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WiggyRuss
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Due to the 5 month layoff, and all of the uncertainty the NBA "playoffs" will likely be much more unpredictable than in a typical year.
While teams such as the Clippers, Bucks and Lakers are still the favorites - teams that have depth, have good coaching, and can play solid defense will have better chances. Also, rest for certain players, I believe, will disporportionately help certain teams/players.
1. Boston Celtics- The Celtics, depth, coaching and defense should give them a better than normal chance at taking down the Bucks who are clearly the class of the Eastern Conference. Stevens is one of the best coaches in the NBA. The Celtics have a deep rotation, and can play solid defense.
2. Houston Rockets- usually by this time of year the Rockets are exhausted due to their short rotations and Harden playing his brand of baskebtall. Now, Harden has had ample rest, and that short rotation, if they come back in shape, can help push the Rockets to possibly finally being able to pull off the series upset that has eluded them.
3. Miami Heat- the Heat have a deep rotation, their calling card is defense, solid coaching, and its not like they ever had a great home court advantage to begin with. In a normal season they would be overmatched, but a deep rotation, good coaching, and steady defense, they could pull off a series upset in the 2nd round.
4. Denver Nuggets-- another deep, well coached team, with a coach that stresses defense. A lot has been made how Jokic has used the 5 month break (longer than a regular NBA offseason) to not only stay in shape- but get in better shape then he has been.
5. Indiana Pacers- Another team with a longer rotation, Oladipo would be healthy, they play great fundamental basketball, and play hard.
As a rule, the NBA playoffs are about star power. With the 5 month layoff, injuries may happen, players may show up out of shape, players may contract the virus and be disqualified, and it will be hard for any player to play 40+ minutes a night. These teams that are deeper, for the most part well coached, and play solid defense, will have a better shot than in a normal season. While teams such as the Clippers, Bucks, and Lakers should still be the favorites, the chances of an upset are much greater than in a normal season.
While teams such as the Clippers, Bucks and Lakers are still the favorites - teams that have depth, have good coaching, and can play solid defense will have better chances. Also, rest for certain players, I believe, will disporportionately help certain teams/players.
1. Boston Celtics- The Celtics, depth, coaching and defense should give them a better than normal chance at taking down the Bucks who are clearly the class of the Eastern Conference. Stevens is one of the best coaches in the NBA. The Celtics have a deep rotation, and can play solid defense.
2. Houston Rockets- usually by this time of year the Rockets are exhausted due to their short rotations and Harden playing his brand of baskebtall. Now, Harden has had ample rest, and that short rotation, if they come back in shape, can help push the Rockets to possibly finally being able to pull off the series upset that has eluded them.
3. Miami Heat- the Heat have a deep rotation, their calling card is defense, solid coaching, and its not like they ever had a great home court advantage to begin with. In a normal season they would be overmatched, but a deep rotation, good coaching, and steady defense, they could pull off a series upset in the 2nd round.
4. Denver Nuggets-- another deep, well coached team, with a coach that stresses defense. A lot has been made how Jokic has used the 5 month break (longer than a regular NBA offseason) to not only stay in shape- but get in better shape then he has been.
5. Indiana Pacers- Another team with a longer rotation, Oladipo would be healthy, they play great fundamental basketball, and play hard.
As a rule, the NBA playoffs are about star power. With the 5 month layoff, injuries may happen, players may show up out of shape, players may contract the virus and be disqualified, and it will be hard for any player to play 40+ minutes a night. These teams that are deeper, for the most part well coached, and play solid defense, will have a better shot than in a normal season. While teams such as the Clippers, Bucks, and Lakers should still be the favorites, the chances of an upset are much greater than in a normal season.
