2028 NBN Playoff Predictions: Eastern Conference Round 1
Jul 31, 2024 4:33:08 GMT
SpikeLee14 likes this
Post by cop5414 on Jul 31, 2024 4:33:08 GMT
2028 NBN Eastern Conference Playoffs Round 1
#4 Philadelphia 76ers [57-25] vs #5 New York Knicks [53-29]
#1 New Orleans Pelicans [61-21] vs #8 Cleveland Cavaliers [44-38]
#4 Philadelphia 76ers [57-25] vs #5 New York Knicks [53-29]
Ditched that anchor named Brandon Miller and replaced him a decent but expiring player in Brandon Ingram. Knicks have found themselves in essentially the same position like prior seasons. A low to mid +50 win team forced into a tough first round matchup in the stacked east. This time the Knicks face up against a 76ers team whose dominate 4-year run might be finally coming to an end. The 76ers were 3-1 in the regular season versus the Knicks, with their only loss being by 2 points. However, that is nothing to hang the hat up on as the all four games came before Day 60. And since our league trade addict ripkobebryant did his usual thing, it will certainly be a different looking Knicks roster. The one hope is that he didn't trade too much. Looking at this matchup the biggest worry won't be Jokic, the amount of posts the Knicks can throw at him will slow him down. The bigger concern is how they eliminate the threat of Maxey. They haven't all season and Topic still runs point. Hopefully the addition of Brandon Ingram will be enough of a boost over the lesser Michael Porter Jr. whom the Sixers have to employ. Probably won't.
76ers in 6
#3 Washington Wizards [59-23] vs #6 Indiana Pacers [51-31]
#3 Washington Wizards [59-23] vs #6 Indiana Pacers [51-31]
*Sigh* Dash. ¿Por que? なぜ。Warum? *Insert any other google translation for the word "why" in here. I've had unwarranted confidence for two straight seasons that Wizards would truly become championship contenders. But its yet another year listed as the 3rd seed heading into the post season. I'd like to place confidence, but this Pacers team should be worrisome. Similar to last season where the Hawks had dominated regualar season play versus the Wizards, the Pacers have done the same this year. I don't believe either team made significant moves this season so the rosters likely line up the same. Cam Thomas, Joel Embiid, and Tyrese Haliburton are a deadly trio. The biggest problem child will be Embiid. The Wizards have not shown the ability to stop him this season. He averaged 37 & 13 in three wins. Call Haliburton and Collier a wash and it comes down to the productivity of Coulibaly who has also had his way in this matchup versus the league leading scorer Cam Thomas. Yeah, ouch. All signs seem to point to betting it all on #6. But I'm an idiot and I'll go by a different trend. The Wizards' track record in the 1st round as the #3 seed the previous three seasons has been loss-win-loss. That must mean this year's a win baby!!!
Wizards in 7
#2 Orlando Magic [59-23] vs #7 Atlanta Hawks [49-33]
#2 Orlando Magic [59-23] vs #7 Atlanta Hawks [49-33]
I don't find the Hawks as secretly lethal as they were last season when they had 7 different players averaging +10ppg. This year they are down to four, big reason for that was the need to make moves to create cap space for upcoming seasons. I would claim that they've had dominance all season against the Magic, but that was with Shaedon Sharpe still on the team. Now looking at the Magic's roster, I raaly liked that move for Anthony Edwards midseason. It was kind of the move I wanted them to make last season. They've changed their identity a slight bit, as they've become the most effiecient scoring offesnse in the league, while retaining the status of a strong defensive team. However, with the departure of Holmgren in the Edwards trade, I see huge vunerlability. If All-Defensive 2nd Team Jalen Duren were to go down with injury, this team might literally be fucked. No depth in the frontcourt. Still I see this as a fairly easy route.
Magic in 5
#1 New Orleans Pelicans [61-21] vs #8 Cleveland Cavaliers [44-38]
I don't know why, but the Pelicans are such a weird 1st seed to me. I like the stat pages to look pretty, but theirs kind want to make me gag. Don't get me wrong, I like the talent. Hell I offered Judah Mintz a max contract last off-season. I just feel that FBB has been leading us on, and eventually will pull the rug out under the Slough. Seroiusly though, look at the team statistics. Most of their team stats lean more towards the middle of the pack, biggest saving grace seems to be rebounding. They are false idols. There I said it. And since I won't be taking that obvious dash upset in the Wizards/Pacers matchup, I'll select mine here. And why not? I mean you've heard of Luka Magic. Haven't you? Need no other reason than that. It'll bring The Slough back down to earth and probably make spike lee cream his pants.
Cavaliers in 7
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