Nigerians to be involved as NBA Playoffs kick-start this weekend

The 2018-19 NBA Playoffs will be starting this weekend and quite a number of players with Nigerian heritage will be involved in the games.

D’Tigers forward Al-Farouq Aminu will be playing in his fourth consecutive postseason game with his Portland Trailblazers who will be aiming to outdo their previous first round eliminations.

Portland Trailblazers finished 3rd Western Conference, hence, will be playing 6th placed Oklahoma City Thunders.

MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo who finished too of the Eastern Conference with the Milwaukee Bucks will be playing against 8th placed Detroit Pistons.

Jesusemilore Ojeleye who is with 4th placed Boston Celtics will be playing against 5th placed Indiana Pacers without another Nigerian Victor Oladipo who is ruled out due to injury.

OG Anunoby will be contributing his quota with the Toronto Raptors as they battle Wesley Iwundu’s Orlando Magic.

Andre Iguodala will be gunning for his fourth NBA title as the Golden State Warriors start off with a clash against neighbouring franchise Los Angeles Clippers.

The 2015 finals MVP could be part of history should Warriors win this year’s title putting them in the rank of clubs like Bulls (91-93, 95-98), Los Angeles Lakers (2001-2003) who completed a three peat.

Ekpe Udoh will also be participating with 5th placed Utah Jazz who have a difficult tie against contenders Houston Rockets.

San Antonio Spurs Chimezie Metu under the tutelage of the great Gregg Popovich will be going against Denver Nuggets in the first round.