Hey all,
We've hit the game 5 section of the first round, and surprisingly only one series is guaranteed to extend beyond that. The biggest challenge is tomorrow, where two higher-seeded teams loaded with talent each face an elimination. Let's examine the next two days of action and which direction you can take them!
Tuesday:
Milwaukee @ Indiana (IND leads 3-1)
Detriot @ NY Knicks (NYK leads 3-1)
Orlando @ Boston (BOS leads 3-1)
LA Clippers @ Denver (Tied 2-2)
Milwaukee @ Indiana (IND leads 3-1)
Detriot @ NY Knicks (NYK leads 3-1)
Orlando @ Boston (BOS leads 3-1)
LA Clippers @ Denver (Tied 2-2)
As the Clipper and Denver are tied 2-2, I'd expect most people will steer clear of this one and focus on the three series facing elimination. If you still have Giannis, that pick is a no brainer. Similar idea with Cade Cunningham, Paulo Panchero, and Franz Wagner. If you have multiple of these players still left, you've put yourself in a tough spot but you'll just want to pick the best of that group. If you are like me and have picked them all, you'll have an interesting decision to make. Do you trust steady but unspectacular numbers from Wendell Carter Jr? Do you trust in Jalen Duren (who I've picked already) or Tobias Harris to keep producing for Detroit? Do you take a chance on Kevin Porter Jr to match his production from game 4 after Lillard went down? For me (on Google Drive), I'm going to take my chance on Bobby Portis Jr. He's produced strong offense over multiple years when other players have been injured, including game 1 of this series. In Fantasy Postseason, in the league with the round multiplier I play in, I've got Giannis and I'm playing him today.
Side note: What is with having the last name Porter in the NBA and being a Jr? Otto. Michael. Kevin. Who will be the next one?
Wednesday:
Golden State @ Houston (GS leads 3-1)
Minnesota @ LA Lakers (MIN leads 3-1)
This is a tough spot. I expected at least one of these teams to pull even. Now I'm faced with a tough choice between LeBron James and Alperen Sengun. Fortunately, I picked Luka Doncic in game 2 (in Google Drive). I have a little bit more faith in the Lakers winning game 5 at home than the Rockets, just due to their core players being less experienced. For that reason, my pick is Sengun.
How are you navigating these game 5s? Leave a comment to let us know!
After picking Sengun yesterday (finally a great pick, with a Pau Gasol-esque production), next picks are a no-brainer for me. Giannis today, Luka tomorrow. I only had to decide between Luka and LeBron, but I just hope I can get to pick both of them if Lakers extend the series, which is likely to happen
ReplyDeleteYour hope is much different than mine. I'm not picking ANY Lakers because I still believe they can win the series. Let's gooooooo
DeleteWho would have guessed it would be Rudy Gobert's 27 points what sent the Lakers home? After all, they missed AD
DeleteLakers are so disappointing
DeleteNothing fancy, just picking the best available in losing team in my pool:
ReplyDeleteSengun
Kawhi
had Joker was hoping Clippers would win or Joker get 60 plus Got neither Tonight LUKA
ReplyDeleteYeah tough one, I've avoided all Nuggets in FPS and will continue to avoid all Lakers because I'm a crazy man.
DeleteI love that Porter Jr. point, Jason. I've thought about that same thing, but you're actually missing YET ANOTHER active Porter Jr. in these playoffs. That'll be Craig Porter Jr. on the Cavs. LOL
ReplyDeleteAnother Porter Jr has emerged. Who shall be the next one?
DeleteThose who haven't picked LeBron James, Luka Donic or Alperen Sengun are in a horrible spot, poised to lose at least 1 of them. Not only are Game 5s tonight but if both reach Game 6 they are on Friday so one of these teams would need to reach Game 7 to avoid a dreadful loss.
ReplyDeleteI don't consider it too horrible. I never picked a Laker, but I also haven't picked a player from any team advancing to the next round assuming Denver, NY & GS advance.
DeleteGarbage time, garbage DTTF stats.
ReplyDeleteWarriors bench taking it to the Rockets starters -- that was fun though
I approach each playoffs with at least two teams I will root for. Mine this year was Mavs (coz I'm biased), Knicks (coz of Brunson, and this is my dad's team), and Celtics (coz if I am betting man, they are my choice).
ReplyDeleteSince Mavs fail to enter the playoffs, my mode switches to following the Knicks. If they eventually lose (and they will), I switch to Celtics. I guess I can do that because I am in Australia, and not a resident of an NBA hometown.
What is your NBA playoffs fandom plan?
Suns....(ouch) Lakers.... (super ouch) now I'll root for the Cavs probably.
DeleteA LeBron vs Cavs final would have been full circle but the Lakers have no chemistry!
Deletehad Luka last night so did everyone else .Tonight Kiwi friday Van Vleet
ReplyDelete