April 16, 2015

My picks:

Hawks in a sweep
Cavs in 5
Bulls in 6
Wizards in 6

GSW in 5
Mavs in 6
Spurs in 6
Memphis in 7

East Leading Scorer: LBJ
West Leading Scorer: Steph Curry
Ejected Player: Mat Fucking Barnes
Moneyball: 32.7 PPG

posted by Ufez Jones at 11:58 AM on April 16, 2015

Eastern Conference:
ATL in 4
CLE in 4
MIL in 7
TOR in 7

Western Conference:
GSW in 5
HOU in 7
SAS in 6
POR in 7

Bonus:
East Scorer: L. James - 28.7
West Scorer: S. Curry - 29.4
Ejected: Josh Smith (HOU)
Highest Scoring Avg: 29.4

(I'm not sure if I'm understanding the scoring predictions here)

posted by NoMich at 01:19 PM on April 16, 2015

(Highest scoring avg is independent of your choices for leading conference scorer. Just pick where you think the number will land. If you're within .5 over or under, then Cha-ching! you've hit the Mavs Moneyball.)

posted by Ufez Jones at 01:33 PM on April 16, 2015

Atlanta in 4

Cleveland in 5

Chicago in 6

Toronto in 7

Golden State in 4

Houston in 5

Clippers in 7

Memphis in 7

East- LeBron James 32.7

West- Blake Griffin 31.7

Ejected- Matt Barnes

Money Ball - 32.7

posted by ic23b at 04:40 PM on April 16, 2015

Uhm, did you all not see how the Celtics destroyed the Cavs last time out? I predict a C's victory in 12.

posted by yerfatma at 07:47 PM on April 16, 2015

I predict a C's victory in 12.

C = Cavaliers or C = Celtics?

posted by NoMich at 09:59 PM on April 16, 2015

OK, here goes. I am absolutely thrilled to once again go to a Boston Celtics playoff game -- or 2 or 3. It should be 2 for sure, but my son's girlfriend might want to go to game 4. I would complain, but she's my fitness trainer as well as son's girlfriend, and a really nice person to boot.

Atlanta vs Brooklyn: The no stars Hawks should have little difficulty with Brooklyn. On the "blind hog and acorn" theory, Nets will take one game, but the rest will be no contest. Atlanta in 5.

Cleveland vs Boston: Isaiah Thomas goes absolutely bonkers, averages 36 per game, a trio of Celtics defenders wears down LeBron James to the point where he loses his temper in game 3 and is ejected and suspended for attacking an official, and the Celtics win the series. All this will happen sometime in the next two nights, and then I will awaken from the dream. Cleveland in 5.

Chicago vs Milwaukee: The Bucks have been a bit of an enigma, looking unbeatable on some evenings and quite ordinary on others. On the other hand, the Bulls have suffered all year from injury, and at times seem to have stopped listening to Coach Thibodeau. Rose is back, but is he back to his top form? I look for the Bucks to stop here. Chicago in 6.

Toronto vs Washington: Raptors are a talented bunch. Landry Fields, DeMar DeRozan, and Louis Williams can fill the nets, while Valanciunas can get the ball off the boards. Defense could be a problem for them. Washington lacks the scorers of Toronto, but Wall and Gortat sre a tough combination to stop. One thing that Wizards have is the playoff experience of one gray bearded Paul Pierce. His presence on the floor, on the bench, and in the locker room will keep Washington focused. This will be no easy series, but it's Washington in 6.

Golden State vs New Orleans: The best team in the NBA against one that crawled into the post season in its last game. To quote Ogden Nash, "A remarkable bird is the Pelican, his beak holds more than his belly can." New Orleans will stick its beak into Golden State, but will wind up with a belly full of Warriors' basketball. Golden State in 4.

Houston vs Dallas: Who cares about the NBA championship; this one is for the championship of Texas. It could very well prove to be the best series of the 8 being played in the first round. Rockets have Jams Harden and Trevor Ariza to do their scoring, and with Dwight Howard back they have a third threat. The Mark Cuban AC counters with Monta Ellis, Dirk Nowitzki, and Chandler Parsons. The question for Dallas is whether or not Rajon Rondo is able to work within the system and support the others. I watched Rondo for his years in Boston, and I know he saves his best for the big moments. This series is the one I will watch when it's available. I look for Dallas in 7.

Los Angeles Clippers vs San Antonio Spurs: Doc Rivers vs Gregg Popovich; Tim Duncan vs Blake Griffin; Kawhi Leonard vs J. J. Reddick. The matchups in this one are intriguing. The only problem with this series is that too many of the games will be in the Pacific time zone. I mean, I'm a night owl, but that's ridiculous. The big difference between these two clubs is at the point guard position. Chris Paul against Paddy Mills might be spectacular. As good as Mills has been this year, I look to Chris Paul to guide the Clippers and sell plenty of insurance. Los Angeles in 7.

Portland vs Memphis: Trail Blazers might have problems if Chris Kaman and Nicolas Batum miss any time in this one. Both are questionable for game 1. Damian Lillard can make up a lot of the Portland offense, but can he do enough without the others? Injuries are a problem for Memphis as well. Tony Allen, one of the best defenders in the league, is coming back from a hamstring strain and is questionable for game 1. Mike Conley is likewise questionable after missing the last 4 games with a sprained foot. Beno Udrih is a competent backup at the point, but after him only rookie Russ Smith is left. Marc Gasol, Zach Randolph, and Jeff Green will provide sufficient offense for the Grizzlies, and can also play enough defense to slow Kaman and Batum. Memphis in 6.

High scorer in the East: DeMar DeRozan High scorer in the West: James Harden Ejected player: Yannick Noah (on a flagrant 2) 3-point moneyball (scoring average): 36.2

posted by Howard_T at 12:29 AM on April 17, 2015

C = Cavaliers or C = Celtics?

Not sure. He must mean the team with the 'C' sound.

posted by tron7 at 10:59 AM on April 17, 2015