They were trying to loseWhat an unspeakably bad loss for Cleveland.
The only team in a position to even try to lose were the Knicks, given the timing of their game with overtime. Matchups were all over the place, if the Cavs really wanted to finish 4th they could have played Orlando (44%), Indy (32%), Sixers (21%) or even the Heat (2%). The fun thing about everyone behind the Celtics (other than Philly lately) is that they don't have to try to lose, the losses have come pretty organically for most of the EC playoff teams.They were trying to lose
And if they lose, odds are they stay right here and play the Lakers in a couple of days. What are the chances NO wins that game at home? 20%?Everyone forgot about the part about the Pelicans sucking at home all season. More of the same today.
Cleveland was up 8 entering Q4They were trying to lose
They literally might be optimizing for "get through at least one round", since no one should want to face Boston earlier than they need to.Cleveland was up 8 entering Q4
that's strange, I'd much rather be a 3 seed then the 4 seed
they rested Mitchell, LaVert and Garland so they obviously didn't care
Yea should have said not really trying to win rather than trying to loseCleveland was up 8 entering Q4
that's strange, I'd much rather be a 3 seed then the 4 seed
they rested Mitchell, LaVert and Garland so they obviously didn't care
It may end up being good, but I can't get excited for that matchup at all.Cleveland - Orlando is a sneaky great series. Should have some fun, low scoring, games in that one as the series progresses.
Ok, then don’t watch. Not sure what to tell you.It may end up being good, but I can't get excited for that matchup at all.
View: https://twitter.com/WorldWideWob/status/1779612668371906889
A first round series in which neither team has legit title aspirations and there is no pre-existing rivalry is a pretty boring story. Doesn't mean the games won't be good, but the stakes are pretty low for anyone outside of their own fan bases. I'm pretty excited to face the winner in the 2nd round though.
With the way that everything always breaks in their favor, Wolves will come back and take the one seed and they'll play OKC instead.So Lakers win today and the 8/7 play-in and then get the Nuggets?
LA taking out Denver for us and then losing in the next round would make me start going to church again,So Lakers win today and the 8/7 play-in and then get the Nuggets?
I'm fine having the Lakers play OKC. They're in for a rude awakening if they think it's the typical "vets meet young guys" thing. OKC is good.With the way that everything always breaks in their favor, Wolves will come back and take the one seed and they'll play OKC instead.
Of course I'll be watching (unless there's literally any other playoff game on). Nothing wrong with pointing out that it's objectively the least exciting 1st round matchup in the east, other than maybe Celtics/Bulls if the latter make it through the play in.Ok, then don’t watch. Not sure what to tell you.
Cleveland didn’t only play their bench for the 4Q but they emptied their deep deep bench with Emoni Bates and Tristan Thompson. They clearly didn’t prioritize the win….while Thibs playing DiVincenzo 53 min in an OT win certainly did.Agreed. I was assuming Cleveland wouldn’t blow a double digit 4th quarter lead at home to the Hornets.
I suspect the Lakers will beat the Pels again & get the Nuggets in R1.I'm fine having the Lakers play OKC. They're in for a rude awakening if they think it's the typical "vets meet young guys" thing. OKC is good.
They were actually in position to be the 2 seed while their game was still in the 4th. I guess it depends if they’re prioritizing winning the first round vs. winning the NBA title.Cleveland was up 8 entering Q4
that's strange, I'd much rather be a 3 seed then the 4 seed
they rested Mitchell, LaVert and Garland so they obviously didn't care
Gotta avoid the Sixers!They were actually in position to be the 2 seed while their game was still in the 4th. I guess it depends if they’re prioritizing winning the first round vs. winning the NBA title.
more of this pleaseThe Bucks made out great. Pacers they can handle, real chance they might have been underdogs round 1 to the Sixers.
I dunno. I guess it depends on what Halliburton IND gets in the playoffs.The Bucks made out great. Pacers they can handle, real chance they might have been underdogs round 1 to the Sixers.
That's what the scuttle butt is. Lots of teams are trading their 2024 first round draft pick. Few teams are trading their 2025 first round draft pick as that draft is supposed to be really good and deep.Just looking through the latest NBA mock drafts and oh man, is this an all-time sucky draft or what? When you've got Reed Sheppard going in the top 3?
IND could win, MIL has been a mess, but IND doesn't defend at all, and MIL is helped more by playoff basketball, shorter rotation hides their bench issues, they have more stars.I dunno. I guess it depends on what Halliburton IND gets in the playoffs.
IND is going to score - MIL's transition defense is terrible and they struggle staying in front of guards. Question whether MIL is going to outscore them.
I think IND is a live dog.
Oh they definitely have a shot, but regular season records rarely mean much unless it was all blowouts. Too many variables (injuries, rest, back to backs, travel) and teams just don't play the same (it's rare to hunt mismatches, run big minutes for starters, etc.). I don't want people to think getting IND is a cakewalk, but PHI would have been a disaster for MIL.Indianapolis won 4 of 5 vs Milwaukee in the regular season, I believe. So they certanly have at least a shot.
On that note, the Detroit Pistons just concluded their worst season in Franchise history 14-68.Just looking through the latest NBA mock drafts and oh man, is this an all-time sucky draft or what? When you've got Reed Sheppard going in the top 3?
Nope, not insane. Denver is the other best team in the league, and anyone knocking them off is good for us. OKC, Milwaukee, even the Lakers have their things but Denver is the biggest threat to Celtics, imo.I don't think the Lakers would have a great shot to do it, but am I insane for wanting them to win the play-in game and then beat Denver? I don't think they'd make it through the rest of the west gauntlet, and it would be awesome to have the Nuggets out before the Finals.
LAL can't beat DEN, like to the level people are legitimately asking if they should tank game 1 of the play-in to try and get OKC. DEN is just a brutal matchupI don't think the Lakers would have a great shot to do it, but am I insane for wanting them to win the play-in game and then beat Denver? I don't think they'd make it through the rest of the west gauntlet, and it would be awesome to have the Nuggets out before the Finals.