With the first 2 games of the first round in the books, some players need to step up their impact on the floor to keep their teams alive in the playoffs and others need to stay hot to close out the series. I’ll be going through each match-up and giving adjustments that the coaches and players need to do to finish or stay alive in their series. Watch out for these adjustments as you continue to watch the series.

Miami Heat Vs Milwaukee Bucks

Miami: Get Into a Rhythm Tyler

During the playoffs in the bubble, Herro was essential to the Heat’s run and them making it to the NBA Finals. This year he’s put up better numbers than his rookie year but his impact in games has gone down. In the 2 games he’s played in this series, he’s played 18 and 19 minutes. To put that into contrast he averaged 33 minutes played in last year's playoffs. Erik Spoelstra’s mid-series adjustments will have to include if Herro gets more minutes. With more minutes on the floor, it will be easier for Tyler Herro to get into the game. Jimmy Butler is definitely in his ear telling him to score to give the Heat to win game 3 and even tie up the series as they head back home to American Airlines Arena.

Milwaukee: Bench impact

The game 2 performance from Bryn Forbes who scored 22 points and 6 of 9 in3 pointing shooting off the bench was crucial to the Bucks getting off to a super hot start in the first quarter. They’re going to need the bench to put up points and play defense to sweep this series. A player that comes to mind is P.J Tucker. They acquired him mid-season as he’s able to hit the 3 and play defense in the low post even at his small stature. If the bench continues to impact the games as they did in game 2, a sweep looks to be coming.

Portland Trail Blazers Vs Denver Nuggets

Portland: Limit Nikola Jokic’s touches

This is a really simple strategy but hard to execute. Jokic is one of a kind with his “point center” abilities and Portand’’s bigs aren't known for their defense. Jusuf Nurkić in game 2 struggled to contain him as he scored 38 and kept the ball moving in the Denver offense. The Joker’s mid-range game has been most effective and really where his offense is coming from in this series. Portland has to make Jokic give the ball and not get it back in the same possession. Portland has good perimeter defenders and wants to force the ball out of joker. The Key to the Blazers winning the series is to neutralize Jokic and make their backcourt beat the nuggets backcourt

Denver: Contain the role players

Portland is a guard-oriented team led by Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Portland’s offense is heavily influenced by those 2 and if they're off, the Blazers will struggle to create offense. Llliard’s 30 points first half kept the Blazers in the game going into the half. On the other hand, the Blazers bench couldn't give any offensive production with Carmelo Anthony being the leading scorer with 5 points. It’s almost impossible to contain Dame and CJ but if you can make their bench and role players take tough shots, you've given yourself a great chance to win. That was the story of game 2.

Boston Celtics Vs Brooklyn Nets

Boston: Play in the paint

The Nets have struggled to defend the paint and Robert Williams has looked good in the first couple of games against the nets. If the 3 can’t go in for the Celtics they have to take advantage of driving into the lane to get points. This has been tough for Boston so far as the Nets have neutralized Tatum for both games and they are missing Jaylen Brown. If the Celtics want to win at least one game, get into the paint Robert Williams.

Brooklyn: Let the Big 3 do their thing

KD, Kyrie, and Harden combined for 82 in game 1 to open up the series in dominant fashion. The Nets have it simple this round as Boston has struggled to defend all 3 well. Jayson Tatum has been completely taken out of the game shooting 6 for 20 in game one and 3 for 12 in game 2 before being taken out due to injury. If they can keep this up it'll be an easy sweep for Brooklyn.

Phoenix Suns vs LA Lakers

Phoenix: Keep Feeding Ayton

The first overall pick of the 2018 NBA draft, DeAndre Ayton has been playing extremely well for the Suns. Game 1 was most notable in which he outplayed AD in the paint as the Lakers struggled to stop him down low. With Chris Paul not being at 100% due to a shoulder injury, we’ll most likely see the big man get more touches in the paint. He’s been reliable all year and will continue to be in this this series with the defending champions.

Lakers: Play motivated

The bounce-back game 2 from AD was needed after a subpar performance in game 1. With all the injuries to their starters and playing being in and out of the lineup, the Lakers needed to come out in game 2 and they tied up the series. The driving factor to this performance was the criticism from the media and fans. Davis was being dominated by Ayton in game 1 and struggled shooting the ball. AD took over in the final minutes of the game and you could see the passion in him after blocking Ayton in the post. This is the fire that all Lakers players need to take the lead in this series as they head back home to Staples Center.

Washington Wizards vs Philadelphia 76ers

Washington: Get into a shooting rhythm

The Wizards fought hard all year long to get to the playoffs after a horrible start to the year. To get a chance to tie up the series they need to shoot the 3 balls well. Davis Bertans in game 2 had 0 points, rebounds steals, and went 0 for 4 shooting the ball. He was brought in to spread the floor with his 3 PT shooting but so far he hasn't performed to that level. If they can be efficient on the 3 balls they will have a chance to win as they head back home.

Philadelphia: Keep Russ out of the paint

Bradley Beal is one of the hardest players to contain even if he’s not at 100%. Russell Westbrook on the other hand struggles shooting from the field. Keeping Joel Embiid in the paint eliminates the most effective shot for Russ which is driving into the paint. In-game 1, Westbrook made only 1 of 9 shots outside of the paint. If the 76ers want the sweep, keep Westbrook out of the paint. With Russ picking up an ankle injury, he may not even play.

LA Clippers vs Dallas Mavericks

Clippers: Get Pat Bev off of Luka

In the words of Luka Dončić:” He's too F-ing small”. Beverly has struggled to contain the Slovenian superstar and has had his way in these first two games. Paul George or Kawhi Leonard need to be guarding him at all times when he’s on the floor. This team has two great wing defenders and now is the time to show that. If the Clippers can’t contain this it’ll be another playoff disappointment and maybe the last time we see Kawhi in a Clipper uniform.

Mavericks: Get Porzingis involved

With Luka Dončić getting his way with the Clipper’s defense this can lead the door open to get the most of Kristaps Porzingis. The Clippers have been doubling teaming Luka and leaving somebody in the perimeter open. Porzingis improved his shooting in game 2 and his impact on the defensive end was more present as well. To close out at home, the Mavs need to get Kristaps and Luka complementing one another to upset the Clippers.

Utah Jazz Vs Memphis Grizzlies

Utah: Work Mitchell in

All-Star Donavan Mitchell came back from injury in game 2 of the series. He played 25 minutes and 25 points in the game. He made an impact in his time at the court and improved the play of the players around him. The Jazz can get wins in this series by keeping Mitchell involved to keep that spark going on the offensive end.

Memphis: Make the Jazz take tough shots

The Jazz is a great shooting team from the 3 PT line and their struggles in game 1 is the main reason they lost. The Grizzlies have been playing good defense and have been fighting so hard in both games. Teams that have beat the Jazz this year have limited the impact that the 3 ball has and forced more shots in the midrange area. This needs to be the game plan if Memphis wants to keep this a competitive series.

Atlanta Hawks Vs New York Knicks

Atlanta: Hit the 3’s

Aside from Trae Young’s phenomenal 2 games in this series, the other players on the hawks need to be consistent from 3. Late into game 2, the Hawks missed a pair of 3’s that would've put them in a comfortable lead and sweep the games they’ve played in MSG. DeAndre Hunter, Bogdan Bogdanović, and Kevin Huerter have to be knocking down those open 3’s when Trae gets doubled team.

Knicks: Force Trae Young to shoot on the left

This Series has captivated me so far from the crowds at MSG, to the play of Young and Randle, to how the Kicks would play this defensively. Trae Young has gotten his way with the Knicks and scored the game-winner in game 1. He’s been a great shooter from the field but more specifically on the right side for the court. His shot chart from game 2 shows how he isn't as effective shooting on that left side of the court. The Knicks will need to keep Trae Young under control and limit his 3’s on the floor. Forcing him to the left will be a challenge as he’s so quick and shifty but it can give the Knicks a chance to take him out of the game.