Other Playoff Series

[sunsbg]

LOL Jazz really won't beat a Luka-less Mavs team. Last season they were 1st seed and pretty good team, but now are a complete joke.

i really want them to win the series though. the idea of playing against these Jazz in the second round...mmm

Sent from my SM-G781U using RealGM mobile app

Well, they took the lead at the half, but it's hard to see them advance if Luka plays in this series. Anyway, both teams should not cause any trouble to a true contender in 2nd round.

[bwgood77]

I think the Celtics/Nets and Grizzlies/TWolves will be most fun to watch. The former seems fairly evenly matched and the latter is just two kind of new fun teams.

Most of the others are more of the same. While the Jazz/Mavs will show our next opponent provided we advance, it's just not a real compelling series, nor is the Warriors/Nuggets without Murray or Porter. Bucks seem like they will crush the Bulls and the Heat should be able to handle the Hawks unless the Hawks get on fire. Sixers/Raptors could be interesting, but the Sixers are the most boring team to watch just going to the FT line time and again.

[sunsbg]

I wanted Wolves initially in 1st round, but they look good. Their best 3 players are probably better than Pels best 3. Then there is Beverley not trying to hurt you.

[matt131]

Being able to escape a Pat Bev injury is a really big deal. Dude is straight up looking to kill out there.

Also, I think this game shows that teams coming off the play in games may be a bit more ready to go than a team who sat for a full week. We need to come out with lots of energy and focus tomorrow.

[ATTL]

Edwards looks like a present and future star. A few years ago when our outlook wasnt looking clear and the rumors of kat, russ, and book warning to play together were sprouting up I thought Edwards+ was an option if book wanted out.

[matt131]

Minnesota really outshot memphis from 3, but the grizzlies still got 40 freaking free throw attempts. I wonder if we'll be able to crack 15 tomorrow.

As for Edwards, he is just physically massive. Much bigger than morant. Should be a fun series to watch.

[darealjuice]

Memphis and Minnesota is going to be a great series. Memphis is definitely the deeper team, but Minnesota has 2 of the 3 clear star-level players in the series. Minnesota matches up well with Memphis, Beverley is one of the best in the league at frustrating star guards while Memphis struggles with perimeter bigs like KAT.

I'm not sure if Memphis has an answer to KAT (assuming his ankle is alright). Adams can't handle his perimeter game, JJJ probably ends up in foul trouble trying to guard him all game, and Clarke can't handle him.

Series isn't over, but Minnesota is putting the league on notice. There's no reason that KAT and Ant can't be a big time duo with a well built roster around them.

[Revived]

I agree that the Grizz/Wolves series will probably be the best one in the first round.

Edwards really is a star and soon to be superstar in just few years. He has an NBA built body with elite athleticism and skill.

Watching that game though, it’s crazy how much they let Beverly get away with in terms of reaching. Literally any other player that tries to defend the way he does by hand checking and constantly reaching would be drawing fouls but he was putting his whole body on Brooks and Morant and had nothing called on him during those possessions.

The whole “offensive player has the right to go anywhere he wants on the court” rule just gets thrown out against him because of his reputation as a defender.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Utah's season narrative turned around quick.

[sunskerr]

Utah's season narrative turned around quick.

Was laughing at people who were picking Dallas even if Luka is out. Luka is literally the entire Mavs team, and the Jazz have the 3rd biggest margin of victory this year.

[Mulhollanddrive]

Golden State looking like an absolute machine at home, not sure they can be stopped before our matchup.

[Bogyo]

Wolves are a real bad playoff matchup for the young Grizz. Wolves in 6.

Sidenote: the Jazz-Mavs game was trash without Luka, but it is amazing how the refs can controll a game still. They kept the Mavs in it until the end by calls and non-calls. Nothing really blatant, and the Jazz are imploding, but they were clearly 10-15 points better than the Mavs without Luka and THJ... I wonder how the whistles gonna be for us tomorrow and I hope Zion does not make a surprise comeback - not becouse I fear him, but becouse I fear the refs and the NBA narrative.

[thamadkant]

I wanted Wolves initially in 1st round, but they look good. Their best 3 players are probably better than Pels best 3. Then there is Beverley not trying to hurt you.

Anthony Edwards is going to be a superstar next season. Wolves are the next team to rise, maybe with Pelicans also.

Beverly's impact to culture is huge.

[thamadkant]

Golden State looking like an absolute machine at home, not sure they can be stopped before our matchup.

Yup.

Suns struggle against Warriors. Payne and Booker both crap the bed against them, especially Payne, who becomes a turn over machine who doesn't know what to do. Booker becomes an inefficient chucker.

Only way is to abuse them inside, but Monty for some reason just doesn't get Ayton the plays inside the paint... given that Green guards him well, but if Green is occupied guarding someone deep under the post it means he's less involved with the perimeter defense... also wears him out.

[sunsbg]

MEM - MIN series just an advertisement of what's to come in next years. So much young talent on the Suns, Grizzlies, Wolves, then Pelicans, Mavs, Warriors, Nuggets. This series is just the start of some epic battles between these young teams.

[sunsbg]

Heat looking good. Only team I can see giving real trouble to the Bucks in the East. Good offense, good defense. Trae will probably shoot under 30% in this series. Deep as well.

[Saberestar]

Wow Irving....what a player.

[starbosa10]

What a series Nets/Celtics is going to be

[matt131]

lol oh my god Tatum with the world's most "right place right time" game winner i've ever seen (yes, I understand he cut, but still). Well, this vaults him into the "best player of all time and SOOOOOO much better than Booker" category. what a stupid way for Brooklyn to lose. taking game 1 would have been huge

[Saberestar]

Blake Griffin and LaMarcus Aldridge absolutely out of the rotation for the Nets.