# 2024 NBA Playoffs **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** basketball-nba\ **Created:** [April 15, 2024, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297 "2024-04-15T00:39:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**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:** [May 21, 2024, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/181 "2024-05-21T02:10:36Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > SAS said I make it a point not to listen to him. He’s the ESPN equivalent of clickbait. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2024, 6:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/182 "2024-05-21T06:49:31Z")
Stephen A Smith once famously incorrectly predicted the NBA Finals six times in a row. 2011: He picked the Heat to beat the Mavs 2012: He picked the Thunder to beat the Heat 2013: He picked the Spurs to beat the Heat 2014: He picked the Heat to beat the Spurs 2015: He picked the Cavs to beat the Warriors 2016: He picked the Warriors to beat the Cavs ---
**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:** [May 21, 2024, 6:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/183 "2024-05-21T06:58:31Z")
I’d have better odds just flipping a coin. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2024, 7:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/184 "2024-05-21T19:05:37Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > > [@ekedolphin](#): > > > > SAS said > > I make it a point not to listen to him. He’s the ESPN equivalent of clickbait. And annoying to boot. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/185 "2024-05-22T03:08:00Z")
I was a U of Kansas student when Mario Chalmers had that 3-pointer with 5 seconds left to force overtime (and then the Jayhawks won). Jaylen Brown just did something similar for Boston in the first game against the Pacers. I want _both_ teams to win this series. Boston _should_ win it all (and it’s high time they did) — but it’s so fun to see Haliburton’s childlike joy…and the Pacers franchise has never won a championship. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 3:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/186 "2024-05-22T03:28:36Z")
Not a pretty game, but a hard fought W for the Cs. ---
**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:** [May 22, 2024, 3:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/187 "2024-05-22T03:30:43Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > I was a U of Kansas student when Mario Chalmers had that 3-pointer with 5 seconds left to force overtime (and then the Jayhawks won) Rock Chalk! Pacers gave this one away. They had a 3 point lead and the ball with 7 seconds left and turned the ball over on an inbounds play, then failed miserably on their chance to win it after Brown’s tying 3-pointer. ---
**Author:** ![Omniscient](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/omniscient/32/3290_2.png) [@Omniscient](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omniscient)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/188 "2024-05-22T04:47:55Z")
That final turnover in regulation was an egregious no-call. Brown absolutely mugged Siakam as he was reaching for the inbound pass. On the subsequent play the Pacers absolutely gagged on that defensive set and should have definitely fouled Brown on the shot. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/189 "2024-05-22T06:00:23Z")
Sadly, what often happens when the underdog comes so close to victory in Game 1 but can’t pull it off is that they get mentally deflated, and then they get hammered big time in Game 2. ---
**Author:** ![Bullitt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bullitt/32/5725_2.png) [@Bullitt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bullitt)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/190 "2024-05-22T07:24:28Z")
Yeah I can see that happening. Boston dodged a bullet tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2024, 3:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/191 "2024-05-22T15:24:57Z")
Pretty exciting finish in regular time, with Brown falling backwards as he fired a desperation three. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/192 "2024-05-23T01:45:20Z")
MN with a slim lead at halftime. They’ve got to figure out how to slow Irving’s roll. ---
**Author:** ![Velocity](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/velocity/32/18006_2.png) [@Velocity](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Velocity)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/193 "2024-05-23T04:28:23Z")
Mavs did what the Pacers should have done last night. I still think Doncic’s ailing knee is on pace to give out at some point though. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 11:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/194 "2024-05-23T11:24:34Z")
A very close game throughout. MN made some bone-headed plays that really cost them (driving into a crowd, cross-court passes, etc.) and Edwards seemed like he stayed up too late partying or something, although he scored a double-double. Doncic’s knee was actually bleeding near the end. They’d be stupid to let him play until that stops. On the plus side, scoring was well distributed, with six players in double figures. ---
**Author:** ![JKellyMap](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jkellymap/32/15880_2.png) [@JKellyMap](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JKellyMap)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/195 "2024-05-23T12:18:06Z")
Yes, I was sad to see the Wolves lose a winnable game (though I do admire Doncic’s grit)…but the good news is, if the Wolves can almost win when Edwards has an “off” game, surely they can win for real when he’s playing like his usual self (or better). Keep in mind he’s only 22 years old. Apparently, the Wolves had a tough, all-out practice the day before yesterday — their one rest day after that hard-fought game 7. Maybe that wasn’t such a great idea. There were a couple plays toward the end where Edwards refused to pass to an open Gobert, as they both made their way toward the hoop. Not that Gobert is entirely reliable on offense…but still, it’s better than trying to force your way through a double team of taller defenders. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2024, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/196 "2024-05-23T12:50:13Z")
> [@JKellyMap](#): > > There were a couple plays toward the end where Edwards refused to pass to an open Gobert, as they both made their way toward the hoop. Not that Gobert is entirely reliable on offense…but still, it’s better than trying to force your way through a double team of taller defenders. Edwards still thinks he can run and gun against a brick wall. He routinely ignores open shooters. As for Gobert. . .well, he doesn’t have the stickiest hands in the NBA and routinely fumbles passes, which is very frustrating. I’m not sure, but I’m wondering if he takes his eyes off the ball before he’s got it securely in his grasp. It’s a beginner’s mistake and shouldn’t be happening. Or perhaps he’s just a fumbler. ---
**Author:** ![Telemark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/telemark/32/372_2.png) [@Telemark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Telemark)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/197 "2024-05-24T02:50:26Z")
Solid game by Boston tonight, considering they lost Game 2 in the first 2 rounds. ---
**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:** [May 24, 2024, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/198 "2024-05-24T03:03:26Z")
BLARG. I stopped watching with about nine minutes left. Tyrese Haliburton left with left hamstring soreness late in the 3rd. That’s the same hamstring that he injured that caused him to miss 10 games in the regular season. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/199 "2024-05-24T17:07:07Z")
Game 2 tonight for the Wolves. Apparently the coach reamed their asses for being sloppy and just playing bad ball. I would expect them to be better motivated tonight. ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [May 24, 2024, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/200 "2024-05-24T17:18:05Z")
Random thoughts: If someone told me the defending champion Nuggets would be eliminated by losing THREE home games, I wouldn’t have believed it. So, is the self-proclaimed “king” going to taint his legacy over time if he just hangs on and gets eliminated year after year from here on out? Is it just me, or is the NBA more competitive and thus more interesting these days? One super team winning year after year is very boring to me. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297.md?page=11)