Who Do I Got? S49 Conference Finals predictions (based on facts before the first sim)

[greepleairport]

I did not predict that last one too well, huh? I got the Bulls prediction right and … that's it. Well done Quailman, Xist and Nick. Now let’s see who’s moving on to the finals (if I’m right and, thus far, I’m more Dead Wrong than Mamba!):

ALPHA

#2 Milwaukee Bucks vs. #4 Washington Wizards

Season series 3-2 Wizards
TL;DR Bucks

I did not predict this one at all, so what do we have here? A pretty stellar match up! A pair of SLOE greats in De’Aaron Fox and Quintin Kidd going head to head courtesy of always competitive GMs, Quail and Xist.

At the most basic level, I lean toward Quail. There’s not much analysis behind it; I think because Xist won a ship more recently that he may not want it as badly as Quail who has had a number of playoff woes in the name of De’Aaron Fox that he is not experiencing this year (knock on wood). I’m also extremely impressed by his series with the Sixers after they took me out fairly easily. If he can crack the Sixers code, he should be able to crack the Wizards code, too.

It will not be easy, though. Coming in a few games back of the #1 seed, fewer than Quail, the Wizards should not be overlooked. They took out the great defense of RPF’s Nets Pauly’s Pacers. No one is excited to see the Wizards across from them in the bracket because they always come to win.

This one is likely to go 7 games and I give the edge to Quail, but mostly...just because. Don’t be surprised by a game 7 one-point squeaker in favor of the Wizards just like the first 2 round advancements either as they are both very talented teams.

OMEGA

#1 Chicago Bulls vs. #2 New Orleans Pelicans

Season series 4-0 Pelicans
TL;DR Bulls

I can’t be the only one surprised to see the Pelicans went undefeated against the Bulls in the regular season. Even though I have the Bulls to win, that figure alone should keep us all not surprised to see Nick’s Pelicans advance to the finals.

The Bulls major midseason acquisition, Burt Gibson, will not be a factor here. He did not seem to be much of a factor in the two games Gman did have Gibson against the Pels, either. But coming off a much less difficult series overall, the Bulls are the fresher team here. John Stoll should also see his return to action as early as Game 1 and, having made it this far without Stoll, that should be a huge boost for Nick’s Pelicans.

Why do I favor the Bulls? I’ve been wrong before. It seems like, without Gibson, the Pelicans should have this one in the bag! Unfortunately for Nick, Gman is a great GM who has more than a p/p player trick up his sleeve, so I do expect the Bulls to come out on top here. But I’ve been wrong before…

Post sim 1 of conference finals, looks like I’m right so far… good luck guys!

[false9]

+3