2023-24 NBA Playoffs Thread

[Hondo]

The NBA Playoffs is here!

Thoughts on matchups? Predictions? Let this space be a rolling thread throughout the playoffs until we crown the 2023-24 NBA champs!

Eastern Conference bracket

First round:

No. 1 Boston Celtics vs. Miami Heat
No. 2 New York Knicks vs. Philly 76ers
No. 3 Milwaukee Bucks vs. No. 6 Indiana Pacers
No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs. No. 5 Orlando Magic


Western Conference bracket

First round:

No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs. New Orleans Pelicans
No. 2 Denver Nuggets vs. L.A. Lakers
No. 3 Minnesota Timberwolves vs. No. 6 Phoenix Suns
No. 4 LA Clippers vs. No. 5 Dallas Mavericks

[Hondo]

For the East, Man, Cavs intentionally losing to the Hornets tonight was embarrassing and felt like the Bucks also went out of their way to duck the 76ers/Heat, The Pacers have a chance to do something really funny this playoffs. The basketball Gods are always watching. lol If the 76ers make the playoffs, that Knicks vs 6ers gonna be a fun one.

For the West. Looking forward to that Clips vs Mavs 1st round. Wolves vs Suns could be a good one too, so much star power in that series.

As for the Celtics? I am cautiously optimistic and hopeful but ready for the disappointment and pain. LOL

[SacKingsCards]

Obviously very excited about Sacramento's performance last night; let's hope they can carry that through to Friday against NO who have been their kryptonite this season. Fox said it after the game, but it's tough to beat a team six times in a row...hopefully the Kings can figure some stuff out and be consistent Friday. Zion's availability will be a big factor into what happens there.

My initial thoughts looking at the bracket:

EAST
Giannis' injury is so eerily similar to last year, I have a hard time imagining them even getting out of the first round if he's not 100%. They're ridiculously limited without him. As a Haliburton fan, I would welcome that.

Gotta assume Miami and Philly make it through and I'm kind of hoping to see NY/Philly because that feels like a fun series waiting to happen.

Love the young Cavs and Magic matchup, hope it's a good one.

Hard to imagine anyone challenging the Celts.

WEST
Also looks like Denver's to lose. Who's scaring them?

The parity in the west screams upset to me. One of those top 3 is going to lose in round 1. I'm hoping it's OKC to SAC (if they make it), but I guess the most likely is Minny to PHX.

Rooting for a close series between Dallas and LAC because those two previous matchups in the last few years were awesome.

Time for playoff basketball!

[Hondo]

Man that Kings win must've felt so good. Payback from last year's matchup at the same time probably ending the Warriors dynasty. I really like Keegan Murray. He's good. And i love whenever he hits a three the crowd chants his name. Keeeegggaaannnn Muuurrrraaaaayyyy!

That Sixers-Heat game was intense. Not gonna lie, i am loving the Play-In games. Something about a 1 game, win or go home game that always raises the intensity.

Looking forward for the Nuggets to give the Lakers some Ass-whooping. LOL

[kingofsnake]

Now that Warriors are gone, I don't really care about the playoffs. But I'm kinda rooting for the Kings. Let's go Kings.

[darz90scardz]

As a long time (struggling) Knicks fan, all I want to say is

Let’s fukin gooooooo

[Hondo]

As a long time (struggling) Knicks fan, all I want to say is

Let’s fukin gooooooo

Rooting for the Knicks in that series. I think they can take down the 6ers specially with Embiid not a 100%

[green_stiller]

West round 1:
Thunder
Mavericks
Timberwolves
Nuggests

West Round 2:
Mavericks
Nuggets

East Round1:
Celtics
Magic
Pacers
Knicks

East Round 2:
Celtics
Knicks

Finals:
Nuggets > Celtics

[Hondo]

Finals:
Nuggets < Celtics

Fixed it for yah!

[Hondo]

Great day 1 of the Playoffs!

Always fun when the Knicks are good, the Garden vibes was electric. Fun back & forth between the Knicks & Sixers. Josh Hart is a guy every team would love to have.
KD and Antman dueling and jawing at each other. Antman is such a likable, charismatic dude.
Magic? Oof, guys can't score. Franz Wagner can't shoot threes and seem to have caught that Markelle Fultz yips & Paolo was 1 Turnover shy of a double-double. Just ugly basketball LOL
And yeah, no one is beating Denver in a 7 game series.

[darz90scardz]

Wow, Deuce really stepped up for NY. Mitchell Robinson with some key plays too, loved his energy and how he held down the d.


That was a great game though. I also rarely gamble but I’m glad I did for this one, bet the moneyline when they were down big.

[Hondo]

How about them Nova Knicks! What a crazy sequence that led to that DiVincenzo 3. Beat Philly!

And Jamal Murray was having a nightmare game until that last 2 buckets in the clutch including that crazy game-winner.


This would be a great Jamal Murray Timeless Moment card.

[SacKingsCards]

That loss is going to haunt the Lakers. I don't know that they ever had a chance in that series, but being up 20 in the 3rd with Jamal Murray shooting horribly and then losing against a vastly superior team is impossible to come back from. You absolutely have to win those kinds of games against better teams if you want to have a chance.

Tough loss for the Clips and Celts the last couple nights. Luka and Kyrie are definitely a tough duo to overcome, and it feels like they win any time the game is close.

I'm kind of surprised at how many 2-0 series there are. I thought the West's top 3 would have one upset, but not looking that way so far. I thought series would be more competitive, but of course the series doesn't start til someone loses on their home court.

I'm hoping one of the home teams wins tonight and we don't enter the weekend with a bunch of 3-0 series leads.

[green_stiller]

West round 1:
Thunder
Mavericks
Timberwolves
Nuggests

West Round 2:
Mavericks
Nuggets

East Round1:
Celtics
Magic
Pacers
Knicks

East Round 2:
Celtics
Knicks

Finals:
Nuggets > Celtics

Magic messed up my perfect bracket shot! I wouldn’t mind seeing the Wolves and Mavs in the WCF.

[Hondo]

Reigning champs in deep trouble. Minnesota is looking really scary right now.

And apparently the Knicks are only allowed to play crazy, down the wire games.

[darz90scardz]

And apparently the Knicks are only allowed to play crazy, down the wire games.

Seriously.

And don’t get me wrong, last night definitely worked out in my favor, but it also highlights one of the worst things about the sport when refs essentially take over the game. There’s not much they can do when so many challenges are called, but it still ruins the Pace. (Sorry Indy fans)

Knicks related, a couple weeks ago I caught Spike right by where I work…

[Hondo]

Spike!

Hard to believe the "8 points, 9 seconds" game was 29 years ago and the Reggie "Choke" taunt was 30 years ago! Yet Spike Lee is still around sitting court-side in his colorful Knicks gear in a Knicks vs Pacers playoff game. Respect!

And yeah, Refs gotta be do better man. They've been all over the place this post season. Hate seeing a game being decided by refs.

[Deadshot]

Reggie returns to the Garden tonight...hopefully for a Pacers win, too!

[darz90scardz]

What an unreal game, again.

Go Knickerbockers! At this rate Thibs is gona have to play.

[darz90scardz]

Reggie returns to the Garden tonight...hopefully for a Pacers win, too!

[SacKingsCards]

Cautiously rooting for the Mavs and Cavs tonight. Would not be excited to have all four semifinal series at 2-0 heading into game 3 if those two lose.

[green_stiller]

Congrats to the Pacers!

Denver bouncing back is not a surprise either. Luka trying to finally make a playoff push for his legacy too!

[SacKingsCards]

Congrats to the Pacers!

Denver bouncing back is not a surprise either. Luka trying to finally make a playoff push for his legacy too!

All of a sudden we have some really exciting series! Happy Denver and Indiana were able to tie up their series and I agree with you about Luka. I haven't gotten to watch any of the series unfortunately, but after watching Dallas against the Clips, it certainly seems like Luka is making that leap. The question is whether he can keep that up against good teams like the Thunder and whomever they might face in the conference finals.

Huge game for Cleveland and OKC tonight. Neither of them can afford to go down 3-1....

[Hondo]

What a masterclass by Jokic & the Nuggets tonight. Just a week ago pundits were saying they're about to get swept after the Wolves went up 2-0. Heart of a champion.

[darz90scardz]

Brunson’s foot sure looked good.

A couple coworkers suggested getting tickets for the game but stuff came up, I can only imagine how awesome it would’ve been soaking up that atmosphere.

This run still feels unreal, and it’s only magnified by all the injuries we’ve mounted. Can’t wait til Friday.