theBigLip's Annual Playoff Predictor 2019

[DetroitPistons]

If we got Indy in the first round then Pistons better be happy as ****. They are on our level now after injuries and it would feel like the goin to work gritty rivalry in the playoffs to really start bringing in some fans.

I would love IND in the first round. I think we would beat them or at least take them 6 or 7 games. Unfortunately, IND has a decent amount of tough games left on their schedule and I just don't think they will hold onto the 3rd seed. Hopefully I'm wrong. If we can't get IND in the first round I would want the Celtics to jump up to that 3rd seed. They are vulnerable and have underachieved in the playoffs the last couple years.

[vege]

If we got Indy in the first round then Pistons better be happy as ****. They are on our level now after injuries and it would feel like the goin to work gritty rivalry in the playoffs to really start bringing in some fans.

I would love IND in the first round. I think we would beat them or at least take them 6 or 7 games. Unfortunately, IND has a decent amount of tough games left on their schedule and I just don't think they will hold onto the 3rd seed. Hopefully I'm wrong. If we can't get IND in the first round I would want the Celtics to jump up to that 3rd seed. They are vulnerable and have underachieved in the playoffs the last couple years.

Weird, you consider losing in the Conference finals in 7 games against a top 5 player of all time playing probably the best season of his life (LeBron carried that awful Cavs team hard last season) without 2 of their 3 all stars (Hayward and Kyrie were all stars the season before) underachieving?

The only teams I don't think we have any chance at all in the playoffs are Milwaukee (Lopez destroys Drummond, Bud is easily the coach of the year this season, and Giannis is a top 3 player and I'm sure I would be furious after Middleton drops 30+ on us in the playoffs) and obviously Philly because Embiid is a great player and Drummond is (Please Use More Appropriate Word), If we had a different center I would be fine with us playing Philly tho, they're nothing special, but sadly against them we play 4x6.

[DetroitPistons]

If we got Indy in the first round then Pistons better be happy as ****. They are on our level now after injuries and it would feel like the goin to work gritty rivalry in the playoffs to really start bringing in some fans.

I would love IND in the first round. I think we would beat them or at least take them 6 or 7 games. Unfortunately, IND has a decent amount of tough games left on their schedule and I just don't think they will hold onto the 3rd seed. Hopefully I'm wrong. If we can't get IND in the first round I would want the Celtics to jump up to that 3rd seed. They are vulnerable and have underachieved in the playoffs the last couple years.

Weird, you consider losing in the Conference finals in 7 games against a top 5 player of all time playing probably the best season of his life (LeBron carried that awful Cavs team hard last season) without 2 of their 3 all stars (Hayward and Kyrie were all stars the season before) underachieving?

The only teams I don't think we have any chance at all in the playoffs are Milwaukee (Lopez destroys Drummond, Bud is easily the coach of the year this season, and Giannis is a top 3 player and I'm sure I would be furious after Middleton drops 30+ on us in the playoffs) and obviously Philly because Embiid is a great player and Drummond is (Please Use More Appropriate Word), If we had a different center I would be fine with us playing Philly tho, they're nothing special, but sadly against them we play 4x6.

It took BOS 7 games to beat the 7th seeded crap Bucks in the first round last year and lost in 7 games to one of the worst finals teams of all time. The fact that Lebron had to carry that awful team as you admitted supports my point. The East was simply straight trash last year. It's fair to point out BOS was shorthanded last year though. However, even at full health this year they have actually massively underachieved even in the regular season. They have had some really bad headscratching stretches and are currently sitting at 5th after virtually everyone (myself included) had them as the clear cut number 1 seed in the East.

I agree with your second paragraph though. I want no part of MIL or PHI. TOR would probably stomp us too but they have less star power and Casey obviously knows their team very well. I wouldn't hate a 2 vs 7 matchup between TOR and us but it wouldn't be ideal.

[bstein14]

With the talent Philly added during the trade deadline, they for sure should move up to the third seed. I'd be shocked if they stayed in the four/five matchup with Boston.

If we're the 6th seed, I'd say there is an 80% chance we're playing Philly.

[vege]

I would love IND in the first round. I think we would beat them or at least take them 6 or 7 games. Unfortunately, IND has a decent amount of tough games left on their schedule and I just don't think they will hold onto the 3rd seed. Hopefully I'm wrong. If we can't get IND in the first round I would want the Celtics to jump up to that 3rd seed. They are vulnerable and have underachieved in the playoffs the last couple years.

Weird, you consider losing in the Conference finals in 7 games against a top 5 player of all time playing probably the best season of his life (LeBron carried that awful Cavs team hard last season) without 2 of their 3 all stars (Hayward and Kyrie were all stars the season before) underachieving?

The only teams I don't think we have any chance at all in the playoffs are Milwaukee (Lopez destroys Drummond, Bud is easily the coach of the year this season, and Giannis is a top 3 player and I'm sure I would be furious after Middleton drops 30+ on us in the playoffs) and obviously Philly because Embiid is a great player and Drummond is (Please Use More Appropriate Word), If we had a different center I would be fine with us playing Philly tho, they're nothing special, but sadly against them we play 4x6.

It took BOS 7 games to beat the 7th seeded crap Bucks in the first round last year and lost in 7 games to one of the worst finals teams of all time. The fact that Lebron had to carry that awful team as you admitted supports my point. The East was simply straight trash last year. It's fair to point out BOS was shorthanded last year though. However, even at full health this year they have actually massively underachieved even in the regular season. They have had some really bad headscratching stretches and are currently sitting at 5th after virtually everyone (myself included) had them as the clear cut number 1 seed in the East.

I agree with your second paragraph though. I want no part of MIL or PHI. TOR would probably stomp us too but they have less star power and Casey obviously knows their team very well. I wouldn't hate a 2 vs 7 matchup between TOR and us but it wouldn't be ideal.

Boston has been bad this season, expetations were a lot higher for them, but they overachieved last 2 seasons especially during the playoffs. Brad Stevens did a hell of a job, but yeah, this season something happened, probably ego stuff, since there are too many players who deserve touches.

[bstein14]

The #1 reason we could beat Boston would be because Kyrie is halfway out the door and there has been a lack of cohesion, perhaps in part due to the rumor that everyone is available in a trade for Anthony Davis. Chemistry and cohesion are both big factors going into a playoff series.

[tmorgan]

We'd have a good chance to beat Indy, a small chance to beat Boston, and almost no chance against Toronto or Philly or Milwaukee. That's just how it is.

[DetroitPistons]

The #1 reason we could beat Boston would be because Kyrie is halfway out the door and there has been a lack of cohesion, perhaps in part due to the rumor that everyone is available in a trade for Anthony Davis. Chemistry and cohesion are both big factors going into a playoff series.

This is definitely a factor too. If Irving is indeed leaving then I wouldn't be shocked if he doesn't quite give it his all against the elite teams in the playoffs. It's a lot easier to justify leaving if you lose in the first round then if you make it to the finals.

[BadMofoPimp]

With the talent Philly added during the trade deadline, they for sure should move up to the third seed. I'd be shocked if they stayed in the four/five matchup with Boston.

If we're the 6th seed, I'd say there is an 80% chance we're playing Philly.

All dependent on Embiids health. Without him, they are a .500 team.

[theBigLip]

Update after this weekend. Pistons get a big win against Toronto and Orlando loses to the Cavs! We should get #6 if we can keep playing like this.

Team (Predicted W-L) (Remaining W-L)
6. Detroit (41-41) (10-10)
7. Orlando (39-43) (9-8)
8. Brooklyn (37-45) (5-12)
9. Charlotte (36-46) (7-12)
9. Miami (36-46) (8-12)

[topsearch92]

Update after this weekend. Pistons get a big win against Toronto and Orlando loses to the Cavs! We should get #6 if we can keep playing like this.

Team (Predicted W-L) (Remaining W-L)
6. Detroit (41-41) (10-10)
7. Orlando (39-43) (9-8)
8. Brooklyn (37-45) (5-12)
9. Charlotte (36-46) (7-12)
9. Miami (36-46) (8-12)

I like the way this turns out. Nice to see Detroit back in the playoffs. Positive momentum and all. And the new faces of Orlando and Brooklyn are nice too especially considering their front office blunders of the past.

[theBigLip]

ESPN's predictor page w predicted record and % likelihood of getting into the playoffs

DET 41-41 93.5%
BKN 38-44 68.0%
ORL 38-44 60.9%
MIA 37-45 36.1%
CHA 36-46 31.8%

[vege]

ESPN's predictor page w predicted record and % likelihood of getting into the playoffs

DET 41-41 93.5%
BKN 38-44 68.0%
ORL 38-44 60.9%
MIA 37-45 36.1%
CHA 36-46 31.8%

They should hire you. Your numbers are close to theirs lol

[zeebneeb]

Update after this weekend. Pistons get a big win against Toronto and Orlando loses to the Cavs! We should get #6 if we can keep playing like this.

Team (Predicted W-L) (Remaining W-L)
6. Detroit (41-41) (10-10)
7. Orlando (39-43) (9-8)
8. Brooklyn (37-45) (5-12)
9. Charlotte (36-46) (7-12)
9. Miami (36-46) (8-12)

I like the way this turns out. Nice to see Detroit back in the playoffs. Positive momentum and all. And the new faces of Orlando and Brooklyn are nice too especially considering their front office blunders of the past.

Orlando is not a good team, and losing to even worse teams after beating good ones is a bad sign, and I dont expect them to make the playoffs. Brooklyn has the most brutal damn schedule I've seen in a long time for a team trying to make the playoffs.

I'm not sure who makes it but Orlando and Brooklyn are gonna have a tough time.

[theBigLip]

Update after this weekend. Pistons get a big win against Toronto and Orlando loses to the Cavs! We should get #6 if we can keep playing like this.

Team (Predicted W-L) (Remaining W-L)
6. Detroit (41-41) (10-10)
7. Orlando (39-43) (9-8)
8. Brooklyn (37-45) (5-12)
9. Charlotte (36-46) (7-12)
9. Miami (36-46) (8-12)

I like the way this turns out. Nice to see Detroit back in the playoffs. Positive momentum and all. And the new faces of Orlando and Brooklyn are nice too especially considering their front office blunders of the past.

Orlando is not a good team, and losing to even worse teams after beating good ones is a bad sign, and I dont expect them to make the playoffs. Brooklyn has the most brutal damn schedule I've seen in a long time for a team trying to make the playoffs.

I'm not sure who makes it but Orlando and Brooklyn are gonna have a tough time.

I totally agree on the Brooklyn schedule. Insanely brutal. 12 game losing streak is possible (but not likely)

Mon, Mar 4 vs Dallas Win 33 33
Wed, Mar 6 vs Cleveland Win 34 33
Sat, Mar 9 at Atlanta Win 35 33
Mon, Mar 11 vs Detroit Win 36 33
Wed, Mar 13 at Oklahoma City Loss 36 34
Sat, Mar 16 at Utah Loss 36 35
Sun, Mar 17 at LA Clippers Loss 36 36
Tue, Mar 19 at Sacramento Loss 36 37
Fri, Mar 22 at LA Lakers Loss 36 38
Mon, Mar 25 at Portland Loss 36 39
Thu, Mar 28 at Philadelphia Loss 36 40
Sat, Mar 30 vs Boston Loss 36 41
Mon, Apr 1 vs Milwaukee Loss 36 42
Wed, Apr 3 vs Toronto Loss 36 43
Sat, Apr 6 at Milwaukee Loss 36 44
Sun, Apr 7 at Indiana Loss 36 45
Wed, Apr 10 vs Miami Win 37 45

[BadMofoPimp]

I like the way this turns out. Nice to see Detroit back in the playoffs. Positive momentum and all. And the new faces of Orlando and Brooklyn are nice too especially considering their front office blunders of the past.

Orlando is not a good team, and losing to even worse teams after beating good ones is a bad sign, and I dont expect them to make the playoffs. Brooklyn has the most brutal damn schedule I've seen in a long time for a team trying to make the playoffs.

I'm not sure who makes it but Orlando and Brooklyn are gonna have a tough time.

I totally agree on the Brooklyn schedule. Insanely brutal. 12 game losing streak is possible (but not likely)

Mon, Mar 4 vs Dallas Win 33 33
Wed, Mar 6 vs Cleveland Win 34 33
Sat, Mar 9 at Atlanta Win 35 33
Mon, Mar 11 vs Detroit Win 36 33
Wed, Mar 13 at Oklahoma City Loss 36 34
Sat, Mar 16 at Utah Loss 36 35
Sun, Mar 17 at LA Clippers Loss 36 36
Tue, Mar 19 at Sacramento Loss 36 37
Fri, Mar 22 at LA Lakers Loss 36 38
Mon, Mar 25 at Portland Loss 36 39
Thu, Mar 28 at Philadelphia Loss 36 40
Sat, Mar 30 vs Boston Loss 36 41
Mon, Apr 1 vs Milwaukee Loss 36 42
Wed, Apr 3 vs Toronto Loss 36 43
Sat, Apr 6 at Milwaukee Loss 36 44
Sun, Apr 7 at Indiana Loss 36 45
Wed, Apr 10 vs Miami Win 37 45

I bet the Nets squeek out 3 wins during that stretch in red.

[Snakebites]

Orlando is not a good team, and losing to even worse teams after beating good ones is a bad sign, and I dont expect them to make the playoffs. Brooklyn has the most brutal damn schedule I've seen in a long time for a team trying to make the playoffs.

I'm not sure who makes it but Orlando and Brooklyn are gonna have a tough time.

I totally agree on the Brooklyn schedule. Insanely brutal. 12 game losing streak is possible (but not likely)

Mon, Mar 4 vs Dallas Win 33 33
Wed, Mar 6 vs Cleveland Win 34 33
Sat, Mar 9 at Atlanta Win 35 33
Mon, Mar 11 vs Detroit Win 36 33
Wed, Mar 13 at Oklahoma City Loss 36 34
Sat, Mar 16 at Utah Loss 36 35
Sun, Mar 17 at LA Clippers Loss 36 36
Tue, Mar 19 at Sacramento Loss 36 37
Fri, Mar 22 at LA Lakers Loss 36 38
Mon, Mar 25 at Portland Loss 36 39
Thu, Mar 28 at Philadelphia Loss 36 40
Sat, Mar 30 vs Boston Loss 36 41
Mon, Apr 1 vs Milwaukee Loss 36 42
Wed, Apr 3 vs Toronto Loss 36 43
Sat, Apr 6 at Milwaukee Loss 36 44
Sun, Apr 7 at Indiana Loss 36 45
Wed, Apr 10 vs Miami Win 37 45

I bet the Nets squeek out 3 wins during that stretch in red.

Yeah, they're not going to lose all of those games.

The important headline here is that it's a harder schedule than we have, giving us the upper hand here. It's definitely very important to know how many of those teams are actually going to have something to play for by the time the Nets get to them.

We need to take that game from them on the 11th, it's importance can't be overstated.

Meanwhile, the Pacers play Milwaukee today at Milwaukee. They're 10 point underdogs. Here's hoping they somehow beat those odds.

[bstein14]

The fact that we are on a back to back and they started a 7 game road trip right after makes me think we'll lose that game to Brooklyn next week. It's incredibly important for them with the schedule they have coming up.

[theBigLip]

Nice loss for Orlando today. We got Brooklyn and Miami this week, a good opportunity to solidify our #6 seed. And there is no way Brooklyn is going 2-12 down the stretch, but they will not be favored in any of those 12.

The latest...

Team (Predicted W-L) (Remaining W-L)
6. Detroit (41-41) (7-10)
7. Orlando (38-44) (7-7)
8. Brooklyn (37-45) (2-12)
8. Miami (37-45) (6-10)
10. Charlotte (35-47) (5-11)

[GreekAlex]

Nice loss for Orlando today. We got Brooklyn and Miami this week, a good opportunity to solidify our #6 seed. And there is no way Brooklyn is going 2-12 down the stretch, but they will not be favored in any of those 12.

The latest...

Team (Predicted W-L) (Remaining W-L)
6. Detroit (41-41) (7-10)
7. Orlando (38-44) (7-7)
8. Brooklyn (37-45) (2-12)
8. Miami (37-45) (6-10)
10. Charlotte (35-47) (5-11)

Barring injury, I see the Pistons going 10-7 the rest of the way.

I don’t think 44-38 is unrealistic at this point.