Eliminations'R'Us

Do-or-die games are supposed to be the easiest to pick from, right? Best remaining player on the team at the brink of going home.

But what if there are two teams down 0-3? What if three teams? It will certainly be easier if you already used the best players before, but a little trickier otherwise. Three teams down 0-3 are coming into Sunday's games: Celtics, Bucks and Lakers.

The Celtics still has a chance to win Game 4 at Boston, with the elbow-swinging J.R. Smith suspended for Game 4, and victim Jason Terry pumped up. If you disagree, pick Paul Pierce (to sell himself to other teams) or Kevin Garnett (still on the upswing).

The Bucks meanwhile will surely be swept, even if Wade is nursing an injury. However, since the Heat are clamping on the Bucks backcourt, we cannot depend on their PRA. If you think the absence (or limited minutes) of Wade makes it easier for Monta Ellis, then go ahead and pick him. Or Brandon Jennings, who still have some words to back up.

The Lakers are a hopeless bunch. No Kobe, no Nash, no Blake. And now, possibly no World Peace as the Lakers look to run-n-gun. Definitely pick Dwight Howard. Or if you already used him like I did, pick Pau Gasol like I do.

Monday's games give us two more teams on the edge of a cliff: Rockets and Nets.

The Rockets may or may not survive Game 4, but I highly recommend picking James Harden if you still have not (I already did before). You should easily get 40+ PRA from him.

The Nets I reckon will win Game 5 in Brooklyn and then lose the series in Game 6 in Chicago. But for this fantasy game's sake, I must assume they will lose in Game 5. And because of that, I am inclined to pick the best Nets left. No, it's not Deron Williams. My pick goes to Brook Lopez. Brook is a consistent 30-PRA stud; more often do I rely on knowing what I will get. Deron however is inconsistent -- you may either get 25 PRA or 35 PRA. I also checked on Deron's stats on elimination games -- he's subpar.

Good luck with your picks!

Comments

  1. Ummmm... Pierce or Howard for today... I think Pierce haven't got his best game... Is this his last oportunity??
    No problem on Monday. Picked Harden, Lopez is the man.

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    1. As thought, Celtics win. I hope yoi picked Howard.

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    2. On 2nd thought, hope you didn't. Howard's Game 4 was horrendous.

      Howard, Lakers is Kobe's and D'Antoni's style will not benefit your style of play. Come to Dallas -- the Mavs are yours and Carlisle will make you great!

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    3. Well good for you! Pierce was huge.

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  2. I'm in a dilemma. Pau or pierce. Pierce hasn't had breakout game. But I know Boston won't get swept unlike
    The lakers. I have to go with pau.

    I'm in the 88% so far.

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    1. The more logical choice, Pau.

      Pierce 40+PRA but they won.
      Now let's see how Pau does.

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  3. Oh boy, where to start?

    Yesterday, I had Teague for 24 PRA (Smith 26 PRA, Horford 23 PRA, no, wait, that was when I picked him. He actually had 43). Meanwhile Z-Bo and Marc Gasol continue to light it up when I am not focusing on them.

    I had Pierce for tonight and just saw I had my first 40+ of this season! Woohoo! Who da Man?

    But as for week 1, I´m in the 34% so far. My rank is worse than 11000. I have to admit, I had better DTTFs in the past. Praise be to my uncanny ability to pick the right players on the wrong nights.

    Tomorrow it´s Harden. I missed his 53, then shied away from picking him in the follow-up game where he got a 44. I really hope he gets 40+ again. Would be nice if my luck changed a bit.

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  4. I agree with you taong, I'm going with Brook Lopez on this one. His lowest PRA so far is 27.

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  5. I think D Will is the best option, assuming that the Nets will win this game. Lopez has a nagging sore foot and has been great so far on the road (better than D Will)Noah has more playing time now and he is a rebounder machine. Kirk Hinrich is out and the Buuls will have a difficult task on the PG position. I'll keep Lopez for game 6 ;)

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    Replies
    1. They'll need Brook's minutes regardless. And that foot will only get more sore.

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