NBA Season 2024-25

[SparzWizard]

CLE OKC BOS all lost Game 1. Crazy

Well we're not going to be the only news tomorrow at least 

The CLE-BOS-OKC trio all the 1-L gang now? Sheeeeeesh 

[Who]

Interesting shift in DEN's 2nd unit to end Q1 to matchup against OKC's small lineups.

DEN have Jokic at center next to their two PGs J Murray & R Westbrook. That is normal enough. Then C Braun and P Watson as their two forwards. Braun a SG/SF. Watson a SF/SG. Watson a skinny 6-7 with no heft.

OKC had SGA at PF alongside I Joe (undersized SG) at SF. Caruso and C Wallace as a pair of big defensive guards. Plus Chet at center.

Interesting decision not to keep one of A Gordon or MPJ out there against this small OKC lineup. They would have a huge size advantage and could be hidden on someone like Caruso. Instead, DEN matched up defensively. Essentially Jokic and 4 guards vs Chet and 4 guards.

[Who]

Julian Strawther got to play in Gm 1.

He only got 6min and was -10 for the game. DEN would not play him in the previous series because Harden & Kawhi relentlessly matchup hunted him in regular season games. Hard to believe OKC won't do that the same with Shai. Although no Shai on the floor to start Q2 when Strawther came in. So J-Dub is their only real shot creator. I doubt he will matchup hunt Strawther.

Another strange lineup from DEN to start Q2. A Gordon at center and MPJ at PF gives them a solid base to play out from when Jokic rests. Instead, they only play A Gordon. Gordon at center, Strawther & P Watson at forward, Westbrook and J Murray at guard. I don't like this DEN lineup. OKC have Hartenstein at center, J-Dub at forward and three guards in Caruso, Cason Wallace and I Joe.

OKC running them off the court in first few minutes of Q2. OKC push their lead from 1pt to 9pts within the first 2 minutes of Q2 against this weak DEN lineup.

Note: They finished -5 in three and a half minutes without Jokic to start Q2. Jokic would be on track to play 41 minutes and DEN would be a -10 without him in 7min if this trend repeats itself in 2nd half.

[Who]

J-Dub is so much bigger and stronger than Peyton Watson. He can get anywhere he wants to go against him. Nice drive where J-Dub bullied his way to the rim for an easy 2. Then follows it up with 2 bad decisions on his next 2 drives. One resulted in a kickout, the 2nd in a bad contested midranger that was blocked. That was more about bad offensive decisions than good defense.

J-Dub has gotta like that matchup if that is what DEN will continue to throw at him in these 2nd unit / non-SGA minutes. I don't see what other choice DEN has. They need A Gordon to matchup against Hartenstein or Chet. C Braun needs to be kept as fresh as possible for defending SGA. P Watson is their next best defensive wing.

Unless maybe they go bigger with someone like Nnaji but he is limited offensively. They normally try to avoid playing him whenever Jokic is off the court. Things go badly when Jokic isn't there to help him. Looks like it has to be P Watson on J-Dub.

Note: After Jokic comes back in, A Gordon switches back ont J Dub. J Dub tries to muscle A Gordon on the drive. Nothing doing. No advantage created. Drive stopped. J-Dub gives up the ball in defeat. A Gordon too big and too strong for J-Dub. Has enough quickness to stay in front off him. Does not look like J-Dub likes this matchup.

[Silas]

CLE OKC BOS all lost Game 1. Crazy

S....happens, it's not the end of the world.  Cs, Cavs and OKC are likely moving on to the next round.

[SparzWizard]

NBA wants more revenue so all dogs are winning Game 1.

So, put money on GSW +6.5 tonight? Is that how things are working right now? 

[Phantom255x]

Mobley apparently can not put weight on his ankle right now. Might be a more serious injury than thought

Celtics better not F around and lose this series. They might play Indiana and have HCA next round if CLE loses which would be huge for us

[Who]

Mobley apparently can not put weight on his ankle right now. Might be a more serious injury than thought

Celtics better not F around and lose this series. They might play Indiana and have HCA next round if CLE loses which would be huge for us

That is scary for Cleveland. Imagine losing in the 2nd round after a 64 win season. Bitter way to end an impressive campaign.

[Who]

With Evan Mobley and De'Andre Hunter likely unavailable due to an ankle injury and a dislocated thumb, respectively, the Cavs will be without two of their most important players. Factor in that the status of Darius Garland is still unknown, the bench will have to step up in a big way if Cleveland is to send this series back to Indiana tied 1-1.

Cavs SBNation blog wrote that.

G: D Mitchell, Ty Jerome
G: S Merrill,
F: M Strus, Okoro
F: D Wade
C: J Allen, T Thompson

Javone Green as another wing. Marcus Morris as a big forward. Maybe they play those guys. Jaylon Tyson the rookie. Emoni Bates - I can't imagine they play him.

Donovan Mitchell (offense) and Jarrett Allen (defense, rim roller) are great floor raisers for that group. Somebody is going to have to step up though. Ty Jerome and Max Strus best candidates for offense. Dean Wade - they'll need his defense on Siakam.

Note: Looks like they waived Marcus Morris. So Jaylon Tyson is next man up if they need a big forward off the bench. They have another PG Craig Porter.

[SparzWizard]

Mobley apparently can not put weight on his ankle right now. Might be a more serious injury than thought

Celtics better not F around and lose this series. They might play Indiana and have HCA next round if CLE loses which would be huge for us

Worry about the Cavs and Pacers later. Celtics have their own problems to worry about trying to get past the Knicks

[SparzWizard]

Teams who win Game 1 typically win the series 77% of the time.

Guess we are not in good statistics to win the series

[MattyIce]

Teams who win Game 1 typically win the series 77% of the time.

Guess we are not in good statistics to win the series

better info would be how many higher seeds who lose game 1 lose the series

[Who]

No Garland. No E Mobley. No D Hunter.

3 of their top 5 players out.

[Neurotic Guy]

Teams who win Game 1 typically win the series 77% of the time.

Guess we are not in good statistics to win the series

Are you going to bet that 2 out of 3 of Cleveland, OKC, or Boston lose their series?   

[Who]

Ty Jerome gets the nod over Sam Merrill tonight.

Dean Wade starts in Mobley's place.