The NBA's Final Four has been established, featuring an unexpected pairing in the Eastern Conference Finals with the Indiana Pacers facing the New York Knicks. In the Western Conference, the Oklahoma City Thunder will square off against the Minnesota Timberwolves. The intrigue of parity is prevalent in this year's playoffs, accentuated by the fact that the Knicks, the last champions from this group, won the title in the 1972-73 season, while the other three franchises are still in search of their first championship.

As the Thunder and Timberwolves prepare for their Tuesday night matchup, the focus shifts to predicting potential standout performances from the series. A number of players possess the potential to be labeled as X-factors in the Eastern Conference Finals. For the Pacers, OG Anunoby, facing off against his former Toronto Raptors teammate Pascal Siakam, could significantly influence both ends of the court. Similarly, Aaron Nesmith’s defensive prowess is critical in limiting the offensive output of players like Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges. However, it is Mitchell Robinson who is poised to make the most substantial impact in terms of winning without necessarily inflating his individual statistics, as he demonstrated in the Knicks’ second-round series against the Boston Celtics, despite averaging just 4.7 points per game. Robinson’s 7-foot frame and tenacity allowed him to average 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals in limited minutes, contributing to a remarkable plus-46 rating during his time on the floor. In contrast, the Pacers, despite their swift series victory over the Cavaliers, displayed weaknesses in rebounding, where Indiana ranked last. Robinson’s physical style is likely to be a crucial factor in this series against aster defensive frontcourt.

Another notable narrative unfolds around Anthony Edwards, who has emerged as a prolific scorer this postseason. The 23-year-old has already achieved a spot among the top ten in playoff history for points per game (27.4), outscoring legends such as Kobe Bryant and Stephen Curry. Nevertheless, he may encounter challenges against the formidable Thunder defense, which led the league in defensive rating during the regular season (106.6) and continued to dominate in the playoffs (101.6). Oklahoma City has excelled at defending isolation plays, which could present hurdles for Edwards, who struggled against them before, averaging 22.3 points with a 36.4 percent shooting percentage during the regular season. The Thunder’s roster boasts a depth of strong, athletic defenders, including Lu Dort and Alex Caruso, all capable of challenging Edwards' scoring while offering elite rim protection.

Throughout the season, the Indiana Pacers have effectively relied on their depth, a strategy that saw them dismantle the 64-win Cleveland Cavaliers with a collaborative team effort. Ten players for Indiana logged between 10.1 and 33.3 minutes per game during the second round. This method contrasts notably with the Knicks, whose five starters played more minutes collectively than Indiana’s most-utilized player. The upcoming matchup sets the stage for a strategic clash, with the Pacers likely facing tougher hurdles in deploying end-of-rotation players, as they found success against a depleted Cavaliers squad. Indiana may opt to reduce their rotation, potentially favoring T.J. McConnell, Bennedict Mathurin, and Obi Toppin as they navigate the defensive schemes of New York.

The anticipated matchup between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards further adds intrigue to the Eastern series. Chet Holmgren of the Thunder, serving as a pivotal component, will be instrumental against the Timberwolves. Although previously utilized primarily as a power forward, Holmgren’s versatility could create mismatches and open lanes for his teammates. With his ability to shoot from beyond the arc and protect the rim, Holmgren could etch his name in NBA history alongside only one other player who has recorded a five-block, five-three-point game in the postseason. Oklahoma City may opt for five-out lineups aimed at drawing Rudy Gobert outside the key, thus enhancing driving room for Gilgeous-Alexander and optimizing opportunities for scoring.

As the Eastern Conference Finals prepare to tip-off, the performances of Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton will also be under scrutiny. Both athletes have made their mark with clutch performances in prior games, indicating they may once again play a critical role in close finishes. As the Knicks’ Clutch Player of the Year with the highest plus-minus in the current postseason, Brunson seeks to lead his team past the Pacers. Meanwhile, Haliburton has provided reliable play down the stretch, contributing significantly to Indiana’s undefeated record in clutch scenarios. Given the rare circumstances where playoff teams have pulled off wins after trailing by at least seven points in the final minute, the Pacers' key victories in such scenarios underscore their resilience.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the scoring leader for the season with 32.7 points per game, remains a focal point in the Thunder's offensive strategy, particularly as the stakes heighten in the Western Conference Finals. With the franchise record for points in a single playoff game currently standing at 51, set by Russell Westbrook, Gilgeous-Alexander appears poised to challenge this mark. His prior success against the Timberwolves, averaging an impressive 35.0 points per game during the regular season, suggests that he could have a standout performance once again. Despite Oklahoma City's hopes for a balanced offensive attack, one cannot overlook the likelihood that Gilgeous-Alexander will take center stage in his pursuit of postseason history against Minnesota.