Magic 112-101 Pistons
Magic 83-98 Pistons
The Magic's surprisingly effective performance in Game One was not as shocking as all that. The Magic rallied through the play-on game and kept it rolling against a Piston squad that hasn't played a meaningful game in weeks--hey, good for them. I had Pistons in 5 and I'm sticking with that pick. In Game Two, the Pistons slunked through the 1st half and then blew the game open right out of halftime and I think that's more representative of the dynamic between these two teams than Game One. The Magic had a nice bubble but I think that's over, I expect the Pistons to be the better team for the next three games.
Sixers 91-123 Celtics
Sixers 111-97 Celtics
The Sixers taking Game Two was eye-opening but their speed (specifically Maxey and Edgecombe) has the power to overwhelm anyone at any time and I can see them winning another game or two but I still think the Celtics are the better, deeper team and will get through this series. But I'm open to the idea that the Sixers can put a shock into the Celtics (though I still think they're better without Embiid).
Hawks 102-113 Knicks
Hawks 107-106 Knicks
I thought the Knicks weren't very good in Game One and still won rather easily. I didn't think they're very good in Game Two, either, but were on their way to an easy win when the Hawks suddenly came alive and stole it. I thought this series would be hotly contested and go seven games and I still think that. The Hawks are a nice team but when push comes to shove, the Knicks still have more options to get a win than the Hawks do.
Raptors 113-126 Cavs
Raptors 105-115 Cavs
The Raptors are a nice team but without Immanuel Quickley they just a man short of keeping up with the Cavs. Quickley may return in Game Three and I would give the Raptors a puncher's chance in the next two games. But not really beyond that. Getting a little push might be a good thing for the Cavs--it might be even better if they just show up and take the next two on the road. The Raptors could still get hot, the Cavs could turn funky, but I doubt it. I think the Cavs will wrap this up fairly quick.
West
Suns 94-119 Thunder
Suns 107-120 Thunder
Yawn! Devin Booker complaining about the refs after getting thoroughly spanked in the first two games is kinda embarrassing. I hope for the Suns' sake that OKC just finishes this in four, it'll be so much easier for everyone involved.
Blazers 96-111 Spurs
Blazers 106-103 Spurs
The Blazers just couldn't hang in Game One and frankly were the lesser team in Game Two. But when Wemby went out with a concussion (no word on his availability going forward, but I suspect he'll be out for Game Three), the Blazers were able to spark that into a victory. I like the Blazers but even without Wemby, I think the Spurs are probably the better team. They're both young, so this could still go either way--and without Wemby I don't think anyone would see this as a glorious upset, more just an unfortunate showing for a Spurs team that is probably already a year ahead of schedule anyway. This is an interesting series, was gonna be a fun watch either way but if the Spurs have to do this without Wemby, it'll be a hell of a test for them--and it wouldn't be a shock if the Blazers move on to the next round.
Wolves 105-116 Nuggets
Wolves 119-114 Nuggets
Even though the Nuggets have a better supporting cast than they've had in a while, they are still too reliant on Jokic and Murray, who both looked gassed in the 4th quarters of these games. Jokic's shooting hasn't been great, while the Wolves seem to be rounding into shape. I had the Nuggets making the final four, but the Wolves could tip this one over real quick in the next two games (and if Wemby can't make it back....dang, man, it could be the Wolves in the final four again).
Rockets 98-107 Lakers
Rockets 94-101 Lakers
Yipes! The Rockets look like absolute shit. The Lakers aren't even doing anything and they cruised in these first two games. The Rockets offense is just not good--Coach Udoka: it really doesn't even matter if you don't like Reed Sheppard, he's all you've got! Udoka's inability to find a groove with Sheppard is killing this team. And--okay, I'll be that guy--Kevin Durant's one man show isn't helping either. They've got to root out the depth of this lineup to find a way to move on and relying on Durant to do everything just isn't gonna get it done. Meanwhile, the Lakers are resting their two best scorers and have encountered no obstacle whatsoever. I thought the Rockets would find themselves in the post-season and I was wrong. Unless Sengun takes over, this team is not gonna win a single game.
No comments:
Post a Comment