No, it's not a Finals matchup. Far from it. It's a contest of which team will not survive Game 5, at least from our DTTF perspective.
The Grizzlies are still in full force and have shown they can win in Golden State. I think they can win Game 5. Note that I used 'can' instead of 'will', because the Warriors are still favored to win that game and eventually the series. I only have Conley left so I'll look elsewhere. However, if you still have Gasol or Randolph, you may want to pick them now.
As for the Wizards, Pierce's winning shot in Game 3 and a misleading 2-1 lead pushed me to pick a Hawk in Game 4. But now that the Hawks have regained footing, coupled with Wall's injury, I am comfortable again picking a Wizard.
I got Bradley Beal. He just came off a big game, but I'll take his second best on the road where he generally plays better.
Question: Will Wall play in Game 5?
UPdATE: With Tony Allen possibly out due to injury and John Wall possibly in, I am tempted to change pick from Beal to Conley. However, with 5 minutes left to deadline for picking in the first game, I wouldn't risk it. But Conley is a better 'timing' pick.
Will Wall play Game 5? I really hope he does. It would help our Wizards picks get more space for themselves on the floor, and give some insight as to whether Wall can be picked in Game 6. I hope he plays. I've got Gortat tonight. He could get as low as a 6, and as high as a 49 tonight. I'd settle for somewhere in between.
ReplyDeleteVery pleased with Jimmy Butler's performance. Was nervous when he picked up 2 quick fouls, but he recovered well. His 41 was huge and was only 6 below Harden, and was 6 above Howard. I'm cool with that. Speaking of Howard, those cheering for hack-a-Howard points saw that backfire as instead the Rockets went with benching him. With an 18 point lead in the game, I can't blame them, but that sucks for those who expected more from what was shaping up to be an epic Howard performance. For Game 6, I'm done with the Rockets, as I only have Josh Smith and Terrence Jones left. I'll pass. The game might get ugly quickly, and there's a good chance a lot of Rockets go dud. My choice comes down to Pau Gasol vs. Joakim Noah. If Gasol plays, it's a tough call. A hamstring injury is tough to play through, and he might not have his usual performance. Even if he plays, I might pick Noah, who could actually benefit from Gasol playing if Gasol is more of a decoy (thus putting more emphasis on Noah to get things done down low). I'll be following practice reports to see how Gasol is feeling. If he is moving well, I might just play him. With Wall and Gasol, it's now injury watch time to decide if either is worth a chance in their Game 6 match ups.
The Cleveland Cavaliers won at home to take a 3-2 lead as expected. However the Bulls kept things close, even playing without Pau Gasol again, and they can easily win back at home in Game #6, and force a Game #7 where anything can happen. So this isn't done yet, and a healthy Pau Gasol return, could easily change the dynamics of all of this. Still as it looks now, Cleveland will probably win this series, and it very likely takes all 7 games to do it.
ReplyDeleteIn the other game, Houston vs. the Clippers, the Rockets easily played their best game in this series on home court, and narrowed the Clippers advantage to 3 games to 2. The Clippers seemed to be quite content to lose this game, and the Rockets seemed very inspired to win it. Hence the blowout win for the Rockets @ home. Still like the Clippers to wrap things up at home in Game #6 and advance. This was typical NBA, where the home team plays great at home in an elimination game. The Clippers should rebound nicely in their next game at home. If not, then it will be time for concern, after draining mostly all of the Houston roster already in the previous games. There would be nothing left to play of any value next round, should Houston pull off the shocker. Hopefully the Clippers win.
Dwight Howard (35 PRA), my pick, had a great start to the night (20 PRA at halftime) and kept himself out of foul trouble after picking up a very quick one to start the game. Unfortunately the Hack-a-Howard started up in the second half with Houston up big, and Dwight found his way to the bench early and missed the entire 4th quarter. So what could have been a monster game, ended up being an above average game for Howard. Still while being disappointing for what might have been (I was hoping for 40+), 35 PRA is much better than 14 PRA. So I will gladly take that at this point. I just wish Howard could actually make a free throw.
Best picks from losing teams: James Harden (47 PRA), Jimmy Butler (41 PRA), Trevor Ariza (33 PRA). Houston won but should lose the series. LeBron had a monster game (56 PRA), but his team won and has the advantage to move on.
There were 16 players scoring 20+ PRA on Tuesday night, so it was a good night for the DTTF players, far better than normal in a 2nd round. It will get worse.
Horrible picks: Timofey Mozgov (7 PRA), Matt Barnes (9 PRA)
Tonight is going to be a tough night, both series are at a crossroads now. Atlanta has the advantage having 2 home games to 1 for the Wizards, but every one of these games have been close, and there are rumors circulating that John Wall "might" return. Well obviously a healthy return by Wall could be the difference maker in this very close series and be a huge momentum shift for the Wizards. However if Wall comes back and doesn't play well, that could be a detriment for his team to overcome. Still haven't heard anything conclusive on whether or not John Wall plays or not, so really don't want to pick from this game. If I had to pick someone I would go with Paul Pierce, as I want nothing to do with either Marcin Gortat or Nene on the road. But I will steer clear of this series for now.
ReplyDeleteIn the other series, Memphis vs. Golden State, Memphis seems up against the wall again, as they just got throttled at home vs. the Warriors in Game #4. Memphis looked great in Game #2 (at GS) and Game #3 (at home), but looked completely overwhelmed in Game #4. Golden State is by far the best home team in the playoffs, only losing 3 home games all year (2 during the regular season). So it is hard to believe that the Grizzlies are going to beat the Warriors a second time at home this series. With that in mind, Golden State should win this series now, even if it does take the full 7 games, but the important thing for the Warriors is that 2 of the next 3 games are home games. And that should make all the difference.
Because of that and thinking that Golden State will eventually win this series, I am picking a Memphis Grizzlies player tonight. Going with Mike Conley of the Grizzlies. Conley has a couple of 29 PRA efforts vs. the Warriors in the past and if healthy should at least make the 20 PRA plateau. Hoping for 20+ PRA from Mike Conley tonight. I'll save Marc Gasol for the home game.
Jeff Green an interesting pick know potentially starting for Allen? Maybe picking him over a risky wizard is the way to go??
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't pick him, but I can see the argument. He played 33 minutes last game and got an 18. That's solid, but is that better than Paul Pierce or Mike Conley? He likely will only see a slight uptick in minutes and will now play on the first unit, where he will not be the top scoring option. Somehow I feel he's better suited coming off the bench and being a bigger part of the offense when their usual guys like Conley, Randolph, and Gasol take a seat. Just my thoughts.
DeletePick Conley, and then pick Pierce in game 6. Save the risky Wizards and Grizzlies for Game 7, if necessary.
DeleteMy Conley hesitancy is if the Grizz somehow win today.
DeleteWith Tony Allen out, I wouldn't be too concerned. The Wizards could just as easily win. Allen is so important to what the Grizzlies do.
Deleteeven if allen is out, i cant see green surpassing 33 minutes. go conley as Tangent advised
DeleteWall is starting. Apparently no minutes restriction. 45 minutes to decide - do any of us start John Wall?
ReplyDeleteI'm doing it. I'm starting John Wall!
Deletelol gl !
DeleteI also changed to Wall. Solved my dilemma of Green vs Nene vs Porter vs Pierce. I love it.
DeleteI have no idea if Wall plays or not. But I already used 1 Hawk(Teague) and 1 Wizard(Gortat). I don't want to pick Wall anyway, he could get reinjured his wrist again. Only Beal is worth picking if the Wizard trails 2-3.
ReplyDeleteShould I considered picking a Griz tonight, already pick ZBo and Marc. Maybe Conley is worth the pick if Allen is out? Or his mate Courtney Lee? I will decide who I should pick in the next 40 minutes. Decisions, decisions....
I'm sticking with Beal. I think Allen will play.
DeleteWall starts. Beal gets 1st play. A miss, but a good sign Beal will get lots of touches.
DeleteFrustrating night for me last night: I had Gibson. This is now 2 (alongside Antetekounmpo) players I've had ejected, they are my only two to perform under 20 PRA.
ReplyDeleteI have Conley tonight. We'll see what happens. If everything goes according to plan, it's either Gasol or Ariza tomorrow and Pierce/Wall the day after.
Wow, what a game! 26 from Wall, I'll take it. It's the same as I would have gotten from Gortat though, but I'm happy I got to pick Wall this year. Al Horford, what a beast rebound and putback!
ReplyDeleteThat was terrible for DC sports (Caps currently in true sudden death and season ending for the loser OT) but good for DTTFs. I got 34 from Beal, a little disappointed since it is currently only his 3rd best PAR instead of the 2nd best that I was aiming for if he had gotten 2 more PAR to tie it as I did not think he would catch the 47 from G4, at least I beat the 41% from G3. I had no idea Wall would play as I did not read this board until after gametime but was sold on Beal. I'll be replacing Pierce with Wall in G6 as a result of Wall being back and the Wiz now on the brink of elimination.
DeleteCaps lose game 7 in OT, getting eliminated after leading 3-1. That is the 10th series they lead either 2-0 or 3-1 and lost. Three chances and were leading Game 5 with under 2 minutes to go, then blow that and lose in OT, lose game 6 and now lose again in OT. It didn't end this year in hockey, won't in basketball... it never ever will! How do DC sports fans get through this misery?!
DeleteHawks win! Hawks win! Good thing the Hawks won. Now I can play Wall in Game 6
ReplyDeleteI switched out Pierce with Wall. Wall had 5% when I picked him and all of a sudden is now up to 9%!
Deletegood thing you switched! that's an extra 9PRA for you then
Deletegod damn Z BO, had 21 PRA at the half. but only 24 PRA in the game. It's just like Shumpert all over again when he had 20 PRA at the half and ended the game 23 PRA. Both had good starts, bad finish. Man, that just tough break.
ReplyDeleteGasol likely to, but his minutes will be resticted (+-20), better to pick Noah? This is a crucial pick for me, because a lot of players will pick Rose/Butler and i don't want them to get to much extra points...
ReplyDeleteOn a minutes restriction is too risky. I picked Wall yesterday, only because they said he would not be restricted. I have the same choice, and I'm going Noah.
DeleteQuick wrap-up: Howard was okay, but Harden was great, so it's a net loss of 3 PRA if I had them switched. That's okay. Howard not playing in the fourth was not so good, though,
ReplyDeleteMarc Gasol started slow, Z-Bo had 17 PRA in the first quarter alone. But then it cleard up and ended up great, mostly because the Grizzlies lost. I even took Randolph and Gasol in the correct order, gaining 7 PRA.
Tonight it has to be Butler. Tomorrow it's a toss-up between Beal and Wall. I tend to pick Beal and maybe Wall in g7?