Who Will Advance? Breaking Down All 4 Teams in the 2023 NBA Semi-Finals

As I sit here watching the NBA semi-finals unfold, I can't help but draw parallels between the intensity we're witnessing at the highest level of basketball and the incredible drama I recently observed in the MPBL. Just last Wednesday, I watched the Pampanga Giant Lanterns barely escape what would have been a devastating collapse against Binan Tatak Gel, ultimately securing a 60-57 victory that kept them in contention with the MPBL 2025 Season pacesetters. That game at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center reminded me why I love playoff basketball - every possession matters, every decision carries weight, and the margin between victory and defeat can be as thin as a last-second shot.

Looking at the four teams battling in the NBA semi-finals, I see distinct parallels to that Pampanga-Binan clash. Each team brings a unique identity to these conference finals, and having watched basketball at various levels for over fifteen years, I've developed a keen sense for what separates champions from contenders. The Denver Nuggets, for instance, remind me of that Pampanga squad - they know how to win ugly when necessary. Nikola Jokic's basketball IQ is simply off the charts, and when games get tight in the fourth quarter, his decision-making becomes nearly flawless. I've been tracking his performance metrics closely, and his playoff PER of 31.2 is historically significant, placing him in the company of legends like LeBron and Jordan during their championship runs.

Then we have the Boston Celtics, a team I've had a complicated relationship with over the years. They're stacked with talent - Jayson Tatum's 28.3 playoff scoring average doesn't even tell the full story of his impact - but sometimes I question their consistency in high-pressure moments. They remind me of teams that can dominate for three quarters like Pampanga did, then nearly give it all away in the final stretch. Still, with their depth and defensive versatility, they present matchup nightmares for any opponent. I particularly love what Derrick White has brought to their backcourt - his 42% shooting from deep in these playoffs has been a difference-maker.

Out West, the Minnesota Timberwolves have captured my basketball imagination in ways I didn't expect. Anthony Edwards is that rare superstar who seems to embrace pressure rather than shrink from it. At just 22, he's averaging 29.7 points in the postseason while shooting 48% from the field - numbers that would be impressive for a veteran, let alone someone in his first deep playoff run. Their defensive identity, anchored by Rudy Gobert's rim protection, creates the kind of sustainable advantage that championship teams typically possess. I'll admit I was skeptical about the Gobert trade initially, but watching them dismantle opponents in these playoffs has made me a believer.

The Dallas Mavericks complete our semi-final picture, and they might be the most fascinating study in star power we've seen in recent memory. Luka Doncic's 32.5 points, 9.8 rebounds, and 8.7 assists per game in these playoffs are video game numbers, and his partnership with Kyrie Irving gives Dallas the most dynamic backcourt in the tournament. What worries me about them is their defensive consistency - they've shown they can get stops when needed, but I've seen them surrender 115-plus points too often for comfort. Still, when you have two closers of their caliber, you always have a chance, much like how Pampanga found a way to win despite their late-game struggles.

What strikes me about all four remaining teams is how they've adapted throughout the postseason. The best teams aren't necessarily the most talented on paper - they're the ones who make the right adjustments at the right time. I've lost count of how many playoff series I've watched where coaching decisions in Games 3 through 5 ultimately determined the outcome. The chess match between Denver's Michael Malone and Minnesota's Chris Finch has been particularly compelling to watch unfold. Malone's decision to use Aaron Gordon as a primary defender on Edwards while keeping Jokic near the rim has been brilliant, limiting Minnesota's driving lanes while preserving Denver's defensive integrity.

From a pure basketball perspective, I'm leaning toward Denver coming out of the West because of their championship experience and offensive system. In the East, despite my reservations about their consistency, Boston's talent advantage might be too much to overcome. But if there's one thing I've learned from watching both the NBA and leagues like the MPBL, it's that playoff basketball rarely follows the script. Those Pampanga Giant Lanterns taught me that even when you're on the verge of collapse, resilience and timely execution can salvage victory from what seems like certain defeat. As we move deeper into these conference finals, I expect we'll see similar moments of crisis and triumph that will ultimately determine who advances to basketball's biggest stage.