Who Will Advance to the 2023 NBA Finals? Breaking Down the Semi-Finals Matchups

As I settle in to watch these incredible NBA conference finals unfold, I can't help but wonder: Who will advance to the 2023 NBA Finals? The intensity we're witnessing reminds me of the high-stakes basketball happening in other leagues too. Just last Wednesday, I was following the MPBL action where THE Pampanga Giant Lanterns narrowly escaped with a 60-57 victory over Binan Tatak Gel. That game had everything – drama, momentum swings, and that crucial ability to close out under pressure. It's exactly what separates contenders from pretenders, whether we're talking about the MPBL or the NBA playoffs.

What makes closing out games so difficult in playoff basketball?

Watching Pampanga's near-collapse against Binan Tatak Gel perfectly illustrates why closing out playoff games separates champions from the rest. They built what seemed like a comfortable lead, only to see it nearly evaporate in the homestretch. The final score of 60-57 tells the story – this wasn't a blowout but a gritty, defensive struggle where every possession mattered. In the NBA playoffs, we're seeing similar patterns. Teams that can maintain their composure during opponent runs, manage the clock effectively, and execute in crunch time are the ones advancing. The mental fatigue of a long series, combined with the physical toll of playoff basketball, creates these tense moments where games can flip in minutes. Pampanga's ability to salvage that victory despite nearly giving up their lead shows the championship DNA that both NBA finalists will need.

How important is home court advantage in these critical matchups?

The fact that Pampanga secured their narrow victory at Bren Z. Guiao Convention Center in San Fernando, Pampanga isn't coincidental. Home court provides that extra energy, that sixth man advantage that can be the difference in close games. In their 60-57 thriller, you could almost feel the crowd's energy through the screen – that desperate hope during Binan's late rally and the explosive relief when Pampanga held on. This directly relates to our central question of who will advance to the 2023 NBA Finals. The teams with home court advantage have built that privilege through consistent regular season performance, and now it's paying dividends. The familiar rims, the routine, and most importantly – the crowd lifting you during difficult stretches – these factors become magnified when every possession could determine your championship dreams.

What role does defensive execution play in determining who advances?

Pampanga's 60-57 victory was a defensive masterpiece when it mattered most. They averted what could have been a devastating collapse by locking down when the game was on the line. In playoff basketball, offensive execution tends to get the highlights, but defensive consistency wins championships. Holding any professional team to 57 points requires tremendous discipline, communication, and effort – the same qualities we're seeing from the NBA's final four teams. When we ask who will advance to the 2023 NBA Finals, we're really asking which teams can string together multiple defensive stops when their offense isn't flowing. The teams that can win ugly, grind-it-out games like Pampanga's 60-57 victory are the ones that typically hoist the trophy.

Can teams overcome significant momentum swings?

The way Pampanga nearly collapsed in the homestretch before salvaging their victory demonstrates how quickly momentum can shift in playoff basketball. One minute you're controlling the game, the next you're fighting for survival. This is particularly relevant when analyzing who will advance to the 2023 NBA Finals. The best teams develop what I call "momentum stabilizers" – whether it's a veteran player who can slow the game down, a go-to offensive set that guarantees a quality look, or a defensive specialist who can disrupt the opponent's rhythm. Pampanga found theirs just in time, but in the NBA finals, the margin for error is even smaller. The teams that advance will be those who can withstand opponent runs without panicking, much like how Pampanga regrouped despite Binan's late surge.

How do coaching adjustments impact these series?

While we don't have the specific tactical details from Pampanga's narrow victory, their ability to avert collapse suggests smart in-game adjustments from the coaching staff. The MPBL standings show they're staying close to the pacesetters, which indicates consistent coaching throughout the season. When determining who will advance to the 2023 NBA Finals, coaching becomes arguably the most underrated factor. The best coaches identify mismatches, manage rotations to keep key players fresh for crunch time, and design plays that capitalize on defensive weaknesses. In a tight game like Pampanga's 60-57 win, sometimes one clever out-of-timeout play makes all the difference. The NBA coaches still in the hunt are masters of this – they'll spend hours studying film to find that one edge that could determine their championship fate.

What separates contenders from pretenders this deep into the season?

Pampanga's position in the MPBL standings – staying close to the pacesetters – reveals something important about sustainable success. It's not about blowing teams out every night; it's about finding ways to win even when you're not at your best. Their 60-57 victory over Binan Tatak Gel wasn't pretty, but it counted just the same in the standings. This brings me back to our central question: Who will advance to the 2023 NBA Finals? The teams that survive won't necessarily be the most talented on paper, but those with the resilience to win close games, the depth to withstand injuries and fatigue, and the mental toughness to perform under extreme pressure. Pampanga could have folded when Binan made their late run, but they didn't. That championship response – that refusal to lose – is exactly what we should look for in the NBA finalists.

As we watch these conference finals unfold, I'm reminded that championship basketball transcends leagues and levels. The same qualities that helped Pampanga secure their 60-57 victory – defensive stops, clutch execution, mental resilience – will determine who advances to the 2023 NBA Finals. The team that can maintain their composure during inevitable momentum swings, that can win both pretty and ugly, that can execute when exhausted and pressured – that's the team that will be lifting the trophy when the dust settles.

By Heather Schnese S’12, content specialist

2025-11-15 14:01