(Photo : Photo By Winslow Townson/Getty Images)) BOSTON, MA – APRIL 5: Kristaps Porzingis #8 of the Boston Celtics factors at Payton Pritchard #11 after Pritchard hit a 3 level basket throughout the second half towards the Sacramento Kings at TD Garden on April 5, 2024 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or utilizing this Photograph, consumer is consenting to the phrases and circumstances of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo By Winslow Townson/G
With the NBA Playoffs tipping off on Saturday, many groups all through the league will compete for an opportunity to win an NBA Championship.
Each of the seeded groups do maintain a participant who may help flip any collection of their favor.
Here are some X-Factors for every Eastern Conference workforce within the NBA playoffs from the primary to the seventh seed.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Boston Celtics Kristaps Porzingis | Power Forward
For the Boston Celtics, Kristaps Porzingis has been a difference-maker this season.
The Latvian massive man, who has been comparatively wholesome this season, is coming off a powerful yr averaging 20.8 factors and seven.2 rebounds per sport.
He has supplied the Celtics with measurement up entrance, defending the rim and rebounding whereas stretching the ground by taking pictures.
Porzingis ought to proceed to be a dual-threat ahead for the Celtics, and stay a dependable third choice scorer for Boston when Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown aren’t performing effectively.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: New York Knicks Josh Hart | Small Forward
The New York Knicks have managed to lock up the second seed in a very good NBA Eastern Conference this season. New York achieved this behind fairly a little bit of grit and toughness, and Josh Hart has been on the forefront of this.
Josh Hart has come up massive on offense, being one of many higher scorers on the ground for the Knicks. Hart can also be a large contributor in protection and rebounding, crashing the boards and clogging the lanes.
His relationship with Jalen Brunson, on and off the court docket, has paid dividends for the Knicks; and because it appears to be like with out Julius Randle, Josh Hart could possibly be a significant offensive contributor for New York within the NBA Playoffs.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Milwaukee Bucks Khris Middleton | Small Forward
Lost within the drama of the Milwaukee Bucks’ 2023-24 season was Khris Middleton, who quietly put collectively a strong yr.
When wholesome, the 12-year vet shined as a secondary choice behind the Bucks’ two-headed monster of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Finding his spot within the rotation and infrequently exhibiting flashes of what made him a two time All-Star; Middleton was a key part for the Milwaukee Bucks NBA Championship run and will nonetheless be counted on regardless of being a couple of seasons older.
Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who can be out for 2-4 weeks as a result of a calf damage, Khris Middleton can be compelled to step up offensively for the Milwaukee Bucks towards the Indiana Pacers.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Cleveland Cavaliers Evan Mobley | Power Forward/Center
It’s no secret that the 22-year-old massive man Evan Mobley has proven flashes of greatness all through his younger profession, however nonetheless has but to place all of it collectively really.
This season’s playoffs seem to be a superb alternative for him to say himself as a cornerstone of the Cleveland Cavaliers’ future.
The Cavaliers have proven to be higher within the lineup with him reasonably than with out him; as he has proven the flexibility to protect the paint effectively, whereas being a publish and lob pick-n-roll presence for Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
Evan Mobley could possibly be the piece the Cavs want within the NBA Playoffs. Especially that successful within the postseason is extra important than ever for Cleveland with Donovan Mitchell’s potential free-agency standing looming over the franchise’s head.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Orlando Magic Jalen Suggs | Point Guard
This season, the Orlando Magic have constructed their identification on the defensive facet of the ground, and Jalen Suggs is a major motive why.
The Magic’s third-year guard has been a pest on protection, with the third-best defensive area aim proportion in shut video games at 23.1%. Jalen Suggs has helped the Magic change into a high defensive workforce within the league by forcing turnovers, getting steals, and locking down opposing guards.
With the Cleveland Cavaliers developing with their elite backcourt of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, two of the best-scoring guards within the league; Jalen Suggs can be a significant factor of their collection relying on if he might include them.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Indiana Pacers Pascal Siakam | Power Forward
The commerce for Pascal Siakam that despatched the All-Star energy ahead from Toronto to Indiana has been a major improve for the Pacers this season.
Since being traded to Naptown, Siakam has been glorious, becoming right into a run-and-gun Pacers workforce led by Tyrese Haliburton.
Pascal Siakam can be heading right into a collection towards Milwaukee, as he could possibly be the difference-maker being that the Bucks could possibly be with out Giannis Antetokounmpo for the collection.
Coming into the NBA Playoffs, Siakam is a significant X-Factor, having gained an NBA Championship in 2019 and having probably the most postseason expertise over anybody on this younger Pacers workforce.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Philadelphia 76ers Tyrese Maxey | Point Guard
So far, 76ers level guard Tyrese Maxey has had one in every of his finest seasons in his younger profession.
Maxey initially elevated the extent of his play when Joel Embiid was out as a result of damage. And since then Tyrese Maxey has solely proven indicators of enchancment, changing into a fair higher playmaker and scorer.
If Maxey might proceed his nice play into the postseason, taking a few of the offensive load off Embiid’s shoulders, then there are causes to consider the Philadelphia 76ers might win all of it behind the 2 stars.
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