The NBA's Final Four is officially determined as the Indiana Pacers and New York Knicks face off in the Eastern Conference Finals, with the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves matching up in the West. This year, the playoffs have demonstrated a notable degree of parity, with the Knicks being the only team with a championship history, having clinched the title in the 1972-73 season, while the other franchises have yet to capture an NBA title. As anticipation builds for Tuesday night's series opener between the Thunder and Timberwolves, analysts are making bold predictions about what promises to be an exhilarating round of basketball.

In the Eastern Conference Finals, several players are poised to take on critical roles, often serving as X-factors that could sway the balance of the series. For the Knicks, OG Anunoby is expected to provide significant two-way contributions against former teammate Pascal Siakam. Furthermore, Aaron Nesmith's defensive tenacity and versatility will be crucial as he attempts to shadow Jalen Brunson among others on offense. Josh Hart is also regarded as a consistent, unpredictable factor whenever he is on the court. A player to watch in terms of impact—without necessarily dominating the stat sheet—is Mitchell Robinson. Despite averaging only 4.7 points per game in the second round against the Boston Celtics, the 7-foot backup center recorded impressive numbers with 8.0 rebounds and 1.0 steals in just over 20 minutes per game. His presence was felt, with the Knicks posting a plus-46 rating during his total of 124 minutes on the floor. In contrast, the Pacers, while having eliminated the Cleveland Cavaliers, ranked last in rebounding during that round. Robinson’s physicality is expected to pose a larger challenge for Myles Turner, potentially shifting momentum in New York's favor.

As for the Western Conference, Anthony Edwards is rapidly establishing himself as one of the premier playoff scorers, currently ranked in the top ten of playoff history for points per game. However, he may face challenges against the formidable Oklahoma City Thunder defense, which boasts the best regular season defensive rating and has maintained its success thus far in the playoffs. The Thunder excel at defending isolation plays, and Edwards has historically struggled against them. Oklahoma City's roster includes a depth of athletic defenders and a top-tier rim protector in Chet Holmgren, who could significantly impact Edwards' performance. Offensively, Holmgren's unique skill set allows him to stretch the floor, and he will likely play a vital role in manipulating the Timberwolves' defense. The two teams' contrasting strategies concerning player rotation and depth will be key in determining the outcomes of these series, especially as players like Shai Gilgeous-Alexander are anticipated to shine in high-pressure scenarios.