# 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:** 9
**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 19, 2024, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/161 "2024-05-19T11:44:59Z")
Glad the Thunder are out. They always give MN problems. Dallas is no picnic, but I think that MN will do better against them, should the Wolves advance today. A big “if”, I know. ---
**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 19, 2024, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/162 "2024-05-19T12:41:25Z")
Luka Doncic is a helluva player, one of the best in the league. But ISTM that he whines about damn near every call and non-call that doesn’t go his way. ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2024, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/163 "2024-05-19T21:33:45Z")
This Bulls fan has chosen the wrong series to root for the Knicks! ---
**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 19, 2024, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/164 "2024-05-19T21:57:11Z")
I’ve only been casually following the game online, and the scores have looked like the Pacers have dominated. Has it really been that much of a blowout? ---
**Author:** ![bobot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bobot/32/21622_2.png) [@bobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bobot)\ **Post date:** [May 19, 2024, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/165 "2024-05-19T21:58:31Z")
Yeah, the Pacers are shooting something like 100% or so. Roughly. And lots of 3’s. ---
**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 19, 2024, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/166 "2024-05-19T23:04:07Z")
> [@bobot](#): > > the Pacers are shooting something like 100% or so. At one point, Indiana was 20-25 from the field. They ended up 53-79 for 67%, and 13-24 (54%) from 3. Every time the Knicks would make a mini-run, the Pacers would answer with 8 or 9 or 10 straight points. ---
**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 20, 2024, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/167 "2024-05-20T00:35:47Z")
The Pacers set an _all-time_ NBA Playoff record for field-goal percentage. And we did it at just the right time. Damn, but I wish there’d been a post game show. I wanted to see Stephen A. Smith cry to his mama. He is so obnoxious. ---
**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 20, 2024, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/168 "2024-05-20T01:30:59Z")
To this day I don’t understand why people like Stephen A. Smith or Skip Bayless are considered to have valuable opinions. They didn’t earn it by being former coaches or players. What makes their viewpoint worth any more than yours or mine? But I digress, not to derail the thread. ---
**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 20, 2024, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/169 "2024-05-20T01:36:36Z")
I wish Smith would at least attempt to be objective. Damn, but I wish ESPN instead of TNT had lost their NBA rights. I think my Pacers have a good sporting chance in the ECF. If we stay healthy. ---
**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 20, 2024, 1:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/170 "2024-05-20T01:51:40Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > Stephen A. Smith Well, he did one play one year of basketball at Winston-Salem State University. Meanwhile, we have a one-point game in Denver entering the fourth quarter. ---
**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 20, 2024, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/171 "2024-05-20T02:21:58Z")
From leading by 15 to now trailing by 10. Total collapse by the McNuggets. ---
**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 20, 2024, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/172 "2024-05-20T02:47:51Z")
Wow. What a swing in the series. First the Nuggets were written off; then the Wolves; but the Wolves got the last laugh. **NBA Third Round: Conference Finals** **Eastern Conference** (1) Boston Celtics vs. (6) Indiana Pacers All Games on ESPN except where noted All times Eastern Game 1: at Boston, Tuesday, May 21; 8 pm Game 2: at Boston, Thursday, May 23; 8 pm Game 3: at Indiana, Saturday, May 25; 8:30 pm; ABC Game 4: at Indiana, Monday, May 27; 8 pm Game 5: at Boston, Wednesday, May 29; 8 pm, if necessary Game 6: at Indiana, Friday, May 31; 8 pm, if necessary Game 7: at Boston, Sunday, June 2; 8 pm, if necessary **Western Conference** (3) Minnesota Timberwolves vs. (5) Dallas Mavericks All Games on TNT and TruTV All times Eastern Game 1: at Minnesota, Wednesday, May 22; 8:30 pm Game 2: at Minnesota, Friday, May 24; 8:30 pm Game 3: at Dallas, Sunday, May 26; 8 pm Game 4: at Dallas, Tuesday, May 28; 8:30 pm Game 5: at Minnesota, Thursday, May 30; 8:30 pm, if necessary Game 6: at Dallas, Saturday, June 1; 8:30 pm, if necessary Game 7: at Minnesota, Monday, June 3; 8:30 pm, if necessary ---
**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 20, 2024, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/173 "2024-05-20T02:56:22Z")
Out of curiosity, if the No. 5 Mavs played the No. 6 Pacers in the Finals, would that combine to make the lowest-seeded Finals in history? ---
**Author:** ![Jas09](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d07c76/32.png) [@Jas09](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jas09)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/174 "2024-05-20T03:17:34Z")
Combined seed of 11? Yeah I think that would be the highest. The 1999 Knicks were an 8 but they lost to the 1 seeded Spurs. The 8 seed Heat lost to a 1 seed as well in 2023. Those are the records I think. Cite: [NBA Champions by Playoff Seed](https://www.landofbasketball.com/championships/champions_by_seed.htm) ---
**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 20, 2024, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/175 "2024-05-20T03:27:01Z")
If the Mavs and Pacers met in the Finals (from your lips to God’s ears), Dallas would have home-court advantage because they won 50 games and Indiana won 47. ---
**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 20, 2024, 11:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/176 "2024-05-20T11:55:20Z")
> [@ekedolphin](#): > > Wow. What a swing in the series. First the Nuggets were written off; then the Wolves; but the Wolves got the last laugh. What a great thing to wake up to! They were looking really bad at halftime, and while the Wolves are a great 3rd quarter team, Denver was looking like they were unstoppable. Their defense was really frustrating MN. As it turned out, Edwards was never able to get his shooting game going, but McDaniels stepped up and Towns was ferocious throughout. Well done! MN did well against Dallas during the season, but Doncic and Irving were out for several of those games. ---
**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 20, 2024, 1:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/177 "2024-05-20T13:25:42Z")
I watched that game 7, watching it late. Minnesota’s defense in the second half choked Denver. Down by 15-points at halftime — the largest comeback in a Game 7 in NBA playoff history. The Denver crowd was stunned. ---
**Author:** ![DigitalC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ebca7d/32.png) [@DigitalC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DigitalC)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 4:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/178 "2024-05-20T16:42:15Z")
> [@Velocity](#): > > To this day I don’t understand why people like Stephen A. Smith or Skip Bayless are considered to have valuable opinions. They didn’t earn it by being former coaches or players. What makes their viewpoint worth any more than yours or mine? Controversy drives engagement, and engagement drives the algorithm. It’s just how things are this days. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [May 20, 2024, 6:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/179 "2024-05-20T18:17:49Z")
I was confused how a comeback is defined, then - the Mavericks came back from 17 down in the 3rd quarter Saturday. Until I used my superior Google-fu and realized Minnesota was down by 20 at one point. As a Bulls fan who’s lived in misery since Derrick Rose lost his entire knee and moved from Minneapolis to Colorado Springs a few years back, I decided I would cheer for the winner of this series until the end of the playoffs. So go Timberwolves! > [@DigitalC](#): > > Controversy drives engagement, and engagement drives the algorithm. It’s just how things are this days. When giving honest commentary, Smith and Bayless aren’t terrible, at least regarding basketball. And Howard Stern can perform legitimately good interviews. But they don’t make millions being honest and legitimate, and that hasn’t been the case for decades. Hell, Limbaugh was the vanguard - now it’s just bled into sports as well. Makes sense, given the oppositional nature of athletics and tribalism of sports fans. ---
**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, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297/180 "2024-05-21T02:06:39Z")
On today’s _First Take,_ SAS said that if the Knicks had been healthy, they would’ve beaten the Pacers in 5. Whatever. You play the hand you’re dealt. The Pacers were without Reggie Miller for all but one game of the ‘96 playoffs. The Colts’ first big playoff run in Indianapolis was played with Zack Crockett at running back, replacing the injured Marshall Faulk. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/2024-nba-playoffs/1000297.md?page=10)