2023-24 NBA Playoffs Predictions

[jcardstore]

Knicks over Pacers in 5

Knicks are actually good

[JustinVerlander07]

Originally Posted by jcardstore

Knicks over Pacers in 5

Knicks are actually good

...and then get waxed by Boston.

[yiguiri2002]

Knicks are around -250 which I think it's a little high than it should be but not crazy at all

[bradjames12]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

Tell me all the other networks then since you are the kind of research? The value of a betting line is way more credible than journalists and former players for these networks. Also nobody knew Giannis wouldn't play at all and Dame would get hurt and Indy was STILL trendy.

I don't understand your losers mentality, but it makes sense why you're so angry when I thought your team was good enough to win!

Loser mentality?

S*it I'm ecstatic the team I root for won their 1st playoff series in 10 years while trying to call out ESPN experts who control the narrative

[jcardstore]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

...and then get waxed by Boston.

Probably yea but I also have a soft spot for the Knicks so…

[indyguy]

I'm going to say Knicks in 6.

The Pacers will have a game where they explode offensively and then get one because the bench guys play great.

The Knicks will win 3 just on Brunson and then a game where "the others" win the game for them.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by ninjabum87

Die by the Mitchell, get carried by the Mitchell I guess?

Originally Posted by PKIPP

Cool win for the Cavs. Honestly should’ve not went longer than 5 games though.

Mitchell had 44% of the Cavs points in game 6 & 7. They needed them too. Guy has zero help on offense. Darius Garland is easily the worst contract in the nba.

Getting Allen back next series is huge. They might see a game 5 now.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Funny thing about Darius Garland:


Game 6: Goes 10-16 shooting with 21 pts, 7 rebs, 5 asts, 2 steals, and no turnovers in 3 qtrs, disappears the 4th and certain people want to dump him under the bus.

Game 7: Disappears for 3 quarters, then puts up 10 points, 3 assists, 1 rebound, 1 steal, and no turnovers in the 4th quarter, while Mitchell goes 1-5 in the 4th.

It was obviously Mitchell's series down the stretch, but the fact is that they won and for the Cavs Garland had the
-most assists the in the series
-most 3 pointers in the series
-2nd most points in the series
-shot 40% from 3

Fact is the guy pulled out of a nosedive to close a game 7. Not gonna feel bad about that when Zion, Ja, RJ, Herro, and anybody else of note from the 2019 Draft class is chillin in Cancun already.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by TSonn

It's funny and expected hearing the broadcast today talk about Mitchell's final 16 in game 6 like it was a huge positive. On the micro, if you're only a Mitchell fan, sure, but it was overall bad for the Cavs.

Compare the last two games in the 4th quarter:

Game 6: Mitchell takes 14 of the Cavs 20 shot attempts and it totals 18 points. (It was worse than that since 3 were putbacks, 1 a heave)

Game 7: Mitchell takes 5 of the Cavs 19 shots attempts and it totals 30 points.

Rubes will tell you that his 50 point Game 6 performance was the better one... and if you're a fantasy basketball owner you're right, but I consider his Game 7 performance his Cavs masterpiece. It was the only time I've really seen him truly take over the game when he needed to (especially after a slow start), then be able to use his ability to help the team close it out a whole. If this is the Donovan Mitchell the Cavs get going forward I'll be glad to see it.

[bkcardcollector]

ya a little respect for garland and the cavs and cavs fans. I am reeling today. Also respect to the Pacers.

It seems the East has kind of been like this ever since atlanta met new york in the second round a few years back. We get two teams that probably have no chance in the east finals and finals.

I just hope anyone but Boston wins at this point.

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by indyguy

I'm going to say Knicks in 6.

The Pacers will have a game where they explode offensively and then get one because the bench guys play great.

The Knicks will win 3 just on Brunson and then a game where "the others" win the game for them.

Brunson will have a pretty tough series, Nembard and Nesmith will be switching off on him constantly.

Depth is what will earn this for Pacers. Tom Thibodeau has a track record of burning out players and this holds true with his seven strong roster. Pacers have 10 players (if we include McDermitt) that he can reliably play, with Jalen Smith length in reserve. That means that even workhorses like Siakam and Nesmith can remain relatively fresh playing 35-40 minutes, while Brunson and co. are above 40.

And the pacers went like 11-0 against playoff teams during second half of season. They clamp hard as needed.

[hxcmilkshake]

Originally Posted by Nomad

Brunson will have a pretty tough series, Nembard and Nesmith will be switching off on him constantly.

Depth is what will earn this for Pacers. Tom Thibodeau has a track record of burning out players and this holds true with his seven strong roster. Pacers have 10 players (if we include McDermitt) that he can reliably play, with Jalen Smith length in reserve. That means that even workhorses like Siakam and Nesmith can remain relatively fresh playing 35-40 minutes, while Brunson and co. are above 40.

And the pacers went like 11-0 against playoff teams during second half of season. They clamp hard as needed.

Divincenzo will be better this series, and both he and Hart will have a million open looks. Should be a downshift for them, Knicks in 5.

Celtics in 4 , more Mitchell heroics aside

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[blackbears86]

With the exception of Nomad, it looks like everyone is thinking Knicks?

I'm actually thinking the Pacers surprise a few people here. Too close to call for me.


I'm also thinking the Celtics "play down" to the Cavs. I think they win the series, but it will take 6 games.

[Antman5]

Having Gobert roam in the back does help but I need to give KAT his flowers despite of his dumb fouls. He remains to be the biggest X-Factor imo.

[Scottish Punk]

I am kinda with you blackbears86. I will admit I haven't watched a ton of any of these teams outside of Boston for most of the year. Knicks still feel very overrated and very weak 2 seed. Brunson is good, but I feel like he can be neutralized with length and Knicks play a ton of hero ball with him. As long as you got a couple of people to throw at him since he will do some flopping a foul baiting to get some calls, I think you can make him inefficient. To me this matchup feels like a toss up. Might be a home team wins kind of thing.

Celtics in 5. Mitchell will have on really great game and a pride game for the team. I don't see much matchups favoring Cavs. With Porzingis out, Cavs would do well to try to get Mobley more touches. Maybe something there to exploit.

[JustinVerlander07]

Originally Posted by Antman5

Having Gobert roam in the back does help but I need to give KAT his flowers despite of his dumb fouls. He remains to be the biggest X-Factor imo.

Feels like a coincidence given Jokic's greatness and KAT being a horrendous defender.

[Nomad]

Really wish I was a bettor, given the New York bias. That game 6 against Bucks with the Pacers -6.5 was such a gimme.

While my major picks have been unconventional (Pacers and Celtics before they exploded) and of course the player pick, I have actually a track record of calling stuff realistically (other than the prices of my player pick). But I chalk the latter up to conferring great strategic knowledge to collectors (only reason why I would collect modern, other than a few inserts and parallels, is the enjoyment of performance-tied returns) before understanding the rearguard/hype tendencies of the market fully.

Pacers in 6.

[indyguy]

Originally Posted by blackbears86

With the exception of Nomad, it looks like everyone is thinking Knicks?

I'm actually thinking the Pacers surprise a few people here. Too close to call for me.


I'm also thinking the Celtics "play down" to the Cavs. I think they win the series, but it will take 6 games.

I'm a lifelong Pacers fan. I know what they are.

And to say Nesmith and Nembhard are going to clamp down on Brunson...Khris Middleton and a gimpy Dame would like to talk to you. They got every shot they wanted. This will be no different unless we can get the Knicks in foul trouble.

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by indyguy

I'm a lifelong Pacers fan. I know what they are.

And to say Nesmith and Nembhard are going to clamp down on Brunson...Khris Middleton and a gimpy Dame would like to talk to you. They got every shot they wanted. This will be no different unless we can get the Knicks in foul trouble.

Even the gimpy Bucks up and down the line were battle hardened vets. They had a lot of playoff experience that would have eked out a victory against some teams.

But yeah, Knicks will be a harder opponent. The fact that the toothless 76ers almost forced a game 7 suggests....

No disrespect but lifelong Pacers fans are the last to predict the team's current success (I watch the vlogs, I know). They have too much experience losing and fail to see what seemed obvious from my standpoint, knowing the Brad-Nesmith-Carslisle-Bird-Indiana connection. That the rebuild was gonna be water tight.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by blackbears86

With the exception of Nomad, it looks like everyone is thinking Knicks?

I'm actually thinking the Pacers surprise a few people here. Too close to call for me.


I'm also thinking the Celtics "play down" to the Cavs. I think they win the series, but it will take 6 games.

Cavs have played the Celtics tough all 3 games this year, the last one actually beating them without Donovan Mitchell in the lineup (Dean Wade went alien mode in the fourth).

I think Game 1 will be an easy Boston win. They're rested and the better team.

Games 3 and 4 with be Cleveland's shot to make it competitive. A lot could come down to Jarrett Allen's health and how that impacts Boston with Porzingis out. Celtics need a rim protector or else Mitchell should get what he wants again.

That being said, Boston too good, to experienced, and too deep to lose. Unless there's some unfortunate injury to Tatum, Brown, or Jrue, I think they prevail in 5 or 6

[ninjabum87]

Originally Posted by tjforce

Compare the last two games in the 4th quarter:

Game 6: Mitchell takes 14 of the Cavs 20 shot attempts and it totals 18 points. (It was worse than that since 3 were putbacks, 1 a heave)

Game 7: Mitchell takes 5 of the Cavs 19 shots attempts and it totals 30 points.

Rubes will tell you that his 50 point Game 6 performance was the better one... and if you're a fantasy basketball owner you're right, but I consider his Game 7 performance his Cavs masterpiece. It was the only time I've really seen him truly take over the game when he needed to (especially after a slow start), then be able to use his ability to help the team close it out a whole. If this is the Donovan Mitchell the Cavs get going forward I'll be glad to see it.

I don't think they would have bounced back and gotten into the game like they did if Mitchell wasn't gassing them up on the sideline. You could see them just deflated and he's over there amping them back up. He was being an actual leader.

I feel like the main person Cavs fans needed to be blaming for G6 was the HC for lack of any diversified playcalling.

[indyguy]

Originally Posted by Nomad

Even the gimpy Bucks up and down the line were battle hardened vets. They had a lot of playoff experience that would have eked out a victory against some teams.

But yeah, Knicks will be a harder opponent. The fact that the toothless 76ers almost forced a game 7 suggests....

No disrespect but lifelong Pacers fans are the last to predict the team's current success (I watch the vlogs, I know). They have too much experience losing and fail to see what seemed obvious from my standpoint, knowing the Brad-Nesmith-Carslisle-Bird-Indiana connection. That the rebuild was gonna be water tight.

Nah nah. I just don't post it all the time.

Bird should be the last guy credited with any of Indiana's success. He left us in the mud. He can go to Boston and "help" them.

When Bird said he didn't like to spend time on trades and wanted to get them over as quick as possible, I knew he was the wrong guy for the job. And he proved it right time after time after time.

[Antman5]

Originally Posted by JustinVerlander07

Feels like a coincidence given Jokic's greatness and KAT being a horrendous defender.

Gobert’s gravity on defense is simply immeasurable. Thinking basketball made a great breakdown about this as well link below . I know Ant will get all the shine but Rudy is equally as valuable.

But I still think Kat deserves a bit of credit, some of the Jokic post ups against KAT are 1 on 1.

https://youtu.be/teH9jzsEy98?si=_u9cmS78K99GG_Km


I don’t want to get too excited but the Wolves made a ton of dumb turnovers and they still won. I’m starting to believe that the Nuggets are out of their depth in this series with Murray being hobbled and the non Jokic minutes will start to take a toll soon.

[boxbuster7]

I still think Denver wins this series

[Nomad]

Ah Bird. Carslisle mentioned he has a farm in Indiana, there is no strategic connection, I think Ainge, now with Utah, chose Nesmith, Pritchard, and a lot of enduring talent.

[tjforce]

Originally Posted by ninjabum87

I don't think they would have bounced back and gotten into the game like they did if Mitchell wasn't gassing them up on the sideline. You could see them just deflated and he's over there amping them back up. He was being an actual leader.

I feel like the main person Cavs fans needed to be blaming for G6 was the HC for lack of any diversified playcalling.

Mitchell definitely showed leadership beyond just taking every shot for the first time I've seen as a Cavs.

Game 6 4th quarter was a disaster. I have to imagine that between Mitchell and JB they figured out that Mitchell couldn't do it all by himself as a one man show. And walking into the 4th up 8 in Game 7, a repeat performance would have probably been a franchise crippling defeat. JB would have been fired, and questions about Mitchell's fit would have been rampant.

Instead of taking 13 shot attempts to score 18 points like in Game 6, he let Garland and Mobley take 8 attempts to get 17 points, and the rest of the team take 6 to get 6 points, while he still got his 7. Much better formula.