[OutsiderFan]

Anyone interested in NBA Playoff discussion with a likely Warrior tilt to it?

Dallas and Utah kicked it all off today, without Luka Doncic. Minnesota at Memphis up next, then Toronto at Philly, capped by Denver at Warriors on day 1.

My Round 1 Picks:
West: Phoenix over New Orleans in 4, Memphis over Minnesota in 6, Warriors over Denver in 5, Dallas over Utah in 7.
East: Miami over Atlanta in 5, Boston over Brooklyn in 6, Toronto over Philly in 6, Milwaukee over Chicago in 4

Phoenix to win West
Boston to win East

Boston to win it all

[OutsiderFan]

Anyone interested in NBA Playoff discussion with a likely Warrior tilt to it?

Dallas and Utah kicked it all off today, without Luka Doncic. Minnesota at Memphis up next, then Toronto at Philly, capped by Denver at Warriors on day 1.

My Round 1 Picks:
West: Phoenix over New Orleans in 4, Memphis over Minnesota in 6, Warriors over Denver in 5, Dallas over Utah in 7.
East: Miami over Atlanta in 5, Boston over Brooklyn in 6, Toronto over Philly in 6, Milwaukee over Chicago in 4

Phoenix to win West
Boston to win East

Boston to win it all

[Hurlburt88]

I saw Zaire with a monster dunk, although Memphis still lost.   GSW looking strong to my amateur eye.

[Hurlburt88]

I saw Zaire with a monster dunk, although Memphis still lost.   GSW looking strong to my amateur eye.

[OutsiderFan]

I've not consumed much media since the Warriors wiped the floor with the Nuggets in their Game 1, but to me, the biggest story of all Game 1 playoff games will be the lethality of Curry, Poole, Thompson, Wiggins, and Green playing together.

Holy smokes were they dominant. Most Warriors fans knew they had potential to be great, but this is the first time in history they have all played together on the floor at the same time in an NBA Game, and Curry was coming off a month since playing. I believe they outscored the Nuggets 18-4 in just 4:23 minutes, with the league MVP on the floor playing against them.

Simply stated, Draymond Green at Center, with four unselfish 40% 3-pt shooters who can switch everything on defense, around him, is just unfair. Poole and Wiggins have elite quickness.  Thompson has the quickest release in the game. Curry's gravity on offense is unparalleled. They all move without the ball and pass well. And their quickness on defense is really impressive.

Yes, it's one game and just 4:23, but that was enough for me to conclude the Warriors might actually be better than I thought and a real threat to win the championship.

[OutsiderFan]

I've not consumed much media since the Warriors wiped the floor with the Nuggets in their Game 1, but to me, the biggest story of all Game 1 playoff games will be the lethality of Curry, Poole, Thompson, Wiggins, and Green playing together.

Holy smokes were they dominant. Most Warriors fans knew they had potential to be great, but this is the first time in history they have all played together on the floor at the same time in an NBA Game, and Curry was coming off a month since playing. I believe they outscored the Nuggets 18-4 in just 4:23 minutes, with the league MVP on the floor playing against them.

Simply stated, Draymond Green at Center, with four unselfish 40% 3-pt shooters who can switch everything on defense, around him, is just unfair. Poole and Wiggins have elite quickness.  Thompson has the quickest release in the game. Curry's gravity on offense is unparalleled. They all move without the ball and pass well. And their quickness on defense is really impressive.

Yes, it's one game and just 4:23, but that was enough for me to conclude the Warriors might actually be better than I thought and a real threat to win the championship.

[lex24]

I've not consumed much media since the Warriors wiped the floor with the Nuggets in their Game 1, but to me, the biggest story of all Game 1 playoff games will be the lethality of Curry, Poole, Thompson, Wiggins, and Green playing together.

Holy smokes were they dominant. Most Warriors fans knew they had potential to be great, but this is the first time in history they have all played together on the floor at the same time in an NBA Game, and Curry was coming off a month since playing. I believe they outscored the Nuggets 18-4 in just 4:23 minutes, with the league MVP on the floor playing against them.

Simply stated, Draymond Green at Center, with four unselfish 40% 3-pt shooters who can switch everything on defense, around him, is just unfair. Poole and Wiggins have elite quickness.  Thompson has the quickest release in the game. Curry's gravity on offense is unparalleled. They all move without the ball and pass well. And their quickness on defense is really impressive.

Yes, it's one game and just 4:23, but that was enough for me to conclude the Warriors might actually be better than I thought and a real threat to win the championship.

Denver has nothing beyond Jokic.  (Although that a lot in and of itself). Be different if Murray was available.  Hard to gauge much from this series.


Boston is going to struggle with Brooklyn. Won today when Tatum makes layup off a cut from the wing. Durant turned his back on him and lost contact. Defensive lapse cost Brooklyn the game.

[lex24]

I've not consumed much media since the Warriors wiped the floor with the Nuggets in their Game 1, but to me, the biggest story of all Game 1 playoff games will be the lethality of Curry, Poole, Thompson, Wiggins, and Green playing together.

Holy smokes were they dominant. Most Warriors fans knew they had potential to be great, but this is the first time in history they have all played together on the floor at the same time in an NBA Game, and Curry was coming off a month since playing. I believe they outscored the Nuggets 18-4 in just 4:23 minutes, with the league MVP on the floor playing against them.

Simply stated, Draymond Green at Center, with four unselfish 40% 3-pt shooters who can switch everything on defense, around him, is just unfair. Poole and Wiggins have elite quickness.  Thompson has the quickest release in the game. Curry's gravity on offense is unparalleled. They all move without the ball and pass well. And their quickness on defense is really impressive.

Yes, it's one game and just 4:23, but that was enough for me to conclude the Warriors might actually be better than I thought and a real threat to win the championship.

Denver has nothing beyond Jokic.  (Although that a lot in and of itself). Be different if Murray was available.  Hard to gauge much from this series.


Boston is going to struggle with Brooklyn. Won today when Tatum makes layup off a cut from the wing. Durant turned his back on him and lost contact. Defensive lapse cost Brooklyn the game.

[Mick]

I've not consumed much media since the Warriors wiped the floor with the Nuggets in their Game 1, but to me, the biggest story of all Game 1 playoff games will be the lethality of Curry, Poole, Thompson, Wiggins, and Green playing together.

Holy smokes were they dominant. Most Warriors fans knew they had potential to be great, but this is the first time in history they have all played together on the floor at the same time in an NBA Game, and Curry was coming off a month since playing. I believe they outscored the Nuggets 18-4 in just 4:23 minutes, with the league MVP on the floor playing against them.

Simply stated, Draymond Green at Center, with four unselfish 40% 3-pt shooters who can switch everything on defense, around him, is just unfair. Poole and Wiggins have elite quickness.  Thompson has the quickest release in the game. Curry's gravity on offense is unparalleled. They all move without the ball and pass well. And their quickness on defense is really impressive.

Yes, it's one game and just 4:23, but that was enough for me to conclude the Warriors might actually be better than I thought and a real threat to win the championship.

Assuming all five stay healthy, particularly the 30+ year olds, I think they might sweep Denver.  Next round will be interesting, #7 seed Minnesota beat #2 seed Memphis.  And Phoenix (64-18) doesn't look like it will be a buzzsaw after allowing New Orleans (36-46) back into the game.

[Mick]

I've not consumed much media since the Warriors wiped the floor with the Nuggets in their Game 1, but to me, the biggest story of all Game 1 playoff games will be the lethality of Curry, Poole, Thompson, Wiggins, and Green playing together.

Holy smokes were they dominant. Most Warriors fans knew they had potential to be great, but this is the first time in history they have all played together on the floor at the same time in an NBA Game, and Curry was coming off a month since playing. I believe they outscored the Nuggets 18-4 in just 4:23 minutes, with the league MVP on the floor playing against them.

Simply stated, Draymond Green at Center, with four unselfish 40% 3-pt shooters who can switch everything on defense, around him, is just unfair. Poole and Wiggins have elite quickness.  Thompson has the quickest release in the game. Curry's gravity on offense is unparalleled. They all move without the ball and pass well. And their quickness on defense is really impressive.

Yes, it's one game and just 4:23, but that was enough for me to conclude the Warriors might actually be better than I thought and a real threat to win the championship.

Assuming all five stay healthy, particularly the 30+ year olds, I think they might sweep Denver.  Next round will be interesting, #7 seed Minnesota beat #2 seed Memphis.  And Phoenix (64-18) doesn't look like it will be a buzzsaw after allowing New Orleans (36-46) back into the game.

[OutsiderFan]

Having Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. at full capacity might make it a tighter series, but the Warriors have more better player than the Nuggets even with those guys. They can put a lineup of 4 All-Stars and now All-Star level Jordan Poole on floor together. No other team in NBA can do this. They also have a deep bench, so can beat any team, not just the Nuggets. They in fact did beat every team in the NBA this season, even without their best players available as they are now.


The Celtics and Nets might be the most competitive 2-7 series ever. A 1pt game after 1, tied at half, and though Boston led by 11 after 3, Brooklyn outscored them 29-19 in 4th and Boston won by a pt at buzzer. And no reason to believe these teams won't continue to play tight games.

Chicago had a real chance to steal Game 1 in Milwaukee, but just couldn't make a shot in 4th quarter.

My Toronto pick looks ill-fated now that two key Raptors players are out of Game 2.

Atlanta was the sexy choice to upset Miami, but upsets don't usually happen after a #8 gets pummeled by a #1 in Game 1 of a series.

Minnesota and Memphis is the most offensively pyrotechnic series that looks the least like playoff basketball.

Utah and Dallas is the most misleading matchup with Doncic out.

New Orleans has no business in the playoffs.  I mean they were the #9 seed.

[OutsiderFan]

Having Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. at full capacity might make it a tighter series, but the Warriors have more better player than the Nuggets even with those guys. They can put a lineup of 4 All-Stars and now All-Star level Jordan Poole on floor together. No other team in NBA can do this. They also have a deep bench, so can beat any team, not just the Nuggets. They in fact did beat every team in the NBA this season, even without their best players available as they are now.


The Celtics and Nets might be the most competitive 2-7 series ever. A 1pt game after 1, tied at half, and though Boston led by 11 after 3, Brooklyn outscored them 29-19 in 4th and Boston won by a pt at buzzer. And no reason to believe these teams won't continue to play tight games.

Chicago had a real chance to steal Game 1 in Milwaukee, but just couldn't make a shot in 4th quarter.

My Toronto pick looks ill-fated now that two key Raptors players are out of Game 2.

Atlanta was the sexy choice to upset Miami, but upsets don't usually happen after a #8 gets pummeled by a #1 in Game 1 of a series.

Minnesota and Memphis is the most offensively pyrotechnic series that looks the least like playoff basketball.

Utah and Dallas is the most misleading matchup with Doncic out.

New Orleans has no business in the playoffs.  I mean they were the #9 seed.

[OutsiderFan]

Three headlines from Game 2 night one:

- Dubs Small Lineup Lethal Again
- Gobert Plays Sour Note for Jazz
- Embiid Embodies Everything for Sixers

[OutsiderFan]

Three headlines from Game 2 night one:

- Dubs Small Lineup Lethal Again
- Gobert Plays Sour Note for Jazz
- Embiid Embodies Everything for Sixers

[OutsiderFan]

Alright, before The Conference Semi-Finals tip-off, it's time to see if anyone here cares...

The first round went total chalk, though Phoenix and Philly got scares.

WEST - These series are REALLY close and I have no conviction in these picks
(4) Mavericks - (1) Suns

Got to say I like Dallas. They are playing really well and Luka Doncic can win a game or 2 almost by himself. Chris Paul needed to go 14-14 from the field ignorer to avoid a Game 7 with Pelicans.  I realize Devin Booker is back from pulled hammy, but I'm not convinced it isn't going to bother him.

(3) Warriors - (2) Grizzlies

Conventional wisdom is the experienced team prevails over young talent in the NBA playoffs, but sometimes a team arrives a year early.  The Warriors do poorly what the Grizzlies do well, so I am going to hope I'm wrong and pick Memphis.

EAST - I don't see as much drama with these series and feel certain about who will win them

(4) Sixers - (1) Heat

Poor Philly.  Even with a fully healthy Joel Embiid this would be a really difficult match-up for Sixers, but anytime you've got a guy as dominant as he can be, you have a chance. Now that he has both a torn thumb ligament and a fractured orbital bone, this series is pretty much over before it starts. Could even be a sweep.

(3) Bucks - (2) Celtics

I've had Boston winning the whole thing since early March, so I'm not picking against them here. Obviously the Bucks are pretty potent even without Khris Middleton, with Giannis, Brook Lopez, and Jrue Holiday, but I don't see how they survive with or without him. That's how good Boston is.

[OutsiderFan]

Alright, before The Conference Semi-Finals tip-off, it's time to see if anyone here cares...

The first round went total chalk, though Phoenix and Philly got scares.

WEST - These series are REALLY close and I have no conviction in these picks
(4) Mavericks - (1) Suns

Got to say I like Dallas. They are playing really well and Luka Doncic can win a game or 2 almost by himself. Chris Paul needed to go 14-14 from the field ignorer to avoid a Game 7 with Pelicans.  I realize Devin Booker is back from pulled hammy, but I'm not convinced it isn't going to bother him.

(3) Warriors - (2) Grizzlies

Conventional wisdom is the experienced team prevails over young talent in the NBA playoffs, but sometimes a team arrives a year early.  The Warriors do poorly what the Grizzlies do well, so I am going to hope I'm wrong and pick Memphis.

EAST - I don't see as much drama with these series and feel certain about who will win them

(4) Sixers - (1) Heat

Poor Philly.  Even with a fully healthy Joel Embiid this would be a really difficult match-up for Sixers, but anytime you've got a guy as dominant as he can be, you have a chance. Now that he has both a torn thumb ligament and a fractured orbital bone, this series is pretty much over before it starts. Could even be a sweep.

(3) Bucks - (2) Celtics

I've had Boston winning the whole thing since early March, so I'm not picking against them here. Obviously the Bucks are pretty potent even without Khris Middleton, with Giannis, Brook Lopez, and Jrue Holiday, but I don't see how they survive with or without him. That's how good Boston is.

[BostonCard]

Only one game, but the BUCKS survived quite well today without Middleton, winning convincingly in Boston.

BC

[BostonCard]

Only one game, but the BUCKS survived quite well today without Middleton, winning convincingly in Boston.

BC

[old spanish trail]

Looks like Zaire is out today (knee) but Terry is on the bench for the Grizzlies.

[old spanish trail]

Looks like Zaire is out today (knee) but Terry is on the bench for the Grizzlies.

[old spanish trail]

Fun game. Fun win. Poole excellent. Payton a formidable pest. Steph good shooting game. Klay not good shooting game...till the end.

[old spanish trail]

Fun game. Fun win. Poole excellent. Payton a formidable pest. Steph good shooting game. Klay not good shooting game...till the end.

[OutsiderFan]

Only one game, but the BUCKS survived quite well today without Middleton, winning convincingly in Boston.

BC

Boston's best four players shot a combined 32% FG and the team shot its worst FG% of the season in Game 1. No team is ever winning any game that happens. Giannis didn't shoot well, but his 12 assists demonstrate how he can be dominant without scoring a lot. Another guy who dominated without scoring (-10 not withstanding) was Brook Lopez. And therein lies the story of this series. The Bucks front court combined to out board the Celtics starters 34-19.  And the Celtics made 0 shots in midrange while Bucks made 7. The Celtics shot 29% from 2-pt range, most in the paint, which is almost impossible to believe. The Bucks dare teams to shoot more 3-pt shots, and the Celtics shot a season high 50.

The Celtics can diversify their shot selection in Game 2, but now Marcus Smart seems to be banged up, which isn't ideal for them. Still, I'm not changing my pick after one game.

---

I'm still not going to move off picking the Grizzlies to beat the Warriors. I saw enough in that game to validate why I picked them to win. But I must admit I didn't anticipate Gary Payton II to be given and play such an instrumental role. Not beating the Warriors in a game Draymond Green was ejected for a half, gives me reason to question the Grizzlies, however.

Still, it seems unlikely Desmond Bane is being held to 9 points and 1-5 from 3 again, but then I don't think Jaren Jackson is going 6-9 from 3-pt range again either. 

The officiating in Game 1 was truly unworthy of the competition level. Just awful.

[OutsiderFan]

Only one game, but the BUCKS survived quite well today without Middleton, winning convincingly in Boston.

BC

Boston's best four players shot a combined 32% FG and the team shot its worst FG% of the season in Game 1. No team is ever winning any game that happens. Giannis didn't shoot well, but his 12 assists demonstrate how he can be dominant without scoring a lot. Another guy who dominated without scoring (-10 not withstanding) was Brook Lopez. And therein lies the story of this series. The Bucks front court combined to out board the Celtics starters 34-19.  And the Celtics made 0 shots in midrange while Bucks made 7. The Celtics shot 29% from 2-pt range, most in the paint, which is almost impossible to believe. The Bucks dare teams to shoot more 3-pt shots, and the Celtics shot a season high 50.

The Celtics can diversify their shot selection in Game 2, but now Marcus Smart seems to be banged up, which isn't ideal for them. Still, I'm not changing my pick after one game.

---

I'm still not going to move off picking the Grizzlies to beat the Warriors. I saw enough in that game to validate why I picked them to win. But I must admit I didn't anticipate Gary Payton II to be given and play such an instrumental role. Not beating the Warriors in a game Draymond Green was ejected for a half, gives me reason to question the Grizzlies, however.

Still, it seems unlikely Desmond Bane is being held to 9 points and 1-5 from 3 again, but then I don't think Jaren Jackson is going 6-9 from 3-pt range again either. 

The officiating in Game 1 was truly unworthy of the competition level. Just awful.

[OutsiderFan]

This might surprise a few people:
[tweet]https://twitter.com/statmuse/status/1521141023975477248[/tweet]

[OutsiderFan]

This might surprise a few people:
[tweet]https://twitter.com/statmuse/status/1521141023975477248[/tweet]

[French Rage]

I saw enough in that game to validate why I picked them to win.

Them losing at home?

[French Rage]

I saw enough in that game to validate why I picked them to win.

Them losing at home?

[OutsiderFan]

I saw enough in that game to validate why I picked them to win.

Them losing at home?

It was a 1pt game. The W's had 17 turnovers and gave up 16 offensive rebounds. That's 33 extra possessions to Memphis, what I expected and why I picked them to win. Of course, the W's had 16 offensive rebounds themselves and Memphis had a bunch of turnovers too. That kind of evened things out more than I expected.

[OutsiderFan]

I saw enough in that game to validate why I picked them to win.

Them losing at home?

It was a 1pt game. The W's had 17 turnovers and gave up 16 offensive rebounds. That's 33 extra possessions to Memphis, what I expected and why I picked them to win. Of course, the W's had 16 offensive rebounds themselves and Memphis had a bunch of turnovers too. That kind of evened things out more than I expected.

[BostonCard]

Williams just nailed back to back threes to give Memphis a 3 point lead. He is Memphis’ second leading scorer with 14.

BC

[BostonCard]

Williams just nailed back to back threes to give Memphis a 3 point lead. He is Memphis’ second leading scorer with 14.

BC

[old spanish trail]

Williams just nailed back to back threes to give Memphis a 3 point lead. He is Memphis’ second leading scorer with 14.

BC

And he's often guarding Curry.

---

As I've said 100 times before too bad we couldn't figure out how to use him.

---

Awful game for Klay

[old spanish trail]

Williams just nailed back to back threes to give Memphis a 3 point lead. He is Memphis’ second leading scorer with 14.

BC

And he's often guarding Curry.

---

As I've said 100 times before too bad we couldn't figure out how to use him.

---

Awful game for Klay

[cardcrimson]

Great strategy by the Grizzlies tonight. Send Morant's primary defender to the hospital with a cheap shot. Send Dramond to the locker room to get stitches. Send Curry to the bench to have bleeding stopped.

[cardcrimson]

Great strategy by the Grizzlies tonight. Send Morant's primary defender to the hospital with a cheap shot. Send Dramond to the locker room to get stitches. Send Curry to the bench to have bleeding stopped.

[Phogge]

Go Grizz!

[Phogge]

Go Grizz!

[cardcrimson]

Go Grizz!

Curious as to why? I've mixed feelings towards this group of W's, but the reasoning behind my wavering can't be discussed here.

[cardcrimson]

Go Grizz!

Curious as to why? I've mixed feelings towards this group of W's, but the reasoning behind my wavering can't be discussed here.