In nothing short of a surprise, the New Orleans Pelicans were the first team to punch their ticket to the Conference Semifinals of the 2018 NBA Playoffs, as they swept the Portland Trail Blazers.
They’ve since been joined in the second round by the Golden State Warriors, Houston Rockets and Utah Jazz. The defending champions eliminated the shorthanded San Antonio Spurs in five games, the Rockets also defeated the Minnesota Timberwolves in five games, and the Jazz went six against the Oklahoma City Thunder.
The No. 1 seeded Rockets now face the Jazz, with their best-of-seven series beginning Sunday afternoon at the Toyota Center.