POLL: First Round Preference (Orlando or Atlanta)

[Phantom255x]

I saw this discussion on Reddit and was curious what people here think.

Yes, Chicago is technically just 2.5 games back of Orlando for the 8 seed but it seems unlikely they'll get it. Their remaining schedule isn't too hard but they still have to play OKC and CLE.

Interesting enough, ORL is just 0.5 back of ATL for the 7 seed and both teams still face each other two more times this season. So the location of the 7 vs. 8 game could be TBD

[Phantom255x]

Personally, I'd prefer Atlanta. I like Trae but they don't have a #2 option like Murray was a few years ago when we played them in the first round (which went an annoying 6 games) and they traded Hunter. I like some of their other pieces but we just have way more talent. I still fear Banchero and Franz Wagner a bit and think their size can be tricky, even if they don't have a legit #3 option, less scoring and both Suggs + Mo Wagner out.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

I would rather we scheme for an anaemic offence than an anaemic defense.

[ozgod]

Personally I'm agnostic to whoever we play...if we can't beat whoever we have to play in the first round we don't deserve to progress 

[celticinorlando]

Atlanta.

Orlando seems to be a team that can get hot.

[slamtheking]

Personally I'm agnostic to whoever we play...if we can't beat whoever we have to play in the first round we don't deserve to progress 

this.

first 2 rounds C's play this year should be no worse than gentlemen's sweeps. 

[Donoghus]

It doesn't matter. 

Honestly, I want Chicago because I want to be able to go to a game here.

[SparzWizard]

Personally I'm agnostic to whoever we play...if we can't beat whoever we have to play in the first round we don't deserve to progress 

this.

first 2 rounds C's play this year should be no worse than gentlemen's sweeps.

That depends for the second round if Bucks upset the Knicks in the first round. Giannis Bucks is a physical team, that series can go 6.

[aefgogreen]

Personally I'm agnostic to whoever we play...if we can't beat whoever we have to play in the first round we don't deserve to progress 

I'm confident we'll beat whomever we play (as our most on here).  It's a matter of how many games will it take.

[slamtheking]

Personally I'm agnostic to whoever we play...if we can't beat whoever we have to play in the first round we don't deserve to progress 

this.

first 2 rounds C's play this year should be no worse than gentlemen's sweeps.

That depends for the second round if Bucks upset the Knicks in the first round. Giannis Bucks is a physical team, that series can go 6.

you're assuming an upset but even still, Lillard has health issues now.  Lopez isn't the player he was and while Middleton could give us fits in the past years, Kuzma shouldn't.  They don't have the depth to really push this C's team -- provided everyone's healthy which is the premise of the thread

[Phantom255x]

Personally I'm agnostic to whoever we play...if we can't beat whoever we have to play in the first round we don't deserve to progress 

this.

first 2 rounds C's play this year should be no worse than gentlemen's sweeps.

That depends for the second round if Bucks upset the Knicks in the first round. Giannis Bucks is a physical team, that series can go 6.

Giannis can put up 44/20 if he wants every game. They don't have a legit #2 without Lillard and Kuzma definitely isn't that. If Lillard still isn't back and they play Boston 2nd round, I actually think BOS wins in 5. MIL's defense still isn't that good and their offense won't consistently score a ton either.

I hope 3-6 stays as it is. DET-IND and NY-MIL first round, CLE can face IND/DET which isn't easy.

[jpotter33]

Absolutely Atlanta.

We'll beat both teams easily in max five games, but Orlando is rough and tough and will make you work for it, leading to more fatigue and potential for injury.

[SHAQATTACK]

Orlando

[Phantom255x]

Interesting enough, Miami is now 1 game ahead of CHI for the 9 seed, and only 1.5 back of Orlando.

[Phantom255x]

If it's between Orlando, Atlanta and Chicago now who would we prefer? Seems ATL/CHI could be in a battle for that 8th seed.