2025 NBA PLAYOFFS West Semifinals: #6 Minnesota Timberwolves vs #7 Golden State Warriors (GSW leads 1-0)

[The High Cyde]

Rudy is about to serve Draymond and GS a plate of freedom fries, and I’m here for it

[thinktank]

Warriors will have a MUCH easier time vs the Wolves. Aside from Ant, their athleticism is only strength and vertical.. the Rockets athleticism was lateral speed, strength and vertical.. the Warriors offense is tailored for a Minn style lineup vs a Rockets style lineup. Dubs vs OKC will go 7. OKC is part Houston, part Minn.

Lakers are locked into 3rd with easy matchups remaining

You were already wrong once so…

[KO7]

I just don’t see the Warriors winning more than 1 game. Ant is going to make (current) Amen and Jalen look like high schoolers in comparison, Rudy will have a feast on the boards, and Randle will be a major problem down low. Conley will calm things down better than FVV did, and Divicenzo will neutralize Podziemski. McDaniels will have Steph in heck too.

I’m going with Wolves in 5, but wouldn’t be surprised at a sweep.

[Dan33185]

I'm saying Wolves in 6, Ant seems to be on a whole other level right now, and I feel better about this team than last years, mostly because we are probably the deepest team left in the playoffs. But, if Curry gets hot for a few games, it could easily be Warriors in 6.

[cupcakesnake]

Warriors will have a MUCH easier time vs the Wolves. Aside from Ant, their athleticism is only strength and vertical.. the Rockets athleticism was lateral speed, strength and vertical.. the Warriors offense is tailored for a Minn style lineup vs a Rockets style lineup. Dubs vs OKC will go 7. OKC is part Houston, part Minn.

I don't agree with this scouting report at all.
The Wolves have just as many BIG perimeter defenders: Jaden, NAW, Ant (and they can dust off Jaylen Clark or TSJ if they needed them for some reason). One of our main defensive strengths over 2 seasons has been ball pressure. Behind that ball pressure we have better rim protection. We don't have Amen Thompson, but Ant is a shot blocking athlete and Jaden is 6'10" and one of the very best ball hawks in the league. What specifically do you see Houston having that the Wolves don't, defensively?

I think the Rockets and Wolves are similar, except the Wolves can actually play some offense. We don't have the same offensive rebounding super power, but we have a super functional offense.
The main tools we have that the Rockets didn't are:
- Elite 3-point shooting. Top 5 in attempts and efficiency. If you want to pack the paint, we're excited to shoot open threes.
- We're not 3-point reliant. While we're willing to bomb 3s, our identity is a driving team. We shot poorly from 3 against the Lakers and still murdered them.
- An all-star scorer that can break down the defense and score at 3 levels. Ant is going to be a more complicated problem for the Warriors than Sengun (or Jalen Green?) was. Ant can shoot pull up 3s, so you have to pressure the ball. Ant can drive, and the Warriors are small and thin on the perimeter (who is even going to be Ant's primary defender?). The Warriors have Draymond, who's a better rim protector than anyone on the Lakers, but they're still a tiny team of shorties going up against an athletic guard and a frontcourt where all 3 players are taller than the Warriors tallest starter.

The size is a bit crazy in this one. Draymond is bigger than his height (only 6'5.75" but with a 7'1" wingspan), which gives him similar dimension to Julius Randle (6'7.75 with a 7'0" winspan). The problem is, Julius is the Wolves 3rd tallest starter. Jaden is 6'9" with a 6'11" winspan, while Rudy is 7'1" with a 7'8" winspan. Butler is a quarter inch taller than Draymond (still shorter than Randle), but only has a 6'7.5" winspan. There's no relief in the backccourt where Curry and Podz have to match up against Ant/NAW/DDV. Conley is the only smaller player.

The Warriors have a problem where they can't put size on the floor without losing all spacing. Since Dray/Jimmy are already undersized and can't shoot, Quentin Post is the only viable way to size up in the frontcourt. They'd love to be able to play more Looney, but it too often means 3 non-shooters on the court. The Wolves play constant 2-big lineups without being short on spacing or matchup versatility.

The Warriors are better defensively than the Lakers, but even smaller and more vulnerable on the boards. We just watched them go to 7 games because Houston could simply grab 31% of their own misses.

Can you explain what about the Warriors is "tailored for a Minn style lineup"? To me, the Wolves come into this series with glaring advantages, and the Warriors will need to be crafty to make this a series.

We'll check back in a few weeks. The rim protection for the Wolves isnt useful vs a team that doesnt need layups. Rudy will get played off the floor and then the rim protection is gone and youre going to have bigger, slower players vs smaller, quicker ones. Jimmy with no Gobert is going to park at the rim and not move. Its an awful matchup for the wolves, as were the Rockets actually.

On offense, the Warriors will force Randle to be the focal point as he is inclined to turn the ball over, let Ant get his with some difficulty and play tough on the other contributors. A much better offense than the Rockets but an inexperienced one aside from Conley who may be really important for their teams offensive cohesion this series.

That's an overly simplistic view of rim protection. The point of Rudy isn't simply to stop dunks and layups. He's stops good shots all over the floor. I don't know if you watched the Laker series, but all the Lakers constantly tried to attack Rudy and failed miserably. He's simply a very tall obstacle who moves around well enough to be a problem in every kind of play stype. Rudy Gobert has never been played off the floor defensively. That a thoroughly debunked idea. He can be neutralized offensively, and the Wolves like the offensive firepower of the Naz/Randle frontcourts, so if Rudy isn't providing enough positive impact, we aren't reliant on him as much this year.

The Wolves aren't that slow, so the Warriors are more smaller than they are quicker. Where do you see the Warriors having a quickness advantage? The statement you made about Jimmy "parking at the rim" seems insane. The guy is smaller than almost everyone will defend him. He plays the 4/5 for the Warriors. He's going to be guarded exclusively by big 6'8"+ guys. Jimmy is strong and crafty and just plain good, but he's not going to be physically overwhelming unless he can magically draw Conley 20x per game.

Julius Randle hasn't been turnover prone in his role in the Wolves offense. This talking point seems 1-2 years out of date, unless he regresses somehow.

Anything can happen on a basketball court, but we don't know what "will" happen, and you keep using that word. You're describing what the Warriors will probably try to accomplish, which is always useful and fun at the outset of a series. Both teams will try things and fail or succeed at them. All we can do as fan analysts is try to project potential advantages and disadvantages. I don't know the Wolves will win, I just describe the possibilities I can see. That's all any of us can do.

It's fine being optimistic about how Golden State could execute a game plan. You aren't acknowledging some obvious advantages on the other side.

[TravisScott55]

I'm going Wolves in 7

[Klomp]

The Warriors have a problem where they can't put size on the floor without losing all spacing. Since Dray/Jimmy are already undersized and can't shoot, Quentin Post is the only viable way to size up in the frontcourt. They'd love to be able to play more Looney, but it too often means 3 non-shooters on the court. The Wolves play constant 2-big lineups without being short on spacing or matchup versatility.

The Warriors are better defensively than the Lakers, but even smaller and more vulnerable on the boards. We just watched them go to 7 games because Houston could simply grab 31% of their own misses.

Can you explain what about the Warriors is "tailored for a Minn style lineup"? To me, the Wolves come into this series with glaring advantages, and the Warriors will need to be crafty to make this a series.

I think this is a great breakdown of the predicament Golden State is in. It actually speaks to how much better the Timberwolves roster is positioned compared to last season, as well, especially wen you look at it in comparison to the Warriors.

Last year, Minnesota had only one way to play. If a team had a counter for Minnesota's size and physicality, the team crumbled. This was the key to why the Mavs frontcourt had so much success against Minnesota. They were able to counter and overpower Minnesota's size. While it somewhat caried over to the first half of the regular season as the roster adjusted to itself, this is why the roster moves Minnesota made were so critical once we get here to the playoffs. You have to be able to switch up the way you play over a 7-game series, or an opponent will eat you alive. Just ask the Lakers last round.

The Warriors might have a second way they can play, but it largely neuters the main advantage of the first lineup. Over the offseason, it was a goal for Minnesota to add players who can break the paint. Even if they're not all in the rotation right now, Randle, DiVincenzo, Dillingham and Shannon can all break the paint (a Finch buzzword) on drives. When the paint is broken, it shifts the defense and frees up shooters and/or creates secondary driving lanes for the rest of the guys on the court. Manipulating the defense also frees up Gobert inside for putbacks and dunker spot dump-offs.

We also have another situation where I'd argue Minnesota has a healthy depth advantage. If you want to call Steph the best player in the series, fine. But Minnesota probably has 7 of the next 9 best players if ranking them together, giving the Warriors Green and Hield somewhere in that mix. Add to that the inherent rest advantage, with the aged Golden State coming off a drawn out, physical series.

[Hitachi77]

Suns were favored against the Wolves last year?

Yes, Suns were the favorites per Vegas...Suns swept Wolves in RS last year (4-0) & had KD whereas there were lot of questions on how the Wolves team would fare in postseason..especially after Suns blew them out during last game of RS

I didn't remember the odds, but I remember the Suns being the trendy pick. Last game of the regular season they beat us by 20, and everyone acted like Bradley Beal was guaranteed to shoot 6-6 from 3 against us every game of the series. They felt like they always simply shot really well against us.

People were lukewarm on the Wolves (young, unproven despite a great season), and no one was too down on the Suns yet. Lots of people talked about their midrange jumper heavy offense would mess with the Wolves defensive scheme.

That’s why the Wolves are so hard to predict. As an underdog they have been great. Very impressive vs the Suns/Nuggets/Lakers and they probably should have won that Grizzlies series as well. Then as a favorite they got trounced by the Mavs in 5. Don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it.

[Beethoven]

I respect the Wolves. Hope they demolish and exterminate curry and the warriors.

[Upperclass]

Warriors will have a MUCH easier time vs the Wolves. Aside from Ant, their athleticism is only strength and vertical.. the Rockets athleticism was lateral speed, strength and vertical.. the Warriors offense is tailored for a Minn style lineup vs a Rockets style lineup. Dubs vs OKC will go 7. OKC is part Houston, part Minn.

Lakers are locked into 3rd with easy matchups remaining

You were already wrong once so…

That had to do with pre-playoff seeding. I did think the Lakers would win due to certain factors.. but I discounted how awful a coach Redick is currently.

[life_saver]

Yes, Suns were the favorites per Vegas...Suns swept Wolves in RS last year (4-0) & had KD whereas there were lot of questions on how the Wolves team would fare in postseason..especially after Suns blew them out during last game of RS

I didn't remember the odds, but I remember the Suns being the trendy pick. Last game of the regular season they beat us by 20, and everyone acted like Bradley Beal was guaranteed to shoot 6-6 from 3 against us every game of the series. They felt like they always simply shot really well against us.

People were lukewarm on the Wolves (young, unproven despite a great season), and no one was too down on the Suns yet. Lots of people talked about their midrange jumper heavy offense would mess with the Wolves defensive scheme.

That’s why the Wolves are so hard to predict. As an underdog they have been great. Very impressive vs the Suns/Nuggets/Lakers and they probably should have won that Grizzlies series as well. Then as a favorite they got trounced by the Mavs in 5. Don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it.

I mean it was just 1 series where they were the favorite...not much of a sample size to go with

[DB23]

The Warriors have a problem where they can't put size on the floor without losing all spacing. Since Dray/Jimmy are already undersized and can't shoot, Quentin Post is the only viable way to size up in the frontcourt. They'd love to be able to play more Looney, but it too often means 3 non-shooters on the court. The Wolves play constant 2-big lineups without being short on spacing or matchup versatility.

The Warriors are better defensively than the Lakers, but even smaller and more vulnerable on the boards. We just watched them go to 7 games because Houston could simply grab 31% of their own misses.

Can you explain what about the Warriors is "tailored for a Minn style lineup"? To me, the Wolves come into this series with glaring advantages, and the Warriors will need to be crafty to make this a series.

I think this is a great breakdown of the predicament Golden State is in. It actually speaks to how much better the Timberwolves roster is positioned compared to last season, as well, especially wen you look at it in comparison to the Warriors.

Last year, Minnesota had only one way to play. If a team had a counter for Minnesota's size and physicality, the team crumbled. This was the key to why the Mavs frontcourt had so much success against Minnesota. They were able to counter and overpower Minnesota's size. While it somewhat caried over to the first half of the regular season as the roster adjusted to itself, this is why the roster moves Minnesota made were so critical once we get here to the playoffs. You have to be able to switch up the way you play over a 7-game series, or an opponent will eat you alive. Just ask the Lakers last round.

The Warriors might have a second way they can play, but it largely neuters the main advantage of the first lineup. Over the offseason, it was a goal for Minnesota to add players who can break the paint. Even if they're not all in the rotation right now, Randle, DiVincenzo, Dillingham and Shannon can all break the paint (a Finch buzzword) on drives. When the paint is broken, it shifts the defense and frees up shooters and/or creates secondary driving lanes for the rest of the guys on the court. Manipulating the defense also frees up Gobert inside for putbacks and dunker spot dump-offs.

We also have another situation where I'd argue Minnesota has a healthy depth advantage. If you want to call Steph the best player in the series, fine. But Minnesota probably has 7 of the next 9 best players if ranking them together, giving the Warriors Green and Hield somewhere in that mix. Add to that the inherent rest advantage, with the aged Golden State coming off a drawn out, physical series.

As a warriors fan, it wouldn’t suprise me if they lose in 5 or win in 6. Too many variables that are unknown but some food for thought from the dubs perspective…

1. They won’t play big unless forced to. I’d guess that Kerr would prefer gobert on the court to Reid. The size difference is overrated when your seven footer can’t catch or post up. Dubs will hope dray makes the right reads and can lockup the interior. Honestly I’m more scared of the spacing nas Reid brings
2. We need dray to flat out outplay Randle
3. We are a far far better defensive team than the lakers
4. We will be hoping we have a coaching edge with Kerr
5. You have some great defenders but curry is a unique challenge, not sure you are prepared to hold and wrestle as much as the rockets
6. We need jimmy to step it up a notch

Overall, the lack of rest concerns me but I do think we matchup pretty well with the wolves. At least better than either team on the other side of the draw hah. wouldn’t shock me at all if you are just more young, athletic and rested to overcome but Kerr is pretty good at making in series adjustments so my best bet is that it goes 7.

[ShootersShoot]

So who is guarding Ant?

Buddy hield

[Klomp]

The Warriors have a problem where they can't put size on the floor without losing all spacing. Since Dray/Jimmy are already undersized and can't shoot, Quentin Post is the only viable way to size up in the frontcourt. They'd love to be able to play more Looney, but it too often means 3 non-shooters on the court. The Wolves play constant 2-big lineups without being short on spacing or matchup versatility.

The Warriors are better defensively than the Lakers, but even smaller and more vulnerable on the boards. We just watched them go to 7 games because Houston could simply grab 31% of their own misses.

Can you explain what about the Warriors is "tailored for a Minn style lineup"? To me, the Wolves come into this series with glaring advantages, and the Warriors will need to be crafty to make this a series.

I think this is a great breakdown of the predicament Golden State is in. It actually speaks to how much better the Timberwolves roster is positioned compared to last season, as well, especially wen you look at it in comparison to the Warriors.

Last year, Minnesota had only one way to play. If a team had a counter for Minnesota's size and physicality, the team crumbled. This was the key to why the Mavs frontcourt had so much success against Minnesota. They were able to counter and overpower Minnesota's size. While it somewhat caried over to the first half of the regular season as the roster adjusted to itself, this is why the roster moves Minnesota made were so critical once we get here to the playoffs. You have to be able to switch up the way you play over a 7-game series, or an opponent will eat you alive. Just ask the Lakers last round.

The Warriors might have a second way they can play, but it largely neuters the main advantage of the first lineup. Over the offseason, it was a goal for Minnesota to add players who can break the paint. Even if they're not all in the rotation right now, Randle, DiVincenzo, Dillingham and Shannon can all break the paint (a Finch buzzword) on drives. When the paint is broken, it shifts the defense and frees up shooters and/or creates secondary driving lanes for the rest of the guys on the court. Manipulating the defense also frees up Gobert inside for putbacks and dunker spot dump-offs.

We also have another situation where I'd argue Minnesota has a healthy depth advantage. If you want to call Steph the best player in the series, fine. But Minnesota probably has 7 of the next 9 best players if ranking them together, giving the Warriors Green and Hield somewhere in that mix. Add to that the inherent rest advantage, with the aged Golden State coming off a drawn out, physical series.

As a warriors fan, it wouldn’t suprise me if they lose in 5 or win in 6. Too many variables that are unknown but some food for thought from the dubs perspective…

1. They won’t play big unless forced to. I’d guess that Kerr would prefer gobert on the court to Reid. The size difference is overrated when your seven footer can’t catch or post up. Dubs will hope dray makes the right reads and can lockup the interior. Honestly I’m more scared of the spacing nas Reid brings
2. We need dray to flat out outplay Randle
3. We are a far far better defensive team than the lakers
4. We will be hoping we have a coaching edge with Kerr
5. You have some great defenders but curry is a unique challenge, not sure you are prepared to hold and wrestle as much as the rockets
6. We need jimmy to step it up a notch

Overall, the lack of rest concerns me but I do think we matchup pretty well with the wolves. At least better than either team on the other side of the draw hah. wouldn’t shock me at all if you are just more young, athletic and rested to overcome but Kerr is pretty good at making in series adjustments so my best bet is that it goes 7.

Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid will both play. You won't see either of them Post-ed up, playing only 5-10 minutes in a game. Gobert has played 20+ minutes in 76 of 77 regular season and playoff games this season. The one he failed to reach 20 minutes, he played 19:48 in a 17-point win over the Victor-less Spurs. Naz Reid has played under 20 minutes just 6 times in 85 regular season games.

You are correct though, saying that the Warriors have a coaching and defensive advantage. But they also have a significant rest disadvantage, whereas the league gave LeBron and Luka multiple extended breaks between games. So that could actually cancel out a possible extra game won.

[ShootersShoot]

The warriors had a hard time putting away jalen green and dillon brooks..now replace those two with ant and mcdaniels. The wolves are much much better on the perimeter than houston.

[Hitachi77]

I didn't remember the odds, but I remember the Suns being the trendy pick. Last game of the regular season they beat us by 20, and everyone acted like Bradley Beal was guaranteed to shoot 6-6 from 3 against us every game of the series. They felt like they always simply shot really well against us.

People were lukewarm on the Wolves (young, unproven despite a great season), and no one was too down on the Suns yet. Lots of people talked about their midrange jumper heavy offense would mess with the Wolves defensive scheme.

That’s why the Wolves are so hard to predict. As an underdog they have been great. Very impressive vs the Suns/Nuggets/Lakers and they probably should have won that Grizzlies series as well. Then as a favorite they got trounced by the Mavs in 5. Don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it.

I mean it was just 1 series where they were the favorite...not much of a sample size to go with

True but people seem to think the Wolves are a lock in this series based on the 1 series vs the Lakers. Going into the playoffs I don’t think many people thought the Wolves were “much” better than the Rockets.

[life_saver]

I was honestly surprised. I expected the Warriors to be small favorites and I was still planning on betting them.

Why would you think that.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Because they were +9 and had a ridiculous record post Jimmy trade and Minnesota was the same team all year and was about a +5. Seems like people are acting like Minnesota facing a Lakers team that was +3 post-Luka trade and had JJ melting down is the same as Golden State facing a +5 Rockets team with the best coach in the league that can create specific matchup problems with a ridiculously well thought out scheme.

Wolves were definitely not the same team all year...Wolves were a 0.500 team until like mid-January (W/L record was 22-21 during middle of January)..they struggled in first half of season with incorporating Randle into offense and few other issues...but from January onwards, they started playing lot better. then they finished the 2nd half of the season extremely strong (27-12). They had the 2nd best Net rating in the West across entire season. Problem was that they lost lot of close games...their actual performance was better than their record.

[DB23]

I think this is a great breakdown of the predicament Golden State is in. It actually speaks to how much better the Timberwolves roster is positioned compared to last season, as well, especially wen you look at it in comparison to the Warriors.

Last year, Minnesota had only one way to play. If a team had a counter for Minnesota's size and physicality, the team crumbled. This was the key to why the Mavs frontcourt had so much success against Minnesota. They were able to counter and overpower Minnesota's size. While it somewhat caried over to the first half of the regular season as the roster adjusted to itself, this is why the roster moves Minnesota made were so critical once we get here to the playoffs. You have to be able to switch up the way you play over a 7-game series, or an opponent will eat you alive. Just ask the Lakers last round.

The Warriors might have a second way they can play, but it largely neuters the main advantage of the first lineup. Over the offseason, it was a goal for Minnesota to add players who can break the paint. Even if they're not all in the rotation right now, Randle, DiVincenzo, Dillingham and Shannon can all break the paint (a Finch buzzword) on drives. When the paint is broken, it shifts the defense and frees up shooters and/or creates secondary driving lanes for the rest of the guys on the court. Manipulating the defense also frees up Gobert inside for putbacks and dunker spot dump-offs.

We also have another situation where I'd argue Minnesota has a healthy depth advantage. If you want to call Steph the best player in the series, fine. But Minnesota probably has 7 of the next 9 best players if ranking them together, giving the Warriors Green and Hield somewhere in that mix. Add to that the inherent rest advantage, with the aged Golden State coming off a drawn out, physical series.

As a warriors fan, it wouldn’t suprise me if they lose in 5 or win in 6. Too many variables that are unknown but some food for thought from the dubs perspective…

1. They won’t play big unless forced to. I’d guess that Kerr would prefer gobert on the court to Reid. The size difference is overrated when your seven footer can’t catch or post up. Dubs will hope dray makes the right reads and can lockup the interior. Honestly I’m more scared of the spacing nas Reid brings
2. We need dray to flat out outplay Randle
3. We are a far far better defensive team than the lakers
4. We will be hoping we have a coaching edge with Kerr
5. You have some great defenders but curry is a unique challenge, not sure you are prepared to hold and wrestle as much as the rockets
6. We need jimmy to step it up a notch

Overall, the lack of rest concerns me but I do think we matchup pretty well with the wolves. At least better than either team on the other side of the draw hah. wouldn’t shock me at all if you are just more young, athletic and rested to overcome but Kerr is pretty good at making in series adjustments so my best bet is that it goes 7.

Rudy Gobert and Naz Reid will both play. You won't see either of them Post-ed up, playing only 5-10 minutes in a game. Gobert has played 20+ minutes in 76 of 77 regular season and playoff games this season. The one he failed to reach 20 minutes, he played 19:48 in a 17-point win over the Victor-less Spurs. Naz Reid has played under 20 minutes just 6 times in 85 regular season games.

You are correct though, saying that the Warriors have a coaching and defensive advantage. But they also have a significant rest disadvantage, whereas the league gave LeBron and Luka multiple extended breaks between games. So that could actually cancel out a possible extra game won.

Agree on the rest.

With nas and gobert, I take it that is mainly with Randle off the floor? No doubt we will try some different looks that you just don’t see in the regular season, like some zone where we try and get the ball in gobert’s hands. Then it’s just how he handles it.

No idea what the matchups will be, wouldn’t suprise me if Kerr throws a curveball in game 1.

[life_saver]

That’s why the Wolves are so hard to predict. As an underdog they have been great. Very impressive vs the Suns/Nuggets/Lakers and they probably should have won that Grizzlies series as well. Then as a favorite they got trounced by the Mavs in 5. Don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it.

I mean it was just 1 series where they were the favorite...not much of a sample size to go with

True but people seem to think the Wolves are a lock in this series based on the 1 series vs the Lakers. Going into the playoffs I don’t think many people thought the Wolves were “much” better than the Rockets.

Wolves are absolutely not a lock in...I feel like they are favorite but its not like they are playing against a young inexperienced team. They are going up against Steph & Jimmy and any team with them will always have a fair chance in a Best of 7 series. But coming from a grueling 7 game series will be a disadvantage for an older team like Warriors...Wolves also play quite physical in playoffs.

I think general consensus on Rockets even before playoffs was that they were gonna underperform in playoffs due to lack of a offensive star and poor half-court offense.

[Hitachi77]

I mean it was just 1 series where they were the favorite...not much of a sample size to go with

True but people seem to think the Wolves are a lock in this series based on the 1 series vs the Lakers. Going into the playoffs I don’t think many people thought the Wolves were “much” better than the Rockets.

Wolves are absolutely not a lock in...I feel like they are favorite but its not like they are playing against a young inexperienced team. They are going up against Steph & Jimmy and any team with them will always have a fair chance in a Best of 7 series. But coming from a grueling 7 game series will be a disadvantage for an older team like Warriors...Wolves also play quite physical in playoffs.

I think general consensus on Rockets even before playoffs was that they were gonna underperform in playoffs due to lack of a offensive star and poor half-court offense.

No doubt the rest factor could be significant.