# NBA post-season **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [April 4, 2018, 1:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802 "2018-04-04T13:46:17Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 2:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/21 "2018-04-26T02:07:23Z")
Oh my. I am REALLY rooting for the Pacers and actively dislike JeBron Lames, but damn…you’ve gotta give it up to his performance tonight. Not only did he have 44 points, 8 assists and 11 boards (plus a few blocks), he single-handedly orchestrated that win in the end. Had the incredible block on Oladipo, called time with 3 seconds left in the game and banged a buzzer beater 3 for the win in a tie game. That was impressive. The worm has definitely turned against Indiana. Even if they manage to win game 6 in Indy, a game 7 in Cleveland against JeBron Lames is pretty daunting. I’ve been reluctant to admit it, but he is the closest thing this generation has to Jordan. He’s utterly dominant when the chips are down. That’s now TWO losses where the Spacers had a super close game for the taking and couldn’t get it done. Frankly I was surprised they even came back and tied it the way they played in the middle of the game with back to back shot clock violations, terrible rebounding and shot selection. Just wow to that ending though. Dude’s like the Megatron of basketball. ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/22 "2018-04-26T13:49:05Z")
Heh - after the Raptors went up 2-0, I’m stupidly thinking - “well, better get the broom ready”. Now, with the Raptors squeaking out a too-close-for-comfort game 5 win, I see that this series is nowhere near over, and would be quite surprised if the Raps take game six in DC, the way this series is looking, with the Raps turning the ball over more than MLS players getting constantly dispossessed/coughing it up. If it wasn’t for bencher Delon Wright scoring seven straight, right at the end, I don’t think the Raps would’ve won last night. And speaking of benches - to have to rely on a still-injured Freddie Van Vleet is a pretty sad statement for the team. Role players like CJ Miles have to pick it up. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/23 "2018-04-26T14:15:30Z")
The game changed in Game 5 wasn’t Delon Wright as much as it was JV, whose arrival in the 4th quarter - his first 4th quarter minutes of the series - tilted the court. Dwayne Casey seemed unwilling to deviate from his first/second unit arrangements despite the absence of Van Vleet, and his finally responding to that changed the game. Don’t be surprised if in Game 6, Serge Ibaka doesn’t start. I love Serge Ibaka like I’m his wife, but he’s been very poor for three games now, and looks tentative. I would like to see Pascal Siakam replace him in the first unit (Miles would work too) and use Ibaka in the second unit, which I think will re-energize him. Toronto is up 3-2 despite playing pretty badly by their standards. That is a good thing to be able to say. If you go up 3-2 _playing shitty_, your ceiling is high. They’ll be fine. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/24 "2018-04-26T14:36:58Z")
The way LeBron has been playing recently, it’s starting to seem superfluous to worry about what other teams in the East will advance. But, things could change. I am eagerly awaiting the Pelicans v Warriors series in the West. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 4:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/25 "2018-04-26T16:10:31Z")
Cleveland still isn’t the best team in the East. Again, consider how things have gone versus the results and then ask if a decline or an improvement is likely? Cleveland is getting LeBron James at his absolute best, and they’re just a TINY bit better than the Indiana Pacers. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2018, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/26 "2018-04-26T17:29:57Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > The way LeBron has been playing recently, it’s starting to seem superfluous to worry about what other teams in the East will advance. But, things could change. I am eagerly awaiting the Pelicans v Warriors series in the West. If this Cavaliers team is what comes out of the East, I’ve never seen a bigger indictment of the conference. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2018, 10:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/27 "2018-04-27T10:26:56Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > Cleveland still isn’t the best team in the East. Again, consider how things have gone versus the results and then ask if a decline or an improvement is likely? > > Cleveland is getting LeBron James at his absolute best, and they’re just a TINY bit better than the Indiana Pacers. > [@Chisquirrel](#): > > If this Cavaliers team is what comes out of the East, I’ve never seen a bigger indictment of the conference. Maybe so guys, maybe so. But Cleveland as a team seems to be starting to get it’s shit together, if in fits and starts. They haven’t been consistent. Shit…why am I defending Cleveland? Fuck those guys! Go Pacers! ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [April 27, 2018, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/28 "2018-04-27T19:48:24Z")
Otto Porter is done for the rest of the first round. ---
**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, 2018, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/29 "2018-04-28T01:10:59Z")
Pacers (and especially Victor Oladipo and Lance Stephenson) are looking good through the first half of Game 6. ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 1:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/30 "2018-04-28T01:34:49Z")
The Raptors finally beat the Wizards in Washington and move on. Washington was leading through three quarters, and then scored only 14 points in the fourth. They just didn’t have anything left. ---
**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, 2018, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/31 "2018-04-28T02:54:56Z")
Wow, Pacers beat the hell out of the Cavs in Game 6. LeBron is going to be PISSED. But I have faith that we can win Game 7. I just don’t want to get blown out. ---
**Author:** ![Chisquirrel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6bbea6/32.png) [@Chisquirrel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chisquirrel)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 6:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/32 "2018-04-28T06:16:44Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > Shit…why am I defending Cleveland? Fuck those guys! Go Pacers! I’ve been wondering about you… ---
**Author:** ![Guest-starring\_Id](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guest-starring_id/32/21736_2.png) [@Guest-starring\_Id](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guest-starring_Id)\ **Post date:** [April 28, 2018, 7:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/33 "2018-04-28T07:47:16Z")
> [@RickJay](#): > > The Raptors finally beat the Wizards in Washington and move on. > > Washington was leading through three quarters, and then scored only 14 points in the fourth. They just didn’t have anything left. Van Vleet returned to really galvanize the bench, especially Siakim. Glad that the Raptors put an end to their all-time play-offs 0-23 record after trailing at half time on the road. Reassuring if the Raptors can win like this with Derozan getting just 16 points. ---
**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:** [April 28, 2018, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/34 "2018-04-28T16:22:30Z")
> [@FoieGrasIsEvil](#): > > I think the biggest post series takeaway is the utter futility of Lillard to get going, and Holliday’s incredible defensive job to frustrate him into bad shots over and over again. Both Lillard and McCollum are short for today’s guards, especially the latter. Fancy dribbling and speed help, but can’t compensate for length. Lillard even had the embarrassment of having one of this three pointers blocked. ---
**Author:** ![Covfefe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/ee7513/32.png) [@Covfefe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Covfefe)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2018, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/35 "2018-04-29T19:56:04Z")
UGHHHHHH. Raptors in 4 please. ---
**Author:** ![FoieGrasIsEvil](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/foiegrasisevil/32/16638_2.png) [@FoieGrasIsEvil](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FoieGrasIsEvil)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2018, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/36 "2018-04-29T20:29:55Z")
Shame the Pacers had to go out like that, but…it’s LeBron. The Pacers need to add a solid piece or two and they win that series. It’s really too bad they don’t have the Horford that is playing now rather than the one they used to have. Maybe they add a star SG. Letting Paul George go was tough, but they got Oladipo out of it, so…eh, it’s a wash. Still…damn. They kept playing the Cavs close in these games but just can’t quite pull it off. ---
**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 29, 2018, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/37 "2018-04-29T20:39:57Z")
We didn’t get blown out in Game 7; we can take pride in that. I remember in '95 when we stretched the Orlando Magic to Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals, and then they just dominated us. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 10:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/38 "2018-05-02T10:20:23Z")
How bad is Ty Lue? On another forum, someone made the point: "Pretty simple, Ty Lue is a terrible coach. This set of players played really well at two points this season; 1.) Right after the trade before they had any practices or exposure to Lue’s coaching. 2.) When Lue was out for 10 games. That isn’t a coincidence." ---
**Author:** ![RickJay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/bb73d2/32.png) [@RickJay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RickJay)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 12:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/39 "2018-05-02T12:22:37Z")
The Raptors just straight up choked Game 1. There’s no way around it; they missed 15 of their last 18 shots and missed key rebounds to boot. They were the best team on the floor, had the game in hand, and just plain choked. Miss 14 out of 18, they win the game. It was a sad performance. They win two out of the next three or 1. It’s over, and 2. Dwayne Casey will be seeking employment elsewhere. ---
**Author:** ![storyteller0910](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ecae2f/32.png) [@storyteller0910](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/storyteller0910)\ **Post date:** [May 2, 2018, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802/40 "2018-05-02T13:32:44Z")
I definitely think everybody should keep betting against LeBron James; it’s worked so well for the last decade. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nba-post-season/811802.md?page=3)