Anyone following the Playoffs? we thinning out the race, down to the Conference Semifinals and this is one of the craziest postseasons we've had in a while even with the stupid abundance of injuries going on in the East (RIP the East).

also please only post here if you're going to join the discussion, I don't need any of your worthless "who watches basketball lel xd" bull**** in here.

here's where we're at

Eastern Conf.
Cleveland 2 - 2 Chicago
Atlanta 1 - 2 Washington

Western Conf.
Golden State 1 - 2 Memphis
Los Angeles 3 - 1 Houston

My predictions for the semis: Cleveland in 7, Atlanta in 7, Memphis in 7, LA in 6.

Analysis of each series (originally my post for a basketball forum, thought I'd copy pasta for here):

Lots of really, really good matchups going on right now. Taking Cavs in 7 since they've got good momentum splitting in Chi-town and playing two of the last three at home. Might have taken them in 6 if Love and Irving weren't injured, pretty ironic how the Bulls are the healthiest team in the postseason lmao, even with Pau's minor injury. Can't count out Rose either though, he's playing with a huge chip on his shoulder, wouldn't be surprised to see him steal the series somehow. LeBron is just as thirsty and determined as Rose is though, and if he can pull out a vintage take-command performance, Chicago just doesn't have any answers for him. Butlers done well so far, but they're backed up against a wall now and I can't see James losing focus for the rest of this series.

Hawks in 7. Washington lost a crucial piece in John Wall and even though they pulled out the win to take a 2-1 lead at home and still have Pierce, I can't see them taking either of the two games at Atlanta's home court. Unless Beal or Pierce step up majorly (ala Westbrook post-KD injury or Blake post-CP3 this series), the Hawks are just too good to drop any more games at home, which they've got the two-game advantage at. Their offense has looked really lackluster to me lately, especially their 3 shooting since Korver felt cold so far. They may look weak after trailing now to Washington, and dropping two games to the lowly Nets, but I still think they can pull the series out.

Grizzlies in 7. I'm not too well versed in this series since I haven't been following it as much, but FWIS, Conley and Allen are just way too good at locking down Golden State's backcourt for the Dubs to pull out this series, even with homecourt advantage. The Grizz split at GS, but I can't see GS splitting at Memphis at all. It's called The Grindhouse for a good reason, and when a team's shining leader is kept to 25% shooting by a single defender who's injured, jumpshots won't be falling, esp on the road, which is the core of the Warriors' offense. GS is also missing Speights, and their frontcourt simply doesn't stand up to Memphis' at all. If the Grizz win this upcoming homestand, they'll be up 3-1 and it'll take perfect play from the Warriors to edge this one out. I might even go far to say Memphis in 6 - my mind is telling me so, but I can't see Curry backing down without a solid stand. Somewhere right now, Charles Barkley is laughing at how right he is.

Clippers in 6. Rockets are so ****ed. When you've got Austin ****ing Rivers dismantling your defense, you don't even deserve to be in the Semis, let alone advancing to the Conference Finals of the West. They dropped a game to the Chris Paul-less Clippers. At home. Sorry Houston, this isn't your year. James Harden couldn't even win MVP as a consolation prize. Probably would have taken the Clippers in 5 if it weren't for the next game being at Houston.

If the matchups /do/ end up as CLE/ATL and LAC/MEM, I don't even know how to begin predicting those. I like all of those teams, man  

• NBA Western: Clippers vs Grizzlies
• NBA Eastern: Wizards vs Cavs
• NBA Finals: TBD

I'm rooting for Cavs all the way. I know they can beat CHI possibly in 6 or 7 games. Regardless of injuries they have a supporting cast of players who have really stepped it up. Honestly, the only players keeping Bulls alive is Butler and D-Rose. Yesterday's game I mainly see them with the ball. Guessing Tom Thib relies too much on them. Some of their players missed wide open and/or lay ups right by the basket. But anyways, Cavs got a lucky one due to the fact David was about to cost them the game for almost calling a timeout when they didn't had any. Good thing the assistant coach stopped him in time.  

I really have a strong feeling Memphis will finally make the finals this year!  

I'm leaning towards a Memphis - Cleveland final with Memphis winning it all, but the Cavs have historically matched up very well since their offense usually broke through Memphis' with Zach Randolph chasing KLove around the 3pt line. Love kept him outside the paint where he was most effective and Cleveland exploited that with Kyrie and LeBron. Their spacing took an enormous hit when Love was injured and Tristan Thompson replaced him with a traditional power foreward style. Really can't say anything abouthisat series until it gets underway (if it does).

I would have posted my entire bracket but it had the Spurs losing to Cleveland back when they looked scary and the Cavs still had Kevin Love. Damn Clippers broke my bracket. I also had the Raptors winning 3 games on the Wizards LOL  

L.A will fall to cleveland  

I feel like the Clippers will beat the Cavs if that's the finals matchup. The Cavs offense is playing a lot like Houston right now, and we all know how Houston is turning out.

also still lol @ the rockets  

Kyrie MRI confirmed tendinitis in his left leg. Would expect him to sit the rest of the series.

This is getting ridiculous. Too many games in too little time, everyone is getting hurt. Changes need to be made next year.

I'm still taking Cavs in 7 though, I believe in them (and by "them" I basically mean LeBron and JR).  

UPDATE

Cavs vs Bulls (2-2)
Wizards vs Hawks (2-2)
Grizzlies vs Warriors (2-2)
Clippers vs Rockets (3-1)


These playoffs are getting quite more interesting each game that passes! Hope Cavs win tonight and secure a 3-2 lead at home then finish it on the road.  

Update for Tuesday:

Cleveland 3 - 2 Chicago (Next @ CHI)
Los Angeles 3 - 2 Houston (Next @ HOU)
Golden State 2 - 2 Memphis (Next @ GS)
Atlanta 2 - 2 Washington (Next @ ATL)

Looks like the Clips will close out in 6, tonight looked pretty bad but I felt they were just losing focus on the road. I see them bouncing back easily at home on Thursday. Still standing by my Cavs in 7 prediction, LeBron had an absolute /monster/ game tonight, and while I wouldn't be surprised to see the Cavs steal the series in Chicago, I feel they'll still need that last home game to close out the series.

Atlanta seems to be hitting their stride aside from Korver, and while JW is still out, they'll have no problem taking this series even if it takes them 7. Memphis really struggled against GS last night, Kerr and his Warriors finally found out how to crack through the suffocating Memphis defense and are looking again like the strongest team in the league. They've got home court back after splitting in Memphis, but I still feel Memphis has a solid shot of pulling the upset if Allen and Conley can lock down the GS shooters again. If GS makes it out though, I can't see them losing to any other team in the field except maybe the Clippers and Cavs if Kyrie heals up and LeBron unleashes Playoffs mode.

God damn the playoffs this year are insane.  

Talon you cavs bandwagoner wow.  

u a chicago fan

NOT EVEN IN CHICAGO YET  

Time for my Cavs to close out the choking Bulls and go to the ECF!  

Cavs up 13 heading into the 4th, JR and Shump stepping up huge for the injured Kyrie and hurting LeBron  

Matthew Dellavedova absolutely shut down defensively on D-Rose and offensively dominated through the game. Big plays during the 4th and Bulls choked since the start of the 3rd quarter. I see Cavs vs Hawks for ECF.  

[6:59:40 PM] Imprint: u know it
[6:59:42 PM] aya.tori: DELLAVEDOVA
[6:59:51 PM] Imprint: pls no
[6:59:58 PM] aya.tori: Matthew "Outback Kyrie Jesus" Dellavedova
[7:00:50 PM] aya.tori: AGAIN
[7:01:53 PM] aya.tori: little white Aussie is dunking on u guys

outback jesus ended thibodeau's life today