While a lot can change between now and the start of the playoffs, it seems possible that certain teams that have climbed the standings (like the Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Mavericks, Memphis Grizzlies and Charlotte Hornets) could sustain their strong play. Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference playoff picture is missing three teams that made the postseason last April: the Miami Heat, Washington Wizards and Cleveland Cavaliers. The Western Conference currently has five former playoff teams outside of the postseason picture: the Minnesota Timberwolves, New Orleans Pelicans, San Antonio Spurs, Utah Jazz and Houston Rockets. I thought he did a really nice job.Rockets, Jazz and Spurs are out of the playoffs right now.Įven for NBA standards, it's a strange season so far.Īs of right now, eight teams that made the 2018 postseason are on pace to miss this year’s playoffs based on the current standings. According to our research, that would be the most playoff-turned-lottery teams since 1984 (when the NBA expanded the postseason to 16 teams). He’s a good matchup defensively with what we’re facing, and he spreads the floor. We were going to have to find some minutes from Nick and from Quinn (Cook), and we liked the idea of starting Nick and putting him out there. They spread you out, and so we knew we were going to have to play without Steph (Curry) and Patty (McCaw). Golden State head coach Steve Kerr told that inserting Nick Young (six points, one steal, one rebound in 21 minutes) into the starting lineup played a key role in the team’s Game 1 victory: Tomorrow, we have to get right back to the drawing board and continue to be better defensively. Now we have to flip the switch to the next series. I thought our guys really did a good job just staying mentally tough. Swaggy P: Random playoff start he can tell his grandkids aboutĬleveland head coach Tyronn Lue noted that his squad has to improve its defense with only a little time to rest between Game 7 of the first round and Game 1 of the second, as per The News-Herald: Warriors blast the Pelicans in Game 1: 123-101 Shea Sherrano joked that there’s no information on how to guard Kevin Durant:Īnthony Slater broke down the Golden State stats from the opener: SB Nation tweeted the reaction during Game 1 of those who believed New Orleans would hang with Golden State:īefore the game: the Pelicans might challenge the Warriors this series! The Warriors are just the never-ceasing all-consuming maw of death that comes for us all and snuffs all light from the universe. The Pelicans really are good, they’ve been good all year. Hardwood Paroxysm thinks that the Pelicans are good, but the Warriors are just a tad better: Feel like if the Raptors start to wilt again he'll just start smacking people in huddlesĪndy Bailey says Anthony Davis is atop the league in a unique category:Īnthony Davis has to be among the league leaders in “times he makes viewers audibly laugh at how good he is” per game. VanVleet's attitude makes me believe in the Raptors like 30% more. 2004 Sacramento Kings, -1.5 /gV37WofHmXīlake Murphy believes the emerge of undrafted second-year guard Fred VanVleet gives the Raptors an edge they’ve been missing: Worst net rating by a winner of a first-round series since the NBA adopted the best-of-seven format for opening round in 2003:ĥ. Series starts 8 ET Tuesday from Toronto.Īdam Fromal pointed out that the Cavs have the worst net rating of a first-round playoff victor since the current best-of-seven format was implemented: Toronto showdown has become in the playoffs:įor the 3rd straight postseason and 2nd straight year in Round 2, the Raptors will face LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. Josh Lewenberg noted how common this Cleveland vs. Q2LOVZZ2GnĬhris Walder says it’s “now or never” for the Raptors against LeBron and the Cavs: LeBron James (now 13-0) and Bill Russell have never lost an opening round series. Raise your hand if you're a GOAT, but lost in the opening round of the playoffs. ESPN Stats & Info highlighted how James and Bill Russell are the two greatest players to never lose in the opening round:
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