Did the Cavs & Bucks tank to avoid 2nd seed?

[Luv those Knicks]

I've read some articles that say the Cavs and Bucks were happy to not get the 2nd seed. Granted, sitting starters on the last day isn't unheard of. I remember the Knicks resting Ewing on the last game of the season a few times.

But the 2nd seed plays (probably), Miami or Philly. Philly is a strong team when Embiid plays and Miami was a tough playoff team last year. Better in the playoffs than the regular season.

So 3rd seed - Indiana and 4th seed - Orlando, feels like an easier first round matchup.

Thoughts? Did Cleveland and Milwaukee deliberately avoid the #2 seed?

[Bob Ross]

Yes they are spineless cowards

[Iron Mantis]

Very obviously. Straight puss.

[KnicksGadfly]

I’ll say this - I think the Cavs, Bucks, Magic and Pacers are all very happy this morning.

[gavran]

Only the Cavs. The Bucks did what they are capable of.

[Davis18]

Philly wins but Embiid gets hurt just to miss 1st rd.
Bam & Jaquez wipe out KP & Tatum.
Knick beats Denver in finals.

[BKlutch]

Philly wins but Embiid gets hurt just to miss 1st rd.
Bam & Jaquez wipe out KP & Tatum.
Knick beats Denver in finals.

And when you wake up in the moring, the sky will be full of rainbows, unicorns, and cotton candy, with good growing off trees and there will be world peace forever.

We need to play to win. Playing to have a better first round opponent would have meant losing against Chicago, which would hurt this team. We're playing to win it all, so that means, if we get past the first round, we won't be playing with fear. A first round victory is not enough, we need to try to win it all. If we can't, we accept it was hard and come back next year with a power forward who can help push us past the finish line.

[Context]

good question...I'm not personally sure...

[Jalen Bluntson]

Benching stars in the final game/s is done for three reasons. Playoff seeding is set so...who cares? You are out of the playoffs and want a better pick. You want to avoid teams in the playoffs. Milwaukee seems like it's possible but, with the injury to Giannis, I might give them a slight pass but, pretty suspect. Cleveland flat out tanked.

We don't play that shyt. It's just the wrong mentality to have. Winners want all the smoke!! People who think it's a smart move, go hide with the Cavs and Bucks while the rest of us lock and load!! FOH!

[LookToShoot]

Cavs and Bucks both. But I wonder what excuse Doc will use for getting bounced in the second round by the Knicks.

[knicks94]

Yeah, of course they did. After the Mavs got away with it last season do any of these owners care if they get fined a couple of million dollars as a result of their teams tanking?

[NoDopeOnSundays]

The Cavs did but the Bucks just aren't good without Giannis, and most importantly the Pacers gave them a lot of trouble this season so I don't see why they'd actively want to play them.

[Clyde_Style]

The league is now overrun by gamblers and shaved pussies

[Luv those Knicks]

Yeah, of course they did. After the Mavs got away with it last season do any of these owners care if they get fined a couple of million dollars as a result of their teams tanking?

I don't think the Cavs and Bucks will get fined for maybe 2 losses at the end of the season.

What the Mavs did last year was over a lot more games and a lot more obvious.

[Jalen Bluntson]

The Cavs did but the Bucks just aren't good without Giannis, and most importantly the Pacers gave them a lot of trouble this season so I don't see why they'd actively want to play them.

Doc probably didn't think the Cavs would tank or, that the Hornets could beat them if they did. He was gunning for the 4 seed!

I agree CLE flat out tanked. They tanked IN game as well benching everyone in the 4th that was worth playing from what I heard.

[Besart19]

Yes they are spineless cowards

but in the 2nd round you have the homecourt advantage... so its good for us

[ctorres]

Yo, shoutout to the other two people besides me who are having a bad hair day!

[JXL]

I think the Cavs did, but tanking for an easier opponent in the 1st round is scared business. If you're not playing to win, you're a coward. I don't like when teams tank for a lower seed but a (presumably) easier opponent. They're going to get a rude awakening.

[Richard4444]

We lost our series against Indiana and Orlando and won our series against Miami and Philly. I am not sure if it would be wise to throw the game.

[mpharris36]

We lost our series against Indiana and Orlando and won our series against Miami and Philly. I am not sure if it would be wise to throw the game.

Philly and Miami have more playoff experience and more trusted talent (especially Philly with Embiid). However Indy especially plays a very up and down pace and space shoot a lot of 3's and high scoring offense. That isn't an ideal matchup for us scheme wise since we want our center in the paint...and Pacers basically try to have there bigs stretch the floor.

Orlando probably just because of there youth and experience would have been the best matchup but we aren't in the playoffs to just try and win one series. We got 50 wins and the #2 seed. I still think we should be favored to win our 2/7 matchup and then Indy could easily knock of MIL especially if Giannis isn't healthy and we play them in Round 2.