NBA Playoffs 2023 Discussion

We made the Play-In tournament as the #7 seed. This is how the matchups look in the "Zero" Round.

Which teams are playing?
Here's a look at the 2023 matchups:

Eastern Conference

• No. 10 Chicago Bulls at No. 9 Toronto Raptors (Wednesday, 7 p.m. ET on ESPN)
  
  
• No. 8 Atlanta Hawks at No. 7 Miami Heat (Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. ET on TNT)
  
  
• Game 3: Winner 9/10 at Loser 7/8 (Friday, 7 or 7:30 p.m. ET)
  

Western Conference

• No. 10 Oklahoma City Thunder at No. 9 New Orleans Pelicans (Wednesday, 9:30 p.m. ET on ESPN)
  
  
• No. 8 Minnesota Timberwolves at No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers (Tuesday, 10 p.m. ET on TNT)
  
  
• Game 3: Winner 9/10 at Loser 7/8 (Friday, 9:30 or 10 p.m. ET)
  

How does the NBA play-in tournament work?
There will be six total games involving eight teams as part of the play-in tournament, split up between the two conferences.

The teams that finish Nos. 1-6 in each conference will be guaranteed playoff spots, while team Nos. 7-10 in the standings will enter the play-in. Any team that finishes worse than No. 10 will be in the NBA draft lottery.

Here's how the games will work:

• Game 1s (Tuesday): Each conference's No. 7 team in the standings will host the No. 8 team, with the winner earning the No. 7 seed in the playoffs. The losing teams get another chance in Friday's Game 3s.
  
  
• Game 2s (Wednesday): Each conference's No. 9 team will host the No. 10 team, with the winner moving on to Game 3. The losers are eliminated and enter the NBA draft lottery.
  
  
• Game 3s (Friday): The losers of the No. 7 vs. No. 8 matchups will host the winners of the No. 9 vs. No. 10 matchups, with the victors grabbing each conference's No. 8 seed in the postseason. The losers of Game 3 enter the NBA draft lottery.
  

This means that the teams with the seventh and eighth-highest winning percentages will have two opportunities to win one game to earn a playoff spot, while the teams with the ninth and 10th-highest winning percentages need to win two straight games to advance.

 

Our Matchup:



So if we win, we will be the 7th seed against #2 Memphis who finished the season 6-4.
If we lose, we will play the winner of the #9 and #10 game for the honor of being the #8 seed or be out of the playoffs.
None of the teams in question have been able to do much to separate themselves from the pack.



In both cases, we would have home court advantage. New Orleans has the biggest differential in home vs away records, but between us and Minnesota, there is no huge advantage it appears. However, you always prefer home cooking if you can get it.

First game is Tuesday. If we lose, we play again on Friday with 3 days rest. If we lose, we are off until Sunday when we play Memphis. I hope we take care of business and get as much time off as we can to get super healthy, integrate the new pieces a bit, and game plan the snot out of Memphis with our future HOF coach Mr. Ham.

Link to first round matchup info on ESPN:

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/36069090/nba-playoff-schedule-highlights-2023

 

Grizz would be a physical battle

Transition and POA defense would be huge concerns for us , I wouldn't be surprised if we lost the 1st two then win the next 4 because once you force the Grizz to execute in the halfcourt , they're not good

The biggest question and by far for us in the playoffs is : Can Bron and AD stay healthy and close to their best level for two months ?

Second question : How much Ted Lasso's decisions are going to cost us ?

 

I bet this is funny, but I don't understand the context. Can you elaborate?

 

Ted Lasso is clueless about the sport he's coaching ... coming from the US to coach an English football team

 

Everyone clowning on Wolves, but they did win the game. So…. And we got in really bad habits these last few games.

Rudy must be suspended. A thrown punch during a game is automatic - ejection during the game and suspended next game. If the League wiggles around it, it will be simply because it wants competition. It suspended Draymond when the Ws were up 3-1. Would have never done it if it was 3-3.

Remember when Kobe was suspended for a game for flailing to draw a foul on Manu and hit him in the face? Teammate fights are no different - it happened during the game.

 

yeah, the real question should not be whether the league does it, but for how many games. whatever, i'm not sure it isn't better that he plays given how things are going there. that guy sure doesn't ingratiate himself to teammates. apparently, he's liked by staff, fans, etc., but how many times has he beefed with teammates now?

 

I hope he plays...

 

does the league language specify against opponents or fans vs your own teammate? hahahahaa, maybe there's a loophole there that needs to be closed if so.

teammates punch each other all the time, it's healthy

--Pat Bev (Probably)

 

Yeah they suck when Gobert plays, him not playing open things up for Edwards.

 

Edwards says he can’t wait to make up for his last game against the Lakers. Admits he played like “sh—“. Vando and Bron and Troy better man up.

 

Lets FXKIN go!!! bring it ad

 

KTG is right - they play with more freedom and movement without Rudy. BUT - they also have no rim protection or rebounding advantage without him. So….

Let’s Go!!! I want to see super focus and business attitudes. Team need the extra days rest and practice.

 

The phrasing of this tweet by Woj is fantastic




The much bigger loss is...

 

mcdaniels is a far bigger loss for them than gobert

KAT is better without gobert, but i have faith that AD can keep him in check

 

If they had reid they are down ..... Reid/McDaniels both broken hands and rudy suspension

 

Not having Reid/McDaniels reallyyyy hurts.

Gobert being out helps them.

WIth that said - AD needs to EAT.

 

Buha update on player status today

 

Wow.. Sounds like Minny is dealing with some serious internal turmoil.
This kinda stuff doesn't just happen overnight...

Just hope the Lakers don’t underestimate them now..
Lakers have a tendency to let their guard down & get punched in the mouth...