Your Official Eastern Conference Playoffs Thread - MORE STAT PADIN. Vale Pacers, Bucks

Which old-school showdown would pique your interest most?

  • Trading insults like it was 2008-12 again - LeBron vs Celtics, the re-re-match

    Votes: 9 25.0%
  • Blowing in the wind - LeBron vs PG13, Lance and the Pacers

    Votes: 5 13.9%
  • The Gilbert Arenas Memorial Shootout- Cavs vs Wizards

    Votes: 4 11.1%
  • The Good Guys dress in Black - Celtics/Wizards, Round III

    Votes: 1 2.8%
  • The Jimmy Butler Superstar Cup - Celtics vs Bulls ft. Primetime Pricey

    Votes: 7 19.4%
  • None - I'm mainly here to laugh at the Eastern Conference

    Votes: 10 27.8%

  • Total voters
    36
  • Poll closed .

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May 23, 2012
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Your Eastern Conference Playoff Class of 2017 - no beasts allowed.


1. Boston Celtics vs. 8. Chicago Bulls

2. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. 7. Indiana Pacers

3. Toronto Raptors vs. 6. Milwaukee Bucks

4. Washington Wizards vs. 5. Atlanta Hawks
 
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By the numbers


Record: Celtics 53-29 (4th), Bulls 41-41 (16th)

Off Rating: Celtics 111.1 (8th), Bulls 107.4 (20th)

Def Rating: Celtics 108.4 (13th), Bulls 107.0 (6th)

Pace: Celtics 96.8 (13th), Bulls 95.3 (20th)


FG%: Celtics 45.4% (16th), Bulls 44.4% (25th)
3Pt%: Celtics 35.9% (14th), Bulls 34.0% (24th)
2Pt%: Celtics 51.5% (8th), Bulls 47.9% (29th)
EFG%: Celtics 52.5% (9th), Bulls 48.7% (30th)
Assists: Celtics 25.2 (4th), Bulls 22.6 (14th)
T/O%: Celtics 12.2 (9th), Bulls 12.2 (10th)
OReb%: Celtics 21.2 (25th), Bulls 27.0 (4th)

DFG%: Celtics 45.0% (9th), Bulls 45.6% (14th)
D3Pt%: Celtics 33.2% (2nd), Bulls 34.4% (6th)
D2Pt%: Celtics 50.5% (19th), Bulls 50.3% (15th)
DEFG%: Celtics 50.3% (5th), Bulls 50.7% (10th)
DefT/O%: Celtics 12.6% (17th), Bulls 12.4% (20th)
DReb%: Celtics 75.4% (27th), Bulls 76.8% (12th)


Head to Head

Series tied 2-2

27/10/16: Celtics 99 @ Bulls 105
2/11/16: Bulls 100 @ Celtics 107
16/2/17: Celtics 103 @ Bulls 104
12/3/17: Bulls 80 @ Celtics 100


isaiah%20thomas%20dribble%20vs%20jimmy%20butler%20bulls.jpg




And now please welcome your favourite professional and completely impartial poster, stewie griffen , as he goes deep for a closer look... for the second time this week after his controversial rendezvous with Pricey's mum on Tuesday.


And so we end up with the inevitable Boston v Chicago matchup (Stew's Bulls perspectives - its clear I don't watch enough or care enough about Boston to bother writing much)

The Bulls split the regular season match-up, continuing their trend of playing up to the top teams and failing against the lower levels. So we should expect a close series right?

giphy.gif



Yeah im not so sure.

Boston's Achilles heel is rebounding. In the 4 reg season games the Bulls out-rebounded the Celtics 195-157 on the glass, including 60-29 on offensive rebounds. Of course this was in part due to the presence of Taj in the starting lineup, and as we are all aware they are a drastically different team now.

The series comes down to 2 match-ups. Can the Bulls stop IT4, or exploit him defensively? Can the Celts stop Jimmy G Buckets?

Chicago have a plethora of average guards to throw out there, unfortunately none of them can actually score..... MCW possibly has the best chance of staying with him defensively, but has been insanely inconsistent, and so i expect Jerian to get some decent minutes off the bench with the bane of my existence starting in the backcourt. With IT4 on court the C's have an ORtg of 113.7/100 poss, which drops to 98.6 with him on the bench.

Wade has been poor since his scintillating start to the season. He's posted his worst ppg since his rookie year, although his pp 36 has been passable, yet his OBPM and VORP are career lows. The real impact he has on the floor, and its not in a good way, is 'defensively.' Rondo and Wade are possibly the worst defensive starting backcourt in the league, and whilst Avery Bradley is no Michael Jordan he has developed into a more than useful scorer. And whilst Marcus Smart will never be known as a deadeye shooter, the boy can play defense. Still, the Bulls will sag off and dare him to shoot.

Also he does have the mean mug game...

Butler is an All NBA talent (Ed's note: roughly top 15-20 players), with career highs in points, assist, orebs, steals, ft%, ft rate, ows, ws, ws/48, usage and vorp. Meanwhile Boston have a couple of quality defenders to throw at him in Crowder and Brown, and could even throw Bradley at him in patches. Brown has developed nicely over the course of his rookie season. Ultimately the Bulls need Jimmy to go nuts to stand a chance.

Meanwhile, down low we have the epitome of the Bulls Jekyll and Hyde nature in Niko, or maybe Zipser stars, or maybe Bobby, or Felicio... who knows with Fred. If good Niko shows up, the Bulls are half a chance, but if bad Niko turns up.... its pretty much done. Rolo is another key. If Boston go small, Horford will drag him out and Boston will look to exploit him on the pick and roll/pop, but his rebounding and rim protection are so important... meanwhile rim protection and rebounding are two things one cannot accuse Al Horford of excelling at this season. Altho if they play Amir, the Bulls will be far happier matching Niko or Bobby up on Horford.

The Bulls need everything in their favour to have a chance, and they might sneak a game or two if IT is cold, or Niko gets hot, but i cant see that happening

Celtics in 5 (and 4 would not surprise).

Well, perhaps it would surprise a few in the Windy City...

 
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By the numbers

Record: Cavaliers 51-31 (t.5th), Pacers 42-40 (14th)

Off Rating: Cavaliers 113.6 (3rd), Pacers 108.6 (15th)

Def Rating: Cavaliers 110.3 (21st), Pacers 108.8 (16th)

Pace: Cavaliers 96.2 (15th), Pacers 95.9 (18th)


FG%: Cavaliers 47.0% (5th), Pacers 46.5% (10th)
3pt%: Cavaliers 38.4% (2nd), Pacers 37.6% (4th)
2Pt%: Cavaliers 52.8% (3rd), Pacers 49.8% (17th)
eFG%: Cavaliers 54.7% (2nd), Pacers 51.6% (13th)
Assists: Cavaliers 22.7 (13th), Pacers 22.5 (16th)
T/O%: Cavaliers 12.6% (14th), Pacers 12.7% (16th)
OReb%: Cavaliers 22.0% (20th), Pacers 21.2% (24th)

DFG%: Cavaliers 45.8% (16th), Pacers 45.1% (10th)
D3pt%: Cavaliers 36.1% (18th), Pacers 35.5% (13th)
D2Pt%: Cavaliers 50.4% (17th), Pacers 50.1% (12th)
DeFG%: Cavaliers 51.6% (18th), Pacers 51.2% (15th)
DefT/O%: Cavaliers 11.4% (29th), Pacers 13.6% (6th)
DReb%: Cavaliers 75.8% (21st), Pacers 75.4% (25th)


Head to Head

Cavaliers lead series 3-1

16/11/16: Cavaliers 93 @ Pacers 103
8/2/17: Cavaliers 132 @ Pacers 117
15/2/17: Pacers 104 @ Cavaliers 113
2/4/17: Pacers 130 @ Cavaliers 135


Screw the numbers, give me words

Clevleland is an elite offensive team, Indy is average. Cleveland is a crappy defensive team, Indy is average (those three words suffice for Indy, period).

Both teams shoot the ball pretty well, especially from range. On the other hand these are two of the poorer rebounding teams in the league as well.

One difference to note is in the ability to force turnovers, where Indy excels and the Cavs don't: usually teams that excel in this stat might figure to perform poorly on the defensive boards because they rely on quickness and trapping (and Indy duly do perform poorly on the defensive boards). Cleveland on the other hand, and more surprisingly given their personnel, are also below average on the defensive boards.

What this means is that the Cavs have not only relied on outscoring their opposition to win games, but more specifically outshooting them - they certainly don't win games by creating extra possessions on the boards or in the passing lanes.

It's almost unfathomable that a team featuring a starting frontline of Thompson, Love and LeBron can be so bad at rebounding, as between them the trio average almost 30rpg. This is one area where the Cavs' supporting cast can be called into question as a weakness to expose - Frye, Jefferson, Korver and the two D. Williamses might give the Cavs adequate shooting and spacing, but they aren't going to get after it defensively or on the boards.

However Indy's frontline of Turner and Thad Young while talented enough is decidedly lightweight - the Cavs need to punish the Pacers on the offensive boards, much in the same manner as they did against the Dubs in the Finals. Indy for their part will try to use their edge in quickness to expose Cleveland defensively.


giphy.gif



The big question: will Indy faze out Monta Ellis in favour of prodigal son Lance Stephenson?

At this point Lance gives you everything Monta does - a secondary playmaker with suspect outside shooting - only with better defence and more rebounding.

So yes, unless Lance goes too insane. What a world it is when Monta can claim to 'have it all' when it comes to claiming the edge in sanity.


Prediction: SloaneysDanger to have an aneurysm within 5 minutes. Cavs to win this within 5 games.
 

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SloaneysDanger

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By the numbers

Record: Cavaliers 51-31 (t.5th), Pacers 42-40 (14th)

Off Rating: Cavaliers 113.6 (3rd), Pacers 108.6 (15th)

Def Rating: Cavaliers 110.3 (21st), Pacers 108.8 (16th)

Pace: Cavaliers 96.2 (15th), Pacers 95.9 (18th)


FG%: Cavaliers 47.0% (5th), Pacers 46.5% (10th)
3pt%: Cavaliers 38.4% (2nd), Pacers 37.6% (4th)
2Pt%: Cavaliers 52.8% (3rd), Pacers 49.8% (17th)
eFG%: Cavaliers 54.7% (2nd), Pacers 51.6% (13th)
Assists: Cavaliers 22.7 (13th), Pacers 22.5 (16th)
T/O%: Cavaliers 12.6% (14th), Pacers 12.7% (16th)
OReb%: Cavaliers 22.0% (20th), Pacers 21.2% (24th)

DFG%: Cavaliers 45.8% (16th), Pacers 45.1% (10th)
D3pt%: Cavaliers 36.1% (18th), Pacers 35.5% (13th)
D2Pt%: Cavaliers 50.4% (17th), Pacers 50.1% (12th)
DeFG%: Cavaliers 51.6% (18th), Pacers 51.2% (15th)
DefT/O%: Cavaliers 11.4% (29th), Pacers 13.6% (6th)
DReb%: Cavaliers 75.8% (21st), Pacers 75.4% (25th)


Head to Head

Cavaliers lead series 3-1

16/11/16: Cavaliers 93 @ Pacers 103
8/2/17: Cavaliers 132 @ Pacers 117
15/2/17: Pacers 104 @ Cavaliers 113
2/4/17: Pacers 130 @ Cavaliers 135


Screw the numbers, give me words

Clevleland is an elite offensive team, Indy is average. Cleveland is a crappy defensive team, Indy is average (those three words suffice for Indy, period).

Both teams shoot the ball pretty well, especially from range. On the other hand these are two of the poorer rebounding teams in the league as well.

One difference to note is in the ability to force turnovers, where Indy excels and the Cavs don't: usually teams that excel in this stat might figure to perform poorly on the defensive boards because they rely on quickness and trapping (and Indy duly do perform poorly on the defensive boards). Cleveland on the other hand, and more surprisingly given their personnel, are also below average on the defensive boards.

What this means is that the Cavs have not only relied on outscoring their opposition to win games, but more specifically outshooting them - they certainly don't win games by creating extra possessions on the boards or in the passing lanes.

It's almost unfathomable that a team featuring a starting frontline of Thompson, Love and LeBron can be so bad at rebounding, as between them the trio average almost 30rpg. This is one area where the Cavs' supporting cast can be called into question as a weakness to expose - Frye, Jefferson, Korver and the two D. Williamses might give the Cavs adequate shooting and spacing, but they aren't going to get after it defensively or on the boards.

However Indy's frontline of Turner and Thad Young while talented enough is decidedly lightweight - the Cavs need to punish the Pacers on the offensive boards, much in the same manner as they did against the Dubs in the Finals. Indy for their part will try to use their edge in quickness to expose Cleveland defensively.


giphy.gif



The big question: will Indy faze out Monta Ellis in favour of prodigal son Lance Stephenson?

At this point Lance gives you everything Monta does - a secondary playmaker with suspect outside shooting - only with better defence and more rebounding.

So yes, unless Lance goes too insane. What a world it is when Monta can claim to 'have it all' when it comes to claiming the edge in sanity.


Prediction: SloaneysDanger to have an aneurysm within 5 minutes. Cavs to win this within 5 games.


Hahahahaha.

Cavs 4-0 piece of piss. LET'S HAVE 'EM.
 
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By the numbers

Record: Raptors 51-31 (t. 5th), Bucks 42-40 (13th)

Off Rating: Raptors 112.3 (6th), Bucks 109.1 (13th)

Def Rating: Raptors 107.8 (11th), Bucks 109.3 (19th)

Pace: Raptors 94.7 (24th), Bucks 94.5 (26th)


FG%: Raptors 46.4% (11th), Bucks 47.4% (4th)
3Pt%: Raptors 36.3% (13th), Bucks 37.0% (10th)
2Pt%: Raptors 50.5% (12th), Bucks 51.7% (6th)
eFG%: Raptors 51.7 (12th), Bucks 52.8% (7th)
Assists: Raptors 18.5 (30th), Bucks 24.2 (5th)
T/O%: Raptors 11.8% (5th), Bucks 13.2% (21st)
OReb%: Raptors 25.0% (8th), Bucks 21.5% (23rd)

DFG%: Raptors 44.9% (6th), Bucks 45.8% (17th)
D3pt%: Raptors 35.4% (12th), Bucks 35.4% (10th)
D2pt%: Raptors 49.5% (8th), Bucks 51.2% (24th)
DeFG%: Raptors 50.7% (9th), Bucks 51.8% (20th)
DefT/O%: Raptors 13.5% (7th), Bucks 13.6% (5th)
DReb%: Raptors 76.3% (17th), Bucks 75.4% (26th)


Head to Head

Raptors lead series 3-1

25/11/16: Raptors 105 @ Bucks 99
12/12/16: Bucks 100 @ Raptors 122
27/1/17: Bucks 86 @ Raptors 102
4/3/17: Raptors 94 @ Bucks 101


Screw the numbers, give me words

At first blush the numbers are not at all what perception might dictate.

The Bucks - not the Raptors - are the team that shoots best and shares the ball most. At the other end of the court the long and rangy Bucks rate lower than the formerly lacklustre Raptors right across the board.

Toronto play a very deliberate style of offence, featuring a very low number of assists and a correspondingly low turnover percentage. It looks something like this;

giphy.gif



The Bucks have done a very decent job squeezing every last ounce of efficiency out of their unorthodox roster, jumping from 26th to 13th in offence this season. While Giannis gets the lion's share of the plaudits, much credit must go to rookie guard Malcolm Brogdon who has outperformed expensive signing Dellavedova (sorry djrossie ) at both ends of the court.

Defensively, the Raptors have reaped the benefit of their investment in defensively-sound role players - think Carroll, Joseph, Ibaka & PJ Tucker. This is where the improvement is expected to come from after some of Toronto's flaky playoff play in previous years.

The bad news for the Bucks is that while their offence has improved, their defence has regressed from elite to below average. They still wreak havoc when switching and playing the passing lanes, but they struggle in the paint. Despite all that length they don't deter paint points and they struggle on the boards.


636276201870268631-AP-Bucks-Raptors-Basketball.jpg



The big question: Will the Greek Freak's unique game translate well into the playoffs?

He's enjoyed an incredible season, finishing in the top 20 in points, rebounds, assists, steals AND blocks. Yet it's undeniable that he's still most devastating in transition, where his athleticism is on show and his suspect jump shot is not an issue.

The way that Toronto plays however is not conducive to getting out in transition, so Antetokounmpo is going to have to find a way of enforcing his will in the half court, particularly if the Raptors shoot reasonably.


Prediction: We will get countless pointless headshots of Drake on the sidelines. Global ambassadors ftw.

I don't see the Bucks having the firepower to expose Toronto's annual playoff butterflies, although you never know with the Raps - Drakes in six.
 
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By the numbers

Record: Cavaliers 51-31 (t.5th), Pacers 42-40 (14th)

Off Rating: Cavaliers 113.6 (3rd), Pacers 108.6 (15th)

Def Rating: Cavaliers 110.3 (21st), Pacers 108.8 (16th)

Pace: Cavaliers 96.2 (15th), Pacers 95.9 (18th)


FG%: Cavaliers 47.0% (5th), Pacers 46.5% (10th)
3pt%: Cavaliers 38.4% (2nd), Pacers 37.6% (4th)
2Pt%: Cavaliers 52.8% (3rd), Pacers 49.8% (17th)
eFG%: Cavaliers 54.7% (2nd), Pacers 51.6% (13th)
Assists: Cavaliers 22.7 (13th), Pacers 22.5 (16th)
T/O%: Cavaliers 12.6% (14th), Pacers 12.7% (16th)
OReb%: Cavaliers 22.0% (20th), Pacers 21.2% (24th)

DFG%: Cavaliers 45.8% (16th), Pacers 45.1% (10th)
D3pt%: Cavaliers 36.1% (18th), Pacers 35.5% (13th)
D2Pt%: Cavaliers 50.4% (17th), Pacers 50.1% (12th)
DeFG%: Cavaliers 51.6% (18th), Pacers 51.2% (15th)
DefT/O%: Cavaliers 11.4% (29th), Pacers 13.6% (6th)
DReb%: Cavaliers 75.8% (21st), Pacers 75.4% (25th)


Head to Head

Cavaliers lead series 3-1

16/11/16: Cavaliers 93 @ Pacers 103
8/2/17: Cavaliers 132 @ Pacers 117
15/2/17: Pacers 104 @ Cavaliers 113
2/4/17: Pacers 130 @ Cavaliers 135


Screw the numbers, give me words

Clevleland is an elite offensive team, Indy is average. Cleveland is a crappy defensive team, Indy is average (those three words suffice for Indy, period).

Both teams shoot the ball pretty well, especially from range. On the other hand these are two of the poorer rebounding teams in the league as well.

One difference to note is in the ability to force turnovers, where Indy excels and the Cavs don't: usually teams that excel in this stat might figure to perform poorly on the defensive boards because they rely on quickness and trapping (and Indy duly do perform poorly on the defensive boards). Cleveland on the other hand, and more surprisingly given their personnel, are also below average on the defensive boards.

What this means is that the Cavs have not only relied on outscoring their opposition to win games, but more specifically outshooting them - they certainly don't win games by creating extra possessions on the boards or in the passing lanes.

It's almost unfathomable that a team featuring a starting frontline of Thompson, Love and LeBron can be so bad at rebounding, as between them the trio average almost 30rpg. This is one area where the Cavs' supporting cast can be called into question as a weakness to expose - Frye, Jefferson, Korver and the two D. Williamses might give the Cavs adequate shooting and spacing, but they aren't going to get after it defensively or on the boards.

However Indy's frontline of Turner and Thad Young while talented enough is decidedly lightweight - the Cavs need to punish the Pacers on the offensive boards, much in the same manner as they did against the Dubs in the Finals. Indy for their part will try to use their edge in quickness to expose Cleveland defensively.


giphy.gif



The big question: will Indy faze out Monta Ellis in favour of prodigal son Lance Stephenson?

At this point Lance gives you everything Monta does - a secondary playmaker with suspect outside shooting - only with better defence and more rebounding.

So yes, unless Lance goes too insane. What a world it is when Monta can claim to 'have it all' when it comes to claiming the edge in sanity.


Prediction: SloaneysDanger to have an aneurysm within 5 minutes. Cavs to win this within 5 games.

Very good pg13 to shoot like his next LA contract depends on it. Show magic johnson exactly how much the max payment is worth. And Miles Turner having a big impact actually getting it done inside and dominating an undersized but husstle happy thompson. Pacers to get 1-2 games and keep exploiting the cavaliers poor defence!. Not enough fire power to win series but 6 is possible and more lance time !
 

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