2018-19 Predictions Thread

This article says that Jackson did similar things as a coach, as he did as a player.

Gods, Devils and Dysfunction: The Truth About Mark Jackson - Warriors World

Here's all of the stuff re-hashed again. It's more credible to see an independent journalist, from S.I., contribute to it.

Jazz Mythbusters: Mark Jackson’s Chicanery Vs John Stockton

nuraman00 said:

Tuesday, April 9, 2019:

Charlotte over Cleveland
Detroit over Memphis (must-win for Detroit, but Griffin isn't healthy)
Boston over Washington (TNT)
Philadelphia over Miami
New York over Chicago
Toronto over Minnesota
New Orleans over Golden State
Phoenix over Dallas
Utah over Denver
Houston over Oklahoma City (go OKC)
Portland over Los Angeles Lakers

Wednesday, April 10, 2019:

Atlanta over Indiana
Brooklyn over Miami
Charlotte over Orlando (ESPN, must-see)
Detroit over New York (not sure)
Philadelphia over Chicago
Memphis over Golden State
Oklahoma City over Milwaukee
San Antonio over Dallas
Minnesota over Denver
Utah over Los Angeles Clippers
Portland over Sacramento

Click to expand...

MHSL82 said:

April 9, 2019:

Charlotte Hornets over Cleveland Cavaliers
Detroit Pistons over Memphis Grizzlies
Boston Celtics over Washington Wizards
Philadelphia 76ers over Miami Heat
New York Knicks over Chicago Bulls
Toronto Raptors over Minnesota Timberwolves
Golden State Warriors over New Orleans Pelicans
Dallas Mavericks over Phoenix Suns
Houston Rockets over Oklahoma City Thunder
Portland Trailblazers over Los Angeles Lakers
Denver Nuggets over Utah Jazz

April 10, 2019:

Atlanta Hawks over Indiana Pacers
Miami Heat over Brooklyn Nets
Charlotte Hornets over Orlando Magic
Detroit Pistons over New York Knicks
Philadelphia 76ers over Chicago Bulls
Memphis Grizzlies over Golden State Warriors
Oklahoma City Thunder over Milwaukee Bucks
San Antonio Spurs over Dallas Mavericks
Minnesota Timberwolves over Denver Nuggets
Portland Trailblazers over Sacramento Kings
Utah Jazz over Los Angeles Clippers

Click to expand...

Explaining some differences between us.

* New Orleans over Golden State: I picked New Orleans to win for similar reasons as I did Memphis the following day. Golden State is probably not going to play their stars very many minutes.

* Phoenix over Dallas: Yes it's likely Nowitzki's last home game. But Dallas defense sucks. So does Phoenix, but they have more all around talent, I think.

* @MHSL82 is the worst fan in sports, for picking the Jazz to lose to the Nuggets.

Denver also hasn't been playing as great, the past few weeks.

* The Heat have been losing a lot with Richardson out. They have been better though after making the move to start Adebayo, but it's still too hard losing Richardson. So that's why Brooklyn. I like your pick though, as it's probably not an "easy" one.

With regards to Malone retiring, I wasn't as surprised because he got hurt in the playoffs with the Lakers.

But I was also surprised, because the Spurs showed interest in him, in 2004-2005. I would have thought that he would have taken that opportunity.

So maybe I was surprised that he retired, rather than take the Spurs offer (no formal offer was made yet, just interest).

So I guess I was equally surprised, in a different manner, that Malone retired when he did.

I didn't realize Malone averaged a steal or more during every season of his career.

nuraman00 said:

* @MHSL82 is the worst fan in sports, for picking the Jazz to lose to the Nuggets.

Denver also hasn't been playing as great, the past few weeks.

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I have to amend this. @MHSL82 could have been an even worse fan, if he picked the Jazz to lose to the Nuggets on the road.

Of course the Jazz are going to beat the Nuggets at Mile High. I mean, the Pepsi Center.

nuraman00 said:

Wednesday, April 10, 2019:

Atlanta over Indiana
Brooklyn over Miami
Charlotte over Orlando (ESPN, must-see)
Detroit over New York (not sure)
Philadelphia over Chicago
Memphis over Golden State
Oklahoma City over Milwaukee
San Antonio over Dallas
Minnesota over Denver
Utah over Los Angeles Clippers
Portland over Sacramento

Click to expand...

Can I change it to Clippers over Jazz? Clippers did lose to the Lakers crap squad a few days ago, so they could do the same against the Jazz. But I'll still pick the Clippers.

nuraman00 said:

Can I change it to Clippers over Jazz? Clippers did lose to the Lakers crap squad a few days ago, so they could do the same against the Jazz. But I'll still pick the Clippers.

Click to expand...

Yes. And I’ll send you the file tomorrow.

nuraman00 said:

Portland over Sacramento

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This ended up being a good pick. Even though Portland only played 7 players, they came back from down 28 in the 2nd quarter, to beat Sacramento.

Nets, Magic, Warriors, Spurs in Game 1.

76ers, Raptors, Warriors, Nuggets in Game II.

The winners of Game 2 win in 6, 5, 5, and 6 games respectively.

Pacers, Blazers, Bucks, and Jazz in Game 1.

Celtics, Thunder, Bucks, and Rockets in Game 2.

Celtics, Blazers, Bucks, and Rockets win in 7, 6, 5, and 6 respectively.

This will break the daily games format, as I made predictions by series.

Brooklyn vs. Philadelphia:

I just don't trust Brooklyn players. They look ok because they play fast, but they aren't that efficient.

D'Angelo Russell had a good year though, and improved. He's not a chucker, but is turning into a solid PG.

Embiid's health is questionable.

Brooklyn is a pretty good road team, so they might take one in Philly.

Philadelphia in 5.

Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Philadelphia
Brooklyn
Philadelphia

Orlando vs. Toronto:

I think Orlando will win a few games, Vucevic could be the best player on the court for a few games.

Toronto will win a game 1 though, which rarely happens.

Toronto in 6.

Toronto
Orlando
Toronto
Orlando
Toronto
Toronto

L.A. Clippers vs. Golden State:

Warriors defense will be locked in.

Clippers have problems rebounding.

Golden State in 4.

Golden State
Golden State
Golden State
Golden State

San Antonio vs. Denver:

San Antonio has 2 stars, Denver has 1.

Denver will need good backcourt play if they are to advance.

Popovich will have a good game plan against Jokic.

Only 1 triple double for Jokic.

San Antonio in 5.

San Antonio
Denver
San Antonio
San Antonio
San Antonio

I guess I went really BOLD for this one.

Indiana vs. Boston:

I've just never liked Boston's roster. Not enough size, they need another big with Horford.

Indiana without Oladipo isn't the same. Sabonis is good, though.

Cory Joseph has been playing pretty well.

I guess I'll pick Indiana, not sure.

Indiana in 6.

Indiana
Boston
Indiana
Indiana
Boston
Indiana

Oklahoma City vs. Portland:

Kanter is can fill in for Nurkic in some areas. Going against Steven Adams is tough, though.

However, anytime I think the Thunder bigs will have an advantage, they don't play as well as I think they should.

Still, I've liked the Thunder defense over the past 2 years, and they've been better this year on offense too.

Westbrook will make a few bad decisions, but he also is so active on every play, he is relentless. He does a lot more good things than bad. Plus, he's become a better PG.

Westbrook with 4 triple doubles.

Schroder can be awful when he misses.

Oklahoma City in 6.

Oklahoma City
Portland
Oklahoma City
Portland
Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City

Detroit vs. Milwaukee:

Griffin isn't healthy, and the Pistons have trouble against bigs vs. certain teams.

Hopefully a few of the games are close.

Sometimes Detroit can be ok on the road, but I don't have a good feeling about this series.

Milwuakee in 4.

Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Milwaukee

Utah vs. Houston:

Even though they split the season series, with both teams winning on the road, I just haven't liked this matchup the past few years.

Mitchell has been playing well the past few months, and Gobert is very consistent.

Utah has beaten Houston most of the time in their playoffs history.

Houston in 5.

Houston
Houston
Houston
Utah
Houston

Philadelphia vs. Toronto:

This is the kind of series that Toronto usually loses.

Toronto seems more cohesive, so I'll go with them. Also, I think Ben Simmons could have a hard time.

Toronto usually doesn't win in short series.

Toronto in 6.

Toronto
Philadelphia
Toronto
Philadelphia
Toronto
Toronto

Boston vs. Milwaukee:

Milwaukee is better at everything.

Milwaukee in 5.

Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Milwaukee
Boston
Milwaukee

Houston vs. Golden State:

Houston is deep.

Golden State has better stars.

Not sure, but I'll go with Golden State.

Houston can go through brick stretches.

Golden State in 5.

Golden State
Houston
Golden State
Golden State
Golden State

Portland vs. Denver:

I think the will be the best series. The games will be great.

Earlier I said Denver had 1 star. I have to include Murray now as a 2nd star. He is still inconsistent.

Portland seems more complete, so I'll go with them. Denver's backcourt can be "miss" too much.

Even if I pick a short series, I wouldn't be surprised if it went longer, or most of the games were close.

Portland in 5.

Portland
Denver
Portland
Portland
Portland