12/03/24
April 28, 2018
NBA Playoff Pick 'Em: Second Round: The second round of the NBA playoffs is beginning before the first round is over. The Pelicans play the Warriors tonight at 10:30 p.m. Eastern and the Jazz face the Rockets Sunday at 3:30 p.m. Pick the teams that will win each series (+1), the number of games it will require (+1) and the top scorer in the series. When the remaining first round games are over, do the same for the Raptors vs. the Cavs/Pacers winner and Sixers vs. Celtics/Bucks victor.
posted by rcade to basketball at 07:37 AM - 25 comments
Houston in 6 -- Donovan Mitchell +1
Golden State in 5 -- Kevin Durant +2 +1
Philadelphia 76ers in 6 -- Joel Embiid
Cleveland Cavaliers in 6 -- LeBron James +1 +1
posted by rcade at 07:42 AM on April 28, 2018
Golden State in 6 - A. Davis (NOP) +1 +1
Houston in 5 - J. Harden (HOU) +2 +1
posted by NoMich at 08:37 AM on April 28, 2018
Houston in 5 - Harden +2 +1
Golden State in 5 - Durant +2 +1
posted by grum@work at 08:59 AM on April 28, 2018
Really wish the NBA would do the same thing as the NHL. That is, wait until all games in a round have been completed before starting another round. I suppose there are scheduling problems, but if the NHL can do it, why not the NBA?
I will be at TD Garden screaming the Celtics through to a game 7 win tonight. If you have never experienced live a new elimination game in basketball or hockey, you have missed an incredible experience. Bring hearing protection. Now my picks:
How Durant and Anthony Davis work on each other will determine this one. Rondo is the wild card. Golden State in 6, Durant. +1 +1
Watching the way Utah closed out Oklahoma City last night makes me think they have a chance against Houston. Then I look at the Rockets roster and reality takes hold. Houston in 5, Harden (who else?). +2 +1
posted by Howard_T at 12:16 PM on April 28, 2018
Eh, this is hard because I really like the Jazz. But Houston in five, James Harden. +2 +1
Warriors in six, Anthony Davis +1
posted by Goyoucolts at 02:42 PM on April 28, 2018
Golden State in 6 ; Kevin Durant +1 +1
Rockets in 6: Harden +1 +1
posted by ic23b at 04:07 PM on April 28, 2018
Go Pels and Jazz!
That said:
Warriors in 5 - Anthony Davis +1 +1
Houston in 6 - Harden. +1 +1
posted by Ufez Jones at 09:32 PM on April 28, 2018
Steph will be back by Tuesday and Golden State is going to win this in 4. +1
Final match up: Golden State - 76ers
Mark My Words.
posted by Peakify at 01:26 AM on April 29, 2018
OOPS I listed my picks twice. Kind of loopy on pain meds, spent most of the night in the hospital. Fell and broke my ankle in two places.
posted by ic23b at 02:12 PM on April 29, 2018
Sixers in 6 - JJ Redick (PHI)
Raptors in 7 - L. James (CLE) +1
posted by NoMich at 07:52 PM on April 29, 2018
Now that the East has been settled, we can proceed to the more fun part of the schedule. The Celtics played as good a defensive game last night as they have all year. The problem is that Philadelphia presents a whole different set of challenges. Compounding the situation is that Jaylen Brown is listed as doubtful for tomorrow with a strained right hamstring. Against Milwaukee Brown was one of the more reliable scoring options, and his defense is very good. Philly could steal game 1, and if so, I don't like Celtics' chances.
After a debacle in Indiana, Cleveland came back well. Toronto has considerably more diverse scoring, and play some decent defense. Of course, LeBron is always the best player on the court, but how much help he will get is open to question on a game-by-game basis.
End of analysis, now for the picks:
Even though 76ers are not strong at point guard, they have enough to offset this. The injuries finally catch up to the Green. Philadelphia in 6. Simmons.
For all of the reasons above, Cleveland will have a hard time getting past the Raptors. Toronto in 5. DeRozan.
Get well soon, ic23b.
posted by Howard_T at 09:28 PM on April 29, 2018
Cleveland in 7: LeBron James +1 +1
Philadelphia in 5: JJ Redick
posted by ic23b at 11:23 AM on April 30, 2018
Get well soon, ic23b. Thank You Howard_T
posted by ic23b at 11:25 AM on April 30, 2018
You weren't playing Steph Curry one-on-one were you?
posted by NoMich at 11:29 AM on April 30, 2018
Philly in 7 - Joel Embiid
Toronto in 7 - LBJ +1
posted by Ufez Jones at 04:21 PM on April 30, 2018
Edit:
I'm changing my pick in the Raptors game.
Raptors in 7 - LBJ +1
(I'm going to chalk it up to being VERY tired and forgetting who the Raptors were playing.)
posted by grum@work at 10:13 PM on April 30, 2018
Goodness, the Celtics are ridiculous.
posted by Goyoucolts at 12:15 AM on May 01, 2018
(eye emoji if we supported that kind of low-rent thing)
posted by yerfatma at 09:27 AM on May 01, 2018
Goodness, the Celtics are ridiculous
I was at the game last night, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Celtics were indeed good, Jason Tatum in particular as he rose to the challenge to outshine the pseudo rookie Ben Simmons. Celtics played their usual excellent defense, but Philly helped them greatly by shooting very badly from the perimeter. Turnovers favored Boston, rebounds were nearly even, but free throws were 26 of 34 for Philly versus 17 of 18 for Boston. The numbers say that Philadelphia outplayed Boston, but could not shoot well enough to win. The free throw discrepancy shows that Boston was willing to play tight defense and take it's chances with the officiating.
posted by Howard_T at 11:44 AM on May 01, 2018
Really late but will submit my pick for the remaining series
Cleveland in 6 - James +1 +1
posted by cixelsyd at 06:28 PM on May 01, 2018
Scores are in the previous discussion.
Standings