Mercifully, the first round of the N.B.A. Eastern Conference playoffs is over. Aside from the occasional fireworks — yes, Jared Dudley mocking Ben Simmons by posing as the Night King was rather amusing — the series were mostly devoid of any real drama.

For the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks, sweeping their first-round opponents required all the rigor of casual Fridays at the office. The Toronto Raptors and the Philadelphia 76ers stumbled early but regrouped to easily win their rounds. Philadelphia even won a game starting Greg Monroe at center. Greg Monroe! He has played on three of the four teams in the East’s semifinals … just this year!

Now the exciting matchups begin. Milwaukee’s Giannis Antetokounmpo may even have to put forth serious effort. The stakes here aren’t just playoff wins — the futures of several franchises are in the balance.

A Boston defeat would mean Kyrie Irving is more likely to leave Boston. If Philadelphia does not advance, the Sixers may not retain Jimmy Butler or Tobias Harris, on the assumption that their high-octane core had flamed out. If the Raptors again fail to get out of the second round, Kawhi Leonard may bolt for Los Angeles.