Who believes the OKC v Denver matchup is the real finals

[Ssj16]

I personally do. I've been impressed with how OKC has shown real grit and determination in close games against an ex champ.

Conversely, I've been very impressed how the Nuggets turned their game up several notches defensively in the post season and played with an intensity we barely seen during the regular season.

I think both teams have shown to me that they could beat the field due to their sheer talent in OKC or playoff grit in Denver. If Denver were to beat OKC, I don't see them losing to Minnesota again because this year they are playing more aggressive and I think they were surprised to get punched in the mouth by the Wolves last year.

Either way, I'm going to bet around $500 Cad on whoever comes out of this series.

[Shaka_Zulu]

I am watching it with bathed breath as Wolves fan. Badly want Nuggets to go through. Much better matchup for us due to their severe lack of depth (and at times defensive focus).

OKC just too methodical and have too much depth.

[Dadouv47]

nah. I respect the Wolves way too much for that (and everything can happen in the Finals). That being said, the most difficult job would be done if we get past Denver. I really love our chances to win the title if we advance but I still think the Wolves can bother us because they have good defenders at each position.

[Cavsfansince84]

I think the Knicks have the defensive pieces to make life really hard on the Okc offense. I don't think any team out there really have an answer for Jokic but his cast is pretty inconsistent. So honestly I think its a toss up from here. Any of the teams that will be in the conf finals could win it all imo though I like Okc's chances the best.

[Godymas]

Hello no

I think the Pacers are HEAVILY slept on right now. Favorites to come out of the East. The Knicks are also "peaking at the right time" but they do look weaker.

On the other side, Minnesota is a good team, they have had a good matchup against Denver all year, I don't think it's the real finals, I think OKC is leveling down relative to competition as was seen with the other 60 win teams.

[HotRocks34]

I am leaning towards this, particularly with Cleveland out and Boston looking like they're done.

I hope that NYK or Indy can make The Finals interesting. I don't have a lot of faith in MIN challenging OKC.

I think NYK has the physical talent to challenge OKC, but their depth looks weak and that will doom you against the Thunder.

[guynumber45]

I just can't see Denver winning another round if they somehow get past OKC. They've had gone through 2 7-game series running essentially a 6 man rotation. Maybe if they played GSW, the would have a slight chance to advance to the finals. But Minnesota? That is their worst matchup

[mademan]

I think Minnesota can provide some resistence against OKC, but i think they sweep or win in 5 in the finals against either the Pacers or Knicks.

Jokic provides a lot of problems, but once you get past that, it's just hard to lose when you have the best player, the best supporting cast, the best defense and HCA. At the very least, i can see ANT going superhuman and making it a series, but i dont see the same possibility in Brunson/Hali/Towns.

[mademan]

I am leaning towards this, particularly with Cleveland out and Boston looking like they're done.

I hope that NYK or Indy can make The Finals interesting. I don't have a lot of faith in MIN challenging OKC.

I think NYK has the physical talent to challenge OKC, but their depth looks weak and that will doom you against the Thunder.

Biggest problem. Problem 2 is how will Brunson perform against all those amazing guard defenders (Caruso, Wallace, Dort, Shai) in the finals where they really do tighten the whistle even further.

[Patches Perry]

Given how wrong everyone has been on lots of teams and series' its not really fair to crown Denver and OKC like this.

Lots of people had the Lakers going to the finals, the Cavs/Celtics as the guaranteed ECF, etc.

The finals will be the real finals.

[MarcusBrody]

Minnesota is a good matchup against Denver. Even if Denver wins 2 and gets by OKC, they'll have faced another punishing series before even getting to (likely if Steph is out) Minnesota. They could easily lose that.

[CodeBreaker]

Every Nuggets series is a Finals matchup.

People were saying Denver vs Clippers was the real WCF

[AussieCeltic]

Nah. Jokic is easily the best player in the world but he has such minimal help, that I think a number of teams could beat them.

[DrModesty]

I think any of NY, Indy, Denver, OKC or Minnesota could win the title from their current positions. I'd be very surprised if Boston or GSW managed it.

[Gregoire]

No. OKC will beat any team. Nuggest will lose to Min or Bos.

[Optms]

No. OKC will beat any team. Nuggest will lose to Min or Bos.

They aren't beating the Knicks. OKC has looked soft this second round.

[cgf]

I think Minnesota, New York, and Indiana beat either of these teams

[bbms]

if the thunder get past the nuggets, there'll be a very ugly knife fight in a dark alley wcf vs timberwolves i guarantee

thunder defense is as good as advertised and timberwolves is perhaps the best equipped defense to match thunder's offense

[Biff Cooper]

OKC has outplayed Denver every game of the series and they have still let Denver walk away with two wins. OKC outplayed Minnesota each of the four games this season, and they still let Minnesota walk away with two wins. OKC is the best team in the league, but they still let teams hang around and stay in games. The real finals is whichever series they let the other team hang around the most in.

[cgf]

I think Minnesota can provide some resistence against OKC, but i think they sweep or win in 5 in the finals against either the Pacers or Knicks.

Jokic provides a lot of problems, but once you get past that, it's just hard to lose when you have the best player, the best supporting cast, the best defense and HCA. At the very least, i can see ANT going superhuman and making it a series, but i dont see the same possibility in Brunson/Hali/Towns.

See I trust Brunson, Haliburton, & Edwards significantly more than SGA in crunchtime. Which is why I think any of them could beat the thunder.