The NBA's Final Four has been officially established, featuring an unexpected matchup in the Eastern Conference Finals between the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks, while the Western Conference will see the Oklahoma City Thunder face off against the Minnesota Timberwolves. This year's conference finals exemplify a sense of parity within the league, with the Knicks being the most recent champions among the four teams, securing the title in the 1972-73 season, while the other three franchises have yet to capture an NBA championship.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, several players stand out as potential X-factors. OG Anunoby, facing off against his former Toronto Raptors teammate Pascal Siakam, could significantly influence the outcome with his defensive capabilities. Aaron Nesmith's versatility on defense may pose challenges for offensive players like Jalen Brunson and Mikal Bridges, while Josh Hart consistently proves to be a wildcard every time he takes the court. However, it is expected that Mitchell Robinson will have the most substantial impact on the series without necessarily putting up remarkable scoring numbers; his presence was notably felt in New York's second-round series against the Boston Celtics, where he averaged a modest 4.7 points per game but made his mark with 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals per game across limited minutes. The Knicks recorded an impressive plus-46 during the 124 minutes he was on the floor, highlighting his importance in their game plan.

The Indiana Pacers advanced past the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games but faced struggles in rebounding, finishing the round last in that category. Mitchell Robinson’s physical style of play may prove beneficial against Myles Turner this series. Meanwhile, in the Western Conference, Anthony Edwards is emerging as one of the elite postseason scorers, currently ranking 10th in playoff history with 27.4 points per game. However, he will face a formidable challenge against the Thunder's defense, which finished first in defensive rating during the regular season and continues to excel in the playoffs. The Thunder's defensive strategy is expected to limit Edwards' effectiveness, particularly given his difficulties in the regular season against Oklahoma City. The Thunder boast a roster of strong defenders, such as Lu Dort, Alex Caruso, and Jalen Williams, enhanced by the rim protection of Chet Holmgren. This elite defensive unit will likely force Edwards to adapt and, while talented, he may find scoring more challenging this series.

The Pacers have leaned on their depth throughout the season, effectively utilizing a rotation of ten players who averaged between 10.1 and 33.3 minutes in their recent series. In contrast, the Knicks depend heavily on their starting lineup, with all five starters exceeding the minutes played by the Pacers' most-utilized player. In Game 1, the Pacers may initially employ their full rotation but could narrow it down to key contributors such as T.J. McConnell, Bennedict Mathurin, and Obi Toppin as the series progresses. This clash of strategies will be intriguing, particularly how well Indiana adjusts to New York's more condensed rotation.

Attention will be focused on the matchup between Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Anthony Edwards, but Chet Holmgren's versatility may play a pivotal role as well. The Thunder may utilize Holmgren both at power forward and center, leveraging his ability to space the floor while pulling defenders away from the rim, which could open scoring opportunities for Gilgeous-Alexander. Remarkably, Holmgren possesses a unique combination of shot-blocking and three-point shooting, making him one of the few players who can impact the game on both ends as this series unfolds.

Furthermore, the East Finals will feature two of the league's most clutch players, Jalen Brunson and Tyrese Haliburton, both of whom have exhibited late-game heroics. Brunson earned the NBA's Clutch Player of the Year award and leads this postseason in plus-minus, while Haliburton has contributed significantly to the Pacers' success in close games. Interestingly, playoff teams have won only three of 1,643 games when trailing by seven points or more in the final minute of the fourth quarter or overtime since the 1997-98 season, yet the Pacers have recorded two of these rare victories recently. Given both players' tendencies for late-game success, fans can expect an exciting series characterized by potential game-winning performances.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, leading the NBA in scoring this season, will continue to be a dominant force against a competitive Timberwolves defense. The franchise record for points in a single playoff game is currently 51, held by Russell Westbrook, and Gilgeous-Alexander may be poised to challenge that record. His impressive regular-season performances against Minnesota, where he averaged 35.0 points per game while exhibiting notable efficiency, indicate that he may be the pivotal player as the stakes rise in the playoffs. While the Thunder would prefer a balanced scoring approach from their supporting cast, it is likely that Gilgeous-Alexander will deliver at least one spectacular game as he aims to eclipse Westbrook's franchise postseason scoring mark.