2nd Round Matchup Analysis After Sim 1

[NOLa.]

#1 Phoenix Suns vs Portland Trailblazers

Currently tied 1-1

The addition of James Harden to the Suns to pair with Kevin Love and Ryan Anderson, unsurprisingly, bolted the Suns from challenger to early-season-favorite to represent the West in the Finals. The star duo has been nothing short of spectacular so far in 7 games played these playoffs. Love is averaging about 34 points; 11 rebounds and 8 assists per game, and Harden is averaging 34 points; 5 boards and 9 assists per game. With the 3-ball known as the Suns bread and butter, they currently have 4 players in the top 25 playoff leaders in 3p% (Anderson, Riordan, Harden and Love).

The Blazers, still without upcoming SF Lavar Ball, have continued their impressive performance after taking down the Kings in 6 games by going on the road and taking a game in Phoenix, putting the pressure on the Suns to respond, something they have not yet had to do this season. CJ McCollum is turning into a star before our eyes, and Derrick Rose is still proving to be a top tiered PG in the league that is hard to handle in the playoffs. Both guys are currently averaging about 29 points per game in the playoffs through 8 games, but the real matchup to watch on the Blazers in Kenneth Faried vs Ryan Anderson. In the first game of this series, Faried absolutely locked down Ryan Anderson. Ryan shot 2-12 that game and 0-5 from 3 point land. To add to the frustration, Ryan picked up 4 fouls and only played 27 minutes that game. Despite Love and Harden going off, the Blazers were able to limit the scoring from the Suns to mainly those two. In game 2, however, the story flipped. Ryan Anderson was awarded player of the game and shot 12-16 from the field and a PERFECT 8-8 from 3. Wow. The near 40 point beatdown differential in points was quite the opposite of Game 1. This series will ride on how well the Blazers can defend not only the perimeter, but how well Faried defends Anderson.



#2 Denver Nuggets vs #6 Houston Rockets

Currently led by Nuggets 2-0

This series has been interesting, but not in a good way for either the Houston Rockets or Denver Nuggets. The Rockets swept the Dallas Mavericks almost too easily, and it was felt that with the injury-riddled Denver Nuggets, it was quite possible to see the Rockets leading this series 2-0. The seemingly ageless Rockets are definitely built to give the Nuggets fits, as they are built from the inside-out. Al Horford and Boris Hailey are matchup problems for all teams except maybe the Atlanta Hawks. Both guys rebound at an elite rate, and both are excellent interior defenders. This team reminds me of the 1990’s when teams were always looking for dominant bigs to build around and filled out with a good passing PG and defenders on the wings. I thought the Rockets were almost guaranteed to win one game on the road to start this series off because of the Nuggets circumstances.

The Denver Nuggets are, currently, the opposite of the Rockets. Jrue Holiday and Chet Dooley have formed into one of the best defensive guard duos in the playoffs so far, averaging 2.3 steals a game each and both ranked in the top 15 in assists per game in the playoff leaderboard. Without Blake Griffin going into the playoffs, the Nuggets fought off the defending Western Conference champions and made it to the 2nd round. Blake can technically be back for Game 7 of this round if needed, but would thesyndicate risk further injury? Hopefully the team doesn’t have to make that choice, but their defensive anchor Greg Oden was injured after playing just 19 minutes in Game 2. Up 2-0 and on the road, the Nuggets can end this series and get a health Blake Griffin back for the Western Conference Finals.


#3 Philadelphia 76ers vs Washington Wizards

Currently tied 1-1

I predict this will be a close series that will make the 76ers sweat. Sometimes teams get hot going into the playoffs, like the Detroit Pistons closing out the season on a strong push, nearly winning the #1 overall seed. And other times, teams get hot when the playoffs start, like the Washington Wizards. As ballsohard put it, the Wizards pulled off maybe the biggest upset in playoff history, but it doesn’t look like they are content with just slaying the beast of the East. The 76ers came into the season with the team that on paper was going to run away with the overall #1 record. How many teams have we seen put together a starting lineup that would be starters on any other team? That’s not even counting Harrison Barnes, who would also be a starter on just about every team. The Wizards have seemed to put together a team that weirdly fits. Trade acquisitions Isaiah Thomas, Damian Lilliard and DiAngelo Russell have gelled, Byron Odell continues to be an efficient scorer, and Andre Drummond is playing the best ball of his life in these playoffs currently. The team build of Thomas and Lillard with Drummond at the 4 reminds me a lot of the Blazers duo of McCollum and Rose with Faried at the 4. Can the Wizards continue this hot streak?

Not if the 76ers have anything to say about this. GM ballsohard has not let his team’s inconsistency go unnoticed, and with this talent on his team, excellence is demanded. This team has won championships with less talent against tougher competition, and I would favor the 76ers in any series going deep, as the lineup is versatile and efficient on both sides of the court when they’re on. Hayward has had a quieter season so far while transitioning back into the SF role with Jennings at PG, and partly because the future franchise player is expanding his usage. However, Hayward can still play at any position from PG through PF, and other players can be moved around as well. The team struggled against the Knicks, but the team is too good to not at least make this series a challenge based purely on talent. I don’t know if I’m crazy for thinking this, but the team seems almost too balanced. There’s no one guy that is dominating or being the true #1 scorer. The team currently has no player in the top 25 playoff leaderboards in points per game, which is consistent with the regular season. Someone on this team needs to take control, and don’t count the 76ers out.


#1 Atlanta Hawks vs #5 Chicago Bulls

Currently tied 1-1

I think the Hawks were just happy the Cavaliers didn’t make the playoffs. Once again, the Atlanta Hawks had the #1 overall record thanks to a dominant front court consisting of Greg Monroe, Thomas Robinson, and Draymond Green. The Hawks always seem to be built on big dominant rebounders and scorers, and utility man Draymond Green is having another good season. Ellenger and Randle, the young guard tandem, have also continued to improve. Randle has taken over as the #1 scorer on this team, averaging nearly 24 points on 53% shooting. Ellenger is also having a really good playoffs, shooting about 45% from 3. It’s also amusing that the Hawks signed Billie Billy, only so they can continue the tradition of giving orange/orange rookie guys a championship ring (Erick Barkley). The Hawks are a well balanced, well oiled machine of a team that is starting to mow down their opposition.

But enter Russell Westbrook sporting Chicago red. Since acquiring Westbrook from the Nets, the Bulls have become one of the hottest teams in the league. The team was already talented, but lacking that true #1 guy after Oladipo had failed to take over that role. Westbrook came in and immediately filled that hole. Westbrook ended the season with a stateliness of 29.3-7.8-8.6 and took home another All-League First Team. If the Bulls are to have any type of chance at upsetting the Hawks, it’s going to be on the shoulders of Westbrook. Smith Jr. is an excellent distributor, Desantis is developing into the player we projected him to be, and Biyombo is a stud, but Westbrook is the key here. I don’t know if Smith Jr. is going to continue this amazing run he is having (check our his player page for playoffs statistics), but if both of these guards can continue their big play, the Bulls may have a shot at pulling off another upset.

[ballsohard]

Cram sesh (ure mum was good at these) 5 points!