Post by yourkers15 on Jan 11, 2024 23:48:01 GMT
#1 Suns vs #8 Thunder
Slough: I got to admit I haven't looked much into the West most of the year since its the B-League to the East, but the Suns kind of snuck up quietly out of nowhere having traded Durant to the East and even put Booker out there for trade talks, then ends up landing the #1 seed in the West. They finished 8-2 to end the season, but besides Booker the team is very much a balance between a solid front court and a mix of back court players. I actually could see the Thunder with acquiring Rozier making a run at this series and potential upset.
Speaking of the Thunder, they got the ROTY in Chet, Giddey is playing amazing as the super sub and with Trae running the point, I think they actually can pull off the upset.
Prediction: 4-3 Thunder with the Upset
Yourkers: Really upset? Wow interesting take. I have a different look at this and I find the Suns build to be very interesting and they def went for the rebounding and depth and let Booker do his thing. I think Booker is too much to handle for the Thunder and feel they are a year off from exploding with giddey, chet, and Banchero. This experience will be great for them but just feel the Suns have too much for them to handle.
Prediction: Suns 4-2
Prediction: Suns 4-2
#2 Nuggets vs #7 Kings
Slough: Man, this is a tough matchup to be honest, you got the GOAT in Da Joker, but I feel like you have the mini Joker in Sabonis who is a very similar player. I still think the Nuggets pull this off as Porzingis and the rest of the team are a bit too much compared to what Sabonis and Fox can overcome alone vs Jokic. Grant for the Kings has helped of recent, but I think the lack of backcourt besides Fox really hurts the team and not sure they can make the upset.
Prediction: 4-2 Nuggests
Yourkers: This is a fun matchup for sure. Fox vs Murray and Sabonis vs Jokic. Can't ask for a better duos matchup. Pick and rolls for days for sure. Handoffs and rolling allowing the big to pop out and show off their range. Now after those 2 I think the Nuggets have more overall talent compared to the Kings. Murray isn't ready yet and KP should over power Grant. Just don't think the Kings do much in this series and Nuggets should take this home pretty easily.
Prediction: Nuggets 4-1
Prediction: Nuggets 4-1
#3 Timberwolves vs #6 Jazz
Slough: The Wolves for most of the season were in the top spot or the Nuggets and crazy they landed into the third spot and face the Jazz first round. Their front court is likely the best rotation even adding Reid to this as well the best in the league, not to mention they have a young fire SG in Edwards that I think will help, they might run into trouble with the Jazz backcourt in LaVine and Westbrook. I think the Wolves will in with the front court pretty easily though.
Prediction: 4-2 Wolves
Yourkers: If the Wolves don't get hurt they probably are the number 1 seed in the West. Losing Gobert was big for them cuz they lost that rim protection. They were ok with letting him rock instead of speeding up the process and it could hurt them later. But for now they still have home court for the first round and that should be real big for them. I feel edwards will outplay Lavine and Russell should be able to contain Westbrook. The big matchup could be fun with Kessler vs Gobert and seeing Kessler should be like Gobert real soon but for now the Wolves have the edge. Now I expect KAT to go off and take this series over and make this real easy.
Prediction: Wolves 4-0(have to make at least one sweep prediction)
Prediction: Wolves 4-0(have to make at least one sweep prediction)
#4 Mavericks vs #5 Warriors
Slough: Definitely a matchup between Curry and Doncic, but its a close call on who will win this. I'm going to lean on the Mavs as if slightly more active than the Warriors who I still feel like no idea who runs them. Bundy is solid on getting teams ready for simming and the playoffs, so I think the Mavs along with Tatum and Irving will push the series over the top.
The Warriors have Curry of course, but really nothing crazy after that which would really see an upset in my eyes. I'm surprised the Mavs dropped so far to be honest in the standings with their team, I would have thought closer to leading especially with Tatum addition.
Prediction: 4-2 Mavs
Yourkers: Wow the fire power in this series is top of the line but a lot of it comes from the Mavs. The big 3 vs Curry. Now Curry will do his thing but can klay add that needed 2nd option. Cuz outside that who do they have to score? Saric? Curry gotta be superman out there and feel he steals one but can't see much more when donic, Irving, and Tatum are in town. Just too much scoring on one side compared to a one man machine on the other. Expect plenty of shooting and it will be fun for sure.
Prediction: Mavs 4-1
Prediction: Mavs 4-1
Its late for me, so need some sleep 
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