2022 NBA Playoffs Thread

[Siberian13]

Originally Posted by tjforce

Very astute...

But I will say this: Regardless of if Allen plays or not, the Hawnks best games beats the Cavs best game, mainly because they are a better 3 point shooting team.

The Cavs way to win this is to grind it out and win 108-105. If the Hawnks are hitting 3's like they did yesterday, the Cavs don't have the firepower to put up 120 and win.

I still say the team that puts the ball through the hoop the most wins this game.

Either way should be some fun back and forth here. If the Hawks lose I’ll go MIA like the gogomiami Sixers dude.

[SK40]

Originally Posted by Siberian13

I still say the team that puts the ball through the hoop the most wins this game.

Either way should be some fun back and forth here. If the Hawks lose I’ll go MIA like the gogomiami Sixers dude.

At least you admit it, he insists he had dodgy American Airlines Wifi.

[Siberian13]

Originally Posted by SK40

At least you admit it, he insists he had dodgy American Airlines Wifi.

Man I’m not disappearing. In my mind the Hawks shouldn’t even be in these playoffs so any wins are just gravy. Not a fan of the new format with 20 of 30 teams in the playoffs. Just silly

Plus you can’t have dodgy wifi for 3 weeks

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by Siberian13

I still say the team that puts the ball through the hoop the most wins this game.

Either way should be some fun back and forth here. If the Hawks lose I’ll go MIA like the gogomiami Sixers dude.

Hawnks lose I'll be doing a victory dance that I will quickly apologize for... so nobody take it personally.

Cavs lose I'll initially blame the refs (it'll be their fault anyways), go blow off some steam for a few hours, then come back on and console myself by remembering that this team overachieved this season and now has it's lottery pick to go along with Levert, and the option to S/T Sexton in it's collection of expendable assets.

But if Okoro scores 0 points again then I will melt down on here and I apologize in advance.

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by RogerGodahell

It would be strange to see Simmons come back right now. Boston is the team that drew up the blueprint on how to beat the Sixers by not guarding him.

That is an interesting insight. But the Nets have already said Simmons plays, right.

[Siberian13]

Originally Posted by tjforce

Hawnks lose I'll be doing a victory dance that I will quickly apologize for... so nobody take it personally.

Cavs lose I'll initially blame the refs (it'll be their fault anyways), go blow off some steam for a few hours, then come back on and console myself by remembering that this team overachieved this season and now has it's lottery pick to go along with Levert, and the option to S/T Sexton in it's collection of expendable assets.

But if Okoro scores 0 points again then I will melt down on here and I apologize in advance.

Sorry but this is the internet and everything is taken personally. I’m already triggered and offended that you’re even thinking of dancing. How dare you

[SK40]

Originally Posted by tjforce

Hawnks lose I'll be doing a victory dance that I will quickly apologize for... so nobody take it personally.

Cavs lose I'll initially blame the refs (it'll be their fault anyways), go blow off some steam for a few hours, then come back on and console myself by remembering that this team overachieved this season and now has it's lottery pick to go along with Levert, and the option to S/T Sexton in it's collection of expendable assets.

But if Okoro scores 0 points again then I will melt down on here and I apologize in advance.

Fingers crossed haha

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by Siberian13

Sorry but this is the internet and everything is taken personally. I’m already triggered and offended that you’re even thinking of dancing. How dare you

I take that personally and just want you to know that I won't be rooting against the Hawnks, I will be rooting against you personally:

[Boo]

Originally Posted by tjforce

Hawnks lose I'll be doing a victory dance that I will quickly apologize for... so nobody take it personally.

Cavs lose I'll initially blame the refs (it'll be their fault anyways), go blow off some steam for a few hours, then come back on and console myself by remembering that this team overachieved this season and now has it's lottery pick to go along with Levert, and the option to S/T Sexton in it's collection of expendable assets.

But if Okoro scores 0 points again then I will melt down on here and I apologize in advance.

At least he has that DPOY award to fall back on

[brothertona]

I will say whatever happens the Cavs outside of Okoro were fun as hell to watch and have an insanely bright future.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Siberian13]

Originally Posted by tjforce

I take that personally and just want you to know that I won't be rooting against the Hawnks, I will be rooting against you personally:

[the mesiah]

Looking forward to these matchups tonite , should be energized, it’s Friday night, “play in” to Get in the playoffs .. good that the hawks game is on the road makes it more evenly matched up for the cavs.Pels are young playing loose and don’t know any better should be good up and down game .

[daeve]

For me the big wild cards will be :

East:

Miami depth
Boston defense
Harden hamstring/quickness

West:

GS health
Memphis youth
Jamal Murray status

It feels like a Phx / Mil Finals to me... but any of those wild cards swinging one way or the other could push some teams into some interesting situations.

Jamal Murray is supposedly physically sound enough to be playing, but he's been afraid to really test it in game action. At this point it feels like he's not coming back, and the FO seems to be backing that decision, which is a good thing. Jokic just turned 27 so is just now entering his prime, they have time to compete.

Ja has not shot well at all vs Minny [think I saw 15% from 3] and PatBev seems like the perfect pest to give him trouble. If they take care of Minny in short order and are riding confidence than they could surprise. If Ja struggles and gets tunnel vision then they won't be a tough out for a healthy GS/Phx to handle.

So that leaves the final and biggest Western WC to me in GS. I saw yesterday that Steph is possible/probably for game 1, depending on how he feels after practices. If he plays they should handle a No-Jamal-No-MPJ Denver... if he doesn't or is really hobbled then it could get interesting. Even with a depleted roster the W's have always struggled containing Joker. Wiseman still out means that Looney+Draymond will be struggling all game to contain him+his size. If Denver wears them down with a long series we could see them struggle with Memphis and likely not be able to put up much fight vs Phx.


In the East I think it boils down to who, if anyone, gets hot enough to stop Giannis. Miami has been looking good lately - maybe their breakdown came at the right time? Having extra firepower like a now-healthy Dipo means they don't give up much when Jimmy/Herro sit and have a lot of interesting lineup combos to throw at opponents.

Philly will live and die with Embiid, but Harden's legs/burst are the big wild card. If he looks sluggish he will be so much easier for good defenses to contain and that will naturally put more pressure on Embiid to be terrific, which he can be, but it likely won't be enough to make the Finals unless Harden is also terrific. I think Toronto is going to be a tough out too, Philly could be exhausted by round 2.

Boston has a terrific and switchable defense and as others have mentioned, are playoff-tested... but they could struggle against an Embiid or Giannis outburst with RW3 out. If he comes back quickly and looks rested/agile, they could make a Finals appearance.

[bigjbasketball]

PG13 enters health & safety protocols per Woj, won’t play vs. NO. Will the Pelicans really make the playoffs? This is where the play-in makes no sense - the top player for LAC can’t play for BS reasons and now they might lose to a team that has no business making the playoffs.

[Siberian13]

Originally Posted by bigjbasketball

PG13 enters health & safety protocols per Woj, won’t play vs. NO. Will the Pelicans really make the playoffs? This is where the play-in makes no sense - the top player for LAC can’t play for BS reasons and now they might lose to a team that has no business making the playoffs.

Dang that kills that game’s excitement a good bit

[brock]

Originally Posted by bigjbasketball

PG13 enters health & safety protocols per Woj, won’t play vs. NO. Will the Pelicans really make the playoffs? This is where the play-in makes no sense - the top player for LAC can’t play for BS reasons and now they might lose to a team that has no business making the playoffs.

Pels win.

Inject BBW directly into my veins!!

[Siberian13]

Originally Posted by brock

Pels win.

Inject BBW directly into my veins!!

We must have a different understanding as to what BBW stands for.

[indyguy]

Originally Posted by Siberian13

We must have a different understanding as to what BBW stands for.

I've been trying to think of what it could mean in this instance.

[RogerGodahell]

Ask Boo he'll tell yah lol

[KhalDrogo]

What a joke.

Also, the Pelicans have already said Zion would not be playing in any possible first round series.

[RogerGodahell]

Looks like a cake walk for PHO in RD 1 then. They could probably rest Paul and Booker and still win the series.

[sportzluvr1]

Originally Posted by KhalDrogo

What a joke.

Also, the Pelicans have already said Zion would not be playing in any possible first round series.

The Zion thing is just so unfortunate...for Zion, the Organization, the league, and the fans.

The Pels have something with the CJ acquisition and Zion/Ingram/McCollum is a legitimate Big 3 that would be fun as hell to watch (if Zion and Ingram can play off each other). They hit on the Herb Jones Draft pick and When you throw CJ/Jones/Ingram/Zion/Jonas V at a team that is quite a formidable starting 5....with a decent bench to boot.

[brock]

Originally Posted by Siberian13

We must have a different understanding as to what BBW stands for.

Originally Posted by indyguy

I've been trying to think of what it could mean in this instance.

I'll allow my guy Ninjacookies to let you in on the meaning.

[Siberian13]

Originally Posted by brock

I'll allow my guy Ninjacookies to let you in on the meaning.

I don’t need his definition. Just a bunch of nonsense. I’ll stick to what it really stands for

[tjforce]

Allen will be playing. He'll be one of the two big x-factors for the Cavs, along with a familiar playoff name: Rajon Rondo.

He was a bit under the radar last game, but Rondo wound up going 26 mins and getting 9 assists vs the Nets, and he was +2.

The advantage that the Cavs have tonight is that the Hawnks won't know what rotations to expect. The disadvange is that since Jan 23, the combination of Garland/Allen/Markannen has played together for only 2 full games.