NBA Playoffs 2023

[Who]

Is Philly still a better team than BKN even without Embiid?

Harden, Maxey, T Harris
vs
Mikal Bridges, Cam Johnson, Dinwiddie

[Who]

Starters

G: Maxey vs Dinwiddie
G: Harden vs Mikal Bridges
F: Tobias Harris vs Cam Johnson
F: PJ Tucker vs D Finney Smith
C: P Reed vs N Claxton

I am really looking forward to that Harden vs Mikal Bridges matchup. I expect Harden to take it due to his superior ball-handling, playmaking and self-creation over Mikal's two way game. I like Maxey a lot more than Dinwiddie at the other guard spot. I call the two forward matchups neutral. Not sure about center matchup. Leaning neutral but Claxton's superior team D and rebounding may give his team the edge.

Bench

G: Milton vs Watanabe
G: Melton vs Cam Thomas
F: McDaniels vs R O'Neale
F: Niang vs Joe Harris
C: Dedmon vs D Sharpe

Others: D House, M Harrell, Korkmaz vs Patty Mills, Seth Curry

Not muchscoring on either team's bench. Cam Thomas stands out as the only real shot creator on either team. McDaniels and O'Neale as defensive role players. Niang and Joe Harris as spot up shooters. Both teams got some depth beyond their 10 men with quality deep bench pieces. Montrez Harrell could be an option if Philly are struggling with scoring. Or Seth Curry for BKN if they want to get more offense on the floor.

I am looking forward to seeing if Cam Thomas can be the difference maker. I see that as advantage BKN and the main difference off of either team's bench.

Overall, I see Philly's starting backcourt as the bigger advantage. I am surprised BKN's bench doesn't appear to be more impressive.

[JSD]

Could be the Nets 10th straight playoff loss.


The New York Knicks hold the record for the most consecutive NBA playoff losses with 13 in a row.

[Phantom255x]

Umm... this doesn't sound encouraging for Embiid to be honest:

https://twitter.com/erikslater_/status/1649803837690052608?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Etweet

Doc Rivers said Joel Embiid's MRI "did not turn out well" after he had pain and swelling behind his knee:

"He was complaining about some soreness behind the knee, which is always a scary thing when it’s behind the knee. There was swelling already, which is way too early. So we did the MRI... It just feels like whenever they tell a coach we’re going to get an MRI, it doesn’t turn out well most of the time and this one did not.”

I wonder if he's lowkey going to remain out for the next few games as well. But even after Philly beats BKN, how healthy will Embiid really be for the 2nd round? Other reports seem to indicate this is going to be a lingering issue.

If you watched the first three games as well, Embiid didn't look like himself and at times was struggling out there, likely due to the injury

[Phantom255x]

Between BOS, MIL and PHI, the Sixers may have gotten the easiest first round matchup after all lol 

BKN is wretched.

[jpotter33]

Seems pretty clear at this point that Brooklyn is by far the worst playoff team this year. Did enough to stop the free fall, but clearly not enough talent.

[Phantom255x]

Through 16 quarters of the playoffs, BKN is about to have 5 where they scored less than 20 points. And I believe two of them were 14 points, and 15 points. YIKES

They did well on defense but simply could not score for long stretches each game

[Who]

Oh wow, Harden & Maxey are a combined 10-38 FGA (~25%) and BKN are still losing,

[jpotter33]

Oh wow, Harden & Maxey are a combined 10-38 FGA (~25%) and BKN are still losing,

Lots of great role players, but no true stars or high-level talent.

[Phantom255x]

It's crazy that PHI is about to sweep before some teams have even played their Game 3s lol

Kind of odd scheduling

[Who]

Seriously, they are not even playing Cam Thomas?

They are this hard up for scoring and they still won't be play one of their best scorers. Unbelievable.

[Goldstar88]

Nets look like they are playing pickup ball on offense. So disjointed.

[Phantom255x]

Seriously, they are not even playing Cam Thomas?

They are this hard up for scoring and they still won't be play one of their best scorers. Unbelievable.

I know the circumstances became iffy after the whole Kyrie situation, leading to the Durant + Irving trades. And there's still pieces missing in the roster. But Vaughn has looked clueless for a few months now. He has no clue what rotations to run, what works, etc. Nets fans have been saying the same for a while too. He plays guys some games, then for no reason doesn't play them in another.

Funny enough, I think Ben Simmons would actually be a perfect piece on this roster,  BUT that's assuming he even has interest in basketball anymore which I don't think he does.

[Phantom255x]

Also, apparently Kawhi has "no timetable for return"

AKA... he's probably done for this entire season.

All that load managing the Clippers do, ultimately pointless (again). Phoenix will probably take this rather comfortably in 5 or 6 now

[SparzWizard]

Between BOS, MIL and PHI, the Sixers may have gotten the easiest first round matchup after all lol 

BKN is wretched.

C's should've tanked to the 3 seed to draw Brooklyn haha.