The schedule has yet to be announced but the match-ups are set - the real NBA season is now upon us:
EC
1. Toronto vs 8. 'Zards
2. C's vs 7. Bucks
3. LondonSox Process vs 6. Miami
4. Cleveland vs 5. Indiana
WC
1. Rockets vs 8. Minnesota
2. SRN's NBA villains vs 7. San Antonio
3. Portland vs 6. New Orleans
4. OKC vs 5. Utah
Looking it over, each series, save for the Rockets/T-Wolves, has the chance to go the distance. I think Thibs can slow Houston but the reality is that the Rockets swept Minnesota this season - and the T-Wolves, despite their talent, don't seem to be a cohesive team. It is worth noting that the Rockets will miss Mbah a Moute so perhaps that changes things.
I like the following:
-Toronto over Washington in six
-Cs over Bucks in seven
-Philly over Miami in six
-Cleveland over Indiana in seven
-Houston over Minnesota in five
-GSW over San Antonio in five
-Portland over New Orleans in six
-OKC over Utah in seven
That last series is the marquee match-up for me though I am going to be watching a metric eff-ton of playoff basketball over the next few weeks. As referenced in this forum, Utah is incredibly well coached and deep. But I expect Westbrook and George (and even Melo) to win out in a fierce battle.
The wild-cards here are the Spurs who might shock Golden State if Leonard comes back. I could also see Miami giving the 76ers a really hard time and, perhaps, stealing the series if everything falls right They split their season series and as mentioned in the other thread, the 76ers Big Head Mode of late is partially the results of playing a lot of bad teams.
Finally, if Giannis goes off and his supporting cast plays up to their abilities, I could see the Bucks upending the hobbled Celtics...though I hope not.
Who ya got?
EC
1. Toronto vs 8. 'Zards
2. C's vs 7. Bucks
3. LondonSox Process vs 6. Miami
4. Cleveland vs 5. Indiana
WC
1. Rockets vs 8. Minnesota
2. SRN's NBA villains vs 7. San Antonio
3. Portland vs 6. New Orleans
4. OKC vs 5. Utah
Looking it over, each series, save for the Rockets/T-Wolves, has the chance to go the distance. I think Thibs can slow Houston but the reality is that the Rockets swept Minnesota this season - and the T-Wolves, despite their talent, don't seem to be a cohesive team. It is worth noting that the Rockets will miss Mbah a Moute so perhaps that changes things.
I like the following:
-Toronto over Washington in six
-Cs over Bucks in seven
-Philly over Miami in six
-Cleveland over Indiana in seven
-Houston over Minnesota in five
-GSW over San Antonio in five
-Portland over New Orleans in six
-OKC over Utah in seven
That last series is the marquee match-up for me though I am going to be watching a metric eff-ton of playoff basketball over the next few weeks. As referenced in this forum, Utah is incredibly well coached and deep. But I expect Westbrook and George (and even Melo) to win out in a fierce battle.
The wild-cards here are the Spurs who might shock Golden State if Leonard comes back. I could also see Miami giving the 76ers a really hard time and, perhaps, stealing the series if everything falls right They split their season series and as mentioned in the other thread, the 76ers Big Head Mode of late is partially the results of playing a lot of bad teams.
Finally, if Giannis goes off and his supporting cast plays up to their abilities, I could see the Bucks upending the hobbled Celtics...though I hope not.
Who ya got?