Post by skrouse on Aug 22, 2018 23:32:09 GMT
Here's my 2 cents on how this year's Eastern Conference Playoffs will play out.
1 Chicago Bulls vs 8 Miami Heat
Season Series: 3 – 1 Bulls
EFF Comparison: Bulls (+18.9) v Heat (+7.7)
Matchup & Prediction: The season series is pretty much moot, so are pretty much all of the numbers for the Bulls as GM TimPig made a giant move right at the deadline to acquire star center DeAndre Ayton. Moving his own start center Mo Bamba along with several other players playing minutes, the Bulls have been transformed. On paper and by all measures they seems to have gotten better. Which does not bode well for GM yawn and his Heat. The Heat are not a bad team by any stretch, they have 4 really good pieces with Zion, Benji, DerMarr and Rookie of the Year Ray McCallum Jr. They can score in bunches, especially since adding McCallum, but can they stop Ayton? Looking at all 5 positions each side has some advantages. The Heat should do well with McCallum and DerMarr on the wing. Benji vs Jamison should be a great matchup at the 3. But Zion and Williamson will have problems against Hayes and Ayton. That’s clearly the Bulls biggest advantages as the Heat have a glaring weakness at the 5. I expect Ayton to have a monster series. The Heat scrap out a game but the Bulls win in 5.
2 New York Knicks vs 7 Detroit Pistons
Season Series: 3 – 1 Knicks
EFF Comparison: Knicks (+23.6) v Pistons (+2.3)
Matchup & Prediction: The Knickerbockers are back at it again, a top 2 seed, Firsto playing lights out, I hate to say it but this team really has no glaring holes. Sure McCall, Chalky and Von Nieda aren’t current All Stars but they are solid enough to allow the future HOFer, the 6th Man of the Year and Jock “the Glock” Landale to fuck shit up down low. The Pistons leave much to be desired, sure they won 48 games and Ponds was an All Star and 3rd Team All TMBSL but their lackluster performances drove their GM off a cliff midway through the season and out of Mo Town for good. Outside of Ponds I think the Piston will have a hard time scoring. Moon will miss the first 3 games of the series and they have nothing that will stop the best front court in the league. The Knicks trio should have a field day with Yommy and Wiley down low. They gave up 1 game in the season series but I don’t see it happening in the post season. Bust out the broom in the Big Apple. I’m calling for a sweep! 4-0 Knicks
3 Indiana Pacers vs 6 Atlanta Hawks
Season Series: 2 – 2 Split
EFF Comparison: Pacers (+20.3) v Hawks (+9.3)
Matchup & Prediction: This series should be very exciting, 2 high scoring teams led by hot shot wings. The Pacers come into the playoffs once again riding the back of Daniel Taurasi, a sure fire first ballot HOFer. In addition to last year’s rookie addition Mo Peterson, he’s got another nice new wingman in Vic the Dick Oladipo, who was outshined by others in this class but looks to be another very solid player for GM Heebs going forward. And of course the constant Pacer in the paint, big shot blocker, Donta Hall. On the other side the Hawks are led turnover machine Benji Hammon. He does make up for most of them by being a borderline 30/10 player and will also be accompanied by shooting sensations Kevin Knocks and Deng Adel. The last key feather in GM JHB’s cap is Mitch Robinson, who could be a key contributor if he can simply hold his own in the front court and not give up fast break opportunities by getting his layups swatted. Despite only 1 close game in the 2-2 split this regular season, I think this series will be just like I prefer my women; tight, fun and up & down at a face pace. I see lots of buckets on both ends and multiple individual 45+ point games. It’s a really tough call but I think the Pacers will take it in 7 games due to the home court advantage.
4 Orlando Magic vs 5 Harlem Globetrotters
Season Series: 2 – 2 Split
EFF Comparison: Magic (+18.9) v Globetrotters (+11.3)
Matchup & Prediction: A rematch of last year’s Crown Jewel of the 1st round, a series that went 7 games and came down to the wire with the Globetrotters winning 128 – 125 at the O-Rena. This season the Magic are hopeful to keep their fully healthy squad throughout the playoffs after losing both their starting PG and SF for all and most of the 1st round last year. The Magic come in with a very balanced and deep squad, no true superstars but no glaring weaknesses. The Globetrotters are built a little more top heavy, led by the three headed monster that is Dolph Schayes (former playoff MVP), Elvis Delle Donne (5 time All Star) and Dazon “Discount” Ingram. All 3 players are just a touch away from 30 PPG and they’ll need to combine for close to 100 PPG in this series to steal home court and take the series.
I expect nothing less with this matchup than what we saw last year, these 2 teams were only separated by a single game in the standings and split their regular season series 2-2, with both teams defending home court. If one team can steal an away game early, they may take the series in 6 but I see 7 games on the horizon once again. The Magic have the advantage at the 1 and 5 but the Globetrotter clearly have the better 2-4. Which mismatch creates the greatest disparity will determine the outcome of the series. I’m calling for the Magic men to get it done this year and defend the O-Rena, Orlando in 7.
Eastern Conference Semifinals
1 Chicago Bulls vs 4 Orlando Magic
Season Series: 3 – 1 Bulls
EFF Comparison: Bulls (+18.9) v Magic (+18.9)
Matchup & Prediction: These 2 teams squared off twice post the Ayton blockbuster, a home and home, Chicago won both. The Magic were missing a starter from the 2nd game but neither was very close. Ayton kills any advantage the Magic may have against other squads that face Griner & Parker in the paint, and the rest of the Bulls roster matches up well vs Orlando’s aging squad. Though they are identical in terms of efficiency, this one won’t be close, Bulls in 5.
2 New York Knicks vs 3 Indiana Pacers
Season Series: 2 – 2 Split
EFF Comparison: Knicks (+23.6) v Pacers (+20.3)
Matchup & Prediction: Whichever sim TV network has the EC Semifinals booked is excited for this showdown. A battle of Wings vs Bigs. These teams split in the regular season and no surprise, both teams are very talented and have a star any franchise would be lucky to have. 5.0 legends Firsto and Taurasi should put up big numbers in every game based on their match ups. If the Knicks front line can get Hall into foul trouble early and often, the paint should be wide open all day every day. Conversely, there is no one on the Knicks capable of slowing down Taurasi, and Peterson should also have a field day matched up with Von Nieda. I expect high scores, maybe a blow out each way, and 7 games of fun, fast paced basketball. But in the end the Knicks take it in 7.
Eastern Conference Finals
1 Chicago Bulls vs 2 New York Knicks
Season Series: 3 – 1 Bulls
EFF Comparison: Bulls (+18.9) v Knicks (+23.6)
Matchup & Prediction: The EC Finals series most would expect, the two clear cut top teams in the East. The Knicks hailing from the Beastlantic, the Bulls charging from the Cream Puff Factory… ahem I mean Central. Stars collide as Firsto faces off versus Ayton. Which team will have the honor of losing to the Jazz in the 2005 TMBSL Finals? I think this series comes down to the difference between 2 matchups, the Knicks front court and the Bulls point guard. Chalky v Jamison should be close to a push and the 2 SGs are nothing to write home about. That leaves Saruman (sounds better than Sarunas IMO) to work his magic vs Quincy McCall, and I think the white wizard wins that matchup over a 7 game series. But if the Knicks front court trio overpowers Ayton and Hayes, this series will be over early. And unfortunately for GM TimPig, that’s what I think happens, Knicks take it in 6 in a series that appears closer than it really is.
