2023 NBA Playoffs

[BaseballJones]

The playoff field is set. Tuesday and Wednesday are the play-in games.

Tuesday
#8 Atlanta at #7 Miami
#8 Minnesota at #7 LA Lakers

Wednesday
#10 Chicago at #9 Toronto
#10 Oklahoma City at #9 New Orleans

The winner of Atlanta/Miami is IN the playoffs as the #7 seed. The winner of Chicago/Toronto plays the loser of Atlanta/Miami with the winner of that game being the #8 seed.
The winner of Minnesota/Lakers is IN the playoffs as the #7 seed. The winner of OKC/NO plays the loser of Minnesota/Lakers with the winner of that game being the #8 seed.

Then Saturday the "first round" begins, and here are the matchups for the first round.

Eastern Conference
#1 Milwaukee vs. #8 seed
#2 Boston vs. #7 seed
#3 Philadelphia vs. #6 Brooklyn (ha, I almost typed "New Jersey")
#4 Cleveland vs. #5 New York

Western Conference
#1 Denver vs. #8 seed
#2 Memphis vs. #7 seed
#3 Sacramento vs. #6 Golden State
#4 Phoenix vs. #5 LA Clippers

The Celtics would have home court advantage against any opponent - even the winner of the West in the NBA Finals - except Milwaukee, who they can only see in the Eastern Conference Finals. So if they keep winning: HCA vs. #7 seed, HCA vs. winner of Philly/Brooklyn, not HCA vs. Mil (but HCA against any other ECF opponent), HCA vs. any team from the West in the NBA Finals.

Boston comes in playing good basketball, having won 3 in a row, 5 of their last 6, 8 of their last 10, and 12 of their last 16. Tatum has been great over the last 7 games:

31.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, shooting 76-135 (.563) from the floor, and 22-54 (.407) from three.

Boston seems pretty healthy, all things considered. Time Lord seems like he's ok. Brown will be fine by the start of the playoffs. They are well-rested and will get several days off here. They should be locked and loaded for this first round matchup against whoever emerges as the #7 seed.

Time to make a nice, deep run to the NBA Finals. I think the biggest challenges will be Milwaukee and Philadelphia. Maybe Phoenix if they get there, and of course Golden State showed them something last year. The teams are a little different this year than last but of course I'd be concerned about that matchup.

NBA Playoff basketball, baby. Here we go!

 

[lovegtm]

The playoff field is set. Tuesday and Wednesday are the play-in games.

Tuesday
#8 Atlanta at #7 Miami
#8 Minnesota at #7 LA Lakers

Wednesday
#10 Chicago at #9 Toronto
#10 Oklahoma City at #9 New Orleans

The winner of Atlanta/Miami is IN the playoffs as the #7 seed. The winner of Chicago/Toronto plays the loser of Atlanta/Miami with the winner of that game being the #8 seed.
The winner of Minnesota/Lakers is IN the playoffs as the #7 seed. The winner of OKC/NO plays the loser of Minnesota/Lakers with the winner of that game being the #8 seed.

Then Saturday the "first round" begins, and here are the matchups for the first round.

Eastern Conference
#1 Milwaukee vs. #8 seed
#2 Boston vs. #7 seed
#3 Philadelphia vs. #6 Brooklyn (ha, I almost typed "New Jersey")
#4 Cleveland vs. #5 New York

Western Conference
#1 Denver vs. #8 seed
#2 Memphis vs. #7 seed
#3 Sacramento vs. #6 Golden State
#4 Phoenix vs. #5 LA Clippers

The Celtics would have home court advantage against any opponent - even the winner of the West in the NBA Finals - except Milwaukee, who they can only see in the Eastern Conference Finals. So if they keep winning: HCA vs. #7 seed, HCA vs. winner of Philly/Brooklyn, not HCA vs. Mil (but HCA against any other ECF opponent), HCA vs. any team from the West in the NBA Finals.

Boston comes in playing good basketball, having won 3 in a row, 5 of their last 6, 8 of their last 10, and 12 of their last 16. Tatum has been great over the last 7 games:

31.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 3.6 assists, shooting 76-135 (.563) from the floor, and 22-54 (.407) from three.

Boston seems pretty healthy, all things considered. Time Lord seems like he's ok. Brown will be fine by the start of the playoffs. They are well-rested and will get several days off here. They should be locked and loaded for this first round matchup against whoever emerges as the #7 seed.

Time to make a nice, deep run to the NBA Finals. I think the biggest challenges will be Milwaukee and Philadelphia. Maybe Phoenix if they get there, and of course Golden State showed them something last year. The teams are a little different this year than last but of course I'd be concerned about that matchup.

NBA Playoff basketball, baby. Here we go!

Hard for me to see anyone except Phoenix, GSW, and mayybbeee Denver coming out of the West. Those teams are also spread out throughout the bracket, so they won't take each other out early. I'm not a Memphis believer, and LAL would have to go through 2 of those top 3 teams to make it out, which I don't see.

Phoenix would be a big challenge in the Finals, but they have a lot of places the Cs could pick on defensively, and we've also seen the Cs effectively stifle Durant with physicality last year.

 

[Was (Not Wasdin)]

Will Gobert be playing against the Lakers? I would have figured not, but with Jaden McDaniels out I think they'll need him.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Agree with the OP except the assumption that Jaylen will be fine by Saturday. The last time we saw him his shooting hand was bandaged up and wrapped after receiving 5 stitches to it. If they are saying 5 how many was it really?

 

[Devizier]

Five is not a lot of stitches, but a cut hand bleeds like fucking crazy.

 

[ElUno20]

Fully expecting a 1-4 or sweep vs the suns. However, theyre such an odd team as i have no fear of phx. I dont expect them to get much further than round 2. A kd and cp injury is loom.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Five is not a lot of stitches, but a cut hand bleeds like fucking crazy.

This is assuming it is 5 which I don’t necessarily believe. I won’t be shocked or surprised if he is out there on Saturday…..but if he isn’t I wouldn’t be shocked or surprised. I’d be concerned about his effectiveness handling and shooting the ball one week after being stitched up if he does go.

 

[the moops]

Do teams routinely lie about how many stitches someone got? I mean, would we think any different if he had 7 stitches? Or 3?

 

[HomeRunBaker]

Do teams routinely lie about how many stitches someone got? I mean, would we think any different if he had 7 stitches? Or 3?

Do teams lie about injuries? Is this a serious question?

Which earns less attention. “Jaylen had 5 stitches but will be fine for the playoffs.” or “Jaylen got 14 stitches in his shooting hand and his timeline to return we hope will be sometime in the first round.”

I have no idea which is true or somewhere in the middle but it’s not my first rodeo in hearing a team downplay an injury that obviously has some questions surrounding it.

 

[Smokey Joe]

Do teams routinely lie about how many stitches someone got? I mean, would we think any different if he had 7 stitches? Or 3?

The number of stitches to close a wound is hugely variable due to location, length and complexity of the wound, desired cosmetic outcome, cooperativity of the patient and OCD tendencies on the part of the person putting in the stitches. More important are tendon damage (See Smart, Marcus) and whether the wound crosses a joint, where constant flexure and contracture will keep opening up the wound and delay healing. Then you can immobilize the joint with a splint. Typically, a wound sutured within 24 hours (sooner the better) will heal within 2 days and the skin will be as strong as previously within 7-10 days of suturing.
So as long as there is no tendon damage, no infection (unlikely) and the patient is not a delicate flower, JB should be fine by Saturday.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

I assume they are using medical crazy glue on the afflicted area. Maybe his handle will improve!

 

[SemperFidelisSox]

The Lakers will get a T-Wolves team without Gobert and then Memphis without Steven Adams.

 

[Smokey Joe]

I assume they are using medical crazy glue on the afflicted area. Maybe his handle will improve!

Sadly, the location precludes the use of adhesives. Besides we want to encourage his playmaking and not have the ball stick to his hands.

 

[DeJesus Built My Hotrod]

Sadly, the location precludes the use of adhesives. Besides we want to encourage his playmaking and not have the ball stick to his hands.

I was kidding but that's interesting that they cannot use adhesives at all. That stuff is generally so effective at fixing wounds - like duct tape for the skin. But I get that joints etc can render it ineffective.

 

[Euclis20]

The Lakers will get a T-Wolves team without Gobert and then Memphis without Steven Adams.

Lakers/Warriors and Suns/Nuggets is about as good as it gets for 2nd round series, so at least there's that.

 

[jmcc5400]

The Lakers will get a T-Wolves team without Gobert and then Memphis without Steven Adams.

And Jarren Jackson has already been called for two fouls.

 

[HomeRunBaker]

The Lakers will get a T-Wolves team without Gobert and then Memphis without Steven Adams.

This Gobert/SloMo/McDaniels thing is something that can break a team but it’s also an act that could bring them together to rally around a cause. Leadership here is crucial and that’s an area where the Wolves are lacking. Should be interesting.

 

[TripleOT]

This Gobert/SloMo/McDaniels thing is something that can break a team but it’s also an act that could bring them together to rally around a cause. Leadership here is crucial and that’s an area where the Wolves are lacking. Should be interesting.

Time for Anthony Edwards to take this team over. He is their most dynamic and best player. Im looking for the Wolves to beat the Lakers.

 

[ElUno20]

KAT woke up with 2 fouls today.

I just hope Ant gives them hell.

 

[the moops]

KAT woke up with 2 fouls today.

I just hope Ant gives them hell.

Must be insufferable watching a Laker game with you

 

[Swedgin]

This Gobert/SloMo/McDaniels thing is something that can break a team but it’s also an act that could bring them together to rally around a cause. Leadership here is crucial and that’s an area where the Wolves are lacking. Should be interesting.

Remembering hearing reporting somewhere, that Conley was instrumental in getting the team back together during the game post Gobert punch.

 

[kieckeredinthehead]

Is this the game thread or do I put my thoughts about the Heat hunting fouls elsewhere?

 

[Just a bit outside]

Haven’t watched a lot of the Heat but they look bad. Herro and Strus getting cooked on d. Offense has no rhythm. Lowry dropping off a cliff has really hurt them.

 

[zak1013]

The number of seats that are still empty with ~3 min to go in the first quarter is SO miami.

 

[Light-Tower-Power]

Neither of these teams has even half a shot against the Celtics. Miami looks terrible.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

Neither of these teams has even half a shot against the Celtics. Miami looks terrible.

Atlanta should be up about 20 right now. Miracle shots going in for Miami, stupid turnovers under their own rim by Atlanta, Young firing 35 footers when Miami is making a run, etc. Miami has been abysmal, but they're in the game, and Collins and Hunter both came out of the quarter with 2 fouls, so something to watch.

 

[CJM]

I know addiction is brutal, but Quin Snyder looks like every meth head you'd see in a rural Oklahoma gas station, but in a polo shirt.

EDIT: Also, these offenses are sloppy as hell. This is ugly even for a Miami game.

 

[Auger34]

Noted “winner” and “dog” Jimmy Butler looks like shit….I really hate this Heat team

 

[Auger34]

Also, this is a terrible game. Boston would run both of these teams out of the gym

 

[Devizier]

Good thing the Celtics beat the Hawks on Sunday.

Seriously though, these Heat are looking like a Rony Seikaly squad right now.

 

[CJM]

I expected Bogdanovic to be...beefier? Does he need Luka and Jokic to teach him how to pound carbs?

Dude's got a sweet stroke though.

 

[Auger34]

Trae has made at least 5 ridiculously stupid passes that shoul have been turnovers.

 

[Red Averages]

Make or miss league. The 2nd half of this game is going to be very different when the Heat hit a few shots and play lock down D. The Hawks are sloppy as hell.

 

[Euclis20]

I expected Bogdanovic to be...beefier? Does he need Luka and Jokic to teach him how to pound carbs?

Dude's got a sweet stroke though.

He's always been pretty slim, which works for him. He's a perfectly cromulent shooting guard in today's NBA.

 

[Euclis20]

Miami is missing a TON of very good looks at the rim, balanced somewhat by Atlanta missing a ton of wide open 3s by guys who should be good shooters. Both teams have lots of dumb turnovers.

Typical game between two very average teams.

 

[CJM]

He's always been pretty slim, which works for him. He's a perfectly cromulent shooting guard in today's NBA.

Yeah, but with a body like that he's got to be a national embarrassment for Croatia. Does he not have a grandmother to cook for him?

 

[Ed Hillel]

This is most enjoyable

 

[Auger34]

Butler is getting completely chumped. That makes me irrationally happy

 

[Ed Hillel]

Butler just got stuffed twice in a row

 

[DGreenwood]

Butler has had 3 layups blocked in the last three minutes with no foul calls. I'm giddy.

 

[Euclis20]

Lowry is keeping Miami in this game.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Make your free throws, dudes

 

[Auger34]

If I were a ref I would literally never call a foul on Lowry’s defender. The guy flops around and embellishes more than anyone

 

[koufax32]

I haven’t watched him that much, but T. Young is not very good.

 

[Just a bit outside]

Trea just loves to try and do to much.

 

[Euclis20]

I haven’t watched him that much, but T. Young is not very good.

He likes taking those logo 3s but he's just not that great at him. His real strength is driving to the hoop and either hitting a floater, drawing a foul or tossing up a lob for a teammate (he is A+ at that).

 

[Red Averages]

The Heat are going to win this.

 

[Ed Hillel]

Nice mini collapse

 

[Euclis20]

Fucking Lowry, 19 points on 6-8 shooting. His whole game (aside from occasionally hitting open 3s) is just throwing his body into other players hoping for fouls on either end.

 

[Deathofthebambino]

Trae was lucky to get those last 2 foul shots, because the previous 2 minutes he played were among the worst you could ever see with a 20+ point lead.