Hey everyone!
The play-in games have concluded, and now we know which teams have made it to the first round of the NBA playoffs. Brooklyn, Atlanta, Minnesota, and New Orleans have all earned a spot. Now that we have this confirmed, let's look at all first round series, make predictions, and then look at all first round targets to look at for this game.
East:
(1) Miami vs (9) Atlanta: Tough to beat the Heat, start preparing Hawks.
(2) Boston vs (7) Brooklyn: This is potentially closer than the seedings suggest. Prepare to wait on this series for a few days.
(3) Milwaukee vs (6) Chicago: Bucks are the defending champs and there is no reason to doubt them.
(4) Philadelphia vs (5) Toronto: Wait on this series for sure, this should be close.
West:
(1) Phoenix vs (9) New Orleans: This is an easy call for DTTF. Bet on Phoenix, like everyone else will.
(2) Memphis vs (7) Minnesota: Minnesota did not look very impressive in the play-in. Go for Memphis here.
(3) Golden State vs (6) Denver: This is going to be high octane. Give it a day or two and see how it goes.
(4) Dallas vs (5) Utah: Luka Doncic is out to start the series. This is a huge blow to Dallas and their chances. Good time to pick from them early when other players need to step up.
We've identified our targets for elimination, so here are your early targets for Drive to the Finals:
Trae Young, ATL: 42 PRA
John Collins, ATL: 26 PRA (Beware: Injury to keep an eye on)
DeMar DeRozan, CHI: 38 PRA
Zach Lavine, CHI: 34 PRA
Nikola Vucevic, CHI: 32 PRA
Brandon Ingram, NOP: 34 PRA
C.J. McCollum, NOP: 35 PRA
Jonas Valanciunas, NOP: 32 PRA
Karl-Anthony Towns, MIN: 38 PRA
Anthony Edwards, MIN: 30 PRA
DeAngelo Russell, MIN: 29 PRA
Jalen Brunson, DAL: 25 PRA (Note: Could be higher with Doncic out)
Spencer Dinwiddie, DAL: 23 PRA (Note: Could be higher with Doncic out)
There is a lot of talent within these 5 teams I expect to be eliminated, so go here early and often in order to feel out the other series that need a few more games to decide what to do with them.
Nice prep for the first round!
ReplyDeleteFor me, Day 1 pick a Timberwolf. The best shooting big man (of this decade only), KAT.
Day 2, pick a Pelican, Brandon Ingram (or CJ if you take the pick-the-injury-prone-players-first route).
I like the Celtics’ chances with the Nets. Celtics in 7.
Mavs-Jazz, depends when Luka gets back. If he’s in by G2 pain-free, Mavs in 7. Otherwise, Jazz in 6. Either way, in the offseason, welcome to Dallas, Gobert ;) ;)
Lesgo Mavs!
It’ll be tough for the Mavs. KAT fooled me once and now I’ll let him fool me again in FPS. Sunday I may go a Bull instead of a Pelican. Both teams have 3 viable big picks and I don’t give the Bulls much of a chance against the Bucks, but you’re right that NO has even less of a chance against PHX.
DeleteI am so uncertain about many series that I will take the safe route today. I am picking Dinwiddie, as he should give decent (if not good) PRA, as I think he is the player to benefit the most in both playing time and usage without Luka. So I can wait to see how other series start.
DeleteI don't know about injury prone, but never forget about McSunday's factor. I always pick him on Sunday, and I will not wait anymore this year to play that card
Pretty much agree with everything in your write-up Jason. I planned to wait on all the series you mentioned waiting on and had all the other series obvious in the directions you mentioned
ReplyDeleteOkay, the Playoffs are about to start, and I already lost two players in the Play-Ins :)
ReplyDeleteValanciunas was good for me, so was Ingram, but they are both out in googledrive now. Well, that´s okay. I was late yesterday, so I only could pick from the Clippers - Pelicans game, and after my pick I learned that PG13 was out of the game. But I wouldn´t have known which Clipper to pick anyway, so everything is good.
Do I see it correctly that there are no more days with only 2 games? That should make it easier to chose while at the same time making it more difficult as you don´t have the luxury of "I will pick from this series on monday so I can skip it for saturday". Another excuse unavailable.
I think I will start with the Mavs. If Doncic is out for g1, then the numbers might be better for the other players. Should he not return soon enough they may not make it to the next round anyway. OR I take one for the team, depleting my Mavs roster while Doncic makes his triumphant retun and leads his Mavs to the desert (Phoenix in round 2 might be another problem entirely).
i got Towns then Ingrmam
ReplyDeleteStay simple early. Twolves will not advance. KAT will bounce back from last game. FYI, the window for the FP game with DK scoring and round multiplier closes in an hour. E-mail Ken at ValuePicker11@hotmail.com.
ReplyDeleteAgree with you Ken. I’m a hit surprised Wolves stole game 1 but I’m not upset with my Towns pick. Hopefully Memphis will respond after being punched in the head. The Wolves continue to surprise but I think it’s just flukey. Edwards could be the difference maker though. If he’s this good in every game they could maybe advance but I still really doubt it.
DeleteI think the Wolves had their best game today and still expect the Grizzlies to win the series in 6 or 7 as they get more of Ja's teammates into the offense. This was clearly day #1's best game. Two very young teams who will be the future if management can keep them together in small markets. Love DeRozan today as Bulls stand no chance to win series but have 3 very playable studs.
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