Post by Miege22 on Jan 30, 2023 13:59:18 GMT -5
It was a road dominated week, and the East is now in total chaos with 5 teams still alive for 2 spots.
Brooklyn Nets (1-14) over Chicago Bulls (7-8), 5-4
We start with our match-up of the week and a stone cold stunner in Chicago, as the winless, hapless Nets knocked off a Bulls team looking to clinch a playoff spot. The Nets got key performances from Evan Mobley (19-9 with 6 total blocks), Jalen Duren (16-9 with 5 steals and 4 blocks), and Tari Eason (12.5/8/2 with 5 steals and 5 blocks), and they shot it well enough to hang onto both percentages. The win won't change anything for the Nets, though it could potentially give them another lotto pick if Chicago does miss the playoffs, but it had to feel good in an otherwise lost season. They also used it as a springboard into the deadline, as the team cashed in 6 picks for JJJ, Dyson Daniels, and Moses Moody. They'll head into this summer with a couple of studs in Mobley and JJJ, a number of young guys, and 11 draft picks. The path to contention is there. For the Bulls, it was an absolute gut punch for a team that looked like it had found it's footing. They lost Kristaps for the whole week, and if he had played? Maybe they win. Now they'll have to knock off a banged up Knicks team to give themselves a shot at the playoffs.
Memphis Grizzlies (6-8-1) over Tampa Bay Bull Sharks (8-7), 5-4
Tampa Bay ended up clinching a playoff spot because of other results, so the loss doesn't kill them. The problem they may face now is falling to the play-in, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there. This one was about Memphis winning, and looking good doing it. Kawhi was awesome (28-7-5 on 64% shooting). Benedict Mathurin was also awesome (25-7-2). Both Jrue Holiday (18-6-6) and Scottie Barnes (16-7-7) stuffed the stat sheet. The Grizzlies are still going to need some help to get in, even if they win, but if they do? Boy, do they look dangerous. Orlando is up next, with both teams needing a win to potentially make the playoffs.
Utah Jazz (10-5) over OKC Thunder (4-11), 6-3
We aren't going to spend a ton of time on the West match-ups, since the playoffs there are set and there will be plenty in the playoff previews. OKC was simply too banged up to keep pace with a Jazz team that has proven itself over and over this year. Utah now preps for Portland in the play-in.
Phoenix Suns (13-2) over Las Vegas Gamblers (3-12), 5-4
This win was closer than Phoenix would have liked, but they were super banged up, so they'll take it. The win clinches a spot in at least the 2-3, meaning they'll get two weeks to get healthy and prep for either Colorado or the winner of Portland/Utah. Is two weeks long enough to get Smart and OG back? We'll find out.
Houston Rockets (13-2) over Kansas City Kings (7-8), 6-3
The Kings welcomed back Brandon Ingram, but it wasn't enough to come close to Houston. The Rockets are now a win or Phoenix loss away from wrapping up the top seed, and they have to feel pretty good about where there team is. Dame is looking fantastic after a rough injury season last year (42-4-8 against KC). Curry is back. Zion should be back by the semifinals. This team looks scary.
Portland Trailblazers (10-5) over Golden St. Warriors (5-10), 5-4
The Blazers pulled out the win over the Warriors, but they will be in the play-in regardless of what happens this coming week. The good news here is PG looks good (28-7-6), and they are desperately going to need him to get out of the play-in and into a match-up with either Houston or Phoenix. Especially with KD looking likely to miss that play-in match-up. Seattle is up next to finish the season.
Washington Wizards (7-8) over New York Knicks (10-4-1), 5-4
Over to the East where a major stunner sent more shockwaves through the playoff race. The Wizards were able to eke out wins in steals, blocks, and turnovers to shock the Knicks and keep their playoff hopes alive. Giannis would not let his team lose this one (38/13/4.5), and Daniel Gafford blocked 10 shots to help Washington win. Deni Avdija turned in a solid all-around performance (13/10/2/2), and now the stage is set. They'll need a little bit of help, but if they beat Toronto in week 16, they'll at least put themselves into the tiebreaker conversations at worst. Will they be able to beat a Raps team that might be without Hali and Jalen Green? We shall see.
Colorado Swannies (12-3) over Seattle Supersonics (5-10), 7-2
The Swannies dominated Seattle to officially avoid the play-in. Colorado will now have two weeks to get healthy for their first postseason appearance since 2010.
Miami Heat (7-8) over Atlanta Hawks (5-10), 8-1
Things looked a little shaky early in the week for Miami, but their (finally healthy) depth came through, and now they just need to beat Tampa to clinch a playoff spot. 17-10 for JA, 17-9 for WCJ, and 22-6-11 for CP3. If the Heat win, it would complete a remarkable turnaround from their 2-6 start, and they'd be playing the best ball of anyone in the East.
Toronto Raptors (9-6) over Orlando Magic (7-8), 6-3
Congratulations to the Raptors, back in the playoffs for the first time since 2018. A big final day from Ja (27-10-15) clinched the win, and they also clinched a spot in the 2-3 match-up. They'll have two weeks for Jalen Green and Hali to get right before taking on... someone. The big story for Toronto was the play of Precious Achiuwa (21-10) and Brandon Clarke (13-5-2). They also had a very efficient week from Keldon Johnson (25-4-2 on 53% shooting). If they continue to get these kinds of performances, the East is wide open... who knows, this may just be the year the Raptors break through and reach the conference finals. They need just one win to get there. For Orlando, it's a tough loss, but their playoff hopes are still alive. They HAVE to win against Memphis to have a shot, and after that, it will be up to the tiebreakers. Their big guns will get four games, so they should be in it.