When the second round of the NBA playoffs started, several teams looked like clear favorites to advance.

So far, those teams have been struggling to close the deal.

And while that may be bad news for them, it’s been great news for NBA fans who want surprises and entertainment.

Writing for ESPN, Zach Kram talked about the biggest surprise of this second round.

“So, even while acknowledging the role that injuries and shooting luck have played, it’s an immense surprise that [the Celtics, Cavs, and Thunder are] collectively struggling in the second round. The big three from the regular season are a combined 4-7 against Denver, Indiana and New York, respectively, in these playoffs. Those same big three might all still advance, as expected. But the unexpected parity has made for more entertaining games and a more competitive round overall,” Kram wrote.

The Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers, and Oklahoma City Thunder were the odds-on favorites to win their series against the New York Knicks, Indiana Pacers, and Denver Nuggets.

And while they might end up doing just that, they have all faced much more adversity than expected.

The Thunder were able to even their series against Denver on Sunday, but the Celtics are still down 2-1 to the Knicks, and the Cavaliers are in even worse shape, sitting 3-1 behind the Pacers.

People expected fun competition, but they didn’t think the games would be this close, and they didn’t imagine the Celtics, Cavaliers, and Thunder being behind at any point.

There is a very good chance that at least one of these teams falls in the days ahead, which didn’t seem likely weeks ago.

But that is a testament to how great their opponents are and how unpredictable and wild the NBA playoffs can be.

NEXT:  Insider Says Warriors Can ‘Steal A Win’ With Interesting Lineup