Brooklyn Nets
X-factor: Joe Harris
The Nets postseason run will more than likely not last beyond the month of August. However, to make their first-round bout against Toronto a bit interesting, quality play from their role players will be the only way to make their postseason stay last. Caris LeVert is the team’s primary scoring option with Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving, and Spencer Dinwiddie not expected to grace the postseason floor.
With his innate ability to score quality points at all three levels, he’ll attract a crowd within the paint and beyond the two-point line. That’s where quality shooting from the likes of Garrett Temple and Joe Harris could alleviate offensive stress from LeVert and keep Brooklyn afloat offensively.
Harris has made a name for himself as the team’s best 3-point shooter, and he has begun to fully round out his offensive game to be more of a threat off the bounce. In this year’s playoff run, his ability to make his open treys and finish on layup opportunities to counteract extensive closeouts will be the goal in order for Brooklyn’s 2020 first-round series to go in their favor.
Orlando Magic
X-factor: Markelle Fultz
The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft hasn’t fully lived up to his selected billing so far in his career. Yet, in a complete season of play with the Orlando Magic, Fultz has made a niche for himself as a crafty playmaker and scorer around the basket. Orlando’s team scores the basketball off or designed set plays for Evan Fournier, Nikola Vucevic, and Aaron Gordon.
Fultz and fellow backcourt mate D.J. Augustin make that happen off of their assisting services for their frontcourt and backcourt teammates’ shot opportunities. Against the Bucks, it’ll be Fultz’s ability to maneuver past and amongst the long lengthy convoy of Milwaukee, defenders to help the Magic offense stay afloat. Fultz’s inability to shoot the basketball consistently from long range is deterrence at times on the floor, but his impactful skillset highlighted during the postseason could allow the Magic to utilize their strong suits to an advantage.