With the NBA Playoffs tipping off on Saturday, many teams throughout the league will compete for a chance to win an NBA Championship.
Each of the seeded teams do hold a player who can help turn any series in their favor.
Here are some X-Factors for each Eastern Conference team in the NBA playoffs from the first to the seventh seed.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Boston Celtics Kristaps Porzingis | Power Forward
For the Boston Celtics, Kristaps Porzingis has been a difference-maker this season.
The Latvian big man, who has been relatively healthy this season, is coming off a strong year averaging 20.8 points and 7.2 rebounds per game.
He has provided the Celtics with size up front, protecting the rim and rebounding while stretching the floor by taking shots.
Porzingis should continue to be a dual-threat forward for the Celtics, and remain a reliable third option scorer for Boston when Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown aren't performing well.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: New York Knicks Josh Hart | Small Forward
The New York Knicks have managed to lock up the second seed in a really good NBA Eastern Conference this season. New York accomplished this behind quite a bit of grit and toughness, and Josh Hart has been at the forefront of this.
Josh Hart has come up big on offense, being one of the better scorers on the floor for the Knicks. Hart is also a massive contributor in defense and rebounding, crashing the boards and clogging the lanes.
His relationship with Jalen Brunson, on and off the court, has paid dividends for the Knicks; and as it looks without Julius Randle, Josh Hart could be a major offensive contributor for New York in the NBA Playoffs.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Milwaukee Bucks Khris Middleton | Small Forward
Lost in the drama of the Milwaukee Bucks' 2023-24 season was Khris Middleton, who quietly put together a solid year.
When healthy, the 12-year vet shined as a secondary option behind the Bucks' two-headed monster of Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard.
Finding his spot in the rotation and occasionally showing flashes of what made him a two time All-Star; Middleton was a key component for the Milwaukee Bucks NBA Championship run and could still be counted on despite being a few seasons older.
Without Giannis Antetokounmpo, who will be out for 2-4 weeks due to a calf injury, Khris Middleton will be forced to step up offensively for the Milwaukee Bucks against the Indiana Pacers.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Cleveland Cavaliers Evan Mobley | Power Forward/Center
It's no secret that the 22-year-old big man Evan Mobley has shown flashes of greatness throughout his young career, but still has yet to put it all together truly.
This season's playoffs seem like an excellent opportunity for him to assert himself as a cornerstone of the Cleveland Cavaliers' future.
The Cavaliers have shown to be better in the lineup with him rather than without him; as he has shown the ability to guard the paint well, while being a post and lob pick-n-roll presence for Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland.
Evan Mobley could be the piece the Cavs need in the NBA Playoffs. Especially that winning in the postseason is more significant than ever for Cleveland with Donovan Mitchell's potential free-agency status looming over the franchise's head.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Orlando Magic Jalen Suggs | Point Guard
This season, the Orlando Magic have built their identity on the defensive side of the floor, and Jalen Suggs is a significant reason why.
The Magic's third-year guard has been a pest on defense, with the third-best defensive field goal percentage in close games at 23.1%. Jalen Suggs has helped the Magic become a top defensive team in the league by forcing turnovers, getting steals, and locking down opposing guards.
With the Cleveland Cavaliers coming up with their elite backcourt of Darius Garland and Donovan Mitchell, two of the best-scoring guards in the league; Jalen Suggs will be a major factor in their series depending on if he could contain them.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Indiana Pacers Pascal Siakam | Power Forward
The trade for Pascal Siakam that sent the All-Star power forward from Toronto to Indiana has been a significant upgrade for the Pacers this season.
Since being traded to Naptown, Siakam has been excellent, fitting into a run-and-gun Pacers team led by Tyrese Haliburton.
Pascal Siakam will be heading into a series against Milwaukee, as he could be the difference-maker being that the Bucks could be without Giannis Antetokounmpo for the series.
Coming into the NBA Playoffs, Siakam is a major X-Factor, having won an NBA Championship in 2019 and having the most postseason experience over anyone on this young Pacers team.
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NBA Playoffs X-Factor: Philadelphia 76ers Tyrese Maxey | Point Guard
So far, 76ers point guard Tyrese Maxey has had one of his best seasons in his young career.
Maxey initially elevated the level of his play when Joel Embiid was out due to injury. And since then Tyrese Maxey has only shown signs of improvement, becoming an even better playmaker and scorer.
If Maxey could continue his great play into the postseason, taking some of the offensive load off Embiid's shoulders, then there are reasons to believe the Philadelphia 76ers could win it all behind the two stars.
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