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Post by Kots (Colorado GM) on Jan 27, 2019 22:05:13 GMT -5
Lots of flips today. POR-KCK CHI-UTA MIN-HOU All with playoff implications down to the wire. POR still has a chance cos rebs & stls are close enough and KC has finished all it’s games for the day. Looks tough though. Good FG% from Bender will get CHI over UTA - UTA games finished. HOU looks like they got up against MIN.
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Post by Miege22 on Jan 27, 2019 22:05:16 GMT -5
I think we're going to see some jockeying for position in the East next week.
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Post by Kots (Colorado GM) on Jan 27, 2019 22:14:59 GMT -5
Has no finals implications whatsoever but 6 rebs from KCP and Bridges between them will get the first W for CLE
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Post by Miege22 on Jan 27, 2019 23:30:22 GMT -5
We are in for an intense final quarter...
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Post by Miege22 on Jan 28, 2019 0:02:37 GMT -5
And with that, the Kings are back in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Utah kept their playoff streak alive, but they still need a win next week.
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Post by Miege22 on Jan 28, 2019 0:32:34 GMT -5
Utah was literally one shot away from being eliminated. Instead, given OKC's injuries, they're likely making the playoffs.
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Post by Miege22 on Jan 28, 2019 16:17:36 GMT -5
The playoff picture came into much clearer focus, and we avoided some absolutely insane tiebreaker scenarios (unfortunately). The West is now 44-26 against the East, but it's looking like the East postseason will be a bloodbath while the West... will also be tough. Here we go...
Kansas City (10-5) over Portland (8-7), 6-3 Six weeks ago, the Kings were 4-5 and on the verge of a crushing loss to the Sonics that likely would have ended their playoff hopes. Then, on the final day, they flipped steals and boards to get back to .500 and start a winning streak that stretched to 5 heading into their match-up with Portland. Despite being firmly in third place, they still needed a win to clinch, and things were not looking good on the final day. However, much like their game against Seattle, they flipped blocks and boards to pull out the win and clinch a playoff spot for the first time since 2013-14. It's been five years since the Kings were last in the playoffs. Five years since they were in back-to-back Western Conference Finals. Now, they're back. Their trade for Will Barton and Iman Shumpert already paid major dividends, with Barton averaging 17-6-4 on the week and Shump coming up with 3 huge blocks on Sunday. The Kings will be in for a tough test against the Rockets in round one, but if Houston stays banged up, anything can happen. And if they manage to shock the world and make the Finals? Well, it truly could be a cupcake hell. For the Blazers, it really looked like they were about to win their 6th straight and get back to the postseason after a hellacious stretch of injuries. All is not lost for Portland, if they win and Utah loses, they clinch a playoff spot. If they can't pull it off, it was a valiant effort, and there is still a lot to like about this team next year. For now, they have to beat Seattle.
Utah (9-6) over Chicago (8-7), 5-4 One shot. That's how close the Jazz came to being eliminated. Had Chicago knocked down one more shot, Utah would be sitting at home, their nine-year playoff streak officially over. Instead, they go into their game against OKC needing a win to clinch a playoff spot. It looked as if that one shot would be easy to come by for the Bulls, with Dragan Bender starting the final game of the day. However, after an ineffective first half, Bender played all of 5 seconds in the second half, dooming the Bulls to a win or go home (kind of) game against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Bulls have to like their chances given Cleveland's roster, but you never know. Not to dismiss the Bulls' circumstances, but this game is really about the Jazz. One more win, and Utah clinches a tenth straight playoff appearance. If they're healthy, given the injuries Memphis has run in to, it's not crazy to think they could pull off an upset. They've done it before. The downside is a loss will eliminate them given the fact that they own no relevant tiebreakers. It seems the Jazz come closer and closer to missing the playoffs every year, but they will likely, once again, be playing when it matters.
Tampa Bay (9-6) over Washington (6-9), 5-4 The Bull Sharks were one of five teams to clinch a playoff spot yesterday, and it almost didn't happen. Late Sunday, the Wizards had taken the lead and looked to have things wrapped up, but late season additions Joe Ingles and Kyle Lowry did just enough to flip points back to the Bull Sharks and officially punch their ticket to the playoffs. It wasn't the drought the Kings faced, but for a franchise that's won three titles, last year was rough. Tampa Bay started the year with a win over OKC... then proceeded to win one game the rest of the year. Their 2-14 record resulted in the 4th pick, but they managed to trade up for DeAndre Ayton. Still, things looked grim after week 7 when they were beaten down by Colorado, falling to 2-5. But they bounced back to win six straight wins, and it looked like they had an outside shot at finishing first in the conference. That dream died at the hands of the Sonics last week, but now the fun begins. The Bull Sharks can control who they play in the first round. If they win, they'll be locked in to the 2-3 series, and a likely match-up with the Nets. If they lose, and the Bulls win, they'll drop to 4th and a date with the Celtics (assuming Boston beats Toronto). Tampa does play Kansas City, so it's not like they're a lock to win, even if they wanted to, but how the Bull Sharks play it will reveal a lot about who they view as a better match-up.
Boston (11-4) over Atlanta (8-7), 7-2 The Celtics are back in the playoffs for the first time since the 14-15 season, and they will likely enter the playoffs as the top seed in the East. It's a far cry from their last, and only, playoff appearance when they went into their first round match-up banged up and facing a red hot Tampa Bay team that would end up winning it all. Boston made a bold move for Ben Simmons, helping shore up one of their weakest areas (assists), and they just might be the most dangerous team in the East. It's been a long road back to the playoffs for the Celtics. They went 4-28 in the two seasons after their last appearance, then, after a new owner took over, they managed to improve to 6-10. Thanks to some shrewd FA signings, and a big swing for Joel Embiid, playing at an MVP-level, they took off this season. They've closed the season strong, winning four in a row, and can push it to five with a win over Toronto. Atlanta is in trouble now, but they saw it coming a week ago and made the decision to play for next year. They can still make the playoffs with a win over Brooklyn and a Chicago loss, but that looks extremely unlikely. Instead, they'll have to hope that their young guys can take a major step forward next season.
Brooklyn (10-5) over Oklahoma City (8-7), 6-3 While many penciled the Nets into the playoffs after their win over Boston in week 10, they've struggled with LeBron out. They lost a nailbiter to Utah (another game that would have eliminated the Jazz had the Nets left Shump on the bench). But they got a massive win over Chicago, then wrapped things up with a solid win this week against an injured Thunder team. The Nets' biggest weakness all year was their lack of production in the frontcourt, which is why they made moves for Bobby Portis and Montrezl Harrell. They've also, finally, gotten production out of Ante Zizic, but now they'll need James Harden to get back to dishing out double-digit assists. If LeBron comes back for the playoffs, the Nets could be as dangerous as any team in the East, but a date with the Bulls in the first round might just be the worst possible outcome for them given the Bulls' strengths. The Thunder aren't quite out of it yet. First things first, they absolutely have to win against Utah. If they can win, and the Sonics can take down Portland, then the Thunder are in the playoffs. Even if they don't manage to make the playoffs, it's been a remarkable season for the Thunder. Luka Doncic is the rookie of the year, exceeding even the highest of expectations. Jamal Murray made the leap, and there will be cap space for this summer. The West is in for a changing of the guard, and the Thunder are likely to be at the forefront.
Houston (11-4) over Minnesota (6-9), 5-3-1 The Rockets finally, mercifully, clinched their playoff spot despite numerous injuries and a Jokic suspension. The Rockets still look like the team to beat in the West if fully healthy, but after the Holiday trade, that means needing Emmanuel Mudiay back. If Kawhi misses time due to rest, or DeRozan's knee acts up, the Rockets could be in for a world of trouble against a surging Kings team. That said, this team is just so loaded. For the Wolves, it's been death by a thousand paper cuts. They've lost six games by scores of 5-4 or 5-3-1, and they've been hampered by injuries. They've lost 6 straight after a 6-3 start, and it will be interesting to see what they do this summer with one more re-sign and Blake Griffin expiring.
Memphis (14-1) over Seattle (8-7), 6-3 The Grizzlies will be the top seed in the West for the third year in a row, and it looks as though they will be playing the Jazz in the first round for the third year in a row. However, this team may more closely resemble their 15-1 team from two years ago instead of their undefeated team from last year. That team two years ago was dominant, but they entered the postseason with Joel Embiid out with an injury. This year, they will likely be 15-1 again, and this time Victor Oladipo will be out after rupturing his quad. They'll also be without Markelle Fultz, and both Jeff Teague and Derrick Rose are constantly on the injury report. If those two miss the first round, they could be an upset candidate, especially if Utah is fully healthy. Of course, the smart money is still on Memphis and Houston facing off in the WCF, but stranger things have happened. The Sonics are officially eliminated from the playoffs, and it's a tough blow after their 6-3 start. Devastating losses to Kansas City and Golden State, both of which could have easily been wins, derailed their playoff hopes, and injuries cemented it. Oddly enough, had Utah lost to Chicago, Seattle would still have a shot at the postseason. Instead, it will be another year of seasoning for the Sonics' young core.
Cleveland (1-14) over Colorado (6-9), 6-3 There's not going to be much more written about this past week's match-ups, given that no one left is eligible for the playoffs, but a hearty congratulations to the Cavaliers for getting their first win of the season. It's been a tough year for the Cavs, but they'll have a top-5 pick, and a healthy Kevin Love, to add to Trae Young and Buddy Hield. There's a path back to relevance for the Cavs, and it could be quicker than people realize. The Swannies finish out a tough year outside the playoffs once again, finally done in by the AD injury. However, they are in prime position to strike this summer with two re-signs left. A healthy Davis, a healthy Wall, Myles Turner and two re-sign worthy players? The Swannies could be the best team in the East next year.
Toronto (3-12) over Orlando (4-11), 5-3-1
Golden State (6-9) over Las Vegas (4-11), 6-3
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Post by teefbe on Jan 28, 2019 16:58:26 GMT -5
When I overtook this team I thought it would take me years to get it back to the playoffs. I had only Capela, Eric Gordon and Bojan Bogdanovic after I waived everyone else. Didn't have a draft pick either, only a s**t load of cap space. Glad it took only one wasted season! East playoffs are about to be crazy, I don't want to face anyone, especially with Mirotic likely out for now. Other than that, I think it's Houston's year if the guys are healthy. Best of luck to Portland, OKC, and the Jazz this week.
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Post by Miege22 on Jan 28, 2019 17:16:33 GMT -5
It's been a super fun season, and the playoff storylines are the best they've been in a while. I'll be honest, last year's EC playoffs were a pretty big dud with Boogie and KP torpedoing Toronto, and Orlando and Washington struggling down the stretch. The West was really only exciting for the last two days of the WCF, when it looked like Portland would actually pull it off. Then the finals came down to a war of attrition. I know Dipo will be out, but let's hope no one else for Memphis, or anyone else goes down, because I would like to see these teams at as close to full strength as possible. In the meantime, we've got:
Boston in the playoffs for the first time in four years Kansas City in the playoffs for the first time in five years Tampa Bay back after a one year absence Chicago likely punching their ticket for the second time ever (shahrom doesn't get enough credit for what he's done with that franchise; they were trash before he took over)
And Utah could be in the playoffs for the 10th year in a row, setting up a rubber match with the Grizzlies
And everyone looks to be peaking. Let's hope it stays that way for another week. I'm excited to see what happens. There are no easy outs this year.
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Tampa Bay Bull Sharks
Moderator
2012 NBA Champions, 2015 NBA Champions, 2016 NBA Champions, 2024 GM League Cup Champions
Posts: 2,922
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Post by Tampa Bay Bull Sharks on Jan 28, 2019 18:16:44 GMT -5
This year is great because there’s never been more parity. The field is wide open this season - very excited for the playoffs to start!
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Post by Miege22 on Jan 28, 2019 18:34:45 GMT -5
Does anyone have a team they'd like to see win and why? And if you're in the playoffs, you can't pick yourself.
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Post by fernans (MIAMI HEAT) on Jan 28, 2019 20:07:11 GMT -5
Does anyone have a team they'd like to see win and why? And if you're in the playoffs, you can't pick yourself. Kansas City because the never ending shit storm he will throw on the league will be hilarious. Memphis because he probably would have won it last year had he set his lineup against me in the WCFs. Chicago because that’s a real underdog team. All those players are under the radar. Boston because that’s been the most impressive two year turnaround i have seen in this league.
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Post by fernans (MIAMI HEAT) on Jan 29, 2019 23:18:46 GMT -5
Tampa Bay is tanking to face the Celtics 👀
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Post by teefbe on Jan 30, 2019 5:03:31 GMT -5
Tampa Bay is tanking to face the Celtics 👀 I wouldn't want to face Brooklyn in the first round too. I could throw the Raptors matchup to make Tampa play the Nets though lol
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Post by Kots (Colorado GM) on Jan 30, 2019 7:05:00 GMT -5
Tampa Bay is tanking to face the Celtics 👀 I wouldn't want to face Brooklyn in the first round too. I could throw the Raptors matchup to make Tampa play the Nets though lol Just maybe TB wants to have a good laugh at the trash talk that will come out of Kansas 😉 It would be gold!!
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