2017-18 NBA Playoffs (2nd round)

After four games in each series. 

Pelicans 101-123 Warriors
Pelicans 116-121 Warriors
Warriors 100-119 Pelicans
Warriors 121-116 Pelicans

In Game One, the Pelicans didn't have it, W's came to play; not a close game. Game Two, Pelicans brought it, stayed close throughout, had their chances late, but I never thought the W's were gonna lose Steph's return; close but Warriors did what they needed to do. Game Three, Pelicans balled out, W's kinda took it easy (they do that sometimes on the road, just play a mellow game to see if they can steal one); Pelicans played well throughout, good win for them. Game Four, Pelicans just weren't crisp, they were never in the game, they made a run in the 4th, but like Game Two, I never thought the Pelicans were gonna win.

The Pelicans had their moments but just couldn't be consistent long enough to really outlast the Warrior onslaught. Good enough to convincingly do it once or twice, but not enough to win a series. The Warriors are hitting their stride, Klay is an all-star, Durant gets his shot every time, Curry is just the bonus, if he's feeling it, that's ballgame. The 1st rd Pelicans could've run with them but the 2nd round Pelicans just don't have enough offense to last. I'd be surprised if the Pelicans won Game Five, Warriors might mess around and let the Pelicans make a game of it late, but I think the Warriors win easily.


Jazz 96-110 Rockets
Jazz 116-108 Rockets
Rockets 113-92 Jazz
Rockets 87-100 Jazz

Game One Jazz come in without Ricky Rubio, make a game effort, but never shut down the Harden efficiency machine. Game Two shows the Rockets' propensity to gack up games with poor shooting performances leading to sloppy defense and rebounding; Mitchell was brilliant, he out-Hardened Harden. Game Three, Jazz just aren't crisp, get nothing from their bench, never get enough offense going; Rockets are easy and loose, playing with a big lead without much effort. Game Four, Jazz lose Exum, they're hemorrhaging bodies, no way they can keep up with the Rockets.

The Jazz had one classic win but otherwise just couldn't hang without Rubio. This series was never about the Jazz, but if they'd had Rubio at least they would've been the Jazz instead of Jazz-ish. This series was always about the Rockets and their propensity to gack up games. It was a long shot to think that the Jazz were the team that could give the Rockets fits but Game Two wasn't a fluke. I'd be shocked and amazed if the Jazz won Game Five, this series is over. The Rockets have shown they can give away games and they've shown they can crush teams without even playing hard. We've seen the Rockets' extremes, I expect they'll shut down Game Five pronto.

With the way the Warriors are dressing down the Pelicans, it's clear we're going to get the 1-2 matchup we looked forward to all year long. I imagined the Westbrook-PG duo getting it together to make a run against the dread pirate Golden State, but 3's a crowd and its the Harden-CP duo instead. If the Rockets play their absolute best for seven games, they could win four of them against the Warriors. But I don't see that happening. The Warrior supporting cast is starting to fall into place just as the stars are aligning as well. Home court for the Rockets in Game Seven doesn't impress me too much simply because I think Houston is one of the lamest home teams in all of sports. Lifeless crowd might drag down Harden and Paul, certainly won't give any advantage. The Warriors are rounding into shape but even at the best the Rockets still give away games, this is not a favorable combo for the Rockets. I gotta go with the Warriors in 6. 


Sixers 101-117 Celtics
Sixers 103-108 Celtics
Celtics 101-98 (OT) Sixers
Celtics 92-103 Sixers

Game One, the Celtics came to play, the team that got muddy with the Bucks went right at the Sixers and the Sixers weren't ready; game was a little closer than the score indicates, Celtics led the whole second half but they piled on at the end. Game Two, the Sixers jumped out to a big lead then gave it right back, still had their chances to win at the end. Game Three, again the Sixers just didn't make the necessary plays to secure the win, thus they go down 0-3 on their home floor. Not good. Game Four, the Sixers took control and held it pretty much throughout, the Celtics didn't mail it in but it wasn't their best game.

Okay, here's the weird part: I wouldn't be shocked if the Sixers came back and won the next three games. They've been the better team, they need to be proactive about cutting off Celtic runs, keep attacking the basket, and finish the smart plays that win games late in the game. The Sixers are quite capable of doing that in Game Five. They still have the better attack, they even have the better defense. Brown and Horford are starting to wear down a little bit, Shane Larkin got hurt in Game Four, not a huge loss but still a loss, Tatum is still a rookie too, Rozier has been over his head for weeks now (Baynes, too), Smart is never far from a season-ending injury. The Sixers have been the better team--let me say: the most capable team--and if they just recognize that, they can still keep winning. And the longer the Celtics have to go, the more rickety they become. I think I'd still take the Celtics in Game Seven, but I can totally see the Sixers winning Five and Six, they're still capable of being the better team (even three more times in a row). The Celtics really need to win this in Five, which is precisely the back-to-the-wall place the Sixers need to get to to play their best. Unlike the other three, I don't think this series is over.


Cavs 113-112 (OT) Raptors
Cavs 128-110 Raptors
Raptors 103-105 Cavs
Raptors 93-128 Cavs

Aw, man. Game One, Raptors should've won, controlled the game throughout, Cavs did not look cohesive, but Lebron took over the 4th quarter, Cavs tie it up, finally get the lead in OT. Shit, man, it was over right there. The Raptors did everything needed to win except be ahead when the clock runs out. Game Two was just a confirmation of the nightmare (dude, the way Lebron was dinking and dunking passes to Love and Korver for easy points was like practice--they turned the #1 team in the East into a practice squad!). Game Three, the Raptors played with pride, didn't get overwhelmed, made their run at the end, came up short. But hey, they tried. Game Four, was over quick, painless (right?). Man, for the Raptors to do this two years straight is just harsh. I bet you a dollar they run back this exact same team next year, I can see the same #1/swept out all over again (as a lifelong Buffalo Bills fan, this Raptor team gives me chills).

If the Celtics get past the Sixers in Five, they'll give the Cavs a challenge. Just because they can beat the Raptors doesn't mean the Cavs have solved all ills. The Celtics will attack them and make them work. If Horford-Brown-Tatum-Smart stay healthy, they'll punch back on the Cavs and Coach Stevens is a fitting match for Coach Lebron. I'd take the Cavs but the Celtics would definitely make them play. If the Sixers come back and win, they'll have a weird energy that Lebron may have no answer for; but if the Sixers can make the Celtics sweat a little, they might tenderize the morsel for the Cavs. The Celtics need to wrap up the Sixers in Five.