Playoffs Game #1 Thread -- (Wiz vs Hawks) 4/16/17

[nate33]

The one thing that gives me a little concern is that I'm guessing Dwight Howard has "another gear". Howard's problem has always been consistency and motivation, which is generally much less of a problem in the playoffs. Howard is healthy and has quietly put together his best season in 6 years. He averages 16 points and 15 boards per 36 minutes with an ORtg of 115 and a DRtg of 100.

Fortunately, outside of Millsap, I think the rest of the Hawks are overachieving a bit. Tim Hardaway Jr. has had a nice run since the All Star break, but I'm hoping Playoff Beal will defend him well. Beal's DRtg in the playoffs has consistently been way better than his regular season defense. Schroder has been terrible against the Wizards all year (ORtg of 80). Bazemore and Sefolosha are role players who won't get easy looks in the playoffs.

Millsap will get his, but Morris defends him well and should at least contain him to ordinary production.

[J-Ves]

Maybe I'm a little overconfident but the Gortat vs Howard matchup doesn't scare me too much. What gets Gortat into trouble is his poor help defense (Morris sucks at help D too), but he seems to hold his own against opposing centers. And at the other big position Morris has generally held Millsap in check since coming here last year.

Looking past the starting front court the Wizards just seem to have more from my POV. Wall and Beal are a cut or two above the opposing backcourt. Porter, Bogey, Oubre, Morris, and even Jennings are all capable of going off in any given game. The offensive firepower is definitely in the Wiz' favor.


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[dlts20]

I think that the Hawks are making a mistake by keeping THJ and Prince in the starting lineup. I think Beal and Porter will be better anyways and now Atlantas bench won't be able to score since they have like all defensive players

[BaltDCSports]

Wizards vs. Hawks playoff predictions



FiveThirtyEight.com's NBA playoff forecast gives the Wizards a 76% chance of beating the Hawks tomorrow in Game 1.

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Other picks from NBA experts below ⬇️

http://thebaltimorewire.com/2017/04/14/nba-playoff-predictions-2017-washington-wizards-hawks/

[Mojo Amok]

Doom came for the Poultry and thy name was Popeye!

[Meliorus]

This is a 5 game series. What does Millsap average against Morris, 10 points? Dennis Schroeder is the worst starting point guard left in the playoffs aside from Brogdon. Smith can be used as a matchup nightmare for Howard, he doesn't/can't contest outside shots.

Slightly worried about Ellyasova, Hardaway Jr. (went toe to toe with Beal one game) and Dunleavy (we gave him way too many wide open 3's last meeting).

Howard is 9-6 against Gortat with averages of 31.5 minutes, 16.8 points (.560 FG%), 12.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks. Gortat averages 28.1 minutes, 8.8 points (.509 FG%), 9.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in those meetings.

[pineappleheadindc]

.

This game is where a Jason Smith high pick-and-pop offense would work well against the Hawks. Dwight does not like to stray from the rim on defense and making him defend someone who can hit the mid-range not only will pull him away from the basket for our drivers, but will also yield quality Js for our bigs or jump shooters if the big can make the extra pass.

Would like to see Jason playing the 5 in the 4th quarter, having conserved some fouls earlier in the game in case he has to hack-a-Dwight. Then, play Wall/Smith on the high pick-and-roll where Wall can either dive to the hoop off of the screen if Dwight tries to switch, drop off to Smith if Dwight lays off, or pass to a wing shooter if somebody tries to drop in and help.

Let's go Wizards!

[FAH1223]

Only thing that concerns me is our mediocre defense and the turnovers.

[Kanyewest]

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[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

This is a 5 game series. What does Millsap average against Morris, 10 points? Dennis Schroeder is the worst starting point guard left in the playoffs aside from Brogdon. Smith can be used as a matchup nightmare for Howard, he doesn't/can't contest outside shots.

Slightly worried about Ellyasova, Hardaway Jr. (went toe to toe with Beal one game) and Dunleavy (we gave him way too many wide open 3's last meeting).

Howard is 9-6 against Gortat with averages of 31.5 minutes, 16.8 points (.560 FG%), 12.5 rebounds, and 1.5 blocks. Gortat averages 28.1 minutes, 8.8 points (.509 FG%), 9.1 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks in those meetings.

So much for Wizard in 7.

[Mojo Amok]

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There's frustrating elements about Kief, but you gotta love that!

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

It's building. Let's goooooooooooooooo!!!!

[Chocolate City Jordanaire]

Finally, so called ESPN experts are siding with us.
http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/19146280/2017-nba-playoffs-eastern-conference-predictions-first-round

Not sure many of them would pick us in the 2nd round and ECF (I know!), but proving them wrong is a beauty of being underdog, I guess.

Well I know that Frank Isola and Mitchell (drawing a blank on his last name) picked the Hawks

Sam Mitchell? Mitchell Butler?

[pineappleheadindc]

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This gets me more excited than AFM testing out a crowded Turkish bath.

[JWizmentality]

Considering going to this last minute. Where can I get the cheapest tickets?

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[The Fax]

I have 100% faith that #2 is going to tear them apart. Let's go!!

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[Krusheasy]

LETS GET HYPE

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[ducler]

[long suffrin' boulez fan]

Bring on the trolls... that is if anyone in Atlanta actually cares about the Honks.

[montestewart]

Bring on the trolls... that is if anyone in Atlanta actually cares about the Honks.

Only one, he's got some Atlantan in him. And I don't say that in a bad way other than...