peternorth
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After 82 sometimes hard fought games, and many uninspiring tank job games, we've arrived at Playoffs Town. Population 20. Welcome posters to the 2026 NBA Playoffs Thread. And I say this with a heavy heart, a heavy heart for our many personnel who will not be with us. Please direct your attention to the screens above.
But wait there's more. Early reports suggest he may come back at some stage during the playoffs, but when and at what capacity is anyones guess. Yes, that's right. The one and only Son of Skeletor who is suffering from a severe case of gastro and a back injury that has cruelled the likes of Joel Embiid at various times limiting his availability especially in games at higher than normal altitude. I'm sure you'll join me in wishing our poet laurete SOS a nadia bartel like bravery, thoughts and prayers, and a kobe like recovery.
Before we get into the matchups we must praise Laker and NBA legend LeBron James 19th post season appearance. Please enjoy a summary of his honours and stats here. If you can't be bothered know this, Lebron also leads all players in playoff games (292) and can reach the 300-game benchmark with a first-round series win. Wait, he needs 8 more games....a first round win is best of 7?
Many feel it's a toss up between the defending champs from OKC and Boston. Questions remain for the Eastern champions Detroit Pistons and the 2nd placed Western club in the Spurs, many citing a lack of playoff finals experience stopping them from reaching the finals. Could these young upstarts cause an upset and represent their respective conferences in the end? Drew Timme will tell.
Let's take a short yet in depth look into each KNOWN matchup
WAY OUT WEST
LAKERS v ROCKETS
The injury riddled Lakers limped into the season finale with key white guys Doncic and Reeves out for extended periods of time. It is unlikely either of them will feature in this series which ultimately means we won't see them again this season. The Rox are in form winning a series of games to consolidate 5th position and arguably the easiest of the first rounds. Smart play by Houston.
The Rockets have the NBAs best pure scorer, KD, and a dominant European centre in Shengoon. The Lakers porous defence simply cannot stop the younger, athletic, stronger, deeper Rockets team who should be energised by the successful Artemis trip and subsequent return to Earth.
Prediction: I'll give the Lakers 1 game, Rockets in 5 (probably will be a Rockets sweep).
https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2026/west-first-round-3
NUGGETS v WOLVES
One doesn't leave the ground, the other explodes off it. It's Jokic vs Edwards.
The Nuggets have had no problem dispatching the wolfies, winning the reg season 3-1. Edwards I feel is ready to take the next step, and if his previous playoffs have illustrated, he loves this time of year.
Aaron Gordon missed half the season and is well rested. Jokic is gonna Jokic (probably average a triple double). Murray became another Canadian all star. You just feel sorry for anyone coming up against them. It's gonna take a BIG effort from Antman and Naz Reid to overcome the odds. Oh and Rudy gotta hold Jokic (hahahaha). Mark Eaton got more chance. Nuggets shot 30 FT/game whereas Minnesota only shot 25 FT/game in their regular series matchup.
Prediction: Nuggets in 5/6
EAST
KNICKS v HAWKS
A lot of noise coming from Knicks city fans, a genuine excitement which shows no signs of abetting. We wait for Stephen A Smith exploding from the waist down on ESPN. And according to the pub test, it's the Knicks in a sweep. Brunson loves playing ATL, and KAT is a different man (corny or not) hitting that 60/50/90 mark in the games he played against them.
Nevertheless, it'll be exciting to see how the Hawks are able to spread wings (see what I did there) with their long long wings. NBA star Dyson Daniels (brother of NBL star Dash Daniels). Hopefully we'll see Jock Landale feature sometime. Could Daniels and Landale be the first aussie duo since Patty Mills and Aaron Baynes to win a chip together? No.
Prediction: Knicks in 4
CAVS v RAPS
I just feel that the addition of James Hardon has given long suffering Cavs fans more hope. The ultimate scorer and facilitator has slotted in like a dollar bill into a g string. And so they should. Maths nerds have come to the conclusion that the Beard plays well in cities with substandard strip clubs. This masthead knows nothing about how they arrived to this, but knows some posters here do.
Having said that.....the Raptors won the reg season series 3-0 led by their young dinosaurs. They do have 2 all stars in Barnes and Ingram as well so they'll be confident themselves. Other than them and Barrett, who else can you count on?
Mitchell, harden, Mobley should be enough to get the chocolates. Prediction - Cavs in 6
THE PLAYINS
The Clippers beat the warriors in their final game yesterday earning them one more game against the same opponent. This is a team that was at one stage 15 games below .500. They also beat the Warriors 4 times this season. Kawhi is back too.
How about The Hornets. in their wins have averaged 18 point margins apparently. They are DANGEROUS, and if Miami aren't careful they gonna be stung. They got a real big chip on their shoulder, and one unnamed poster has kept receipts.
It's time for teal to become cool again.
How about Portland????? How the **** did they get in??? All without Thybulle too. We salute you. Oh there's Booker over there. Arguably the leagues most underrated or understated player. He exploded for 37 points on 9/9 FTs in his last game. All in 37 minutes. Somewhere Look2Me4Guidance is waking up in a crusty, sticky mess.
Oh Orlando. Have they regressed this season? Expected a lot from them months ago. They have great uniforms and quality big wings. Surely they dispose of the Embiid less 76ers aka NO-EL Embiid
Hornets v Heat followed by the Suns and Blazers tomorrow to kick things off.
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