2024 Playoffs Eastern Conference First Round: (4) Cleveland Cavaliers vs (5) Orlando Magic
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Tough midranger after tough midranger for Banchero. Ridiculously sloggy offense.
Rule of thumb: the less high profile the game, the more tolerable the national announcers are.
I think I am changing my mind: cleve is better.
Or is this a case of (per CharlesBarkely a decade ago): "I want to play the loser of the series"
So, I think I was the first to pick the Magic as the scariest matchup v. the Celtics in that poll and was finally joined by only four others. The Magic can give the Cs fits in ways that no other EC team can that's left, now (their size and scoring diversity). Rooting for the Magic to win game 6 and then get crushed in game 7. What makes me hesitate, is ofc Donovan plus Garland. If they're hot for an entire series, yikes.
Am I crazy for rooting for the Cavs in 6? The schedule for game 3 onwards is the same whether the series starts Sunday or Tuesday. I would prefer to have a bit of extra rest during the series rather than front loading it all. Plus game 1 Sunday would be about 40 hours after game 6, with the Cavs needing to travel in that time.
If by "scoring diversity", you mean players who can score and players who can't score, then I agree.
Orlando attempted the 3rd fewest threes in the NBA and ranked 24th in 3PT percentage. At 22nd overall, they have the lowest offensive efficiency rating of any team in the playoffs. That's not going to get it done. If we face them, there will be a shitty quarter or two in the at-Orlando games where their defense suffocates us and generates a lot of turnovers and easy offense. And there might be a game like their G4 vs Cleveland where they manage to shoot well from 3 at limited volume (12-26, 46.2%). But they're not going to be able to sustain any of this long enough to take more than a game or possibly two. When they can't generate offense off turnovers, it's "Paolo versus the wall" over and over again.
I like Orlando more than most and actually picked them to beat Cleveland before the series started. But I think Cleveland is clearly the bigger threat for Boston just by virtue of being more high-variance, having a higher offensive ceiling with Mitchell and Garland, and (to a lesser extent: ) having bigs that are potentially problematic for us to match up with as KP sits out.
The only thing that would possibly worry me with Orlando is Franz Wagner somehow leaving his body and going off for a full series. Until that happens, they just don't have enough firepower.
Yeah, I'd rather see Orlando too. They did give us some problems in the regular season, but I don't think they'll be as dangerous in the playoffs, and they're young (which is usually a strike against a team in the playoffs), and I remember them being turnover prone. Meanwhile, Garland's quickness will be hard to deal with (Jrue doesn't seem as effective against quick, shifty guards) and Donovan Mitchell is always a big threat.
Cavs winning G6 would give us the easiest G1 with Cleveland facing the same challenges that Miami did leading into a G1, quick turnaround and travel. Neither the Cavs or Magic shouod give us much problem as they can’t score enough. Of the remaining teams it’s the Knicks that are our worst matchup but even then it’s the Den/Min/Dall winner that is and always has been our greatest threat. Let’s get through these next two rounds unscathed.
I don’t remember if it was NBC Boston or TNT, but one of the postgame shows was saying Orlando would be tougher on Boston with KP out due to the amount of tall players available on ORL.
I still think the Celts win in 5 vs either team.
I still think the Celts win in 5 vs either team.
I also wouldn't mind Cleveland having to play at 1pm on Sunday after tonight (but wish Orlando could).
This^^
Every Celtics fan should be cheering for Cleveland tonight which pretty much assures of a G1 rout with them coming in on short rest, with travel, following a close out win.
Marcus Morris…Tristan Thompson…blech!! Retire already.
Liked that Jefferson called out Mobley and Suggs for their defense.
Either team is going to require an A effort in the next round. Orlando’s inexperience makes me think they’re the preferred opponent for the C’s but the Cavs have a thinner roster.
Liked that Jefferson called out Mobley and Suggs for their defense.
Either team is going to require an A effort in the next round. Orlando’s inexperience makes me think they’re the preferred opponent for the C’s but the Cavs have a thinner roster.
will they hunt mercilessly or relentlessly?
as good as mobley is and mitchell can be when he tries on that end i don’t see how you get around having to play tristan thompson and marcus morris actual minutes against boston. unbelievable these guys are still seeing the floor in 2024.
Watching on a flight where there’s basically nothing else to do.
I’ve seen more crappy defense by both teams than I have seen in many a game. Ugh.
I’ve seen more crappy defense by both teams than I have seen in many a game. Ugh.
There now exists a commercial where Jokic is dressed as Gru and he talks to Minions and I am delighted
