2024 NBA Season and Playoffs

[keevsnick]

Whoever comes out of this series is gonna get zero rest, just like the winner of CLE-ORL who had to immediately face Boston two days later in an "every other day" schedule and honestly, it might have affected CLE after Game 3. Wear-and-tear. 

And btw, I sort of feel the same way about the West. DEN-MIN going 7. Maybe DAL wins tonight but if not, that's going 7. But DAL did go 6 games last round too. Nothing easy out there either.

Game 1 is gonna be the one to steal for NYK/IND. Combo of possible rust factor for Celtics and adrenaline boost for NYK/IND coming off Game 7. 

Just hope Celtics get over this Game 2 glitch thing they got going.

NYK or IND. ECF really shouldn’t go more than 5 maybe 6 games, though

To be honest I sort of feel the exact opposite. I don't know what the record is for teams in game 1 of the next round coming off a game 7, but I'd guess it's not very good.

Rust is a wildly overrated thing. Guys who have played basketball their entire life don't forget how because of a 6-day break, and the exhaustion from playing a 7-game series including an intense game 7 followed 48 hours later by another game is just a way bigger factor than any rust.

I expect the C's to cruise in game 1. Game two is when the other team settles in and gets desperate, thats the one to watch.

[celticsclay]

Whoever comes out of this series is gonna get zero rest, just like the winner of CLE-ORL who had to immediately face Boston two days later in an "every other day" schedule and honestly, it might have affected CLE after Game 3. Wear-and-tear. 

And btw, I sort of feel the same way about the West. DEN-MIN going 7. Maybe DAL wins tonight but if not, that's going 7. But DAL did go 6 games last round too. Nothing easy out there either.

Game 1 is gonna be the one to steal for NYK/IND. Combo of possible rust factor for Celtics and adrenaline boost for NYK/IND coming off Game 7. 

Just hope Celtics get over this Game 2 glitch thing they got going.

NYK or IND. ECF really shouldn’t go more than 5 maybe 6 games, though

To be honest I sort of feel the exact opposite. I don't know what the record is for teams in game 1 of the next round coming off a game 7, but I'd guess it's not very good.

Rust is a wildly overrated thing. Guys who have played basketball their entire life don't forget how because of a 6-day break, and the exhaustion from playing a 7-game series including an intense game 7 followed 48 hours later by another game is just a way bigger factor than any rust.

I expect the C's to cruise in game 1. Game two is when the other team settles in and gets desperate, thats the one to watch.

I’ve always been kind of intrigued by the rust versus rest debate. It may get guys like jb or Tatum a little out of sink for a quarter but I think the benefit to guys like holiday and Horford outweighs that. Also holiday seems banged up maybe this helps

[Phantom255x]

So what are our rooting interests for tomorrow's Game 7s?

I would prefer Indiana and Minnesota win. Unfortunately I just think it'll be the home teams (NY and DEN) advancing.

I don't have a strong preference for ECF opponent, but I just think Indiana is way less experienced and Haliburton is super inconsistent. Jaylen owns Siakam. Their size is a lot trickier than NY but not by a significant margin, and it could be negated if KP returns during the series. NY might still post some issues with their rebounding, hustle and also the slight conspiracy theory of the refs helping the NY market for a game or two, trying to push it to 6-7 games.

Boston really doesn't have excuses regardless but if the Final 4 ends up being Boston, Indiana, Minnesota, and Dallas... then boy they better not mess it up at the end.

[SparzWizard]

So what are our rooting interests for tomorrow's Game 7s?

I would prefer Indiana and Minnesota win. Unfortunately I just think it'll be the home teams (NY and DEN) advancing.

I don't have a strong preference for ECF opponent, but I just think Indiana is way less experienced and Haliburton is super inconsistent. Jaylen owns Siakam. Their size is a lot trickier than NY but not by a significant margin, and it could be negated if KP returns during the series. NY might still post some issues with their rebounding, hustle and also the slight conspiracy theory of the refs helping the NY market for a game or two, trying to push it to 6-7 games.

Boston really doesn't have excuses regardless but if the Final 4 ends up being Boston, Indiana, Minnesota, and Dallas... then boy they better not mess it up at the end.

If that's the outcome, then I expect nothing less of an NBA championship for Boston. If Denver was still in the equation, then getting to the NBA Finals is the expectation and putting up a fight.

But if Minny can cream the Nuggets twice at Ball Arena and blow them out in another game then why can't the Celtics do the same.

[celticinorlando]

I want the Knicks out because I’m simply tired of their fans, Brunson flopping, and the media hype

[kraidstar]

I want the Knicks out because I’m simply tired of their fans, Brunson flopping, and the media hype

I want the Knicks because they'll likely be short 5 rotation players. Josh Hart and Anuoby could play but they really are not healthy and should be hobbled. If Thibodaux keeps pushing heavy minutes for his rotation guys things will just get worse.

The Pacers are headcases but they are far more talented at this point and could extend the series by putting in a good effort in their home games

[Neurotic Guy]

I want the Knicks out because I’m simply tired of their fans, Brunson flopping, and the media hype

I want the Knicks because they'll likely be short 5 rotation players. Josh Hart and Anuoby could play but they really are not healthy and should be hobbled. If Thibodaux keeps pushing heavy minutes for his rotation guys things will just get worse.

The Pacers are headcases but they are far more talented at this point and could extend the series by putting in a good effort in their home games

I want to see the Pritchard-McConnell matchup.

[hpantazo]

I want the Knicks out because I’m simply tired of their fans, Brunson flopping, and the media hype

I want the Knicks because they'll likely be short 5 rotation players. Josh Hart and Anuoby could play but they really are not healthy and should be hobbled. If Thibodaux keeps pushing heavy minutes for his rotation guys things will just get worse.

The Pacers are headcases but they are far more talented at this point and could extend the series by putting in a good effort in their home games

I want to see the Pritchard-McConnell matchup.

Yeah, they should just put those two on an outdoor court and let them go at it 1 on 1 on pay per view

[celticinorlando]

Man that is a tough injury. The Knicks might win the battle versus the Pacers, but they might just lose the war with all these injuries against Boston.

New York Knicks F/G Josh Hart has suffered an abdominal strain, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Hart is attempting to try to play through the injury in deciding Game 7 on Sunday vs. Indiana.

[hpantazo]

Man that is a tough injury. The Knicks might win the battle versus the Pacers, but they might just lose the war with all these injuries against Boston.

New York Knicks F/G Josh Hart has suffered an abdominal strain, sources tell @TheAthletic @Stadium. Hart is attempting to try to play through the injury in deciding Game 7 on Sunday vs. Indiana.

In the meantime it sounds like OG Anunoby is going to go through shootaround and see if he can return for game 7.

[Phantom255x]

Anunoby upgraded to questionable. That's interesting to see.

But Hart's injury doesn't sound so good. Kind of like Jarrett Allen with the bruised ribs last series:

Per @wojespn, “almost any movements for Josh Hart stir pain, including simply coughing and breathing.”

“There's no escaping the pain, which is something that can be avoided with other parts of the body.”

Hart is listed as questionable for Game 7 tomorrow.

I guess he could continue playing but he may be very limited. It's telling that a guy tough as nails as Hart asked himself out of the game. That was already a pretty telling sign IMO.

It helps that NY is home, but Brunson may need to really go off in Game 7 because otherwise IND might be able to steal it especially if Anunoby still can't go and Hart is unavailable or restricted.

[Who]

I like OKC more than Dallas but I much prefer to see Dallas face off with Denver than OKC. OKC matches up badly. I am not sure about Minnesota. Dallas probably matches up better with them as well. So a better WCF if Dallas is involved than if OKC is involved.

[Who]

Argh! No Giddey again.

There is more to basketball than just shooting. OKC misses his ball-handling, passing, rebounding and size on defense. Part of the reason their offense has lost it's movement is the reduced role of Giddey.

Play the man.

[Who]

I still think that OKC coach has been a liability in the post-season.

[Who]

Haha, Chet trying to back down Josh Green!

What was he thinking? Chet ain't strong enough to backdown Josh Green. Either shoot over him or kick it back out.