Post your NBA PLAYOFF bracket + predictions!

[Im Still Ballin]

:applause:

[ShawkFactory]

Sure.

First Round

- OKC in 5. OKC will get lazy up 3-0 and lose one on the road but that's about all she wrote
- GS in 6. Will be a scrappy series but experience will win out
- LAL in 6. Wolves size will be a problem for the Lakers but I don't think they'll make shots at the end of the day and the Lakers will
- LAC in 6. Just a better team. Jokic will ball out but it won't be enough

- Cavs in 5. Heat will muck it up and win a game at home but they're clearly inferior
- Celts in 5. Magic have played them well recently but when the chips are down and it's serious they just don't have the horses yet
- Knicks in 7. This will be a weird series. Knicks are better but Pistons might have the best player on the court and fights will happen. Must watch stuff here
- Pacers in 6. Better team. Giannis is a nightmare but the Pacers will spread things out and the Bucks overall are too old to deal with it

Semi's:

- OKC over Clips in 7. My mind says Clips but OKC has so many bodies to throw at Harden so Kawhi will have to be special. It's possible he does it so that's
why it's 7 but SGA will score when he wants as well. If they stick Kawhi on SGA then it plays into OKC's hands so long as the others step up a bit more than
they did last year. I think they will
- Lakers over Warriors in 6. The least confident I feel so far, but I think the Warriors don't have the size mixed with the overall balance to give the Lakers
problems. Plus they'll be beaten up from the Rockets series

- Cavs over Pacers in 6. Pacers will make it difficult but the Cavs are better in all fronts so it'll be a Cavs up 3-1 and then it turns into a win in 6 scenario
- Celtics over Knicks in 5. This will be a good series despite the on-paper dominance in 5 games. Many of these games will be close

Conference Finals:

- OKC over Lakers in 6. Too much youth and skill for the Lakers to handle here. Lakers will pull huge shots in the first few games but OKC will wear them
down.
- Celtics over Cavs in 6. Really awesome series but Celtics will play better in the inevitable close games

Finals

- OKC over Celtics in 6. OKC is hot now. I could be completely wrong but their depth and defensive prowess mixed with maybe the best shot-making we have in the
league today? I like them. And they won't be dominated on the boards here like they were against the Mavs last year. The Clippers will be their
toughest series, despite how good the Celtics are. They'll be hot at this point.

[warriorfan]

WCF OKC vs GS

OKC moves on

ECF CLE vs BOS

BOS moves on

BOS wins championship.



Homer bracket if Warriors can somehow stay fully healthy through the entire post season

GS beats OKC in WCF then beats Boston in Finals.

[BarberSchool]

https://i.ibb.co/8LDx9GNN/IMG-2964.jpg

League cannot help itself.
Will fix it so they can max out ratings/merch/etc

Talking heads will carry water for the corrupt league.
Blaming OKC’s youth and inexperience, when Shai gets most of his whistle/numbers, but Chet, Jaylen, and others get royally fu@ked by the Zebras against the LakeShow.

Jaylen Brown’s lack of lateral agility and vertical explosion hampers Boston enough to let Leaveland slide past em.

Cue Breen phony voice saying:

“LeFraud & SON return home to Leaveland, for what could be his final title run!”

LakeShow wins it in game 7 IN LEAVELAND, wearing their Sunday whites.

League proceeds to sell eleventy gorillion bran & Luka jerseys, Lakers t-shirts, LeFraud says entire team going to DisneyLand / DisneyWorld ™️

Luka averages 33.3ppg, 10.1rpg, 11.1apg in Finals, glazing commences. Comes into training camp at 274lbs.

JJ Reddick gives actually great speech, glazing continues.

Bronny, as hoisting the Larry O’Brien trophy during the parade, collapses & dies of Covid vaccine heart attack, and sells Eleventy Gorillion R.I.P. T-Shirts

[ImKobe]

WCSF:
OKC vs Clippers - Clippers win
Lakers vs Warriors - Lakers win
WCF: Lakers vs Clippers - Lakers win

ECSF:
Celtics vs Knicks - Celtics win
Bucks vs Cavs - Bucks win
ECF: Celtics vs Bucks - Bucks win

Finals: Lakers vs Bucks - Lakers win
Luka FMVP

It's probably going to be the Cavs from the EC but I'm hoping Dame is actually able to get to a 100% and the Bucks go on a heater because Giannis deserves another run after having his past 3 seasons ruined by injuries and Giannis has been playing out of his mind and has evolved his game this season. Celtics ripped through a weak/injured EC last year and haven't looked as good this year though they still are good enough to make a B2B run happen, but the top half of the East looks a lot better to me right now than it did in 2024.

[90sgoat]

https://i.ibb.co/kVG9GWwD/My-Picks.webp

It doesn't show how many games here, but ultimately I think it will come down to if Lakers can keep rounds short enough for Lebron and Luka to stay fresh and the same with Cavs vs Celtics, I see Celtics dispatching their teams in fewer games than Cavs, leaving them well rested for the conference finals.

I also think Nuggets melt down in the first round to Kawhi Clippers and it leads to all kind of things of shakeups there.

[Wardell Curry]

My only prediction is this:

https://i.postimg.cc/V6k4Ldk0/ezgif-16689253727b3a.gif

[Wardell Curry]

Jokes aside I have no clue. I am just throwing shit to the wall here to see if it sticks.

https://i.postimg.cc/NG3sTTvt/Screenshot-2025-04-19-090234.png

[90sgoat]

Seems ISH is high on Clippers.

I think Clippers could potentially go all the way too, but it's almost a given that Kawhi gets injured unfortunately.

[ArbitraryWater]

Cavs 4-2 Heat
Celtics 4-2 Magic
Knicks 4-1 Pistons
Pacers 4-3 Bucks

OKC 4-1 Grizzlies
GSW 4-2 Rockets
Lakers 4-2 Wolves
Nuggets 4-3 Clippers

Cavs 4-2 Pacers
Celtics 4-2 Knicks

OKC 4-3 GSW
Lakers 4-2 Nuggets (could be 4-1)

Celtics 4-2 Cavs (could be 4-3)
Lakers 4-3 OKC

Lakers 4-2 Celtics (could be 4-3 :rolleyes:)

[Im Still Ballin]

First Round

- OKC 4-1 over MEM
- GSW 4-2 over HOU
- LAL 4-3 over MIN
- LAC 4-3 over DEN

- CLE 4-1 over MIA
- BOS 4-1 over ORL
- NYK 4-2 over DET
- IND 4-2 over MIL


Semi Finals

- OKC 4-2 over LAC
- LAL 4-3 over GSW

- CLE 4-2 over IND
- BOS 4-1 over NYK

Conference Finals

- LAL 4-3 over OKC
- BOS 4-2 over CLE

NBA Finals

- LAL 4-2 over BOS (FMVP: Luka D)

[ILLsmak]

It's shaped.

Remember what I said @rmwg, Cs lose to Knicks, second round. You heard it here, FIRST.

-Smak

[ArbitraryWater]

First Round

- OKC 4-1 over MEM
- GSW 4-2 over HOU
- LAL 4-3 over MIN
- LAC 4-3 over DEN

- CLE 4-1 over MIA
- BOS 4-1 over ORL
- NYK 4-2 over DET
- IND 4-2 over MIL


Semi Finals

- OKC 4-2 over LAC
- LAL 4-3 over GSW

- CLE 4-2 over IND
- BOS 4-1 over NYK

Conference Finals

- LAL 4-3 over OKC
- BOS 4-2 over CLE

NBA Finals

- LAL 4-2 over BOS (FMVP: Luka D)


We have the exact same bracket and differ only by like a handful of games total lol

[999Guy]

Expect the unexpected.

https://i.imgur.com/x149XDF.png

[Proctor]

Time for the annual bracket if Kawhi somehow stays healthy, which is unlikely...but it alters the entire complexion of everything.


First Round

Thunder over Grizzlies in 5
Clippers over Nuggets in 6 if Kawhi is healthy, otherwise Nuggets in 7
Lakers over Wolves in 7
Warriors over Rockets in 6
Cavs over Heat in 5
Pacers over Bucks in 6
Knicks over Pistons in 5 (highly competitive 5 doe)
Celtics over Magic in 5


Second Round

Thunder over Clippers in 6. (If Kawhi is healthy and balling, Harden will shit the bed)
Warriors over Lakers in 7
Cavs over Pacers in 5
Celtics over Knicks in 7

Conference Finals
Warriors over Thunder in 6
Celtics over Cavs in 7

Finals
Warriors over Celtics in 6

Miscellaneous Notes/Predictions

I honestly am not that high on the Warriors but I think they are the favorites in the matchups that I have personally predicted them to land in. I also think they have a tiny margin for error because if Curry is injured they suddenly become a play-in team talent wise. That would totally ruin them. I do think they will capitalize on the inexperience of the Thunder if that matchup were to happen. SGA being FTA won't matter if the refs are hellbent on gifting Butler 14-18 FTs a game like they have been. He is getting the most favorable whistle I have seen in a while and that very much matters. Not to mention he and Curry can dominate a game by themselves.

I have Kawhi staying healthy long enough for his team to beat the Nuggets in the first round, but if they don't for whatever reason I can see Jokic dropping some huge or even historic numbers on OKC...likely in a loss though.

If Kawhi somehow stays healthy through the entire run, they will go further than most expected but Harden WILL shit the bed. It's just a fact of life at this point.

If the Jaylen Brown injury becomes a serious story, the Celtics are done in the 2nd round. Tatum will guide them nowhere.

Actual, legitimate candidates to win it all IMO: Celtics, Cavs, Lakers, Warriors, (distantly) Thunder.

[ArbitraryWater]

Time for the annual bracket if Kawhi somehow stays healthy, which is unlikely...but it alters the entire complexion of everything.


First Round

Thunder over Grizzlies in 5
Clippers over Nuggets in 6 if Kawhi is healthy, otherwise Nuggets in 7
Lakers over Wolves in 7
Warriors over Rockets in 6
Cavs over Heat in 5
Pacers over Bucks in 6
Knicks over Pistons in 5 (highly competitive 5 doe)
Celtics over Magic in 5


Second Round

Thunder over Clippers in 6. (If Kawhi is healthy and balling, Harden will shit the bed)
Warriors over Lakers in 7
Cavs over Pacers in 5
Celtics over Knicks in 7

Conference Finals
Warriors over Thunder in 6
Celtics over Cavs in 7

Finals
Warriors over Celtics in 6

Miscellaneous Notes/Predictions

I honestly am not that high on the Warriors but I think they are the favorites in the matchups that I have personally predicted them to land in. I also think they have a tiny margin for error because if Curry is injured they suddenly become a play-in team talent wise. That would totally ruin them. I do think they will capitalize on the inexperience of the Thunder if that matchup were to happen. SGA being FTA won't matter if the refs are hellbent on gifting Butler 14-18 FTs a game like they have been. He is getting the most favorable whistle I have seen in a while and that very much matters. Not to mention he and Curry can dominate a game by themselves.

I have Kawhi staying healthy long enough for his team to beat the Nuggets in the first round, but if they don't for whatever reason I can see Jokic dropping some huge or even historic numbers on OKC...likely in a loss though.

If Kawhi somehow stays healthy through the entire run, they will go further than most expected but Harden WILL shit the bed. It's just a fact of life at this point.

If the Jaylen Brown injury becomes a serious story, the Celtics are done in the 2nd round. Tatum will guide them nowhere.


Youre not that high on GSW and think its match-ups that favor them but you have them beating lakers, OKC and Celtics? :D Those are the 3 best teams.

Who would you see them lose against?

[bdonovan]

No major surprises. The best teams in the regular season are the odds-on favorite to win the championship: Cavs, OKC, Celtics.

[Real Men Wear Green]

People can predict the Celtics failure all they want what will happen will happen. As much as he apparently sucks Tatum has scored the most playoff points since he entered the league and the highest field goal percentage in the final 20 seconds since 1996... not that it will be close enough for that to matter. Don't worry about reminding me about the knicks, Lakers, or whoever. It's not happening and I won't even bother rubbing it in when it doesn't. Towns/Doncic/whoever is gonna dominate? Ok.

Main thing I find amusing is that people aren't at least picking the Thunder. That's a team that has given real reasons to have faith. Or at least Cleveland. The Lakers? You guys are just wishing because you like Luka and/or James. They may sneak into the Finals if the Thunder screw up or get unlucky injuries but the Celtics are almost perfectly designed to beat the hell out of them.

I actually hope the Knicks beat Detroit. Celtics would have a harder time by far playing against a team that defends.

[Proctor]

Youre not that high on GSW and think its match-ups that favor them but you have them beating lakers, OKC and Celtics? :D Those are the 3 best teams.

Who would you see them lose against?
I guess you're right :lol

Part of me believes it, part of me doesn't. I will probably hate myself for that prediction.

I think they have the potential to be brilliant but think they have a microscopic margin for error and their bench is suspect at best. They cannot afford an injury but I predicted them like I did because I think they are fairly safe in that regard.

I have them over the Celtics because they have Boston's father Butler on the team and are shook by them over the years and their last Finals matchup.

I don't think they will have a huge problem with OKC. Inexperience vs experience.

Lakers is the interesting one and they may make a run similar to the one I had GS on but I gave GS the nod because of how they're playing and Butler being manufactured into a 30 point scorer by the refs.

Kuminga will have to play for this to even have a chance. Your spark plug off the bench can't be Hield.

[Im Still Ballin]

GSW would be my 2nd pick to win it all. I'd rank them like this:

1. LA
2. GSW
3. BOS
4. OKC
5. LAC (healthy Kawhi)
6. CLE
7. MIN
8. DEN

[ILLsmak]

People can predict the Celtics failure all they want what will happen will happen. As much as he apparently sucks Tatum has scored the most playoff points since he entered the league and the highest field goal percentage in the final 20 seconds since 1996... not that it will be close enough for that to matter. Don't worry about reminding me about the knicks, Lakers, or whoever. It's not happening and I won't even bother rubbing it in when it doesn't. Towns/Doncic/whoever is gonna dominate? Ok.

Main thing I find amusing is that people aren't at least picking the Thunder. That's a team that has given real reasons to have faith. Or at least Cleveland. The Lakers? You guys are just wishing because you like Luka and/or James. They may sneak into the Finals if the Thunder screw up or get unlucky injuries but the Celtics are almost perfectly designed to beat the hell out of them.

I actually hope the Knicks beat Detroit. Celtics would have a harder time by far playing against a team that defends.

It's nearly unprecedented to have a team with no all-nba level vets win the championship. I can't think of one. GSW was close, I guess, but they kinda lucked out with injuries + they were super juiced.

Logic says that OKC is a real threat, but it's hard to ignore what happens when a young team goes to the Finals for the first time, every time. I think it's a message the NBA wants to send. Although, I would support them changing that message. I would cheer for OKC in the finals. I like their squad.

-Smak

[Proctor]

GSW would be my 2nd pick to win it all. I'd rank them like this:

1. LA
2. GSW
3. BOS
4. OKC
5. LAC (healthy Kawhi)
6. CLE
I want to believe!

But...I do concede the Warriors bench is dreadful. There is nothing that gives me confidence that Hield will help steal a game in the playoffs. He's more of the come in cold and knock down four 3s when you're down 20 type of guy. Looney will certainly be a factor somewhere down the road. Post maybe. GPII if he's healthy, certainly possible. There's not much there but my confidence in Butler-Curry-Draymond is very high. Shieeeet.

[Im Still Ballin]

It's nearly unprecedented to have a team with no all-nba level vets win the championship. I can't think of one. GSW was close, I guess, but they kinda lucked out with injuries + they were super juiced.

Logic says that OKC is a real threat, but it's hard to ignore what happens when a young team goes to the Finals for the first time, every time. I think it's a message the NBA wants to send. Although, I would support them changing that message. I would cheer for OKC in the finals. I like their squad.

-Smak

OKC's Achilles' Heel is their reliance on Shai to create shots. That'll be their undoing and where GSW and LA have an edge.

[Im Still Ballin]

I want to believe!

But...I do concede the Warriors bench is dreadful. There is nothing that gives me confidence that Hield will help steal a game in the playoffs. He's more of the come in cold and knock down four 3s when you're down 20 type of guy. Looney will certainly be a factor somewhere down the road. Post maybe. GPII if he's healthy, certainly possible. There's not much there but my confidence in Butler-Curry-Draymond is very high. Shieeeet.
Yep, that trio is good enough to run away with it.

[Real Men Wear Green]

It's nearly unprecedented to have a team with no all-nba level vets win the championship. I can't think of one. GSW was close, I guess, but they kinda lucked out with injuries + they were super juiced.

Logic says that OKC is a real threat, but it's hard to ignore what happens when a young team goes to the Finals for the first time, every time. I think it's a message the NBA wants to send. Although, I would support them changing that message. I would cheer for OKC in the finals. I like their squad.

-SmakSGA is the same age as Tatum and almost as old as Brown. About the age Brown was last year when he won finals MVP. But more importantly, games aren't won by awards they are won by having talent and winning matchups. I will concede on that front that the Thunder may not match up well with the Lakers as the Doncic defense isn't so great and they aren't as good as Boston at making him work on defense. But they have a lot of talent, possibly more than any other team, the Lakers can't stop Alexander and if the Thunder figure out how to use Holmgren in the paint the Lakers don't have a part presence. Their best center might just be James and I don't see him guarding Holmgren in the paint all series.

[warriorfan]

https://i.postimg.cc/sg6Mh6rx/IMG-8829.jpg

[Proctor]

One other wrinkle is while I and a lot of others have the Clippers beating Denver we can't underrate Denver either. Murray is back, Gordon is shooting the 3 at an elite level this year which is a huge component of their playoff success over the years when he is able to hit open 3s, and Jokic is better than ever. Feels dumb to slight them but I too am high on a Kawhi-healthy Clippers. Bodgan and DJJ are real pieces too.

Real easy to not think of Denver very highly since they just fired a coach and their bench is grotesque.

[90sgoat]

The West is going to have some fireworks, I'm excited to see how good GSW are for a last time. Can Kawhi pull off a full series? Does Luka have even more in the playoffs? Can Jokic pull out some GOAT performances and prove everyone wrong on the MVP?

The East though? No one cares. I think the Celtics will look much better than people think.

[Neal Romer]

https://i.ibb.co/gFL9Zf3x/IMG-1697.jpg


I think the Cavs have a better chance against the Celtics than the Lakers would, even tho I think the Lakers would beat the Cavs.

Realistically the Celtics will probably beat the Cavs, but Ill take a flyer on Cleveland here for the sake of making my bracket unique.

[ArbitraryWater]

It's nearly unprecedented to have a team with no all-nba level vets win the championship. I can't think of one. GSW was close, I guess, but they kinda lucked out with injuries + they were super juiced.

Logic says that OKC is a real threat, but it's hard to ignore what happens when a young team goes to the Finals for the first time, every time. I think it's a message the NBA wants to send. Although, I would support them changing that message. I would cheer for OKC in the finals. I like their squad.

-Smak


I made a historical note of this a while back.

First time conference finalists almost never win the title. Just about every championship team made the conference finals with that roster/core before. Exceptions are put together super teams (2008 Celtics, 2020 lakers). 2015 GSW is an exception but they were def still green behind the ears and only got that feat cause of the Cavs injuries. Also 2000 lakers but the competition wasnt very good. 1999 Spurs did have a good part of their core in the WCF in 1995 and 2 games from doing the same in 1996. Also got very close in 1998 btw.

Going back to 1980 / "modern Era", those are the only 2 teams to have done that.

[warriorfan]

I made a historical note of this a while back.

First time conference finalists almost never win the title. Just about every championship team made the conference finals with that roster/core before. Exceptions are put together super teams (2008 Celtics, 2020 lakers). 2015 GSW is an exception and they only got that feat cause of the Cavs injuries. Also 2000 lakers but the competition wasnt very good. 1999 Spurs did have a good part of their core in the WCF in 1995 and 2 games from doing the same in 1996. Also got very close in 1998 btw.

Going back to 1980 / "modern Era", those are the only 2 teams to have done that.

It feels like young teams need one year in the playoffs, then next year they can break in deeper to the finals, then they need one more year after that and can get over the hump and win it all.

It’s rare for a young team to skip one of these steps.

[ArbitraryWater]

It feels like young teams need one year in the playoffs, then next year they can break in deeper to the finals, then they need one more year after that and can get over the hump and win it all.

It’s rare for a young team to skip one of these steps.


Pretty much. You mean a 3rd playoff year right, cant tell if youre adding another year there.

But it does feel like most up and coming teams go through the trajectory of becoming a playoff team (typically early exit), then becoming a fast ascending contender but not being just there yet, and then being able to win it all, 3rd or 4th year ish.

You can also stay stuck at the same stage for years on and make little moves for improvements hoping the needle moves, I think that also helped quite a few teams end up winning titles. Although it feels like if you stuck somewhere a while, you usually ended up there.

[ArbitraryWater]

I considered the Celtics and a Tatum/Brown top 2 just not title bound, no matter how well versed the team was.

They added Porzingis whos def a star as far as quality goes, and that with a fortunate path got them over the hump. (Mavs in 7 without lukas ejection doe I will die on that hill).

[Wardell Curry]

People can predict the Celtics failure all they want what will happen will happen. As much as he apparently sucks Tatum has scored the most playoff points since he entered the league and the highest field goal percentage in the final 20 seconds since 1996... not that it will be close enough for that to matter. Don't worry about reminding me about the knicks, Lakers, or whoever. It's not happening and I won't even bother rubbing it in when it doesn't. Towns/Doncic/whoever is gonna dominate? Ok.

Main thing I find amusing is that people aren't at least picking the Thunder. That's a team that has given real reasons to have faith. Or at least Cleveland. The Lakers? You guys are just wishing because you like Luka and/or James. They may sneak into the Finals if the Thunder screw up or get unlucky injuries but the Celtics are almost perfectly designed to beat the hell out of them.

I actually hope the Knicks beat Detroit. Celtics would have a harder time by far playing against a team that defends.

It's not that Tatum sucks it's just that the Celtics are legitimately the deepest team the league has seen since maybe I don't even know when? Last season they were starting 5 guys that were All-Star caliber players. They still are but just not quite as good.

He's a fantastic player, an All-Star. But he's not an MVP caliber player, he never has been and he never will be.

Tatum winning MVP would be like giving Ben Wallace or Chauncey Billups or Rip Hamilton of the 2004 pistons an MVP award which recognizes them as the top individual in the entire league.

Just stupid.

Team record is beyond ridiculously overrated in determining an individual award because we as human beings lack the capacity to truly understand the depths of impact and team dynamics.

If saying that Tatum is the best player on a team full of All-Star caliber players is considered hating him, so be it.

But he's not the best player in the league and there's a serious argument that he's not the best player on his own team so for him to even be in MVP talks would just once again prove how little the media actually knows about what they claim to watch.

[warriorfan]

Pretty much. You mean a 3rd playoff year right, cant tell if youre adding another year there.

But it does feel like most up and coming teams go through the trajectory of becoming a playoff team (typically early exit), then becoming a fast ascending contender but not being just there yet, and then being able to win it all, 3rd or 4th year ish.

You can also stay stuck at the same stage for years on and make little moves for improvements hoping the needle moves, I think that also helped quite a few teams end up winning titles. Although it feels like if you stuck somewhere a while, you usually ended up there.

Yes. A third year. So a 3 year trajectory at least for the majority of instances.

[Real Men Wear Green]

I would love to see Tatum win MVP but I don't recall ever arguing that he should get the award. A few years ago he averaged 30 so if I was going to make that argument that would be the season to do it but I don't remember doing so.

The kind of argument I would make for tatum getting it this season would have applied more strongly to SGA so I didn't try it.

I think I will be arguing for Tatum getting MVP one day but he would have to be having stronger statistics in comparison to the other top candidates to make that something I engage in.

But leading his team in points assists and rebounds (almost 27, 9 and 6) is certainly a great year, especially doing that on one of the best teams in the league.

[Nowoco]

https://i.postimg.cc/2j06RMg9/My-Picks.jpg

[warriorfan]

RMWG derailing yet another one with inane babble about Jayson Tatum

Amazing! :lol

[Real Men Wear Green]

RMWG derailing yet another one with inane babble about Jayson Tatum

Amazing! :lol
If you read the thread instead of just obsessing over me you would see that I didn't start the Tatum MVP discussion. I'm never going to love you. Get over it.

[Wardell Curry]

Oh shit the Bucks traded for Kyle Kuzma. My bad. I forgot. Well, they will not beat the Pacers even if Lillard comes back, lol.

[Wardell Curry]

https://i.postimg.cc/JnMqv5nj/Screenshot-2025-04-19-164137.png

Seriously you guys gotta let me change Pacers / Bucks to Pacers. Kyle Kuzma. lol.

[ArbitraryWater]

https://i.postimg.cc/JnMqv5nj/Screenshot-2025-04-19-164137.png

Seriously you guys gotta let me change Pacers / Bucks to Pacers. Kyle Kuzma. lol.


Def not homie, you gotta roll with your true prediction, do it for your own honesty man :lol

[Wardell Curry]

Def not homie, you gotta roll with your true prediction, do it for your own honesty man :lol

The Bucks could have won this game and it wouldn't change my prediction. I don't keep up with the NBA that much anymore and I would have never picked the Bucks if I had known they were starting Kyle Kuzma. I forgot that Middleton is basically washed and they got rid of him. Even a washed Middleton would have been a better fit.

I would never pick a Kyle Kuzma team that didn't have a really good and deep team otherwise.

[warriorfan]

https://i.postimg.cc/JnMqv5nj/Screenshot-2025-04-19-164137.png

Seriously you guys gotta let me change Pacers / Bucks to Pacers. Kyle Kuzma. lol.

The Kuzma Exception.

We’ll allow it.

[Wardell Curry]

The Kuzma Exception.

We’ll allow it.

:roll:

:cheers:

[warriorfan]

:roll:

:cheers:

https://i.postimg.cc/dVgVV2px/IMG-6343.jpg

:lol

[Im Still Ballin]

First Round

- OKC 4-1 over MEM
- GSW 4-2 over HOU
- LAL 4-3 over MIN
- LAC 4-3 over DEN

- CLE 4-1 over MIA
- BOS 4-1 over ORL
- NYK 4-2 over DET
- IND 4-2 over MIL


Semi Finals

- OKC 4-2 over LAC
- LAL 4-3 over GSW

- CLE 4-2 over IND
- BOS 4-1 over NYK

Conference Finals

- LAL 4-3 over OKC
- BOS 4-2 over CLE

NBA Finals

- LAL 4-2 over BOS (FMVP: Luka D)

My picks are going alright. LAL has ****ed me the most. GSW are my alternate champions if MIN wins. They beat MIN, OKC, and then BOS.

[Wally450]

My picks are going alright. LAL has ****ed me the most. GSW are my alternate champions if MIN wins. They beat MIN, OKC, and then BOS.

If Minnesota and GS close out their series, that is going to be a fun one to watch. Tempers will flare multiple times that series.

[Im Still Ballin]

If Minnesota and GS close out their series, that is going to be a fun one to watch. Tempers will flare multiple times that series.

Definiitely must-watch. Rudy vs. Dray!

[Neal Romer]

My round 1 Nuggets pick is looking solid so far. My Lakers and Rockets picks less so, altho based on the first four games of each series I dont think there was anything I overlooked or got "wrong" about the matchups, just a few very small things have tipped these very close series in the other direction so far.

The only other non-obvious pick I had was Cleveland winning over Boston in the conference finals. And Ill stand by that one based on what we've seen so far.

[ILLsmak]

I'll never say die in this NBA, but who other than me thought MIN could be LAL?

When NYK beats the Cs, I will retire from this forum forever. My last posts until 11,000 will be variants of 'haha.'

Edit: maybe 11111 !

-Smak

[Full Court]

Hilarious! Everybody was picking the Lakers over the TWolves. Now the Lakers may still pull it off, but funny how now that they're down 3-1 the narrative has changed to "The Timberwolves are stacked. They have a way better team, and the Lakers never really had a chance."

:roll:

[999Guy]

Update:

C'mon Harden.

https://i.postimg.cc/RCp5Xd5c/Screenshot-2025-05-01-10-52-25-AM.png

[FKAri]

My picks are going alright. LAL has ****ed me the most. GSW are my alternate champions if MIN wins. They beat MIN, OKC, and then BOS.

Lakers going all the way was wishful thinking. Warriors getting to the finals is also wishful thinking. I think barring injury OKC should cruise to the finals.


Hilarious! Everybody was picking the Lakers over the TWolves. Now the Lakers may still pull it off, but funny how now that they're down 3-1 the narrative has changed to "The Timberwolves are stacked. They have a way better team, and the Lakers never really had a chance."

:roll:

I think people expected Hayes and Rui to be able to deal better with the Wolves size. Also the Lakers bench to be more serviceable. Luka getting sick hurt the Lakers but it would've only extended the series. Lakers still had no answer for the bigs or the bench. I think Wolves played to expectation except for Randle who exceeded them.

[Nowoco]

Got everything right so far except the Lakers-Wolves. I need the Clips to turn in around or I'm dead already though.

[dankok8]

Missed this thread somehow. Here are all my East 1st round previews with predictions. West in the next post.

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Go6T-vWWcAAdzCs?format=jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Go1Ral9WgAAa0Pd?format=jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GombWwQWYAABJsU?format=jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GorvGn5XYAAzuQa?format=jpg&name=small

[dankok8]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Go6UO_MWMAAlRlx?format=jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Go2i7sNWAAABYB3?format=jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GowbsnwXgAAP9vB?format=jpg&name=small

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GotkIpQWYAAXlG6?format=jpg&name=small

I actually thought the Lakers-Wolves series would go 7 and not a cakewalk for LA but definitely got that one wrong! :lol

The other predictions are all still in play to be correct although I'm happy it seems Denver will win. I didn't like their defense at all but they've stepped up on that end in the playoffs. Although I also like this Clippers team so that series has been just pure enjoyment to follow.

[dankok8]

My quick predictions for Round 2:

Cavs in 6
Celtics in 5
Thunder in 6 (Nuggets or Clippers)
Wolves in 6 (Rockets) or Wolves in 7 (Warriors)

[dankok8]

Guys don't let this thread die!

[Real Men Wear Green]

Guys don't let this thread die!Cavs in 7.
Nuggets in 6.
Warriors over Wolves in 6.

[ArbitraryWater]

ECSF:

Cavs 4-2 Pacers (maybe 4-1)
Celtics 4-2 Knicks

WCSF:

OKC 4-2 Nuggets (mind/safe pick, heart says Nugz 6-7)
Timberwolves 4-3 Warriors / Timberwolves 4-2 Rockets

[warriorfan]

Lakers and Clippers losing have blown up my west bracket.

[MMM]

Look at all the posters that had their finals participant/champion eliminated in the first round. It indicates that the basketball knowledge on this site is horrendous.

[warriorfan]

Look at all the posters that had their finals participant/champion eliminated in the first round. It indicates that the basketball knowledge on this site is horrendous.

It feels like this post is being somewhat sarcastic. I’ll still post some thoughts.

Nuggets did an impressive job coming back to life. In hindsight it seems silly to bet on Harden but the Clippers were playing great as a unit going into the playoffs and seemed to be peeking at the right time. Trying to act like this is a no brainer in hindsight is just not being pragmatic.

Lakers and Minny ended up more lopsided. We all knew Lakers roster construction was somewhat flawed after they rescinded the Williams trade. However Luka had a history of owning the wolves. I thought LBJ had enough in the tank where if Luka went off they would still win. Credit to McDaniels who was doing a better job on Luka compared to their past match ups. He stepped it up.

[ArbitraryWater]

Look at all the posters that had their finals participant/champion eliminated in the first round. It indicates that the basketball knowledge on this site is horrendous.

No, it indicates that favorites sometimes lose series.

ISH is a microscosm of society.

lakers and Clips were favored by Vegas and bookies worldwide.

ESPN 10/11 analysts picked the lakers.

You seem to have limited IQ.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Look at all the posters that had their finals participant/champion eliminated in the first round. It indicates that the basketball knowledge on this site is horrendous.
Doncic was overrated and likely still will be. I can't act innocent myself, I didn't think they were winning the championship but I too thought individual greatness would overcome bad defense and lack of size.

[ArbitraryWater]

Doncic was overrated and likely still will be. I can't act innocent myself, I didn't think they were winning the championship but I too thought individual greatness would overcome bad defense and lack of size.

Son, Tatum is overrated, not Doncic :lol

[Real Men Wear Green]

Son, Tatum is overrated, not Doncic :lol Hurt your feelings? Good. Dumbass nazi.

[ArbitraryWater]

Hurt your feelings? Good. Dumbass nazi.

Sounds more like your panties are in a twist.

You sick pedophile.

[Real Men Wear Green]

Sounds more like your panties are in a twist.

You sick pedophile.
The meltdown continues. Let's really aggravate it:

Luka Doncic is one of the worst defenders in the NBA. His last two playoff series, both losses, were to opponents that made attacking him with the man he was poorly guarding a priority. If he wants to be an all-time great he will have to get into good shape so that he can play defense for 40 minutes while carrying a large offensive load. If he does not he will not ever win an NBA championship, and that is why his own coach said they have to get into "championship condition" after their team was eliminated.

Now go cry some more..

[ArbitraryWater]

The meltdown continues. Let's really aggravate it:

Luka Doncic is one of the worst defenders in the NBA. His last two playoff series, both losses, were to opponents that made attacking him with the man he was poorly guarding a priority. If he wants to be an all-time great he will have to get into good shape so that he can play defense for 40 minutes while carrying a large offensive load. If he does not he will not ever win an NBA championship, and that is why his own coach said they have to get into "championship condition" after their team was eliminated.

Now go cry some more..

The fact Im even engaging with a pedophile is crazy enough.

[dankok8]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GpzTs5LXgAAFsrG?format=jpg&name=small
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Gp9GZnaWIAAG-Mb?format=jpg&name=small
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GqEqPbmWwAACvGm?format=jpg&name=small
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/GqKEbHeWEAELB0X?format=jpg&name=small

[ArbitraryWater]

ECSF:

Cavs 4-2 Pacers (maybe 4-1)
Celtics 4-2 Knicks

WCSF:

OKC 4-2 Nuggets (mind/safe pick, heart says Nugz 6-7)
Timberwolves 4-3 Warriors / Timberwolves 4-2 Rockets

changing to:

Timberwolves 4-2 vs Warriors

[dankok8]

All the favorites so far lost Game 1!

I still think Boston wins their series. They won't shoot that poorly again. Cleveland given their injuries probably loses to be honest and OKC looks vulnerable but they could obviously pull it out.