Post by jahallstar on Jun 28, 2020 6:25:00 GMT -8
After a fast paced 1st season for Top Flight Basketball we have come to the postseason. While half of the league is busy figuring out their future plans in the draft the top of the pack is ready to battle it out to have a chance to win the inaugural title! To get to that result we have to get through the quarterfinals first. Lets dig into the matchups!
Season Series : 2-1 Nets
64 NETS 115, Bucks 114
66 BUCKS 103, Nets 99
104 NETS 98, Bucks 96
Prediction : Nets in 6
14 HAWKS 129, Grizzlies 127
69 HAWKS 125, Grizzlies 116
102 GRIZZLIES 112, Hawks 107
119 GRIZZLIES 104, Hawks 95
Prediction: Grizzlies in 7
30 Bulls 111, HEAT 74
65 BULLS 120, Heat 112
89 Bulls 110, HEAT 102
Prediction: Bulls in 5
27 CELTICS 99, Cavaliers 95
29 Celtics 105, CAVALIERS 104
39 CAVALIERS 125, Celtics 112
116 CELTICS 117, Cavaliers 95
#2 Memphis Grizzlies vs #3 Chicago Bulls
#1 Brooklyn Nets vs #8 Milwaukee Bucks
64 NETS 115, Bucks 114
66 BUCKS 103, Nets 99
104 NETS 98, Bucks 96
Key Matchup: PG Jrue Holiday vs PG Russell Westbrook
Analysis: This is not an ordinary 1 vs 8 matchup. The Bucks have given the Nets fits this year and this has the makings of being a possible huge upset. All 3 games were decided by 4 points or less and the bucks actually won the total points battle by 1 point. The Nets were injured badly in their first matchup as their starting backcourt was hurt. Kyrie was back in the 2nd game though and the Bucks were still victorious. The third matchup was more of a showing of what can come in this series. The Major factor here is going to be PG play. If Westbrook does not dominate Holliday the Nets will win easily. However, if Russ comes out and dictates pace this could be a very close series. At SG the Nets far and away have the advantage. I would say the rest of the teams are fairly even though. This series could go the distance with either team coming out on top. My gut tells me that may not be the case though……
#2 Memphis Grizzlies vs #7 Atlanta Hawks
Season Series: Tied 2-2
69 HAWKS 125, Grizzlies 116
102 GRIZZLIES 112, Hawks 107
119 GRIZZLIES 104, Hawks 95
Key Matchup : SG James Harden vs SG CJ McCollum
Analysis: Well this series is the great unknown due to the trade deadline blockbuster move that the Hawks pulled off to get the 2nd star that they desperately needed. The Grizzlies have gone through this season with a two headed monster. Leonard and Harden have dominated most of the season, both putting up huge numbers. They have however not really had all that much help. The Hawks however were a one star team with Tatum and a decent supporting class. They added McCollum last minute though to try to make a run at the title this season. That move has not looked all that great for the last several games though! Have the Hawks had enough time to work together and get the chemistry in order to make a run at the east? Will McCollum be able to match Hardens production? This has the makings of a great series and could see the upstart Hawks pull it off. Ultimately there is something to be said for team chemistry and figuring out the best lineup to put out there though……
#3 Chicago Bulls vs #6 Miami Heat
Season Series: Bulls 3-0
65 BULLS 120, Heat 112
89 Bulls 110, HEAT 102
Key Matchup: C DeAndre Jordan vs C Joel Embid
Analysis: The Bulls have pretty much had their way with the Heat this season. Joel Embid , who missed the last game the two teams played this season , will have to be huge this series for the Heat to have a chance. If DeAndre Jordan can somewhat contain the Miami superstar this will be a quick series. The Bulls no question have the back-court advantage with Damian Lillard simply outclassing the young Heat back-court. Jimmy Buttler should lead the way on the wing for the Bulls as well as Prince and Warren may not be ready for this type of pressure yet. You never know what a great young big man duo in Embid and Siakam can do if they take over. This series is looking like the Bulls can handle the Heat though. It could stretch into a long series but my initial reaction to this matchup is…..
#4 Boston Celtics vs #5 Cleveland Cavs
Season Series: Celtics Lead 3-1
29 Celtics 105, CAVALIERS 104
39 CAVALIERS 125, Celtics 112
116 CELTICS 117, Cavaliers 95
Key Matchup: C Andre Drummond vs C Rudy Gobert
Analysis: This is a clash of styles with a great bigman matchup! Boston likes to get up and down the court to beat their opponents. Cleveland on the other hand likes to slow down the game and grind it out. Odley enough the one time the Cavs got the better of the Celtics this year it was a shootout! One of the big factors in this series will be if young Collin Sexton can keep up with playoff tested Klay Thompson. Thompson has been one of the leagues leading scorers this season. The inside outside combo of he and Drummond has been really tough to beat. Cleveland likes to envision Sexton as that type of player to team up with their defensive force down low in Rudy Gobert. Overall I think that Boston might have a little to much firepower for the Cavs to handle. Horford , Lowry and the other role players on the Celtics outclass the role players in Cleveland. Gobert , Sexton and Levine will have to play some of the best ball in their careers to pull out this series. When you are young you can play beyond your years, however in the end I only see one conclusion to this series barring injury…….
Prediction: Celtics in 5
This should set up a nice semi-final round in the East. The first round may have been all chalk but the 2nd round should be very competitive. Whoever comes out of the East will have its hands full with some of the juggernauts in the West!
#1 New Jersey Nets vs #4 Boston Celtics