# 2022 NBA Playoffs Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** basketball-nba\ **Created:** [April 11, 2022, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673 "2022-04-11T16:08:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2022, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/21 "2022-04-21T02:16:59Z")
The Sixers-Raptors game is extremely intense and fun to watch. 90-90 with 3 minutes to play. ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2022, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/22 "2022-04-22T01:53:22Z")
I don’t understand the T-Wolves offense. I know they’re the highest scoring team in the league, but I’m not seeing it in this series. They don’t appear to really run plays, I’m seeing a lot of one-on-one and awkward, wild shots. Memphis is doing a good job on defense, but I was expecting much more order and discipline from Minnesota. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2022, 2:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/23 "2022-04-22T02:29:12Z")
Re: Raptors-Sixers One of the announcers talked about putting in Boucher right near the end of regular time for Precious, who played really well but looked as tired as Gollum. Wish they did after his free throws - which he would probably have made if he had normal numbers of minutes. I am far dumber than Nick Nurse; he had a reason fir not using his bench more. But can’t help feeling the announcer was right. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2022, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/24 "2022-04-23T21:19:50Z")
Toronto staves off elimination with a 110-102 victory in Game 4, but they’ve still got a long ways to go. On the same day, it was announced that Raptors forward Scottie Barnes has been named Rookie of the Year in a practically neck-and-neck vote with Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley. > **[Raptors' Barnes named NBA Rookie of the Year](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33792649/toronto-raptors-forward-scottie-barnes-wins-nba-rookie-year)** > > Toronto Raptors forward Scottie Barnes has been named the NBA's Rookie of the Year, edging out Cleveland Cavaliers forward Evan Mobley. The Mavericks and Jazz are currently playing in Game 4, with Dallas up 2-1, and Luka Doncic made his return to the court in this game. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2022, 10:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/25 "2022-04-23T22:52:22Z")
Raptors coming out strong in Game 4 even with VanVleet straining his hip early. Sure, it’s a long road. But if they can win next game in Philly, they are going to win Game 6 in Toronto. And then they’ll have momentum. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/26 "2022-04-24T02:03:12Z")
Celtics win Game 3 and are now one win away from sweeping the Nets. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 24, 2022, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/27 "2022-04-24T03:37:17Z")
And your rookie of the year…. SCOTTIE BARNES!!! ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2022, 3:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/28 "2022-04-25T15:08:16Z")
Mavs guard Jalen Brunson has been looking like a franchise player, and it hasn’t gone unnoticed by ESPN or the rest of media. After averaging 16.3 PPG in the regular season, the fourth-year player has averaged 29.8 through four games of the Jazz series, including 41- and 31-point performances during the Mavs’ two wins with Luka Doncic sidelined. He enters unrestricted free agency this offseason. > **[A star guard has arrived in Dallas -- the price to keep him there just went up](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33801390/nba-playoffs-2022-jalen-brunson-star-turn-dallas-mavericks-massive-free-agency-implications)** > > No matter how far the Mavs go this NBA postseason, Jalen Brunson's career is a few months away from reaching new heights. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 25, 2022, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/29 "2022-04-25T15:11:18Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > And your rookie of the year…. SCOTTIE BARNES!!! Richly deserved. It was a close vote, but he earned it. ---
**Author:** ![Dr\_Paprika](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dr_paprika/32/3042_2.png) [@Dr\_Paprika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dr_Paprika)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/30 "2022-04-26T02:45:32Z")
The Raptors looked fairly dominant in Philly. Being down 3-2 is a long road when playing guys like Harden and Embiid without VanVleet. But at least there is a path - Toronto will be a noisy place on Thursday. They shut down the Sixers, even while missing most of the threes. Some spectacular plays. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/31 "2022-04-26T15:04:07Z")
I always have my irony meter at maximum shielding to prevent damage when surfing the Internet, but damned if Kyrie Irving didn’t find a way to blow it to smithereens anyway. Kyrie on distractions helping to sink the Nets: “We were trying to exercise every option for me to play, but I never wanted it to just be about me.” It is _always_ about Kyrie. He probably won’t be with the Nets much longer though, seeing that Ben Simmons is determined to supplant him as the team’s leading prima donna. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/32 "2022-04-26T15:11:07Z")
> [@Dr\_Paprika](#): > > Being down 3-2 is a long road when playing guys like Harden and Embiid without VanVleet. The Raptors looked better WITHOUT VanVleet, at least recently. It’s never easy to win two in a row, but it’s doable. I’ll tell you what, Sixers fandom is melting down right now. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2022, 11:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/33 "2022-04-26T23:07:39Z")
Injury and illness updates. Game 5 between the Heat and Hawks, with the Heat up 3-1, is about to start, and Jimmy Butler is out for the Heat because of knee inflammation. > **[Heat's Butler (knee inflammation) out for Game 5](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33810902/miami-heat-rule-jimmy-butler-game-5-vs-atlanta-hawks-right-knee-inflammation)** > > The Heat look to close out their first-round series against the Hawks without Jimmy Butler, who was ruled out for Game 5 with right knee inflammation. An MRI on Utah’s Donovan Mitchell was negative, and the Jazz hope he’ll be able to play in Game 6, with the Jazz down 3-2 and facing elimination. > **[Mitchell's MRI negative; Jazz hopeful he plays](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33810572/donovan-mitchell-mri-negative-utah-jazz-hopeful-plays)** > > An MRI on Donovan Mitchell's hamstring was negative, and sources said the Jazz are optimistic he plays in Game 6 against Dallas. And Chicago’s Zach LaVine has entered health and safety protocols and is questionable for Game 5, with the Bulls trailing the Bucks 3-1 and also facing elimination. > **[LaVine enters protocols as Bulls face elimination](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33810108/chicago-bulls-zach-lavine-enters-health-safety-protocols-ahead-game-5-vs-milwaukee-bucks)** > > Bulls guard Zach LaVine, who is averaging 19.3 points in four playoff games against the Bucks during the first round, has entered the league's health and safety protocols ahead of Wednesday's Game 5. Chicago trails 3-1 in the first-round playoff... ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2022, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/34 "2022-04-27T02:12:28Z")
Miami eliminates Atlanta with a three-point victory, taking the series 4-1. And Memphis and Minnesota are _tearing it up_ in Game 5. FIGHT FOREVER! [I’m a little bit behind.] ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2022, 2:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/35 "2022-04-27T02:20:53Z")
OH MY GOD the Grizzlies/Timberwolves Game 5 was _amazing_. Especially the last few minutes. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2022, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/36 "2022-04-28T00:20:52Z")
I’m not sure what happened a couple months ago, but it’s pretty clear 80% of the Chicago Bulls have forgotten how to shoot. This is painful to watch, especially with Lavine out. Oh, and Grayson Allen is still a punk. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2022, 12:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/37 "2022-04-28T00:31:04Z")
> [@Chisquirrel](#): > > Oh, and Grayson Allen is still a punk. One of the highlights of my sports-watching career was seeing the Jayhawks defeat Duke in Grayson’s last collegiate game. Right now Giannis is 7-8 from the field and 7-9 from the line. He has 21 points with a minute left in the half. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2022, 1:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/38 "2022-04-28T01:06:32Z")
Injury updates: Warriors forward Andre Iguodala is out for Game 5 against the Nuggets, with the Warriors up 3-1. He’s suffered a neck injury and will be re-evaluated in a week’s time. He’ll miss the rest of the first round, and maybe the first bit of the second round, if the Warriors advance. > **[Warriors lose Iguodala (neck) for at least a week](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33816490/golden-state-warriors-lose-veteran-andre-iguodala-least-week-due-neck-injury)** > > Golden State forward Andre Iguodala has been ruled out of Game 5 of the Warriors' first-round matchup against the Denver Nuggets with a left cervical disk injury and will be reevaluated in one week. Stephen Curry is expected to return to the starting lineup in Game 5 for the first time in the playoffs and will no longer be under a minute restriction. Kevon Looney will go to the bench, and Draymond Green will move to center. > **[Curry starts as Warriors go with small-ball lineup](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33817434/stephen-curry-expected-return-starting-lineup-golden-state-warriors-game-5-sources-say)** > > Warriors superstar guard Stephen Curry was in the starting lineup Wednesday for the first time this postseason in Game 5 against the Nuggets. Phoenix’s Devon Booker is likely to return soon, either in Game 6 or 7 (if necessary) against the Pelicans. The Suns are up 3-2. > **[Sources: Game 6 return a possibility for Booker](https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33817303/phoenix-suns-devin-booker-hamstring-strain-progressing-return-soon-sources-say)** > > Suns All-Star guard Devin Booker is progressing on a return soon, possibly for Game 6 on Thursday or a potential Game 7 on Saturday in the franchise's Western Conference first-round playoff series against the Pelicans, sources told ESPN. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2022, 10:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/39 "2022-04-28T10:32:15Z")
Warriors eliminate the Nuggets; Bucks eliminate the Bulls. Bucks will face the Celtics in round 2. The Bucks and Celtics have met in the playoffs on eight previous occasions, including twice recently, with the Celtics winning in '18 and the Bucks in '19. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2022, 5:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673/40 "2022-04-28T17:11:52Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > Bucks will face the Celtics in round 2. This could be an epic battle between the teams in green. Tonight, 3 teams (Sixers, Mavs, Suns) try to advance with a road win and avoid a Game 7. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2022-nba-playoffs-thread/962673.md?page=3)