There's a belief that the NBA produces a somewhat predictable postseason. The thought is that across a seven-game series, the best team has a longer sample to prove its worth than in, say, the single-elimination format of football. Hot pitching and goaltending can produce wild results in baseball and hockey, but basketball is widely considered to be a more stable sport. The best team, more often than not, will emerge victorious.

The Milwaukee Bucks are expected to be without star Giannis Antetokounmpo as they open their first-round playoff series against the Indiana Pacers, per ESPN. It was reported earlier that he was doubtful for Game 1, according to Shams Charania, but it sounds as though he may actually miss some more time with a calf strain. Antetokounmpo missed the Bucks' final three regular-season games after getting injured on April 9. 

Team USA didn't even medal at the 2023 FIBA World Cup, and with the Olympics looming, USA Basketball was determined not to let that happen again. Superstars around the league have expressed interest in playing this summer in Paris, and according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Team USA has already picked the 12 players it wants to bring to Paris over the summer.