S89 Town Hall 14

[Mike Lowry]

Last season we saw the division winners jump in after their byes and smack the field.
Will the 2nd round be more competitive this season than it was last?
Do any of the lower seeds have an actual chance at winning a series, or will they just be more respectable in losing?
If they have a chance, what will it take for them to pull it off, and what kind of odds do you give them to do so?

Rules: 1 point if you give thoughtful answers, which I will award after the timer ends for responses. The timer ends for responses at the moment the corresponding week's Sim is run.

Note: Use approximately 5 sentences as your bare minimum for 1 point. If you write 3 long, complex sentences, you'll still get a point. If you write 5, 3 word sentences, you will not get a point. Don't @ me.

Due: Deadline for Round 2 Game 1

[WigNosy]

I suspect things will be more competitive this season - but it would be almost impossible for it to be less competitive (top seeds went 16-1 last season).

The Timberwolves are a bit of a matchup problem for the Spurs - they don't have the big bruisers to go at The Admiral and The Round Mound of Rebound (on the flip side, the Wolves' wings, while excellent compared to most other teams, are overmatched by Mullin and Jordan). I think the Spurs probably sweep, though, they didn't win 60+ games before Jordan got hurt for nothing.

The Trailblazers couldn't pull away from the Supersonics this season, and we all know Darth is a fanatical gameplanner - he's got McHale back, which will give any team problems, and he just beat the Blazers a couple seasons back. I would be shocked if the Kings just keel over and die in a sweep (true or gentlemens'), I think Darth genuinely believes he can win the series.

The Nets likewise led the Bucks most of the season in record (even if not in seeding) and finished just 2 games back. This is a series that could easily go long.

The Celtics are on a 20-game winning streak. Sorry, Chicago, but I think your season ends here.

[Mike Lowry]

I'm gonna give the Nets a puncher's chance at pulling the upset.
Maybe 4 to 1 odds.
They have a very talented squad that really matches strength v strength well with the Bucks.
In order to pull it off they need Fat to outplay Doc and Dale to explode in the scoring column.
If they can score from the perimeter it will neutralize the great rim protection of Milwaukee.

The Wolves will Definitely NOT BE SWEPT!
I expect them to win at least 2 games.
That front court advantage is a big one and their wings are talented as well.
Think they'll have problems with depth though. I expect the Spurs bench to put up numbers.

Kings are in serious trouble on depth.
Beyond a very talented player at each position, pickings are slim.
I think them and the Bulls get swept.

Celtics do everything the Bulls do, better, except buckets from Eddie Johnson, but it won't be enough.