Post by DeeperThanSims on Jan 24, 2022 17:54:05 GMT -8
Eastern Conference 1st Round
(1) Magic vs (8) 76ers
Regular Season Matchup - Magic 3-1
Key Matchup: Emoni Bates vs Gabriel Jackson Jr.
The Magic started off the season as a really good team and the signing of George Mikan put them into best in the league territory. The 76ers are probably a bit better than their 42-40 record suggests, but it's hard to see how they take out a Magic team that is better in nearly every statistical category. The 76ers are 2nd in o3PT% but the Magic don't shoot many 3s anyway. Drexel will have to consistently come up big vs Richardson for the 76ers to have a chance. Emoni vs Gabe should be fun!
Prediction: Magic in 5
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(2) Raptors vs (7) Pistons
Regular Season Matchup - 2-2
Key Matchup: Devereux St. Cloud vs Luka Doncic
The Raptors made a nice end of season run to snag the 2nd seed after their trade for Jax Bryant. They aren't as strong as your typical 2nd seed and I could see the Pistons giving a good series. I had to go with the juicy, old vs new GOAT PG for the key matchup but maybe just as important is Mel Hutchins vs Zion Williamson. Both players are great at getting opposing teams in foul trouble, Hutchins 2nd in FTAPG and Zion 5th. The player who gets their opponent in foul trouble quicker may end up winning the series for their team.
Prediction: Raptors in 6
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(3) Heat vs (6) Wizards
Regular Season Matchup - Heat 3-1
Key Matchup: Noble Herrero vs Jaden Hardy (might miss some games)
The Wizards struggled out of the gate but got their act together to secure the 6th seed. They are coming off an impressive back-to-back finals run but their reign in the East probably ends here. Hardy might miss some games unless Jah heals him up. The Heat are missing Darius Garland which is a huge opportunity for Nix to try and get a win or two. In the end, I think the Heat roster is strong enough to overcome Garland being out. The Heat are 3rd in oFG% AND o3PT% which makes them arguably the best defense in the league. I have to ride with that here.
Prediction: Heat in 6
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(4) Knicks vs (5) Hornets
Regular Season Matchup - Hornets 2-1
Key Matchup: George King vs Bobby Wanzer
The Hornets have to be the toughest 5th seed in recent memory. They "struggled" throughout the regular season but I still have them as the favorite to come out the East. I don't see a way for the Knicks to overcome the Hornets. Yes, Louis King is better than anything the Hornets can throw out at the 3, but the Knicks are clearly outmatched everywhere else. I fully expect MVP Bobby Wanzer to dogwalk George King like he did in their day 108 match up bballsim2020.com/boxes/108-2.html
Prediction: Hornets in 4
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Western Conference 1st Round
(1) Clippers vs (8) Warriors
Regular Season Matchup - Warriors 3-1
Key Matchup: Kenny Miles vs Kiyan Anthony
This might be crazy but I'm going for it. I think the Warriors will get the upset off! They went 18-9 since JR set a DC. They are far better than your typical 8th seed. They've beaten the Clippers as recently as day 98. Kiyan is one of the few guards capable of checking Miles while also putting up his own big numbers. Playoff Chris Hudson will dogwalk Calc. This is the series to watch in the 1st round!
Prediction: Warriors in 7
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(2) Jazz vs (7) Sonics
Regular Season Matchup - Jazz 4-0
Key Matchup: Jack Coleman vs Jonathan Kuminga
The Jazz are the clear favorites here. The Holmgren and Groza frontcourt is killer, especially against Lewis who is just OK and Martin Jr who is really a bench player. I do think Marty put together a strong 1-2-3 with Augmon, Arizin and Kuminga so I can't give the Jazz the sweep. Still, I think it should be a fairly easy series for the Jazz who very well may come out of the West and even win the title. Suggs Daddy going for it.
Prediction: Jazz in 5
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(3) Wolves vs (6) Mavs
Regular Season Matchup - 3-1 Mavs
Key Matchup: Dajuan Wagner Jr. vs Jordan Poole
This series is hard for me to call so I'm going with the Wolves as they have homecourt. At a glance, the Mavs seem to have a better chance with Rocha being a huge advantage over the Wolves bigs. However, I think Rocha won't end up scoring well enough to take advantage. Poole and Gooms are in the fray and will certainly be taking most of the shots. This makes me side with Wags, "Michael" Jordan Marks, LL and the Wolves more. Wagner Jr vs Poole is going to be a 🔥 matchup.
Prediction: Wolves in 7
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(4) Kings vs (5) Nuggets
Regular Season Matchup - 2-2
Key Matchup: Victor Wembanyama vs Sean Ellison
The Kings have the best big man rotation in the league and are the toughest to score on because of it (#1 in oPPG). The Nuggets are a good offensive team but don't shoot enough 3s to overcome the Kings stifling defense. I do see an opportunity for the Nuggets to win behind a huge series from Cousy. Darden certainly can't check him. I'm going to stick with who I think is the better team here.
Prediction: Kings in 6
(1) Magic vs (8) 76ers
Regular Season Matchup - Magic 3-1
Key Matchup: Emoni Bates vs Gabriel Jackson Jr.
The Magic started off the season as a really good team and the signing of George Mikan put them into best in the league territory. The 76ers are probably a bit better than their 42-40 record suggests, but it's hard to see how they take out a Magic team that is better in nearly every statistical category. The 76ers are 2nd in o3PT% but the Magic don't shoot many 3s anyway. Drexel will have to consistently come up big vs Richardson for the 76ers to have a chance. Emoni vs Gabe should be fun!
Prediction: Magic in 5
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(2) Raptors vs (7) Pistons
Regular Season Matchup - 2-2
Key Matchup: Devereux St. Cloud vs Luka Doncic
The Raptors made a nice end of season run to snag the 2nd seed after their trade for Jax Bryant. They aren't as strong as your typical 2nd seed and I could see the Pistons giving a good series. I had to go with the juicy, old vs new GOAT PG for the key matchup but maybe just as important is Mel Hutchins vs Zion Williamson. Both players are great at getting opposing teams in foul trouble, Hutchins 2nd in FTAPG and Zion 5th. The player who gets their opponent in foul trouble quicker may end up winning the series for their team.
Prediction: Raptors in 6
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(3) Heat vs (6) Wizards
Regular Season Matchup - Heat 3-1
Key Matchup: Noble Herrero vs Jaden Hardy (might miss some games)
The Wizards struggled out of the gate but got their act together to secure the 6th seed. They are coming off an impressive back-to-back finals run but their reign in the East probably ends here. Hardy might miss some games unless Jah heals him up. The Heat are missing Darius Garland which is a huge opportunity for Nix to try and get a win or two. In the end, I think the Heat roster is strong enough to overcome Garland being out. The Heat are 3rd in oFG% AND o3PT% which makes them arguably the best defense in the league. I have to ride with that here.
Prediction: Heat in 6
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(4) Knicks vs (5) Hornets
Regular Season Matchup - Hornets 2-1
Key Matchup: George King vs Bobby Wanzer
The Hornets have to be the toughest 5th seed in recent memory. They "struggled" throughout the regular season but I still have them as the favorite to come out the East. I don't see a way for the Knicks to overcome the Hornets. Yes, Louis King is better than anything the Hornets can throw out at the 3, but the Knicks are clearly outmatched everywhere else. I fully expect MVP Bobby Wanzer to dogwalk George King like he did in their day 108 match up bballsim2020.com/boxes/108-2.html
Prediction: Hornets in 4
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Western Conference 1st Round
(1) Clippers vs (8) Warriors
Regular Season Matchup - Warriors 3-1
Key Matchup: Kenny Miles vs Kiyan Anthony
This might be crazy but I'm going for it. I think the Warriors will get the upset off! They went 18-9 since JR set a DC. They are far better than your typical 8th seed. They've beaten the Clippers as recently as day 98. Kiyan is one of the few guards capable of checking Miles while also putting up his own big numbers. Playoff Chris Hudson will dogwalk Calc. This is the series to watch in the 1st round!
Prediction: Warriors in 7
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(2) Jazz vs (7) Sonics
Regular Season Matchup - Jazz 4-0
Key Matchup: Jack Coleman vs Jonathan Kuminga
The Jazz are the clear favorites here. The Holmgren and Groza frontcourt is killer, especially against Lewis who is just OK and Martin Jr who is really a bench player. I do think Marty put together a strong 1-2-3 with Augmon, Arizin and Kuminga so I can't give the Jazz the sweep. Still, I think it should be a fairly easy series for the Jazz who very well may come out of the West and even win the title. Suggs Daddy going for it.
Prediction: Jazz in 5
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(3) Wolves vs (6) Mavs
Regular Season Matchup - 3-1 Mavs
Key Matchup: Dajuan Wagner Jr. vs Jordan Poole
This series is hard for me to call so I'm going with the Wolves as they have homecourt. At a glance, the Mavs seem to have a better chance with Rocha being a huge advantage over the Wolves bigs. However, I think Rocha won't end up scoring well enough to take advantage. Poole and Gooms are in the fray and will certainly be taking most of the shots. This makes me side with Wags, "Michael" Jordan Marks, LL and the Wolves more. Wagner Jr vs Poole is going to be a 🔥 matchup.
Prediction: Wolves in 7
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(4) Kings vs (5) Nuggets
Regular Season Matchup - 2-2
Key Matchup: Victor Wembanyama vs Sean Ellison
The Kings have the best big man rotation in the league and are the toughest to score on because of it (#1 in oPPG). The Nuggets are a good offensive team but don't shoot enough 3s to overcome the Kings stifling defense. I do see an opportunity for the Nuggets to win behind a huge series from Cousy. Darden certainly can't check him. I'm going to stick with who I think is the better team here.
Prediction: Kings in 6
