NBA Playoffs 2023

[Phantom255x]

Man, I know they got Durant and they're missing CP and Ayton, but you simply can't trust this Phoenix team in the playoffs.

I know it's not to the same extent, but their blowout loss last year against Dallas in Game 7 (where at one point they trailed by 50), and now DEN up around 30 on them in an elimination game. Both at Footprint Center. Lol yikes, that's rough for the fans there.

[jpotter33]

Denver will be a tough out in the Finals, as I expect them to beat either GS or LAL.

If we make it to the Finals, still think we can beat them. We're a much better two-way team than them, and I think we can slow their offense down much more than they can slow ours down. We also have the size and defenders to throw at Jokic.

Not sure what lineup I'd like to see, though. The two-big lineup would obviously provide them trouble scoring on the interior, but they have the shooters to punish Timelord when helping, especially Jokic. On the flipside, we give up a lot defensively with Al as the sole big, but that forces Jokic to play a lot out on the perimeter, tiring him out and putting his poor mobility to the test.

Think you almost have to go the one big and hope that Al can at least contain Jokic enough to where the offensive advantages make up for it.

[gouki88]

Denver will be a tough out in the Finals, as I expect them to beat either GS or LAL.

If we make it to the Finals, still think we can beat them. We're a much better two-way team than them, and I think we can slow their offense down much more than they can slow ours down. We also have the size and defenders to throw at Jokic.

Not sure what lineup I'd like to see, though. The two-big lineup would obviously provide them trouble scoring on the interior, but they have the shooters to punish Timelord when helping, especially Jokic. On the flipside, we give up a lot defensively with Al as the sole big, but that forces Jokic to play a lot out on the perimeter, tiring him out and putting his poor mobility to the test.

Think you almost have to go the one big and hope that Al can at least contain Jokic enough to where the offensive advantages make up for it.

It’s an intriguing matchup. Jokic poses obvious issues, but I think their wing defence (besides smaller wings like Brown & KCP) could be exploited by someone. I would assume that our guards would be able to take advantage of Murray & MPJ

[Who]

Why is Ayton not playing?

Rib contusion. Sounds a bit serious, it's impacting his movements and breathing too according to reports

Hmm, I've always thought/heard that rib contusions were more a pain tolerance issue. Wouldn't surprise me if other stuff is going on with all the controversy surrounding Ayton and this team.

That said, he is a big, and they do have a lot of bumping and grinding down low. So it's certainly possible it really kept him out.

I remember Wade having bruised ribs in the ECF against DET back in 2005 when they lost. He had breathing problems with them. He had problems with certain movements too. A big reason why (along with Shaq playing through some injuries as well) DET beat MIA in that series.

Wade did keep playing though. He played well albeit not as well as he normally would. They wrapped up those ribs and he gutted it out. It hurt his play on the court though. And he couldn't do enough to get his team over the hump.

[Phantom255x]

Lol apparently Suns fans want Monty fired because he didn’t call a timeout while DEN went on a massive run in the 2nd

Guess Mazzulla isn’t alone 

[gouki88]

Lol apparently Suns fans want Monty fired because he didn’t call a timeout while DEN went on a massive run in the 2nd

Guess Mazzulla isn’t alone 

Suns should direct their anger at their GM! They have such a shallow team

[Celtics2021]

Lol apparently Suns fans want Monty fired because he didn’t call a timeout while DEN went on a massive run in the 2nd

Guess Mazzulla isn’t alone 

Suns should direct their anger at their GM! They have such a shallow team

Or the owners.  Old owner wouldn’t let them spend, and the new owner came in and moved everything for Durant.

[gouki88]

Lol apparently Suns fans want Monty fired because he didn’t call a timeout while DEN went on a massive run in the 2nd

Guess Mazzulla isn’t alone 

Suns should direct their anger at their GM! They have such a shallow team

Or the owners.  Old owner wouldn’t let them spend, and the new owner came in and moved everything for Durant.

For sure. Williams is a bit hampered, and they’re down two starters

[SparzWizard]

Y'all saw Michael Malone calling a timeout in the 3rd quarter with 7 to go? He was furious after seeing the Nuggets playing like crap and no energy after coming out of the half, even with a 20+ point lead.

That's the coach I want for this team. Not that sack of garbage sitting on the sidelines. Even Marcus Smart was calling him out to the media. And no, the C's won tonight in spite of him. Win or lose, my opinion of Joe will never change.

[SparzWizard]

Lakers' C Anthony Davis expected to start in Game 6, avoided concussion protocols.

Also, Andrew Wiggins suffered a left costal cartilage fracture and is questionable for Game 6.

Welp, time for LA to wrap this up then. Wonder what will Denver come up with to neutralize AD and LeBron, and their new-look squad. It will be their first encounter since January.

[Birdman]

Lot of ppl overrated the Suns…I had them losing to the Clippers in the first round & probably would if Kawhi was healthy..Suns had no bench plus Paul is old & hurt all the time

[radiohead]

Lakers' C Anthony Davis expected to start in Game 6, avoided concussion protocols.

Also, Andrew Wiggins suffered a left costal cartilage fracture and is questionable for Game 6.

Welp, time for LA to wrap this up then. Wonder what will Denver come up with to neutralize AD and LeBron, and their new-look squad. It will be their first encounter since January.

I hope Denver beats the crap out of the Lakers. Everytime the Lakers make the finals, I feel the NBA is biased towards giving them the title. What a storyline that would be - Lebron leading a play in team going all the way to win it all. Ugh.

[Phantom255x]

So the schedules are released. IF Golden State wins tonight and forces Game 7, Boston vs Philly is Sunday 8 PM on TNT. If the Lakers win and advance tonight, Game 7 is Sunday 3:30 PM on ABC

The ECF starts next Wednesday and it’s an “every other day” schedule with ALL games on TNT at 8:30 PM EST (ugh)

https://twitter.com/ChrisForsberg_/status/1656882837520281600?cxt=HHwWgMCzzbCKt_4tAAAA

[Kernewek]

Would love a matinee game, to be honest. I'm barely functional today.

Also, glad to see Durant flame out of the playoffs after jumping ship on Brooklyn.

[gouki88]

Would love a matinee game, to be honest. I'm barely functional today.

Me too. Would allow for me to watch properly, rather than trying to sneakily watch it at work