05-04-2024, 04:57 PM
(This post was last modified: 05-07-2024, 06:42 PM by SleepingHero.)
Well after last prediction thread, I went 5 for 8. I totally misread the Wolves and Bucks. If CLE wins then I was 6/8.
I won't rest on my laurels though. The 2nd round is much tougher to predict.
BOS/CLE: Welp after that blood bath that was CLE vs. ORL, they now get the prize of facing the Celtics. Even without Porzingis the Celtics are lethal. CLE looked horrible in the 1st round. Even with Allen they looked bad. It took monstrous games from Mitchell for them to have a chance. I expect another relatively easy round for the Celtics. But I wouldn't be shocked if Mitchell/Garland/Mobely found some mojo and make it a fight for a couple of games. BOS in 5
NYK/IND: This is going to be very interesting. 2 polar opposite teams in terms of play style but very similar in terms of roster construction. Both are led by an incredible PG in Haliburton and Brunson. Both have long wings that can defend and score in OG/Siakam. Both have versatile big men that are rim protectors. NYK is all about defense. IND is all about pushing the pace. To be fair I think IND had a helluva an easy series against MIL avoiding Giannis and Dame going down after game 3. NYK is battle tested. I think we may be seeing an easy NYK victory here. NYK in 5.
OKC/DAL: I am biased. Does it matter? No. This is also an interesting matchup. OKC is one of the smallest teams in the NBA. Outside of Chet, the only guy above 6'8 in their rotation is Giddey. This team is built to run N gun and rain threes on their opponents. Without Maxi this is going to be a supremely tough series. Dort is a fantastic defender against Luka. Jaylin Williams is one of the best 2-guards in the league today. But they also haven't really been tested thus far this playoffs. We have seen Chet get bodied by bigger guys. Size bothers OKC. Mavs miraculously still have 3 other centers even without Maxi. Mavs have to come out and punch OKC in the mouth. A lot of this series depends on if Luka is healthy and feeling up to it. There is no shot the Mavs can win if Luka plays a similar series like he did against the Clippers. But I believe in Luka. I believe in the Mavs. I hope this is Lively's coming outj party and he dunks all over Chet. Mavs in 6.
MIN/DEN- This is going to be a supremely fun series. Minny might be the only team that can matchup with Denver 1-5. Despite that, I don't see how they stop Jokic from doing Jokic things. If MPJ gets hot then Minny is in for a tough time. DEN has the personnel to stop ANT and play Gobert off the floor. I have to go with Denver's experience and just general clutch-ness here. I think this series will still be a blood bath. DEN in 7.
I won't rest on my laurels though. The 2nd round is much tougher to predict.
BOS/CLE: Welp after that blood bath that was CLE vs. ORL, they now get the prize of facing the Celtics. Even without Porzingis the Celtics are lethal. CLE looked horrible in the 1st round. Even with Allen they looked bad. It took monstrous games from Mitchell for them to have a chance. I expect another relatively easy round for the Celtics. But I wouldn't be shocked if Mitchell/Garland/Mobely found some mojo and make it a fight for a couple of games. BOS in 5
NYK/IND: This is going to be very interesting. 2 polar opposite teams in terms of play style but very similar in terms of roster construction. Both are led by an incredible PG in Haliburton and Brunson. Both have long wings that can defend and score in OG/Siakam. Both have versatile big men that are rim protectors. NYK is all about defense. IND is all about pushing the pace. To be fair I think IND had a helluva an easy series against MIL avoiding Giannis and Dame going down after game 3. NYK is battle tested. I think we may be seeing an easy NYK victory here. NYK in 5.
OKC/DAL: I am biased. Does it matter? No. This is also an interesting matchup. OKC is one of the smallest teams in the NBA. Outside of Chet, the only guy above 6'8 in their rotation is Giddey. This team is built to run N gun and rain threes on their opponents. Without Maxi this is going to be a supremely tough series. Dort is a fantastic defender against Luka. Jaylin Williams is one of the best 2-guards in the league today. But they also haven't really been tested thus far this playoffs. We have seen Chet get bodied by bigger guys. Size bothers OKC. Mavs miraculously still have 3 other centers even without Maxi. Mavs have to come out and punch OKC in the mouth. A lot of this series depends on if Luka is healthy and feeling up to it. There is no shot the Mavs can win if Luka plays a similar series like he did against the Clippers. But I believe in Luka. I believe in the Mavs. I hope this is Lively's coming outj party and he dunks all over Chet. Mavs in 6.
MIN/DEN- This is going to be a supremely fun series. Minny might be the only team that can matchup with Denver 1-5. Despite that, I don't see how they stop Jokic from doing Jokic things. If MPJ gets hot then Minny is in for a tough time. DEN has the personnel to stop ANT and play Gobert off the floor. I have to go with Denver's experience and just general clutch-ness here. I think this series will still be a blood bath. DEN in 7.
14x All-Star, 12x all-NBA, 1x MVP, 1x Finals MVP, 1 NBA Championship: Dirk Nowitzki, the man, the myth, the legend.