Post by Galo on Jul 25, 2023 14:11:35 GMT -8
2063 East Playoff preview
Round 1
(#1) Atlanta Hawks (61-21) vs. (#8) New Orleans Hornets (36-46)
Superstar matchup- Moses Malone vs. Ralph Simpson
Analysis – Hawks remain the favorites in the East by my estimation. Atlanta has one of the top point differential in the league, top 3 in rebounds, and very good in the stocks department. Additionally, they are top 3 in points given up. The Hornets are well – just happy to be here and getting a cheap reset over the Pistons. They are -3 in point differential and are led by former Spartan Ralph Simpson who might be the most under the radar wing the in the league. Quietly, Riverboat Jah has transformed the former No. 16 pick in 54’ draft into a stud shooting guard. Back to the series though, I think New Orleans would be lucky to win a game in this one.
Prediction – Hawks in 5
(#2) Orlando Magic (57-25) vs. (#7) Miami Heat (46-36)
Superstar matchup- Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird
Analysis- Magic versus Bird. The rivals meet again. Aside from the story lines, Dan has done a stellar job with Orlando since coming back on board as they sport a dominating backcourt of Marv Roberts and Magic along with the newcomer Robert Reid. In Miami, kobe continues his groans about Larry Bird’s high passing and subpart defense for the team. Despite, Miami has a +4.2 point differential and rank 2nd in the league in boards, they aren’t very good shooting team as they rank in the bottom 10 in FG%. It should be an interesting series as the Heat won the season series 2-1 so they match up well against each other.
Prediction – Magic in 7
(#3) Chicago Bulls (52-30) vs. (#6) Boston Celtics (48-34)
Superstar matchup- Julius Irving vs. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Analysis- Another fun round 1 matchup here. Dr. J versus Kap. The Bulls sport an impressive +7.4 pint differential and are very good on the glass as well. The former No. 5 overall pick Darrell Griffith had a terrific rookie campaign on the way to the rookie of the year award. On the Celtics side, it seems like business as usual for Ahsan. Wing John Brisker was plucked off the street to play some valuable minutes off the bench while Gus Williams has been a pretty good point guard option for them after being with Miami last season. The C’s are tough down low as the lead the league in blocks but they also lead the league in turnovers. Giving the edge to Chicago here due to a more balanced roster.
Prediction- Bulls in 6
(#4) Indiana Pacers (50-32) vs. (#5) Cleveland Cavaliers (48-34)
Superstar matchup- Bo Lamar vs. George Gervin
Analysis- Indy versus the Land in round 1 should be entertaining. The Pacers finished top 4 in the East despite Styro being out for a while was impressive. Dan Issel, Phil Smith and Bo Lamar has been a great big 3. On the Cavs side, they have lots of big names in Iceman, World B. Free and Spencer Haywood. Reggie King has been the perfect glue guy for them at the SF spot as well. This one seems to tough to call especially as they split the season series – the Pacers lead the league in scoring while the Cavs are middle in the road statistically in giving up points but maybe there's upset potential here.
Prediction- Cavs in 7
Round 2
(#1) Hawks vs. Cavs (#5)
Superstar matchup- Moses Malone vs. George Gervin
Analysis- These two teams split the season series this year and all games were blow outs with the exception of one. I don’t know if any of the Cavs bigs can stop Malone and their wings seem pretty comparable. The Hawks defense coupled with a top offense should advance them to the ECF in this one.
Prediction- Hawks in 6
(#2) Magic vs. (#3) Bulls
Superstar matchup- Magic Johnson vs. Julius Irving
Analysis- Another fun star clash in Dr. J versus Magic. Orlando actually won the season series against the Bulls 3-1. Point guard Eric Money will attempt to put the clamps on Ervin Johnson but we’ll see if Griffith can hold his own against Roberts. Slight edge to Orlando here.
Prediction- Magic in 7
East Finals
(#1) Hawks vs. (#2) Magic
Superstar matchup- Moses Malone vs. Magic Johnson
Analysis- Another #1 versus #2 matchup? I think so. Hawks seem to be much better on defense during the season while the Magic have excelled for the top scoring offense behind Indiana this year. Can Atlanta hold off the Magic and their top shooting team FG% wise? It’s going to go 7 I believe.
Prediction – Magic in 7
Finals
(#2) Spurs vs. (#2) Magic
Superstar matchup- Marques Johnson vs. Magic Johnson
Analysis- Juicy matchup here where the teams split the season series. The Spurs are the top team defensively in points allowed while the Magic are the #2 in offense. Which one will prevail? This one should come down to the stars and not sure if George Karl will be able to body Magic.
Prediction- Magic win in 7
Round 1
(#1) Atlanta Hawks (61-21) vs. (#8) New Orleans Hornets (36-46)
Superstar matchup- Moses Malone vs. Ralph Simpson
Analysis – Hawks remain the favorites in the East by my estimation. Atlanta has one of the top point differential in the league, top 3 in rebounds, and very good in the stocks department. Additionally, they are top 3 in points given up. The Hornets are well – just happy to be here and getting a cheap reset over the Pistons. They are -3 in point differential and are led by former Spartan Ralph Simpson who might be the most under the radar wing the in the league. Quietly, Riverboat Jah has transformed the former No. 16 pick in 54’ draft into a stud shooting guard. Back to the series though, I think New Orleans would be lucky to win a game in this one.
Prediction – Hawks in 5
(#2) Orlando Magic (57-25) vs. (#7) Miami Heat (46-36)
Superstar matchup- Magic Johnson vs. Larry Bird
Analysis- Magic versus Bird. The rivals meet again. Aside from the story lines, Dan has done a stellar job with Orlando since coming back on board as they sport a dominating backcourt of Marv Roberts and Magic along with the newcomer Robert Reid. In Miami, kobe continues his groans about Larry Bird’s high passing and subpart defense for the team. Despite, Miami has a +4.2 point differential and rank 2nd in the league in boards, they aren’t very good shooting team as they rank in the bottom 10 in FG%. It should be an interesting series as the Heat won the season series 2-1 so they match up well against each other.
Prediction – Magic in 7
(#3) Chicago Bulls (52-30) vs. (#6) Boston Celtics (48-34)
Superstar matchup- Julius Irving vs. Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Analysis- Another fun round 1 matchup here. Dr. J versus Kap. The Bulls sport an impressive +7.4 pint differential and are very good on the glass as well. The former No. 5 overall pick Darrell Griffith had a terrific rookie campaign on the way to the rookie of the year award. On the Celtics side, it seems like business as usual for Ahsan. Wing John Brisker was plucked off the street to play some valuable minutes off the bench while Gus Williams has been a pretty good point guard option for them after being with Miami last season. The C’s are tough down low as the lead the league in blocks but they also lead the league in turnovers. Giving the edge to Chicago here due to a more balanced roster.
Prediction- Bulls in 6
(#4) Indiana Pacers (50-32) vs. (#5) Cleveland Cavaliers (48-34)
Superstar matchup- Bo Lamar vs. George Gervin
Analysis- Indy versus the Land in round 1 should be entertaining. The Pacers finished top 4 in the East despite Styro being out for a while was impressive. Dan Issel, Phil Smith and Bo Lamar has been a great big 3. On the Cavs side, they have lots of big names in Iceman, World B. Free and Spencer Haywood. Reggie King has been the perfect glue guy for them at the SF spot as well. This one seems to tough to call especially as they split the season series – the Pacers lead the league in scoring while the Cavs are middle in the road statistically in giving up points but maybe there's upset potential here.
Prediction- Cavs in 7
Round 2
(#1) Hawks vs. Cavs (#5)
Superstar matchup- Moses Malone vs. George Gervin
Analysis- These two teams split the season series this year and all games were blow outs with the exception of one. I don’t know if any of the Cavs bigs can stop Malone and their wings seem pretty comparable. The Hawks defense coupled with a top offense should advance them to the ECF in this one.
Prediction- Hawks in 6
(#2) Magic vs. (#3) Bulls
Superstar matchup- Magic Johnson vs. Julius Irving
Analysis- Another fun star clash in Dr. J versus Magic. Orlando actually won the season series against the Bulls 3-1. Point guard Eric Money will attempt to put the clamps on Ervin Johnson but we’ll see if Griffith can hold his own against Roberts. Slight edge to Orlando here.
Prediction- Magic in 7
East Finals
(#1) Hawks vs. (#2) Magic
Superstar matchup- Moses Malone vs. Magic Johnson
Analysis- Another #1 versus #2 matchup? I think so. Hawks seem to be much better on defense during the season while the Magic have excelled for the top scoring offense behind Indiana this year. Can Atlanta hold off the Magic and their top shooting team FG% wise? It’s going to go 7 I believe.
Prediction – Magic in 7
Finals
(#2) Spurs vs. (#2) Magic
Superstar matchup- Marques Johnson vs. Magic Johnson
Analysis- Juicy matchup here where the teams split the season series. The Spurs are the top team defensively in points allowed while the Magic are the #2 in offense. Which one will prevail? This one should come down to the stars and not sure if George Karl will be able to body Magic.
Prediction- Magic win in 7
