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2023 NBA Playoffs Second Round Teams

By Jeff Stinger

The 2023 NBA Playoffs fire on all cylinders. So far, three teams were eliminated while three proceeded to the semifinals. In what was supposed to be one of the most evenly-matched contests, the Phoenix closed the Suns vs. Clippers chapter in five games. The Sixers and the Nuggets advanced without much trouble as well. Let’s check out what’s in store for us in the coming weeks.

This time, the team goes over the second round and its current status. Nitrobetting is ready to dish out key assists and lob passes with betting tips and news coverage throughout the 2023 NBA Playoffs.

A Closer Look at the Teams Qualified into the 2023 NBA Playoffs Second Round

Philadelphia 76ers

MVP candidate Joel Embiid and the Philadelphia 76ers remain without a date in the 2023 NBA Playoffs second round. Sixers fans rejoice over the fact that Embiid gets a few more days of rest ahead of the Eastern Conference Semifinals. The big man recently suffered a knee sprain that forced him out of Game 4 versus Brooklyn and the coming days give him an opportunity to recover and prepare for a game with Boston or Atlanta.

The Philadelphia 76ers secured a comfortable victory over the Nets in five games. They are the only team to sweep their first-round opponents. It was a comfortable string of games for Doc Rivers and his crew, winning three games by double-digits. The only time the Sixers found themselves in trouble was during Game 3 where they won 102-97.

Denver Nuggets

Denver sets up a second-round clash against the Phoenix Suns, who eliminated the Los Angeles Clippers in five games. The Nuggets hold the home advantage for the first two games before heading out to Phoenix.

The Nuggets ended Minnesota’s postseason run. Despite the Wolves ending a dramatic Game 4 overtime win to extend the series, Denver did not cave in this time. They ultimately did what many expected them to do at home. Their 34-7 home record meant trouble for Minnesota. True enough, the Western Conference’s top seed pulled through.

Denver had to fight to get a few more days of rest. Edwards scored eight of his team’s first 13 points and opened up an early lead. Thankfully, Murray was just as hot and eventually led his team to a one-point advantage before the second half.

Two seasons ago, Phoenix sent home Denver in the conference semifinals. Their banged-up lineup did not hold a candle to the Suns and were swept. However, Nikola Jokic and the rest of the crew look healthy ahead of the game. Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Aaron Gordon are firing on all cylinders. Furthermore, role players like Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown Jr., Reggie Jackson, and Jeff Green have been reliable.

Phoenix Suns

The Phoenix Suns are the third team to punch a ticket to the second round. They took down the LA Clippers in five games in front of the Footprint Center crowd. Head coach Monty Williams is ecstatic to stretch his playoff campaign not long before they lost to the Milwaukee Bucks in the 2021 NBA Finals.

Since finishing fourth in the Western Conference, the Suns looked solid and steady versus the Clippers in the series. There were a handful of shaky moments. However, Phoenix looked like they were in control the entire time. They did lose the opening game by five points. After a wake-up call and warming up to the postseason atmosphere, the Suns flipped a switch and swept the Clips in the four remaining games.

Phoenix now gets time to rest before their Western Conference Semifinals meeting versus the Denver Nuggets. That said, the next phase offers a different test for both sides and a highly-anticipated matchup.

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*All odds stated are subject to change without prior notice.