Mamba's Dead Wrong Playoff Predictions Vol. 4
Posted: Thu Nov 19, 2020 7:26 am
Word count: 1,150
Disclaimer: I have no damn idea what’s going to happen in the Alpha conference. It’s likely going to be a bloodbath. I guess that goes with these being dead wrong even more, huh? Alright, I can only earn 5 points for this one, so let’s make this the abridged version.
ALPHA
ROUND ONE
(FIGHT!)
(1) Philadelphia 76ers (BYE)
(4) Denver Nuggets vs (5) Los Angeles Lakers
Season series was tied, both won at home and on the road. As their seeding suggests, these are two good teams, with similar records, that played each other tight. My guess? The Nuggets win because of homecourt advantage and the fact that while Delmar is a monster, the Nuggets have a number of solid defenders to throw at him to keep him busy, while the Lakers do not have a comparable talent to send at Sabo. Of course, the big equalizer for LA is the fact that Bias is far superior to whoever might run the offense for the Nuggets. I’ve almost talked myself into taking the Lakers during writing this … I’m close … give me a little more time to think about it …
Nuggets in 7
(2) Washington Wizards vs (7) Indiana Pacers
Feels like a little bit of a mismatch to me. The season series was not lopsided though, only going 3-2 to the Wiz. Still, I’ll trust Cucone and Kidd to make it happen.
Wizards in 5
(3) Milwaukee Bucks vs (6) New Jersey Nets
Before that final sim I would have went with the Bucks without thinking about it. Then, Fox went and Foxed it all up by getting injured along with Joshua Mitchell for good measure. The Nets were pretty sneakily good this season behind strong play by Hector, Wesson, and NAW and steady PG play with Waters at the helm. I guess the Bucks could role out Olney and Paugh in place of Fox and Mitchell, and that isn’t awful, but it then leaves them incredibly thin. This could go differently, and if Doug can hold on this round and get his guys back he has as good a shot as anyone to take it all, but I think the Nets were too strong down the stretch to be held off with a limping team.
Nets in 6
ROUND TWO
(1) 76ers vs (4) Nuggets
The 76ers dominated during the regular season against the Nuggets, going 4-1. The Point Guard match-up is incredibly one-sided and while McRae and Azubuike aren’t quite Sabo, they can make his life more difficult than I am sure he would like. I’ll go chalk on this one.
Sixers in Six
(2) Wizards vs (6) Nets
I think it would be really cool to see the Nets get one here. I drafted Wesson and have tried to trade for Hector numerous times. The Nets are a fun team to follow this season (at least for me). However, until proven otherwise, I think I will trust Q-Kidd and my first ever draft pick, Norrin Radd.
Wiz in 7
ROUND THREE
(1) Sixers vs (2) Wizards
Good match-ups all around. Great players too. 76ers took home the regular season trophy, both regarding the league and specifically against the Wizards. I voted for the 76ers to take the GMOTY award and so, I think I’ll take them to pull this one out as well off the back off strong play from … well … everyone.
Sixers in Se7en
OMEGA
ROUND ONE
(1) New Orleans Pelicans
(4) Toronto Raptors vs (5) Los Angeles Clippers
I’m largely disappointed with my season, though the guys did make a few strides at the very end, winning 10 of the last 11 (after dropping 6 straight). The Raps took the season series convincingly, though there were some tight games in those Clipper losses. I feel like it’s a bad match-up for me because we both have similar strengths (perimeter play) but I think I trust his players at those spots more than my own. I hope to make it difficult, but I see Laredo and Company moving on.
Raps in 6
(2) Phoenix Suns vs (7) Miami Heat
Woof. The Suns will be without Pearman and Kaldur and the Heat, after selling away or trying to sell away, all of their best players, snuck into the final playoff spot regardless. Due to those Suns injuries, it would seem like a choice match-up for Miami but Barton is out too. Part of me wants to say Leiker/Silky are enough to still take this thing, but the Suns were already incredibly thin and now I’m not exactly sure what this line-up will look like. Or maybe we do when you see how their season ended.
Suns in IdunnoHowManyGamesButitWontBePretty
(3) Minnesota Timberwolves vs (6) Chicago Bulls
Horns vs Fangs. Gimme the Fangs. I don’t think the horns are really ready for this match-up just yet. Give Josh another off-season though and we’ll see how things go.
Wolves in 5
ROUND TWO
(1) Pelicans vs (4) Raptors
The Stolen Suns didn’t earn that #1 seed for no reason. While I do believe in Laredo and Dangerfield especially, when healthy, JJ and Franklin have been pretty much unstoppable. I think this one could be really fun, with nailbiters in individual games, but I see the Pels taking it without it sniffing a pivotal game 7.
Pels in 5-6
(2) Pelicans vs (3) Wolves
This is simple. The Wolves are better and even at this point likely healthier. Might not be particularly close.
Wolves in 5
ROUND THREE
(1) Pelicans vs (3) Wolves
Without question the two best teams in the conference and two of the best teams in the entire league. Both GMs have done a great job of building these teams up and showcasing their talents properly. The race for the division between the two was incredibly tight, even if some of that was due to a Jordan Johnson injury. There were no crazy blow-outs during the regular season, but the Pels definitely had the upper hand. It will be very interesting to see how these two teams attack each other now that their gameplans can be specifically tailored. Everything tells me to go with the Pels besides this nagging voice indicating that I shouldn’t have two 1 seeds battling in the Finals. Since these are supposed to be Dead Wrong … I’m going with the “upset”.
Wolves in 6
PUT HIM ON THE BOARD …
CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
(1) Sixers vs (3) Wolves
Since I am over my required word count to hit my 5-point limit, I’ll be brief.
Sixers in Six
And that’s all that I have for you this time! If I didn’t want to put an upset in the Omega Finals, I would have the Pelicans winning the championship, in case you were wondering! Good luck to everyone in the playoffs and hold your dang horses, lotto teams! (That means you, Tani.)
Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk
Disclaimer: I have no damn idea what’s going to happen in the Alpha conference. It’s likely going to be a bloodbath. I guess that goes with these being dead wrong even more, huh? Alright, I can only earn 5 points for this one, so let’s make this the abridged version.
ALPHA
ROUND ONE
(FIGHT!)
(1) Philadelphia 76ers (BYE)
(4) Denver Nuggets vs (5) Los Angeles Lakers
Season series was tied, both won at home and on the road. As their seeding suggests, these are two good teams, with similar records, that played each other tight. My guess? The Nuggets win because of homecourt advantage and the fact that while Delmar is a monster, the Nuggets have a number of solid defenders to throw at him to keep him busy, while the Lakers do not have a comparable talent to send at Sabo. Of course, the big equalizer for LA is the fact that Bias is far superior to whoever might run the offense for the Nuggets. I’ve almost talked myself into taking the Lakers during writing this … I’m close … give me a little more time to think about it …
Nuggets in 7
(2) Washington Wizards vs (7) Indiana Pacers
Feels like a little bit of a mismatch to me. The season series was not lopsided though, only going 3-2 to the Wiz. Still, I’ll trust Cucone and Kidd to make it happen.
Wizards in 5
(3) Milwaukee Bucks vs (6) New Jersey Nets
Before that final sim I would have went with the Bucks without thinking about it. Then, Fox went and Foxed it all up by getting injured along with Joshua Mitchell for good measure. The Nets were pretty sneakily good this season behind strong play by Hector, Wesson, and NAW and steady PG play with Waters at the helm. I guess the Bucks could role out Olney and Paugh in place of Fox and Mitchell, and that isn’t awful, but it then leaves them incredibly thin. This could go differently, and if Doug can hold on this round and get his guys back he has as good a shot as anyone to take it all, but I think the Nets were too strong down the stretch to be held off with a limping team.
Nets in 6
ROUND TWO
(1) 76ers vs (4) Nuggets
The 76ers dominated during the regular season against the Nuggets, going 4-1. The Point Guard match-up is incredibly one-sided and while McRae and Azubuike aren’t quite Sabo, they can make his life more difficult than I am sure he would like. I’ll go chalk on this one.
Sixers in Six
(2) Wizards vs (6) Nets
I think it would be really cool to see the Nets get one here. I drafted Wesson and have tried to trade for Hector numerous times. The Nets are a fun team to follow this season (at least for me). However, until proven otherwise, I think I will trust Q-Kidd and my first ever draft pick, Norrin Radd.
Wiz in 7
ROUND THREE
(1) Sixers vs (2) Wizards
Good match-ups all around. Great players too. 76ers took home the regular season trophy, both regarding the league and specifically against the Wizards. I voted for the 76ers to take the GMOTY award and so, I think I’ll take them to pull this one out as well off the back off strong play from … well … everyone.
Sixers in Se7en
OMEGA
ROUND ONE
(1) New Orleans Pelicans
(4) Toronto Raptors vs (5) Los Angeles Clippers
I’m largely disappointed with my season, though the guys did make a few strides at the very end, winning 10 of the last 11 (after dropping 6 straight). The Raps took the season series convincingly, though there were some tight games in those Clipper losses. I feel like it’s a bad match-up for me because we both have similar strengths (perimeter play) but I think I trust his players at those spots more than my own. I hope to make it difficult, but I see Laredo and Company moving on.
Raps in 6
(2) Phoenix Suns vs (7) Miami Heat
Woof. The Suns will be without Pearman and Kaldur and the Heat, after selling away or trying to sell away, all of their best players, snuck into the final playoff spot regardless. Due to those Suns injuries, it would seem like a choice match-up for Miami but Barton is out too. Part of me wants to say Leiker/Silky are enough to still take this thing, but the Suns were already incredibly thin and now I’m not exactly sure what this line-up will look like. Or maybe we do when you see how their season ended.
Suns in IdunnoHowManyGamesButitWontBePretty
(3) Minnesota Timberwolves vs (6) Chicago Bulls
Horns vs Fangs. Gimme the Fangs. I don’t think the horns are really ready for this match-up just yet. Give Josh another off-season though and we’ll see how things go.
Wolves in 5
ROUND TWO
(1) Pelicans vs (4) Raptors
The Stolen Suns didn’t earn that #1 seed for no reason. While I do believe in Laredo and Dangerfield especially, when healthy, JJ and Franklin have been pretty much unstoppable. I think this one could be really fun, with nailbiters in individual games, but I see the Pels taking it without it sniffing a pivotal game 7.
Pels in 5-6
(2) Pelicans vs (3) Wolves
This is simple. The Wolves are better and even at this point likely healthier. Might not be particularly close.
Wolves in 5
ROUND THREE
(1) Pelicans vs (3) Wolves
Without question the two best teams in the conference and two of the best teams in the entire league. Both GMs have done a great job of building these teams up and showcasing their talents properly. The race for the division between the two was incredibly tight, even if some of that was due to a Jordan Johnson injury. There were no crazy blow-outs during the regular season, but the Pels definitely had the upper hand. It will be very interesting to see how these two teams attack each other now that their gameplans can be specifically tailored. Everything tells me to go with the Pels besides this nagging voice indicating that I shouldn’t have two 1 seeds battling in the Finals. Since these are supposed to be Dead Wrong … I’m going with the “upset”.
Wolves in 6
PUT HIM ON THE BOARD …
CHAMPIONSHIP!!!
(1) Sixers vs (3) Wolves
Since I am over my required word count to hit my 5-point limit, I’ll be brief.
Sixers in Six
And that’s all that I have for you this time! If I didn’t want to put an upset in the Omega Finals, I would have the Pelicans winning the championship, in case you were wondering! Good luck to everyone in the playoffs and hold your dang horses, lotto teams! (That means you, Tani.)
Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk