Game 80: 76ers vs Miami... Playoff preview?

phillynative · Post #41 » by **phillynative** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 1:18 am

Please get Harden off the floor

mjkvol · Post #42 » by **mjkvol** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 1:23 am

Melton left with a calf strain. Wonderful.

phillynative · Post #43 » by **phillynative** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 1:23 am

"When it's been the most important Embiid has struggled" let me guess vangundy endorses jokic for mvp

Post #44 » by **Stanford** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 1:27 am

Losers

phillynative · Post #45 » by **phillynative** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 1:38 am

Embiid is really going to have to have a historic herculean playoff performance to drag these scrub cast of misfits anywhere close to the finish line

Negrodamus · Post #46 » by **Negrodamus** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 1:44 am

Ben plays in the playoffs and beats us in the first round; would we just sell the franchise?

ExplosionsInDaSky · Post #47 » by **ExplosionsInDaSky** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 1:45 am

I said I didn't care, but receiving such a walloping at home just doesn't feel right at all. I don't know man, I think we need to just chill these last two games.

NYSixersFan · Post #48 » by **NYSixersFan** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 1:51 am

Nets in 6

Ferry Avenue · Post #49 » by **Ferry Avenue** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 1:53 am

More "NBA all-star game" defense. An obvious intentional night off for the Sixers.

If Doc Rivers won't rest the stars, they'll do it themselves.

phillynative · Post #50 » by **phillynative** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 1:58 am

Lol wtf I turn to the G-league game and their struggling to clean up the floor :banghead:

mjkvol · Post #51 » by **mjkvol** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 2:12 am

Guys, listen, I've felt all season that this is another 2nd round exit team, but let's not read too much into a game like this. This game is already forgotten, and I'd guess that the players would just fast forward to the playoffs if they could do it. The last three were always about nothing more than playing enough to stay sharp, and otherwise to be healthy and rested for next week.

76ciology · Post #52 » by **76ciology** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 2:36 am

Heat can beat the Celts in the first round.

Mik317 · Post #53 » by **Mik317** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 2:38 am

76ciology wrote:Heat can beat the Celts in the first round.

no they can't

their gimmick zone only bodies us and they don't have enough offense to keep up with the celts

76ciology · Post #54 » by **76ciology** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 2:45 am

Mik317 wrote:
76ciology wrote:Heat can beat the Celts in the first round.

no they can't

their gimmick zone only bodies us and they don't have enough offense to keep up with the celts

Their zone is not a gimmick.

Their zone allows them to play Herro or Dipo for long stretches. Which artificially impacts the game like a 3rd star because it hides him on defense. Celts third best scorer is Brogdon at 14ppg.

Heat then have 3 20ppg scorers in Jimmy (averaging 26 last 15games), Bam and Herro. With competent 2 way shooters like Vincent and Struss (both shooting 40% last 15 games)also dipo, lowry and martin. Which WILL get into close games in most games. Refs also play their part in this.

Then I’d take Jimmy and the Heat in crunch time than Tatum (i find him struggling this season) and the Celts.

They almost beat the Celts last season in the playoffs. They split their head to head this season, with Heat winning the last two.

Heat has turn it up lately. Top 5 offense with 119 ORtg the last 15 games. Top team in crunch time 8-2 last 10 with +48NetRtg.

ExplosionsInDaSky · Post #55 » by **ExplosionsInDaSky** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 3:11 am

I'm not sure where this belongs, but I'll just leave it here. This season has been fun, I think Joel wins the MVP this year. I think that will be our memory for years to come. However, I don't feel that this team is one that can get to the Finals at this point. I was optimistic after the break. We went on a tear, won some games, but we've come back down to earth hard over these last few weeks. It's disappointing because what I thought we were seeing was a team that had hit an entirely different level and was beginning to really peak. I definitely don't think that's the case at this point. This is going to be a second round exit at best for us. I think we can get out of the first round, but we're going to take a beating doing so. I think our best stuff will be all used up by the end of the first round.
This team is still a year away in my opinion. There were just a few things that didn't click for us this year and it has really seemed as though guys just haven't been able to entirely get on the same page. For example, when Harden and Maxey were out, both Melton and Milton played outstanding basketball for us. My thought at the time was like "holy $hit, we have two other guards on this team that can really play." Yet once Harden and Maxey returned, Shake especially just deteriorated over the next few months. A team destined for the Finals just doesn't have that type of falloff from guys. Shake would have still found a way to contribute from the bench despite Harden and Maxey returning. I could go on with all our guys...Harden, Embiid, Tobias (especially him), Niang, etc

These guys never fully gelled together over a consistent period of time. Our players have peaked and fell off at the wrong times throughout the entire season, and it's been the biggest issue. I think some of that falls back on Doc, and more of it comes down to the lack of mental focus. I watch Milwaukee play and they play with such fire on both ends of the floor. Boston, another team, just locked in on what needs to be done. We're there at times, but it's never been consistent like it is for those guys and we're just a half step behind them at the moment. I truly believe that next season will be our do or die year as far as this era concerned.

Already bracing myself for defeat.

ExplosionsInDaSky · Post #56 » by **ExplosionsInDaSky** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 3:13 am

76ciology wrote:
Mik317 wrote:
76ciology wrote:Heat can beat the Celts in the first round.

no they can't

their gimmick zone only bodies us and they don't have enough offense to keep up with the celts

Their zone is not a gimmick.

Their zone allows them to play Herro or Dipo for long stretches. Which artificially impacts the game like a 3rd star because it hides him on defense. Celts third best scorer is Brogdon at 14ppg.

Heat then have 3 20ppg scorers in Jimmy (averaging 26 last 15games), Bam and Herro. With competent 2 way shooters like Vincent and Struss (both shooting 40% last 15 games)also dipo, lowry and martin. Which WILL get into close games in most games. Refs also play their part in this.

Then I’d take Jimmy and the Heat in crunch time than Tatum (i find him struggling this season) and the Celts.

They almost beat the Celts last season in the playoffs. They split their head to head this season, with Heat winning the last two.

Heat has turn it up lately. Top 5 offense with 119 ORtg the last 15 games. Top team in crunch time 8-2 last 10 with +48NetRtg.

If you tell me that losing this game puts us at risk to face them instead of the Nets, that is something i’d agree though. That april 10 game against the Nets becomes near a must win game for us.

Assuming the Celtics play Miami in the first round, I don't give Miami much of a chance. Personally I think it's Celtics in five with Miami throwing their best punches in game one. The one player that Butler is missing on the Heat to beat the Celtics is Joel Embiid. We'll play them in the second round and the C's will smoke us. The one player we're missing that can help us beat Boston is Jimmy Butler.

76ciology · Post #57 » by **76ciology** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 3:16 am

ExplosionsInDaSky wrote:
76ciology wrote:
Mik317 wrote:no they can't

their gimmick zone only bodies us and they don't have enough offense to keep up with the celts

Their zone is not a gimmick.

Their zone allows them to play Herro or Dipo for long stretches. Which artificially impacts the game like a 3rd star because it hides him on defense. Celts third best scorer is Brogdon at 14ppg.

Heat then have 3 20ppg scorers in Jimmy (averaging 26 last 15games), Bam and Herro. With competent 2 way shooters like Vincent and Struss (both shooting 40% last 15 games)also dipo, lowry and martin. Which WILL get into close games in most games. Refs also play their part in this.

Then I’d take Jimmy and the Heat in crunch time than Tatum (i find him struggling this season) and the Celts.

They almost beat the Celts last season in the playoffs. They split their head to head this season, with Heat winning the last two.

Heat has turn it up lately. Top 5 offense with 119 ORtg the last 15 games. Top team in crunch time 8-2 last 10 with +48NetRtg.

If you tell me that losing this game puts us at risk to face them instead of the Nets, that is something i’d agree though. That april 10 game against the Nets becomes near a must win game for us.

Assuming the Celtics play Miami in the first round, I don't give Miami much of a chance. Personally I think it's Celtics in five with Miami throwing their best punches in game one.

For sure that can also happen. Celts is also no slouch. But I think its likely gonna be a closer series. And I think Heat is a way better team than most think, if you would remove the noise (garbage part of season/game and non-Heat vs Celts stats)

Heat is the kind of team you want to face in the third round. Atleast in the second round.

ExplosionsInDaSky · Post #58 » by **ExplosionsInDaSky** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 3:24 am

76ciology wrote:
ExplosionsInDaSky wrote:
76ciology wrote:
Their zone is not a gimmick.

Their zone allows them to play Herro or Dipo for long stretches. Which artificially impacts the game like a 3rd star because it hides him on defense. Celts third best scorer is Brogdon at 14ppg.

Heat then have 3 20ppg scorers in Jimmy (averaging 26 last 15games), Bam and Herro. With competent 2 way shooters like Vincent and Struss (both shooting 40% last 15 games)also dipo, lowry and martin. Which WILL get into close games in most games. Refs also play their part in this.

Then I’d take Jimmy and the Heat in crunch time than Tatum (i find him struggling this season) and the Celts.

They almost beat the Celts last season in the playoffs. They split their head to head this season, with Heat winning the last two.

Heat has turn it up lately. Top 5 offense with 119 ORtg the last 15 games. Top team in crunch time 8-2 last 10 with +48NetRtg.

If you tell me that losing this game puts us at risk to face them instead of the Nets, that is something i’d agree though. That april 10 game against the Nets becomes near a must win game for us.

Assuming the Celtics play Miami in the first round, I don't give Miami much of a chance. Personally I think it's Celtics in five with Miami throwing their best punches in game one.

For sure that can also happen. Celts is also no slouch. But I think its likely gonna be a closer series. And I think Heat is a way better team than most think, if you would remove the noise (garbage part of season/game and non-Heat vs Celts stats)

It's definitely hard to bet against Jimmy Butler. Miami has enough talent, they've underachieved this year for some reason. I just don't think they're going to suddenly put it together in the playoffs. They've had their issues defensively all year long, they lack depth, some of their guys have fallen off a bit. They just aren't as good as the names on that roster suggest. Lowry is a role player at this point in his career. Oladipo is a shell of his former self.

76ciology · Post #59 » by **76ciology** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 3:25 am

We’ve watched this team play the entire season. We know this team has taken their foot of the gas lately. And we know how good this team can play when locked in.

We also know how the playoff picture looks. We dont want to face the Heat as the second seed. heat is not a team you want to face in the first round. Second seed is a trap.

Hell, I wouldnt want to face the Raps or the Hawks with the first seed either. I’d rather face Dinwiddie and Mikal Bridges lead Nets than Trae Young or Siakam.

That said, we should have won this game. Anyway, we still have that Nets game like 3-4 days from now.

76ciology · Post #60 » by **76ciology** » Fri Apr 7, 2023 3:32 am

ExplosionsInDaSky wrote:
76ciology wrote:
ExplosionsInDaSky wrote:
Assuming the Celtics play Miami in the first round, I don't give Miami much of a chance. Personally I think it's Celtics in five with Miami throwing their best punches in game one.

For sure that can also happen. Celts is also no slouch. But I think its likely gonna be a closer series. And I think Heat is a way better team than most think, if you would remove the noise (garbage part of season/game and non-Heat vs Celts stats)

It's definitely hard to bet against Jimmy Butler. Miami has enough talent, they've underachieved this year for some reason. I just don't think they're going to suddenly put it together in the playoffs. They've had their issues defensively all year long, they lack depth, some of their guys have fallen off a bit. They just aren't as good as the names on that roster suggest. Lowry is a role player at this point in his career. Oladipo is a shell of his former self.

Heat is an old team. They can’t play their 90% all season.

They’re the top 4 team in the east, wearing a fringe playoff team clothing.

Their top 3 scorers is as good as the Celts scorers. Their complimentary players are close to as good as the Celts complimentary players.

They’re 26th in 3pt% for the season. But they’re 5th in 3pt% for the last 15 games, better than us in % and makes. They’re the best team in crunch time in their last 10 games.