NBA playoff predictions and discussion

[SamH]

Lets see if we can get more people than the NBL one had! Just pick the correct series scores!

West:

OKC 4-1 Pelicans
Denver 4-2 Lakers
T'wolves 2-4 Suns
Clippers 2-4 Mavs

East:

Celtics 4-0 Heat
Knicks 3-4 Sixers
Cavs 4-3 Magic
Bucks 1-4 Pacers

[SamH]

Well this is going well. Mile High, you going to get in on this?

[milehigh]

Denver to beat LA Lakers in 5 :-)

The final will be Denver v Boston, Denver to win in 6

[SamH]

Jeez, Dallas with 30 points at halftime here, that's anaemic. Wish tnt would show the Thunder instead!

[milehigh]

After last night, change that to a Nuggets sweep against Lakers, 10 wins in a row so far, and their biggest ever come from behind play off victory.

[SamH]

It was a great finish, but I'm surprised a 2 point win at the buzzer at home would inspire confidence ahead of going on the road.

The funniest thing about the game winner was Davis tripping over into the Nuggets bench, ending up sitting there surrounded by players celebrating while he can't even get up and move away from it all. 😂

[milehigh]

10th successive win over Lakers, the ability to come back from a large deficet in both games, the fact Lakers were forced to adapt their game plan and match ups and stil failed to cp[e with the Denver side. Also the petulant, and childish behaviour in the after match press comferences, suggests that lakers have a problem coping with Denver on court, and in their heads.

A good explanation of the situation, by Colin Cowheard here  www.facebook.com/share/r/1o1CyX1XGTtUUy9j/

Also from Stephen A Smith, who is well known for his anti Nuggets comments,  www.facebook.com/share/r/hZBb4vMRH1zCKTQw/

From Spectrum Sportsnet, the Lakers host broadcaster,  www.facebook.com/share/r/ftXQKuQpwTvee8Ub/    they sound like someone has passed away they were that down.

[milehigh]

Interestingly in the Western conference, the top 3 seeds are all unbeaten, while Lakers blow another big lead to go 3-0 down.

[SamH]

Barkley thinks its a sweep - could well be, as the Lakers don't seem able to play to the level needed for more than about 1 and a half quarters.

Was delighted with OKCs game 2, looking like a top seed there. Obviously Zion is out but even so, you like to see a proper thrashing to solidify that top seed. Meanwhile Boston got pretty well turned over by the Heat in game 2, did not see that coming at all. Wonder if that could be a series now?

[milehigh]

A lot will depend on how well a team adapts from game to game. In the case of Nuggetts v Lakers, it does seem that Malone is out coaching Darvin Hamm.

At this stage, recovery and preperation is a key factor.

[SamH]

Boy have the Suns been disappointing or what! I picked them to win in 6 but they got swept! I kinda like it though, seeing KD come up so short yet again. Maybe he can join the Nuggets or Celtics next season and gift himself another ring? Cos he sure doesn't do well when he's leading a team trying to get there.

[milehigh]

I can't see any big names joining Denver, 1 we have the best starting 5, 2 Salary cap issues, 3 it wouldn't fit the team ethos or the way the club develop young players.

[SamH]

It should be a good series with the T'wolves, they looked great in the series with Phoenix. In the East I am surprised the Knicks are handling the 76ers, with Embiid playing. What a missed opportunity that will be for Philly, as they would surely also beat the Pacers or Bucks in the next round, so a good chance to get to the conference finals. I expect NY to do just that but maybe Indiana will have a say? They're on course for my 4-1 prediction over the Bucks.

[hayesboy]

Apr 29, 2024 12:50:01 GMT milehigh said:

I can't see any big names joining Denver, 1 we have the best starting 5, 2 Salary cap issues, 3 it wouldn't fit the team ethos or the way the club develop young players.

I am inclined to agree with Denver being the best starting 5...but on what basis?

For example what about Boston?

Jokic is better than KP
Gordon is not better than Tatum
Porter is not better than Brown
KCP is not better than Holiday
Murray is better than White

Interesting debate.

[milehigh]

It is widely accepted by the good basketball analysts that Denver have the best starting 5, and they work together as a team. Anyone who watches full games will see how they work together and have over the last two seasons put together the best record, especially as they play in the toughest division.

If you were to watch the full game you'd appreciate the work put in by all the Denver side, on and off the ball both on offense and defense.

Watch full games and you will also see the blantent inconsistancy of officials, and the obvious fact that certain sides and players are allowed to get away with contact that would be called on other, less favoured, players.

[hayesboy]

Did you miss the bit where I said I am inclined to agree that they are the best starting 5? What makes you think I don't watch full games?

It certainly seems to be a generally popular opinion that they are the best starting 5. My question to you was on what basis and you have answered that. Again I would agree. I was interested in your opinion and simply gave an alternative perspective.

What about Boston. Are they the second best starting 5 in the NBA? Or are you so one eyed that nobody is allowed to be that close to the Nuggets (who by the way are my favourite team to watch by far at the moment)? Can we say distant second best? If not them then who?

[milehigh]

I've not watched other teams regularly enough to make a fair judgement on the relative strengths of the other sides.
The two Boston v Denver regular season games were of play-off level quality and intensity.

The results from Boston, show they are a very good side, but how much of their record is due to the starters, and how much from the bench players I couldn't say. In the West, a number of the previously top teams are on the decline, due to the core group ageing and being unable to intergrate new, younger players into the main rotation.

I think the Denver v Minesota series could be interesting, especially as the Timberwolves GM had a key role in building the Denver side when he was GM there.

[SamH]

OKC sweep - very nice! I'd throw their starting 5 into the hat, perhaps not there just yet but give it another year or 2! Youngest ever team to secure a number 1 seed, so its frightening to think of the potential.

I'm looking forward to seeing Jokic match up with the 2 headed monster that is Towns and Gobert - against the Suns he didn't really have much to worry about as they don't have a lot going on size wise. This will be a tougher challenge for him. And Murray v Ant Man will be a really good match up too.

[milehigh]

Just getting 5 players fit is the challenge for the Nuggets medical staff right now. They won last night with 3 players effectively on one leg.

[hayesboy]

Apr 30, 2024 8:56:21 GMT SamH said:

OKC sweep - very nice! I'd throw their starting 5 into the hat, perhaps not there just yet but give it another year or 2! Youngest ever team to secure a number 1 seed, so its frightening to think of the potential.

I'm looking forward to seeing Jokic match up with the 2 headed monster that is Towns and Gobert - against the Suns he didn't really have much to worry about as they don't have a lot going on size wise. This will be a tougher challenge for him. And Murray v Ant Man will be a really good match up too.

I would say Gobert is an ideal player for Jokic to guard. I would also say Aaron Gordon or Porter are some of the best options in the NBA for defending KAT. They have the mobility to get out and guard the 3s.
The interesting match up is Edwards. Would seem to fall largely on the shoulders of KCP to guard him. Should be a cracker.

OKC look great. They go deep as well. I fancied the Mavs to come through against the Clippers and then to beat OKC.....I now think I am wrong on both of those counts!! In fact I could see OKC comfortably beatng either the Clips or Mavs.

I'm expecting the Nuggets to go all the way again. Looking at how the East is falling apart with injury issues I can only see it being Boston that see them in the finals and then Milehigh will get the perfect chance to assess the qualities of their starting 5....presuming Porzingis is not injured!!