Who is the toughest remaining team in the East (other than the Celtics)?

[mef730]

Your chance to weigh in on the toughest of who's left, and/or who you would least like to see opposing us.

Given the way they're playing, I had to go with Philly.

Mike

[Who]

Philly is the best team left because of Middleton's injury.

[smokeablount]

I’m still going with the Bucks. Is it possible Middleton returns against us if we play in the second round?

[Donoghus]

I'm still going with Milwaukee.

[colincb]

I’m still going with the Bucks. Is it possible Middleton returns against us if we play in the second round?

Yes. Middleton's suppose to be re-evaluated in two weeks which would be around 5/4 or 5/5.

Conference Semifinals begin 5/2-3,  but could possibly be moved up to 4/30 or 5/1 according to NBA.com (which would benefit us, so send the crying clowns to Cancun tonight).

[Smartacus]

I've got no interest in looking past Miami. They are tough, confident, and well coached. Jimmy Butler is playing well, Kyle Lowry has been a match for Smart in the past, and Bam Adebayo - Tyler Herro are only a tier or 2 below Tatum - Brown in terms of talent level. They didn't end up with the first seed by accident.

Maybe I am looking past Philly but they do not scare me as much. Toronto has made them look mortal and the Celtics are as well built as any to slow down Harden and Embiid. I don't like the way that they are built, Ime knows their system, and we have a history of negating their strengths.

Milwaukee is a problem but it's likely that they will be without Middleton for at least half the series. That's a massive loss for them given Middleton's history of torching the Celtics.

[jambr380]

Most afraid of PHI, but I guess we'll see how Embiid continues to play with his injury.

MIA is a close 2nd - they do have a lot of firepower, but we pretty easily have the best player in the match-up (maybe two best), as well as the best defense. I disagree that Bam-Herro are just a tier below Tatum-Brown - that has to be a pretty massive tier.

[colincb]

I'll go with MIA instead of Milwaukee because of Middleton's to-be-determined availability. They're a buzzer-beater away from having had a sweep and their net margin of +14.3 is the best of all the 1st round series.

Philly's been matched up against an injury-battered TOR team (FVV is out tonight too and he's no Ben Simmons).

[SHAQATTACK]

Heat looked tuff last night with some nice lockdown defense on Hawks .  Butler had to carry them offensively .

Bucks +Middleton is tuffest …….minus Middleton is a huge load for remaining Bucks to carry , requiring Giannis to average 40 plus and play 45-46 minutes and OT s to possibly win.

It’s a toss up for me Philly or Heat next ……will be a blood bath series.

Pretty much the teams are close , so any injury to even a second or third best go to guy could seriously cripple one of these three teams in a playoff match of best players vs Best players from each team.

I like Celtics bench guys Payton, Grant , White and Theis as our advantage .  Add Tatum to them and they can still hoop , play good defense and score .

[Vermont Green]

These are the current Fan Duel odds as of 22 April so a few days ago but I think this accounts for most of the recent injuries.  According to this, the Heat are the best of the rest in the east.  Not sure if I agree but this is one perspective.  I think this is more a representation of how people are betting, not how the experts rank these teams.


Golden State Warriors          280
Boston Celtics                     500
Phoenix Suns                      550
Miami Heat                         600
Memphis Grizzlies                900
Milwaukee Bucks                  950
Philadelphia 76ers                950
Brooklyn Nets                      1800
Dallas Mavericks                  1900
Utah Jazz                            4400
Chicago Bulls                      8000
New Orleans Pelicans          10000
Minnesota Timberwolves     21000
Atlanta Hawks                   35000
Denver Nuggets                 49000
Toronto Raptors                 49000

[mef730]

I've got no interest in looking past Miami. They are tough, confident, and well coached. Jimmy Butler is playing well, Kyle Lowry has been a match for Smart in the past, and Bam Adebayo - Tyler Herro are only a tier or 2 below Tatum - Brown in terms of talent level. They didn't end up with the first seed by accident.

Maybe I am looking past Philly but they do not scare me as much. Toronto has made them look mortal and the Celtics are as well built as any to slow down Simmons and Embiid. I don't like the way that they are built, Ime knows their system, and we have a history of negating their strengths.

Milwaukee is a problem but it's likely that they will be without Middleton for at least half the series. That's a massive loss for them given Middleton's history of torching the Celtics.

Indeed. We were so good at slowing him down that he ran all the way to Brooklyn!

Mike

[Birdman]

Before playoffs I said Bucks-Warriors…hopefully I’m wrong

[Moranis]

These are the current Fan Duel odds as of 22 April so a few days ago but I think this accounts for most of the recent injuries.  According to this, the Heat are the best of the rest in the east.  Not sure if I agree but this is one perspective.  I think this is more a representation of how people are betting, not how the experts rank these teams.


Golden State Warriors          280
Boston Celtics                     500
Phoenix Suns                      550
Miami Heat                         600
Memphis Grizzlies                900
Milwaukee Bucks                  950
Philadelphia 76ers                950
Brooklyn Nets                      1800
Dallas Mavericks                  1900
Utah Jazz                            4400
Chicago Bulls                      8000
New Orleans Pelicans          10000
Minnesota Timberwolves     21000
Atlanta Hawks                   35000
Denver Nuggets                 49000
Toronto Raptors                 49000

I think that more reflects that Boston and Milwaukee play each other in round 2. 

Milwaukee is and always has been the best team in the East.  Even without Middleton, they still have Giannis and a deep team around him.  Giannis is quite simply a monster.  Best player in the world.  Unguardable.  Can do it all.  He will always be a problem and because of that his team will always be a problem.

[Sophomore]

Heat > Bucks > Sixers.

If Middleton is back I’d consider the Heat and Bucks a tie for first. Heat just know how to close out games; they play smart and they don’t rattle easily, which is worth a great deal.

[libermaniac]

Whoever we are currently playing. One day at a time.