Non-Celtics Playoffs 2024

Now that the Play-In Tournament is in the books, the entire playoff bracket is complete.  We have a thread for the Celtics playoff run, and there was a stated need for a second thread that covers all the other teams in the playoffs.

This thread is for all Non-Celtics playoff discussion, unless anyone choses otherwise.

Here is a link from NBA.com, which has a playoff bracket that updates as results come through for the entire playoffs.  There is lots of other content to be found there by selecting the various tabs across the top as well as by scrolling down to see other content, like Playoff Series pages, Video and Latest Playoff News.

https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2024

Here is the bracket, before any of the games begin:



Here are todays matchups:



https://www.espn.com/nba/schedule

No surprises from yesterday's games. Looks like DEN vs. LAL will have the exact same results. DEN just too good. OKC's going to have to be the team to take them out. LAL only has LeBron and AD. Again, they showed up. But two great players does not a team make. Heck look at PHX. Three great players does not a team make. And they REALLY suck!!

When, oh when, NBA World will you recognize the error of your ways and realize the Celtics have and have always had the perfect TEAM model for winning?

5-6 above average starting players with a good bench of 3 in rotation for the playoffs. No superstars. No MVP's by the NBA's definition. This is the answer. Oh yes, and leave the egos at the door.

db

So, Philly lost last night, down by five, fifteen seconds left, and refused to foul. Think they gave up??? if they did, this could be a short series for them and then Embid will demand a trade.

Yesterday's results and Today's games:

https://www.espn.com/nba/schedule

Watched segments of all 4 games.  

Cavs over Magic ...experience matters.

Wolves over Suns...size matters

Knicks over Sixers...rebounding matters

Nuggets over Lakers..execution matters

Yesterday's results and Today's games:

https://www.espn.com/nba/schedule

Yesterday's results and Today's games:

https://www.espn.com/nba/schedule

The Lakers were up 15 at the half @ Denver.  They were up 17 with 5 1/2 left in the 3rd and up 10 after 3.  Then they had 4th quarter scoring droughts.  They went 3:20 without scoring a point, and even then it was a single point (Hachimura frito).  In the final 3 minutes the Lakers scored 6 points vs 12 for Denver.

I was hoping the ghost of LeBron's Past would rise up and lead the Lakers to a win on the road (to be fair he did have 26 points, 8 rebounds and 12 assists with only 2 turnovers).  Nope, the fairy tale did not come true.  Turns out the Orcs were the Lakers (but we here on this board all knew that already, didn't we?).




But the Lakers bench had a grand total of only 6 points.  You would think that Spencer Dinwiddie coming off the Laker bench would produce points but he only played 10 minutes, went 0-1.  Lala Land's newest Purple-and-Golden boy Austin Reaves started in his place and played 33 minutes and went 4-11, 9 points, 1-5 from 3.


Joker with a triple double.  Some people have compared Luka to Bird, but I think Joker's actually the closer comparison.  You look at him and you think "there's no way this guy is a professional athlete".  And then you watch him play the game and you go 'ahh, got it...'

So, Denver is still on their late season run.  Damn.


Bob


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Some great Non-Celtic basketball last night. Sam would take us all out if he knew we were watching those games! But even he would have to agree!

db

Wow! Quite a treat for basketball fans last night. Two excellent games.

L2M Report on the Sixers/Knicks game said that Maxey was fouled twice and the refs missed Nick Nurse calling a timeout for a final play.

Three bad calls in the last 2 minutes, all going against Philly. Wow. That's going to churn a lot of stomach acid in The City of Brotherly Love tonight.


Bob

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Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
yesterday
20 years ago Sunday, April 21, 2004. That's the last time, and the only time, the Minnesota Timberwolves have led a playoff series 2-0.


Bob


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bobheckler wrote:Sean Grande @SeanGrandePBP
yesterday
20 years ago Sunday, April 21, 2004. That's the last time, and the only time, the Minnesota Timberwolves have led a playoff series 2-0.


Bob


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We Celtics fans are so spoiled. We have had more playoff experiences in the last 4-5 years than 75% of the rest of the league have had for their entire franchise history.

Yesterday's results and Today's games:

https://www.espn.com/nba/schedule

Pacers ran the Bucks off the court.  Mavs made big time shots when it mattered and The Sun is setting on Phoenix.  The wolves are just too big and physical.  Grayson Allen turned his right ankle again and looks done.

Embiid should have been ejected.  He kneed Hartenstein in the Knickerbockers in the 1st quarter, but it was called a "common foul" because, yeah, handicapping future generations of Hartensteins is basketball.  Literally, a play on the ball.     And then pulled Mitchell Robinson's leg here in this clip.  That should have been it, two and you're done, but this is the NBA and he's Joel Embiid.  He went on to score 50 and breathe life into their series with NY.

Anybody else and they're gone.





In other Embiid-related news, it is being reported he has Bell's Palsy.  A quick Google search tells me it is short-term, does not require a reduction in any activities, and is stress-related.  The above story about Embiid's play last night tells us about how he handles stress.  Not very well. Imagine if Philly had lost. Embiid's face today would look like he was The Phantom of the Opera. An unmoving mask.



Bob


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Yesterday's results and Today's games:

https://www.espn.com/nba/schedule

Yesterday's results and Today's games:

https://www.espn.com/nba/schedule

Homer here..............different set of rules for certain players...........tired of all of it. I am not saying another word about ref's. They are killing me. I am as nervous as a dog........................ if you know what I mean, These guys better show up tonight or my Celtics flag outside my door may come down alot sooner than i ever though. Now I just read a story that Embid has been diagnosed with Bell's Palsey, however.......he scored 50 points the other night and beat up on a little guy.......what are you doing to this league Adam????

Yesterday's results and Today's games:

https://www.espn.com/nba/schedule

Bob


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Looks like these young,upstart teams are going to give teams a real run for their money. I hope the Celtics are paying attention. Indy, NY, OKC, even Wolves, scary out there. That post above just about says it all, the day of the 3 superstar teams may be coming to an end. Teams are building from the draft and free agency. There are some not quite there this year that will be a problem next year

Yesterday's results and Today's games:

https://www.espn.com/nba/schedule

Timberwolves looked great, so much depth, especially at the bigs spots. They will give Nuggets a run for their money, and might have the necessary superstar to take over in Anthony Edwards. They
just punked Suns physically and nothing Suns could do about it.

That post from Bob was eyeopening. The Suns are screwed!!! Devon Booker will be looking for a trade soon, that is the only way they will get d, raft choices back. Sure glad we did not bite the bullet on Beal!!!! I do not feel sorry for Durant, he has been ring jumping for years. He should have stayed in GSW, would have solidified his career