The 2022 NBA Playoffs are in full swing and there have already been a number of exciting games. Most notably, the Boston Celtics came away with a one-point win over the Brooklyn Nets in Game 1 of their series on Sunday, thanks to a spinning layup by Jayson Tatum on the buzzer.
The action continues this week with multiple matches each night. Here’s a look at what should be the best of the bunch:
1. Boston Celtics vs. Brooklyn Nets, Game 2
- Wednesday, April 20 at 7 p.m. ET – TNT
This was the most anticipated matchup in the playoffs, and Sunday’s electric Game 1, which was one of the best first-round games in recent memory, showed exactly why that was the case. These two teams are so talented and so evenly matched that it feels like every game could become a classic, and that’s before you factor in the drama between Kyrie Irving and the Celtics crowd. If you only have time to watch one NBA playoff game this week, make it this one.
- Thursday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m. ET – TNT
Only two street teams won a Game 1 over the weekend, and only one of those was a real upset: the Timberwolves, who invade Memphis and defeat the Grizzlies. Anthony Edwards officially came on the scene with a 36-point playoff debut, while Karl-Anthony Towns hit back from a tough play-in performance with 29 points, 13 rebounds and a poster dunk against Jaren Jackson Jr. Regardless of what happens in Game 2, the Wolves will head home to Minnesota with at least one split, and Game 3 should be great. This is Minneapolis’ first playoff game since 2018 and only its third since 2004.
- Wednesday, April 20, 8 p.m. ET – NBA TV (stream on fuboTV, try free)
A significant number of analysts believed the Raptors had a chance to draw excitement in this series, but those chances were taken big in Game 1 when they were blown out and star rookie Scottie Barnes suffered an ankle injury that took him away At least Game 2 will hold off. Nevertheless, it should be exciting if this series is moved to Toronto for Game 3. The Raptors always have large attendances, and due to the pandemic, this will be the first playoff game in Toronto since the Raptors won the title in 2019.
4. Brooklyn Nets vs. Boston Celtics, Game 3
- Saturday, April 23, 7:30 p.m. – ESPN (stream on fuboTV, try for free)
Yes, Game 2 is already on the list, and yes, we don’t know what the series will look like in Game 3. However, if you are looking at the games that are on the schedule this week, you must include this one in the must-watch category. All the same reasons for watching Game 2 apply to this one: elite talent like Jayson Tatum, Kevin Durant, Jaylen Brown and Kyrie Irving; interesting strategic decisions; real spectacle. And Game 3 will also have the bonus of being a crucial matchup in both cases. If the Celtics lead 2-0, they can confidently take a 3-0 lead. If the series is 1-1, every team will be desperate to win Game 3.
- Thursday, April 21 at 10:00 p.m. ET — TNT
Admittedly, the first game in this series wasn’t super exciting. After taking the lead in the second quarter, the Warriors held it the rest of the way, riding to a comfortable double-digit win. Still, every series starring Steph Curry and Nikola Jokic deserves a spot on this list. No matter how Game 2 of this series goes, the Nuggets will be swinging in front of a huge crowd in Game 3. Also, there’s still a slim chance Jamal Murray will make his long-awaited return.