Antonio has the most disruptive defender in the field, but Minnesota already proved it can survive even when he warps the game. (nba.com)ies on paper? Thunder-Lakers is the cleanest heavyweight matchup. Oklahoma City swept Phoenix in the first round, so it arrives rested. The Lakers needed six games to get past Houston. The catch is health: Luka Dončić and Jalen Williams were both ruled out for Game 1 with hamstring injuries, which puts immediate pressure on the opener and maybe the whole shape of the series. (espn.com) This one is less flashy, but it might be the most revealing. Detroit has been winning with defense and resilience, while Cleveland got through Toronto and now gets a younger, more physical opponent than most people penciled in. If the Pistons keep dragging games into the mud, this could become the series that breaks everyone’s bracket. (nba.com) #(espn.com)oard. Pistons-Cavaliers Game 1 and Lakers-Thunder Game 1 are both set for Tuesday, May 5. Knicks-76ers Game 2 and Spurs-Timberwolves Game 2 follow on Wednesday, May 6. The NBA has also posted the first four games for every series, with later games marked if necessary. (nba.com) ### So what’s the real takeaway? T(nba.com) East teams crashed the party, the Knicks and Wolves already landed first punches, and the West’s marquee series starts under an injury cloud. Basically, the second round is here — and it already looks messier, and better, than the chalk version. (nba.com)