2024 NBA Season

[Hypnosis00]

Warriors are now officially in the 2nd round, they are just waiting for the winner of the Wolves and Grizz, whoever wins in that competition, I believe the Warriors could handle them. They finish the series early, now they have a lot of time to relax and figure out how to win in the 2nd round.

Good luck to the WARRIORS!

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[Sanitough]

Celtics - Bucks series should be a close one and I'm looking forward to it.

Agree, I hope we will see a game 7. Middleton might still be out in the series but it doesn't matter, Bucks have been playing great basketball even without him and there are some who contribute a lot on the win, so yeah, the Bucks should have a great chance of winning.

The good thing with the Bucks now is everyone is contributing, unlike before that they rely on Giannis so much.

[Vaculin]

Celtics - Bucks series should be a close one and I'm looking forward to it.

Agree, I hope we will see a game 7. Middleton might still be out in the series but it doesn't matter, Bucks have been playing great basketball even without him and there are some who contribute a lot on the win, so yeah, the Bucks should have a great chance of winning.

The good thing with the Bucks now is everyone is contributing, unlike before that they rely on Giannis so much.

Let's see, and hopefully, Bucks would be able to still play like their usual even without Middleton. Besides, he is not a big factor in the games that he was still playing, and Bucks have improved when he was out, so hopefully, this would say that the Bucks could win this.

The advantage of the Bucks is when the Celtics cannot stop Giannis.

[danherbias07]

Celtics - Bucks series should be a close one and I'm looking forward to it.

Agree, I hope we will see a game 7. Middleton might still be out in the series but it doesn't matter, Bucks have been playing great basketball even without him and there are some who contribute a lot on the win, so yeah, the Bucks should have a great chance of winning.

The good thing with the Bucks now is everyone is contributing, unlike before that they rely on Giannis so much.

According to Woj he will be re-evaluated in two weeks which means he may still not be able to play after that. That will be Game 3 or 4 of the series for his possible return.
The Bucks need every help they could grab on and I think Middleton is one big contribution to spreading the floor. Bobby Portis may be having his way on outside shots but there will be a time he will be defended better when they are up against the Celtics.
Pat Connaughton is also getting his rhythm and I hope he keeps that up. They may look strong up against the Bulls but the Celtics are in a different league, I am sure it will be more entertaining. Yes, possible Game 7.

[harizen]

Celtics - Bucks series should be a close one and I'm looking forward to it.

That will be the rematch of their 2018-2019 Eastern Conference Semi-Finals match where the Milwaukee Bucks won the series by 4-1. Almost the same lineup with only a slight difference but shouldn't be a big deal not unless it's about injuries and we all know that Middleton's status is still questionable.

Both teams improved 3 years later but the Milwaukee Bucks have already gotten their achievement of winning the NBA title.

Will Celtics now be able to get the revenge from their 2019 ECF semi-finals playoffs loss against the Bucks?
Will Celtics can repeat the same level of dominance they have shown against the Brooklyn Nets?
Will the Celtics come back again to the Eastern Conference Finals? (the last time was in the NBA Bubble against the Miami Heat)

[TravelMug]

^^ Yeah, this is going to be an interesting match-up. But I will say that the Celtics has improved a lot specially with their defense.

I don't think they can stop Giannis though, so what they are going to do is to shutdown the role players. The Celtics has enough body to do that and then let Tatum (which for me is a legitimate star now), do the damage from all angle.

[Beparanf]

^^ Yeah, this is going to be an interesting match-up. But I will say that the Celtics has improved a lot specially with their defense.

I don't think they can stop Giannis though, so what they are going to do is to shutdown the role players. The Celtics has enough body to do that and then let Tatum (which for me is a legitimate star now), do the damage from all angle.

Agreed on this, Jaylen Brown, Tatum and Smart is really improved on this season unlike before that they are just full of thrash talk and don’t have skills to close a crucial series. They have already a reliable center. Boston starter players is a beast so I doubt if Giannis can carry his team with this very strong team. Sweeping the Nets with KD and Irving is very hard to do yet they accomplished this easily.

[yazher]

^^ Yeah, this is going to be an interesting match-up. But I will say that the Celtics has improved a lot specially with their defense.

I don't think they can stop Giannis though, so what they are going to do is to shutdown the role players. The Celtics has enough body to do that and then let Tatum (which for me is a legitimate star now), do the damage from all angle.

The best playoff series in the eastern conference and more likely one of them will compete in the NBA finals this year. right now it's hard to decide which one will gonna move forward for the Eastern Conference Finals until we see game 1. I think Bucks will gonna be breaking walls to defeat this current strong defensive team in the NBA but as we know, Giannis is hard to stop and they might be in trouble if they cannot find some way to stop him.

[chaser15]

I don't think they can stop Giannis though, so what they are going to do is to shutdown the role players. The Celtics has enough body to do that and then let Tatum (which for me is a legitimate star now), do the damage from all angle.

Since Khris Middleton doesn't have yet a clear status on Game 1, it will give Boston Celtics a slight easy adjustment on who will be defended by their players. Middleton I think will be supposedly defended by Jayson Tatum but since the former is possibly out on Game 1, Tatum can switch defending to either Jrue Holiday or Pat Connaughton while Jaylen Brown will focus on Grayson Allen or Wesley Matthews.

Boston Celtics already know how monster Giannis is and even though they are aware of how to stop him, they can't execute it properly since he is unstoppable and breaking every defense. Therefore, Celtics might switch into a shooting rally where most players on the lineup do have a good FG percentage on the 3-point area and perimeter. The missing link is how to defend Giannis at all costs as Al Horford really needs a backup when Giannis started to post up.

That's just my quick pre-game analysis and everyone feels free to contradict or share your input about this.

[Kasabus]

I don't think they can stop Giannis though, so what they are going to do is to shutdown the role players. The Celtics has enough body to do that and then let Tatum (which for me is a legitimate star now), do the damage from all angle.

Since Khris Middleton doesn't have yet a clear status on Game 1, it will give Boston Celtics a slight easy adjustment on who will be defended by their players. Middleton I think will be supposedly defended by Jayson Tatum but since the former is possibly out on Game 1, Tatum can switch defending to either Jrue Holiday or Pat Connaughton while Jaylen Brown will focus on Grayson Allen or Wesley Matthews.

Boston Celtics already know how monster Giannis is and even though they are aware of how to stop him, they can't execute it properly since he is unstoppable and breaking every defense. Therefore, Celtics might switch into a shooting rally where most players on the lineup do have a good FG percentage on the 3-point area and perimeter. The missing link is how to defend Giannis at all costs as Al Horford really needs a backup when Giannis started to post up.

That's just my quick pre-game analysis and everyone feels free to contradict or share your input about this.

Don't count Lopez here, if Giannis will be defended well, they still have the edge on the inside as Lopez could dominate, not only good inside but also a great 3 point shooter. I even like the line up of the Bucks now, they are well balance and the starting 5 are great defenders.

The key here is to limit Giannis but I don't see that happening since Celtics is not a good defensive team IMO.

[Oasisman]

^^ Yeah, this is going to be an interesting match-up. But I will say that the Celtics has improved a lot specially with their defense.

I don't think they can stop Giannis though, so what they are going to do is to shutdown the role players. The Celtics has enough body to do that and then let Tatum (which for me is a legitimate star now), do the damage from all angle.

That's actually good thing that they have improved their defense, stopping Gianni's won't be a problem as long as they as well is consistently scoring on the offensive end. If they can't keep up with the scoring pace, the Bucks will surely have a huge advantage because Giannis is an unstoppable force.

If they get passed against the Bucks, there will be a huge possibility for an NBA finals appearance for them.
Miami or Sixers might not be as tough as the Bucks in a playoff series.

[Dave1]

^^ Yeah, this is going to be an interesting match-up. But I will say that the Celtics has improved a lot specially with their defense.

I don't think they can stop Giannis though, so what they are going to do is to shutdown the role players. The Celtics has enough body to do that and then let Tatum (which for me is a legitimate star now), do the damage from all angle.

That's actually good thing that they have improved their defense, stopping Gianni's won't be a problem as long as they as well is consistently scoring on the offensive end. If they can't keep up with the scoring pace, the Bucks will surely have a huge advantage because Giannis is an unstoppable force.

If they get passed against the Bucks, there will be a huge possibility for an NBA finals appearance for them.
Miami or Sixers might not be as tough as the Bucks in a playoff series.

I'm leaning towards the Celtics as well with their series against the Bucks. As you have said, they turn into a defensive thing and both their offensive players now are also improving their defense like Tatum who did a good job against Durant. And without Middleton, it will be very difficult for the Bucks to beat a complete and healthy Celtics and for sure they are going to throw bodies on Giannis.

[arwin100]

^^ Yeah, this is going to be an interesting match-up. But I will say that the Celtics has improved a lot specially with their defense.

I don't think they can stop Giannis though, so what they are going to do is to shutdown the role players. The Celtics has enough body to do that and then let Tatum (which for me is a legitimate star now), do the damage from all angle.

That's actually good thing that they have improved their defense, stopping Gianni's won't be a problem as long as they as well is consistently scoring on the offensive end. If they can't keep up with the scoring pace, the Bucks will surely have a huge advantage because Giannis is an unstoppable force.

If they get passed against the Bucks, there will be a huge possibility for an NBA finals appearance for them.
Miami or Sixers might not be as tough as the Bucks in a playoff series.

I'm leaning towards the Celtics as well with their series against the Bucks. As you have said, they turn into a defensive thing and both their offensive players now are also improving their defense like Tatum who did a good job against Durant. And without Middleton, it will be very difficult for the Bucks to beat a complete and healthy Celtics and for sure they are going to throw bodies on Giannis.

Its very tough road for Nets to counter Celtics because they already have huge issues which affect their team chemistry as well their team morale sinks when there players cannot provide more quality numbers. And kodus to celtics for showing huge improvements and quality gameplay, we can say that Bucks will have a huge problem in the presence of Tatum and Jaylen.

[btc_angela]

I don't think they can stop Giannis though, so what they are going to do is to shutdown the role players. The Celtics has enough body to do that and then let Tatum (which for me is a legitimate star now), do the damage from all angle.

Since Khris Middleton doesn't have yet a clear status on Game 1, it will give Boston Celtics a slight easy adjustment on who will be defended by their players. Middleton I think will be supposedly defended by Jayson Tatum but since the former is possibly out on Game 1, Tatum can switch defending to either Jrue Holiday or Pat Connaughton while Jaylen Brown will focus on Grayson Allen or Wesley Matthews.

I think it will be the other way around, Jaylen will have Holiday and 1:1 here, it will be a good matchup. And Tatum might work against Allen or Matthews. So it's going to be a good match-up.

Boston Celtics already know how monster Giannis is and even though they are aware of how to stop him, they can't execute it properly since he is unstoppable and breaking every defense. Therefore, Celtics might switch into a shooting rally where most players on the lineup do have a good FG percentage on the 3-point area and perimeter. The missing link is how to defend Giannis at all costs as Al Horford really needs a backup when Giannis started to post up.

That's just my quick pre-game analysis and everyone feels free to contradict or share your input about this.

They will double or triple team Giannis when he gets the ball. Horford + Williams will have all the works but they will have a help just like what they did against Durant. They will swarm him with 3 players and going to force turnover on Giannis or pass the ball.

[Yamifoud]

They will double or triple team Giannis when he gets the ball. Horford + Williams will have all the works but they will have a help just like what they did against Durant. They will swarm him with 3 players and going to force turnover on Giannis or pass the ball.

They can do that but it will lead the shooters open. Though Middleton is not playing Bucks now have a lot of good 3-point shooters and for sure they already know that kind of strategy by their opponent so they are prepared for it. Let's look back how the Bucks beat the Suns in the last year NBA Finals.

[Pamadar]

They will double or triple team Giannis when he gets the ball. Horford + Williams will have all the works but they will have a help just like what they did against Durant. They will swarm him with 3 players and going to force turnover on Giannis or pass the ball.

They can do that but it will lead the shooters open. Though Middleton is not playing Bucks now have a lot of good 3-point shooters and for sure they already know that kind of strategy by their opponent so they are prepared for it. Let's look back how the Bucks beat the Suns in the last year NBA Finals.

Interesting to see if how Boston will adjust or enhance that kind of defense.

They sweep the Nets because of the teamwork, both defense and offense are being shared accordingly, Tatum, Brown and Smart
are not just aggressive with the offense, but more on their defense. They move to this second round against the defending champion
another big test for Tatum and the rest of the Celtics.

[Natalim]

They will double or triple team Giannis when he gets the ball. Horford + Williams will have all the works but they will have a help just like what they did against Durant. They will swarm him with 3 players and going to force turnover on Giannis or pass the ball.

They can do that but it will lead the shooters open. Though Middleton is not playing Bucks now have a lot of good 3-point shooters and for sure they already know that kind of strategy by their opponent so they are prepared for it. Let's look back how the Bucks beat the Suns in the last year NBA Finals.

Interesting to see if how Boston will adjust or enhance that kind of defense.

They sweep the Nets because of the teamwork, both defense and offense are being shared accordingly, Tatum, Brown and Smart
are not just aggressive with the offense, but more on their defense. They move to this second round against the defending champion
another big test for Tatum and the rest of the Celtics.

Nets were good in paper but not in the actual game. That game 1 make me believe that the Nets had a chance but the next 3 game was a disaster. Kyrie was the in his usual game, probably due to the good defense imposed on him but that's not an excuse, if they were great players, they should have on the series against a younger Celtics team.

[Jating]

They will double or triple team Giannis when he gets the ball. Horford + Williams will have all the works but they will have a help just like what they did against Durant. They will swarm him with 3 players and going to force turnover on Giannis or pass the ball.

They can do that but it will lead the shooters open. Though Middleton is not playing Bucks now have a lot of good 3-point shooters and for sure they already know that kind of strategy by their opponent so they are prepared for it. Let's look back how the Bucks beat the Suns in the last year NBA Finals.

But defensive teams are willing to give a long shot than a layup. Take for example what they did against Durant, he has a bad shooting slump throughout the series specially in the first 2 games. And that setup the tempo for the Celtics. So for sure they will focus on Giannis more and then rotate as fast as they can if Giannis will able to find the open man. So it's really up to shooters of Bucks to close the gap and hit their shots. If not, then the Celtics has a good chance to win.

[LogitechMouse]

They will double or triple team Giannis when he gets the ball. Horford + Williams will have all the works but they will have a help just like what they did against Durant. They will swarm him with 3 players and going to force turnover on Giannis or pass the ball.

They can do that but it will lead the shooters open. Though Middleton is not playing Bucks now have a lot of good 3-point shooters and for sure they already know that kind of strategy by their opponent so they are prepared for it. Let's look back how the Bucks beat the Suns in the last year NBA Finals.

But defensive teams are willing to give a long shot than a layup. Take for example what they did against Durant, he has a bad shooting slump throughout the series specially in the first 2 games. And that setup the tempo for the Celtics. So for sure they will focus on Giannis more and then rotate as fast as they can if Giannis will able to find the open man. So it's really up to shooters of Bucks to close the gap and hit their shots. If not, then the Celtics has a good chance to win.

That is one of the reason why the Celtics are the best defensive team right now. They are good at rotation and hustle that is why they can still defend other players even though they are focusing on one player and in this case it will be Giannis.

It is a mystery TBH for me on how they will stop Giannis or at least lessen his production especially in offense. I agree too and I would love my opponent to shoot a much harder three than a layup though the Bucks team has many good shooters as well. I predicted Celtics in 6 games here but if Middleton will play, I might go pick Bucks in 7 games. It would surprise me too if they will do what they did to KD with Giannis where he isn't the usual Durant that we've seen in playoffs. That might be his worst playoff series in his career.

[boltz]

Bucks vs Celtics will be the greatest series of this NBA play-offs season, or it should be like that.

Hard to think at a prediction in this series but I do hope we will see a best of 7 and probably Bucks will win if they have all the players on the court as Celtics proved to us that they can beat anyone anytime  but Bucks is a different team. Even if they triple Giannis , he's so strong and big that he will still get free trows ...so you see , it's very hard to stop a player like him when he is fully driving towards the basket.