Hey everybody,
Let's look at the first round series starting today (Saturday) and examine what strategies we should consider in making our selections. We will be looking at the Sunday series in my next post.
Orlando @ Cleveland
Both teams were only separated by 1 win in the standings, making this a tough one to call this early. Cleveland probably has the edge, but they remain unproven and susceptible to being upset. Both teams don't have a true "can't miss" pick, but with Boston likely waiting in the second round anyways, there isn't much risk in making an error here.
Top Picks:
ORL: Paolo Banchero 34.9 PRA
ORL: Franz Wagner 28.7 PRA
CLE: Donovan Mitchell 37.8 PRA
Phoenix @ Minnesota
I would expect Minnesota to win this series after the amazing season they've had, but the Suns can't be ruled out this early. Suns have two must pick players you will need to grab if this series goes the way the standings would expect it to go. I'd be much more comfortable giving this series a day, but some may choose to pick from it due to the fact that Saturday doesn't have any easy series calls to make.
Top Picks:
PHX: Kevin Durant 38.7 PRA
PHX: Devin Booker 38.5 PRA
Philadelphia @ New York Knicks
This series is the 2 vs 7 seed, but it doesn't feel that way at all. Philadelphia is lower in the standings due to Joel Embiid being out. I'm 50-50 on this one and fully planned to wait it out. I'm writing down the top picks from both sides, ready for whichever way it goes. Both teams are loaded with potential points.
Top Picks:
PHI: Joel Embiid 51.3 PRA
PHI: Tyrese Maxey 35.8 PRA
NYK: Jalen Brunson 39 PRA
NYK: Julis Randle 38.2 PRA
LA Lakers @ Denver
This is another tricky series because LeBron and the Lakers can never be counted out. However, Denver is the defending champs who swept them last year. Due to how challenging the Saturday slate of games are, I'm going to lead off by picking a Laker as they are the team from this group I'm most expecting to lose. Anthony Davis gets my pick.
Top Picks:
LAL: LeBron James 41.3 PRA
LAL: Anthony Davis 40.8 PRA
Schedule look ahead:
All these series except for Phoenex/Minnesota will be back up on Monday.
Who are you picking?
I'm not touching sixers vs knicks and wolves vs suns this early, as I genuinely thinks those 2 series are 50-50.
ReplyDeleteI'm torn between Banchero and one of the 2 Lakers' studs, but leaning towards picking AD. I can't really see how Lakers eliminates Nuggets, and despite having a really healthy season, I want to get oft-injured AD pick out of my way before an injury happens.
i got davis ..Nuggets have owned the lakers and its biggest point spread difference
ReplyDeletealso davis is injury prone so him over james
DeleteGot AD too for today.
ReplyDeleteHerro tomorrow.
LBJ in G2
PG the next day
Bam next
And probably Russell in G3
Don’t forget Randle is out for the year. So he’s obviously not a guy to consider. Josh Hart would probably be next in line after Brunson on that team.
ReplyDelete