NBA Playoffs 2023

[SparzWizard]

So it begins, the 2023 NBA Playoffs! Will the Celtics take home Banner 18 this June? Will the Warriors repeat? Will the Bucks, or Nuggets, or another team make noise this postseason?! Perhaps the best storyline team are the Sacramento Kings, ending their playoff drought and having home-court in their long-awaited postseason debut.

Bucks/Heat
Celtics/Hawks
76ers/Nets
Cavs/Knicks
Nuggets/Wolves
Grizzlies/Lakers
Kings/Warriors
Suns/Clippers

16 teams, all starting 0-0, and only one will reign supreme! It's showtime, this will be the thread for playoff talks! 

Let's Go Celtics!!!

[Surferdad]

Lots of fun 1st round battles. How about some Cavs/Knicks intrigue?

[cman88]

I doubt they win, but the Heat could give the Bucks a series hopefully.

I mean they were a top team last year. and for some reason are now the 8th seed with basically the same roster.

[jambr380]

I doubt they win, but the Heat could give the Bucks a series hopefully.

I mean they were a top team last year. and for some reason are now the 8th seed with basically the same roster.

The Heat just aren't the same team this year, so I doubt it will be a long series or anything, but I was pushing for them last night. At the very least, they should be physical and make the Bucks work. One of the main reasons we lost in the Finals last year was because the Heat beat the crap out of us.

[Donoghus]

West is fascinating to me.  I really don't know who will come out of the conference.   There are 4-5 teams I could see winning the conference depending on how things fall.

I'd be utterly shocked if the East rep isn't BOS or MIL.  I also think one of those two teams is winning the title regardless of who comes out of the West.

[blink]

Nets only down 3 with less than 5 min in first half.  Hopefully the Nets can make Philly expend some energy and pull out a game or two.

[blink]

Nets only down 3 with less than 5 min in first half.  Hopefully the Nets can make Philly expend some energy and pull out a game or two.

And now down 10….ugg

[SparzWizard]

9 point game. Mikal Bridges 23 pts at the half

[Phantom255x]

The Sixers are shooting 15-23 from 3, but are only up 7.

Also, Harden to me looks noticeably slower, though he's shooting well today.

I picked PHI to win in 5. I just think they have too much firepower and there's quite a bit of inexperience/youth on the Nets which could hurt them in close games. But Bridges is an awesome player, and easily looks like the best guy on the court today

[DefenseWinsChamps]

The Sixers are shooting 15-23 from 3, but are only up 7.

Also, Harden to me looks noticeably slower, though he's shooting well today.

I picked PHI to win in 5. I just think they have too much firepower and there's quite a bit of inexperience/youth on the Nets which could hurt them in close games. But Bridges is an awesome player, and easily looks like the best guy on the court today

They are unlikely to continue that pace throughout the series, but part of the reason is the Nets doubling strategies. They are doubling everyone and their rotations are not good. The Sixers are getting a ton of open looks.

The Harden thing is one of the reason why traditional box scores are deceiving. Harden has been unable to finish at the rim well, but the Nets aren't forcing him to drive. As I watched the game, I definitely noticed him distributing and hitting a few big shots, but he hasn't dominated like the stats would indicate. I'm not seeing the Nets hunt him either.

[bopna]

I doubt they win, but the Heat could give the Bucks a series hopefully.

I mean they were a top team last year. and for some reason are now the 8th seed with basically the same roster.

They will need a healthy Lowry at this point but he isnt...no Lowry, then they will probably win 1 against the Bucks..Just too much height and strength for the Bucks to lose this series against the cHeat who will likely rely on 3 point shooting.

[Who]

N Claxton is just too small (thin, skinny) to defend Embiid. That is too tough of a matchup for him. It's a shame because he has had a fantastic year and played excellent defense but this is the most difficult type of matchup for him to handle - a physically powerful skilled big man.

So the Nets top big man defender and one of the better big man defenders in the league becomes a liability against Embiid. It is just a terrible matchup for him.

[Phantom255x]

I doubt they win, but the Heat could give the Bucks a series hopefully.

I mean they were a top team last year. and for some reason are now the 8th seed with basically the same roster.

They will need a healthy Lowry at this point but he isnt...no Lowry, then they will probably win 1 against the Bucks..Just too much height and strength for the Bucks to lose this series against the cHeat who will likely rely on 3 point shooting.

Their biggest problem is the frontcourt depth behind Bam. Pretty sure Love is their 2nd big.

Love will probably retire mid-series after Giannis/Lopez/Portis shred him 

[Birdman]

Who bright idea to have Stephen A Smith on 76ers- Nets game..I turn it off

[slamtheking]

should have take that easy shot in the lane Tatum