NBA Season 2021-22

[SHAQATTACK]

Philly beating the hell out of Indy right now.

Yep. Ultimately that Bucks-Cavs game is big. If the Bucks lose, a C's win gives them #2. Bucks win + C's win gives them #3. If Bucks and Sixers win, C's win gets them #3 and loss gets them #4.

The C's basically control their fate for #3 but if Milwaukee loses it's a very high chance the C's get either 2 or 4 depending on if they win or lose. DET has played teams tough but PHI is obviously favored for that.

It could also depend though on how the teams approach their starters for tomorrow. I expect them all to play for MIL/BOS/PHI BUT do they play them heavy minutes, or only for like 15-20 mins?

We can beat Brooklyn. 2-seed, I fear thee not.

Mike

I think so, too. But, I'm fine with the three seed, as I also don't necessarily fear Milwaukee either. I think when fully healthy we can beat them in a 7 game series, regardless of HCA.

I think I slightly prefer an easy first round matchup against a free-falling Bulls team and an away series against the Bucks or a home series against Brooklyn in the second round, primarily because of Rob's injuries. You never know what will happen with a long, drawn out Bucks/Nets series, either. There may be injuries, and fatigue will definitely set in, too.

Ultimately, though, it's out of our hands now with Milwaukee's win against us the other night. The only thing we can for sure control is our fate for the three seed.

We don't control our fate for the three seed at all.

If MIL loses @ CLE Sunday (and CLE has something to play for and has Mobley back.) If we win, we'd get the 2 seed. We can only get the 3 seed if we lose and PHI loses even though they have an incentive to win and get the 3rd seed themselves. We do control our fate if MIL wins though.

Yup our fate has been pretty much in hands of Bucks for a while .   If they  sit Giannis or tank by sitting Middleton and Giannis , they can seed us where they want.   

Some players hate tanking and like to stay in a groove no matter what the coaches think .

It maybe ultimately up to Giannis …LOL

[Donoghus]

Sean Grande
@SeanGrandePBP
·
44m
Sixers win.
 
So it comes down to Sunday.

Milwaukee at Cleveland
Boston at Memphis
Detroit at Philadelphia
 
Bucks lose, Celtics win, Boston is #2.
Bucks and Sixers win, Celtics lose, Boston is #4
Any other scenario, Boston is #3
 
Toronto is now locked into 5,
Chicago into 6.

[SHAQATTACK]

Sean Grande
@SeanGrandePBP
·
44m
Sixers win.
 
So it comes down to Sunday.

Milwaukee at Cleveland
Boston at Memphis
Detroit at Philadelphia
 
Bucks lose, Celtics win, Boston is #2.
Bucks and Sixers win, Celtics lose, Boston is #4
Any other scenario, Boston is #3
 
Toronto is now locked into 5,
Chicago into 6.

I’m gonna predict to keep their rhythm the   Bucks play starter ball for the easy win, and force Celtics to play all their starter players as well , not letting Boston rest .

[celticsclay]

The rules for the play in games have probably already been discussed in another thread....but I just noticed that Minny has to play the Clippers.  It's' not fair that Minny is 5 or 6 games ahead of the Clippers but can lose the 7th seed to them by losing one game.

I think if the gap is that big between 7 and 8, then it should just be 9 and 10 playing for the right to play against seed 8.

Too easy for Minny to get knocked out in single game elimination style after such a good season, especially is such a stacked conference.

This is really the unfair thing about the play in. You’re right, maybe the number of games separating 7-8-9-10 should dictate what sort of play in dynamics are put into place. In the case of Minny, maybe the #8 needs to beat them twice in order to secure the 7th seed. Then again, maybe it’s time to revert to the old practice of getting the top 8 playoff teams outright.

The Clippers are practically as close to Minnesota at 7th as they are New Orleans at 9th.  The way it works is fine for 7-8.  The big thing is that 9-10 in the West are just plain bad, but presumably one of Minny or LA will win the game against them.

In the East, on the other hand, you could still have four teams tied for the same record from 7-10, and the play-in is looking great there.

But they are still 8th (in this case by a lot).  Why penalize two teams instead of one, especially in this case.  Give opportunity to 9 and 10 and penalize 8 by having them play a home game against the winner.  Leave Minny out of it...

Then Minny should have just finished 6th.  If Minny can’t win one of two games with HCA against the teams below them, then oh well.

Yup.

not quite right imo. 

Minny is a game ahead of the Bulls in the standings in a much tougher conference.  To me that a team like that may have to face elimination in a one off doesn't sit right.

Of course winning and getting a higher seed solves the issue, but that doesn't automatically equal fairness in a brand new playoff system..

That’s highly subjective.

And objectively inaccurate. You can attempt to make an argument the west is equal, but by no metric are they much better.

[celticsclay]

Chicago is absolutely reeling right now.  They look terrible.  And with Ball not coming back, they are ripe for the picking.  MIL in the 2nd round be [dang]ed, the Bulls in the first round is the matchup that the Celtics should want.

Correct me if I'm wrong but I think I did read a stat somewhere where the Bulls are 1-14 against playoff-caliber teams (teams above .600). They fought valiantly in the 1st half of the season and have certainly improved from last season, but I never really viewed them as a real threat. Not to the same extent but even the Cavaliers fell off a bit towards the end, from a Top-3 team to play-in tourney

Ball was a very significant loss for them, Levine also was banged up and missed a decent amount of time the second half of season. I think they could be a threat next year especially if one of their young guys make a leap.

[gouki88]

Chicago is absolutely reeling right now.  They look terrible.  And with Ball not coming back, they are ripe for the picking.  MIL in the 2nd round be [dang]ed, the Bulls in the first round is the matchup that the Celtics should want.

It is totally exposing how crucial he is to their effort.

[Donoghus]

Chicago is absolutely reeling right now.  They look terrible.  And with Ball not coming back, they are ripe for the picking.  MIL in the 2nd round be [dang]ed, the Bulls in the first round is the matchup that the Celtics should want.

It is totally exposing how crucial he is to their effort.

Absolutely. 

[Goldstar88]

Sean Grande
@SeanGrandePBP
·
44m
Sixers win.
 
So it comes down to Sunday.

Milwaukee at Cleveland
Boston at Memphis
Detroit at Philadelphia
 
Bucks lose, Celtics win, Boston is #2.
Bucks and Sixers win, Celtics lose, Boston is #4
Any other scenario, Boston is #3
 
Toronto is now locked into 5,
Chicago into 6.

I would imagine that the Bucks are going to play their starters and try to secure HC advantage. Assuming Philly doesn’t want Toronto, since Thybulle won’t be eligible to play in Canada. Will be interesting to see what the C’s decide to do.. I’d rather them be the 4 seed than the 3.

[pokeKingCurtis]

The rules for the play in games have probably already been discussed in another thread....but I just noticed that Minny has to play the Clippers.  It's' not fair that Minny is 5 or 6 games ahead of the Clippers but can lose the 7th seed to them by losing one game.

I think if the gap is that big between 7 and 8, then it should just be 9 and 10 playing for the right to play against seed 8.

Too easy for Minny to get knocked out in single game elimination style after such a good season, especially is such a stacked conference.

This is really the unfair thing about the play in. You’re right, maybe the number of games separating 7-8-9-10 should dictate what sort of play in dynamics are put into place. In the case of Minny, maybe the #8 needs to beat them twice in order to secure the 7th seed. Then again, maybe it’s time to revert to the old practice of getting the top 8 playoff teams outright.

The Clippers are practically as close to Minnesota at 7th as they are New Orleans at 9th.  The way it works is fine for 7-8.  The big thing is that 9-10 in the West are just plain bad, but presumably one of Minny or LA will win the game against them.

In the East, on the other hand, you could still have four teams tied for the same record from 7-10, and the play-in is looking great there.

But they are still 8th (in this case by a lot).  Why penalize two teams instead of one, especially in this case.  Give opportunity to 9 and 10 and penalize 8 by having them play a home game against the winner.  Leave Minny out of it...

Then Minny should have just finished 6th.  If Minny can’t win one of two games with HCA against the teams below them, then oh well.

Yup.

not quite right imo. 

Minny is a game ahead of the Bulls in the standings in a much tougher conference.  To me that a team like that may have to face elimination in a one off doesn't sit right.

Of course winning and getting a higher seed solves the issue, but that doesn't automatically equal fairness in a brand new playoff system..

That’s highly subjective.

And objectively inaccurate. You can attempt to make an argument the west is equal, but by no metric are they much better.

Hey! Take it to the which conference is better thread!

(Joking)

[gouki88]

The rules for the play in games have probably already been discussed in another thread....but I just noticed that Minny has to play the Clippers.  It's' not fair that Minny is 5 or 6 games ahead of the Clippers but can lose the 7th seed to them by losing one game.

I think if the gap is that big between 7 and 8, then it should just be 9 and 10 playing for the right to play against seed 8.

Too easy for Minny to get knocked out in single game elimination style after such a good season, especially is such a stacked conference.

This is really the unfair thing about the play in. You’re right, maybe the number of games separating 7-8-9-10 should dictate what sort of play in dynamics are put into place. In the case of Minny, maybe the #8 needs to beat them twice in order to secure the 7th seed. Then again, maybe it’s time to revert to the old practice of getting the top 8 playoff teams outright.

The Clippers are practically as close to Minnesota at 7th as they are New Orleans at 9th.  The way it works is fine for 7-8.  The big thing is that 9-10 in the West are just plain bad, but presumably one of Minny or LA will win the game against them.

In the East, on the other hand, you could still have four teams tied for the same record from 7-10, and the play-in is looking great there.

But they are still 8th (in this case by a lot).  Why penalize two teams instead of one, especially in this case.  Give opportunity to 9 and 10 and penalize 8 by having them play a home game against the winner.  Leave Minny out of it...

Then Minny should have just finished 6th.  If Minny can’t win one of two games with HCA against the teams below them, then oh well.

Yup.

not quite right imo. 

Minny is a game ahead of the Bulls in the standings in a much tougher conference.  To me that a team like that may have to face elimination in a one off doesn't sit right.

Of course winning and getting a higher seed solves the issue, but that doesn't automatically equal fairness in a brand new playoff system..

That’s highly subjective.

And objectively inaccurate. You can attempt to make an argument the west is equal, but by no metric are they much better.

Hey! Take it to the which conference is better thread!

(Joking)

Please... no more bumping of that thread...

[Donoghus]

The rules for the play in games have probably already been discussed in another thread....but I just noticed that Minny has to play the Clippers.  It's' not fair that Minny is 5 or 6 games ahead of the Clippers but can lose the 7th seed to them by losing one game.

I think if the gap is that big between 7 and 8, then it should just be 9 and 10 playing for the right to play against seed 8.

Too easy for Minny to get knocked out in single game elimination style after such a good season, especially is such a stacked conference.

This is really the unfair thing about the play in. You’re right, maybe the number of games separating 7-8-9-10 should dictate what sort of play in dynamics are put into place. In the case of Minny, maybe the #8 needs to beat them twice in order to secure the 7th seed. Then again, maybe it’s time to revert to the old practice of getting the top 8 playoff teams outright.

The Clippers are practically as close to Minnesota at 7th as they are New Orleans at 9th.  The way it works is fine for 7-8.  The big thing is that 9-10 in the West are just plain bad, but presumably one of Minny or LA will win the game against them.

In the East, on the other hand, you could still have four teams tied for the same record from 7-10, and the play-in is looking great there.

But they are still 8th (in this case by a lot).  Why penalize two teams instead of one, especially in this case.  Give opportunity to 9 and 10 and penalize 8 by having them play a home game against the winner.  Leave Minny out of it...

Then Minny should have just finished 6th.  If Minny can’t win one of two games with HCA against the teams below them, then oh well.

Yup.

not quite right imo. 

Minny is a game ahead of the Bulls in the standings in a much tougher conference.  To me that a team like that may have to face elimination in a one off doesn't sit right.

Of course winning and getting a higher seed solves the issue, but that doesn't automatically equal fairness in a brand new playoff system..

That’s highly subjective.

And objectively inaccurate. You can attempt to make an argument the west is equal, but by no metric are they much better.

Hey! Take it to the which conference is better thread!

(Joking)

Please... no more bumping of that thread...

For the love of God, yes.

[SparzWizard]

Chicago is absolutely reeling right now.  They look terrible.  And with Ball not coming back, they are ripe for the picking.  MIL in the 2nd round be [dang]ed, the Bulls in the first round is the matchup that the Celtics should want.

It is totally exposing how crucial he is to their effort.

I see a sweep coming from the Celtics then!

[Donoghus]

Okay, then,

Eric Nehm
@eric_nehm
Just landed in Cleveland. Here is the Bucks’ injury report for Sunday:

OUT:
Grayson Allen (left hip soreness), George Hill (right abdominal strain)
Luca Vildoza (coach’s decision)

Doubtful:
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Brook Lopez
Khris Middleton
Bobby Portis

[celticsclay]

The rules for the play in games have probably already been discussed in another thread....but I just noticed that Minny has to play the Clippers.  It's' not fair that Minny is 5 or 6 games ahead of the Clippers but can lose the 7th seed to them by losing one game.

I think if the gap is that big between 7 and 8, then it should just be 9 and 10 playing for the right to play against seed 8.

Too easy for Minny to get knocked out in single game elimination style after such a good season, especially is such a stacked conference.

This is really the unfair thing about the play in. You’re right, maybe the number of games separating 7-8-9-10 should dictate what sort of play in dynamics are put into place. In the case of Minny, maybe the #8 needs to beat them twice in order to secure the 7th seed. Then again, maybe it’s time to revert to the old practice of getting the top 8 playoff teams outright.

The Clippers are practically as close to Minnesota at 7th as they are New Orleans at 9th.  The way it works is fine for 7-8.  The big thing is that 9-10 in the West are just plain bad, but presumably one of Minny or LA will win the game against them.

In the East, on the other hand, you could still have four teams tied for the same record from 7-10, and the play-in is looking great there.

But they are still 8th (in this case by a lot).  Why penalize two teams instead of one, especially in this case.  Give opportunity to 9 and 10 and penalize 8 by having them play a home game against the winner.  Leave Minny out of it...

Then Minny should have just finished 6th.  If Minny can’t win one of two games with HCA against the teams below them, then oh well.

Yup.

not quite right imo. 

Minny is a game ahead of the Bulls in the standings in a much tougher conference.  To me that a team like that may have to face elimination in a one off doesn't sit right.

Of course winning and getting a higher seed solves the issue, but that doesn't automatically equal fairness in a brand new playoff system..

That’s highly subjective.

And objectively inaccurate. You can attempt to make an argument the west is equal, but by no metric are they much better.

Hey! Take it to the which conference is better thread!

(Joking)

Please... no more bumping of that thread...

For the love of God, yes.

If it bothers you both, I won’t post in it again.

[gouki88]

The rules for the play in games have probably already been discussed in another thread....but I just noticed that Minny has to play the Clippers.  It's' not fair that Minny is 5 or 6 games ahead of the Clippers but can lose the 7th seed to them by losing one game.

I think if the gap is that big between 7 and 8, then it should just be 9 and 10 playing for the right to play against seed 8.

Too easy for Minny to get knocked out in single game elimination style after such a good season, especially is such a stacked conference.

This is really the unfair thing about the play in. You’re right, maybe the number of games separating 7-8-9-10 should dictate what sort of play in dynamics are put into place. In the case of Minny, maybe the #8 needs to beat them twice in order to secure the 7th seed. Then again, maybe it’s time to revert to the old practice of getting the top 8 playoff teams outright.

The Clippers are practically as close to Minnesota at 7th as they are New Orleans at 9th.  The way it works is fine for 7-8.  The big thing is that 9-10 in the West are just plain bad, but presumably one of Minny or LA will win the game against them.

In the East, on the other hand, you could still have four teams tied for the same record from 7-10, and the play-in is looking great there.

But they are still 8th (in this case by a lot).  Why penalize two teams instead of one, especially in this case.  Give opportunity to 9 and 10 and penalize 8 by having them play a home game against the winner.  Leave Minny out of it...

Then Minny should have just finished 6th.  If Minny can’t win one of two games with HCA against the teams below them, then oh well.

Yup.

not quite right imo. 

Minny is a game ahead of the Bulls in the standings in a much tougher conference.  To me that a team like that may have to face elimination in a one off doesn't sit right.

Of course winning and getting a higher seed solves the issue, but that doesn't automatically equal fairness in a brand new playoff system..

That’s highly subjective.

And objectively inaccurate. You can attempt to make an argument the west is equal, but by no metric are they much better.

Hey! Take it to the which conference is better thread!

(Joking)

Please... no more bumping of that thread...

For the love of God, yes.

If it bothers you both, I won’t post in it again.

I was more talking about posts trying to convince people that deep actually means shallow