2024 Playoff

[THE J0KER]

Pelicans without Ingram would be the perfect Round-1 opponent, but I guess we will face the Lakers.

EDIT:

1st round schedule:

[skywalker33]

Rumors out there that LAL will lose the Pels matchup to avoid the Nuggets. Personally I'd love to kick some Lakers a$$ again (one of my favorite things to do), but if they do throw the Pels matchup, let karma have its ways and let SAC or GSW beat them at thei own game.

[THE J0KER]

Rumors out there that LAL will lose the Pels matchup to avoid the Nuggets. Personally I'd love to kick some Lakers a$$ again (one of my favorite things to do), but if they do throw the Pels matchup, let karma have its ways and let SAC or GSW beat them at thei own game.

It makes even more sense because of the potential "All-LA" semifinal round vs Clippers where home-court advantage is not such a clear thing when all games are played in the same arena.

But that said, it is a big gamble to risk an early pre-round playoff exit in one "do or die" game vs strong GSW/Kings teams which arguably would be TOP4 seeds if they played in the East. Home advantage is helpful, but on the sudden day when their famous 3PT machine works, the Warriors can be almost invincible.

What is even more interesting about this scenario is that last season also #8 seed Miami Heat lost their first play-in game but eventually finished the (post)season playing in the big final!

[skywalker33]

Rumors out there that LAL will lose the Pels matchup to avoid the Nuggets. Personally I'd love to kick some Lakers a$$ again (one of my favorite things to do), but if they do throw the Pels matchup, let karma have its ways and let SAC or GSW beat them at thei own game.

It makes even more sense because of the potential "All-LA" semifinal round vs Clippers where home-court advantage is not such a clear thing when all games are played in the same arena.

But that said, it is a big gamble to risk an early pre-round playoff exit in one "do or die" game vs strong GSW/Kings teams which arguably would be TOP4 seeds if they played in the East. Home advantage is helpful, but on the sudden day when their famous 3PT machine works, the Warriors can be almost invincible.

What is even more interesting about this scenario is that last season also #8 seed Miami Heat lost their first play-in game but eventually finished the (post)season playing in the big final!

Agreed and given their lack of success this against bit the Kings and Warriors it would behoove them to just put away the Pelicans, bring on them Flakers

[Manolito]

We are facing LAL, IMO worst rival after PHO. I know we are 8-0 in the last games, but this is PO. Media narrative will be stronger than ever, LB & AD have fresh legs and we all know LAL romance with free throws. I still think DEN will beat them, but winning the chip is a long race and you need to save most of your energy and physicallity for the last series.

Let's hope we don't remember SAS game in the next weeks.

[THE J0KER]

Spoiler:

Pelicans without Ingram would be the perfect Round-1 opponent, but I guess we will face the Lakers.

EDIT:

1st round schedule:

[skywalker33]

So, anyone know the betting odds.......of LBJ retiring after the Nuggets oust the Flakers again ??

[THE J0KER]

8 out of 8 games-1 this season were won by home teams, even the Clippers and Bucks without their biggest stars Kawhi and Giannis.

[skywalker33]

Was surprised by a few games, even thought OKC might lose, but they pulled it out in the end. If Zion's hamstring improves, they might be that first round upset this year. Dallas looked like crap through the early parts of their game, another team that appears questionable IMO.

[TunaFish]

Home court advantage has ruled so far. I didn't think the Knicks could handle the 76er's with Embiide back, but Bronson has impressed.

[skywalker33]

Dallas finally took advantage of Kawhi's absence, pulling out a victory last night in LAC. Same can be said of IND taking advantage of Giannis' absence to take HCA back to Indiana. Neither upset is a huge surprise but it is what makes this playoffs fun

[skywalker33]

So much for BOS being the Beast of the East. Losing to a Butler-less MIA team at home is not a very dominant look for the C's...and I love it !

[THE J0KER]

All season long "everyone can be 2024 champion" betting odds were sharply reduced to a "two-team race" variant already in the middle of the playoffs 1st round.

They should have been visiting our Denver forum for free advice during the season

[THE J0KER]

Healthy Bucks are arguably 2nd best team in the East so the Pacers' 3-1 lead after today's OT win is good news and if the Celtics again do not reach the final we will again have an easy job in the eventual final.

[skywalker33]

Healthy Bucks are arguably 2nd best team in the East so the Pacers' 3-1 lead after today's OT win is good news and if the Celtics again do not reach the final we will again have an easy job in the eventual final.

Well Lillard tweaked his Achilles in their last game, really can't see them winning their series. The West is where the real dogfights are happening, all we need to do it take care of our own business, just like last year.

[Manolito]

MInnesota is the third best team this season after Denver and Boston. It is going to be a more complicated series than any from last year, a real challenge. Very deep team with huge size, Jokic with Gobert and Murray will McDanields will have their hands full, we need the best role players to overcome the series. Let's hope Home Court Advantage becomes crucial