NBA Season 2024-25

[SparzWizard]

Does anyone think Milwaukee can beat us in a series?

I think they could. I wouldn't have them as a favourite or anything. Boston would be the favourite. But I do think MIL are good enough to knock us out.

I don't think they can if both teams are healthy, but that series is going 7 games. Plus, they got Doc Rivers so something to factor that in 

[SparzWizard]

Warriors about to now be 9-2 since the Butler trade. They look for real.

Also Post has turned into a very nice center for them. Nothing too flashy but does all the little things and can shoot. That's another element they have now that they didn't before (along with Butler)

That's a great thing. One more team for the West to worry about. Hope OKC, Lakers, GSW, Denver all kill each other.

Maybe hopefully the Warriors come out of that bunch and the Celtics get an NBA Finals rematch with them.

[Phantom255x]

Warriors about to now be 9-2 since the Butler trade. They look for real.

Also Post has turned into a very nice center for them. Nothing too flashy but does all the little things and can shoot. That's another element they have now that they didn't before (along with Butler)

That's a great thing. One more team for the West to worry about. Hope OKC, Lakers, GSW, Denver all kill each other.

Maybe hopefully the Warriors come out of that bunch and the Celtics get an NBA Finals rematch with them.

If I had to rank it I'd probably have it OKC-DEN-LAL-GSW-MEM right now in that order

Idk, I still have a nagging feeling Denver and Jokic/Murray will turn it on come playoffs. Not a huge Westbrook guy and they don't have much of a bench though so health is paramount.

People forget even last year, they choked a big lead late in Game 7 to MIN but they weren't far from making the WCF. It's not like they fizzled early.

[Who]

I was curious what the Nuggets record is against good teams this year because I don't trust their team in the post-season.

I believe DEN are able to work around their flaws against lesser teams and have more problems against good teams. Both their defensive issues & the questionable three point shooting from their role players.

And then I was wondering how their record compared to other good teams. So here is the win loss records for the top against +.500 teams this season.

CLE = 23 wins 6 losses
OKC = 23-10
BOS = 21-12
LAL = 19-12

IND = 15-12
HOU = 21-18

DEN = 15-16
GSW = 17-20
MIN = 17-21
NYK = 12-15
MIL = 11-14
MEM = 13-19

I had heard about Memphis. That they have done very badly this season against good teams. They have been beating up on the bad ones. So that record is not a surprise but it is disappointing. It does make you question how much of a threat they can be in the playoffs.

The MIL and GSW made big midseason changes. Less concerned about their record.

NYK and DEN though. They look dodgy.

If using this metric alone, the top 4 teams (OKC, LAL, CLE, BOS) look like the only legit contenders.

[Phantom255x]

I was curious what the Nuggets record is against good teams this year because I don't trust their team in the post-season.

I believe DEN are able to work around their flaws against lesser teams and have more problems against good teams. Both their defensive issues & the questionable three point shooting from their role players.

And then I was wondering how their record compared to other good teams. So here is the win loss records for the top against +.500 teams this season.

CLE = 23 wins 6 losses
OKC = 23-10
BOS = 21-12
LAL = 19-12

IND = 15-12
HOU = 21-18

DEN = 15-16
GSW = 17-20
MIN = 17-21
NYK = 12-15
MIL = 11-14
MEM = 13-19

I had heard about Memphis. That they have done very badly this season against good teams. They have been beating up on the bad ones. So that record is not a surprise but it is disappointing. It does make you question how much of a threat they can be in the playoffs.

The MIL and GSW made big midseason changes. Less concerned about their record.

NYK and DEN though. They look dodgy.

If using this metric alone, the top 4 teams (OKC, LAL, CLE, BOS) look like the only legit contenders.

Interesting. Yeah Denver hasn't been too great against elite teams either. They have had some close games with them, although NY typically has gotten blown out against elite teams lol.

Based on the 40/20 rule metric, OKC/CLE/BOS made that.

Yeah it makes sense OKC/LAL/CLE/BOS probably are the only legit contenders. For me, Denver is just a "nagging feeling", not really based on stats/evidence. Indiana was a similar team last year for me and they made the ECF despite all the pundits saying MIL/NY. I personally think this year that team in the East is actually Milwaukee IF they stay healthy. Not to say I expect MIL to knock off CLE/BOS but they could make a bit of a surprise run and elevate their game a bit. It's still not the perfect fit but Giannis/Lillard is starting to find their groove and Kuzma was a good addition for them, plus their bench is a bit better than last year. MIL has elevated to the 4 seed now.

[Phantom255x]

The Knicks really traded five first round picks to acquire Mikal Bridges who just disappears against great teams lol. He's also averaging a mere 17/3/3 this season. Not good.

[Who]

What a late rally by LAL to turn this game around!

Crowd is going crazy.

[jpotter33]

Refs are God-awful in this Lakers/Knicks game. Missed a blatant out of bounds on LBJ, and then they let LBJ run completely through Brunson after a pass with no call, which is a charge call that is inconsistently called and mind-numbingly frustrating.

Granted, on the other hand I have no sympathy for the foul-baiting Brunson Knicks either.

[Who]

Oh no! Josh Hart! He didn't shoot in time!

He had a FT line runner but went all the way to the rim and ran out of time before he could hit the game winner. Smart double team by LAL to get the ball out of Brunson's hands and force someone else to make the play. Brunson too focused on getting it to Hart who was covered instead of trying to find an open man.

Overtime. Great result. Great game. Don't end.

[Who]

Oh my goodness! Those were 2 ridiculous shots by Luka.

What a way to start overtime. A tough rainbow fall away off the left elbow with Towns in his face. Great defense by Towns. Then a 3 from about 3-4 feet behind the three point line on the left wing. Again over Towns.

[Who]

NYK has defended those high PnRs well. Lakers have gotten very little joy out of them. Almost no dribble penetration. Little out of the role man. Not getting open shots for shooters. LAL having to resort to hero-ball one-on-one play on a lot of those possessions.

[SparzWizard]

Brunson rolled his ankle. Ouch

[Who]

Brunson rolled his ankle. Ouch

That looked nasty. Out of control falling in midair, puts his foot down and lands on someone else's foot. Twisted his ankle. Looked painful.

[jpotter33]

That ankle sprain looks *bad* or Brunson. Very reminiscent of Smart's one ankle sprain in the playoffs.

He's going to be out for awhile. Probably puts an end to their pursuit of the second seed, which was already on thin ice.

[SparzWizard]

Brunson rolled his ankle. Ouch

That looked nasty. Out of control falling in midair, puts his foot down and lands on someone else's foot. Twisted his ankle. Looked painful.

Always hate to see injuries happen to players. Hope he gets well. But this will def put the Knicks away from the 2-seed. Now I hope the Knicks retain the 3 seed and not drop to 4 seed.