NBA Conference Finals thoughts (and plays)

[divol]

Took Knicks -4.5. Will write my thoughts tomorrow.

As for OKC - Minny - don't have any thoughts to be honest. On one side, OKC is the best team by far this season in my opinion. On the other, I feel that Minny second best, with all the respect my beloved Lakers (and sympathy for the Nugs) and that they probably the least comfortable rival for OKC. Gobert can make them feel uncomfortable in the paint and they have yet to prove they can win teams from three point line. DiVicenzo is poor version of Caruso. Randle and Reid can fight OKC big man as well and Conley still solid defender.
On the other hand, OKC is so solid and so deep and I'm still not sure if Minny will be able to react and can they find themselves on offense, given that they struggled often for a whole quarter on defense against Lakers and GSW...
I want to see Game 1 before making any decisions...

 

[B.A.R.]

Took Knicks -4.5. Will write my thoughts tomorrow.

As for OKC - Minny - don't have any thoughts to be honest. On one side, OKC is the best team by far this season in my opinion. On the other, I feel that Minny second best, with all the respect my beloved Lakers (and sympathy for the Nugs) and that they probably the least comfortable rival for OKC. Gobert can make them feel uncomfortable in the paint and they have yet to prove they can win teams from three point line. DiVicenzo is poor version of Caruso. Randle and Reid can fight OKC big man as well and Conley still solid defender.
On the other hand, OKC is so solid and so deep and I'm still not sure if Minny will be able to react and can they find themselves on offense, given that they struggled often for a whole quarter on defense against Lakers and GSW...
I want to see Game 1 before making any decisions...

Totally agree on needing to watch this game one.

This is a big homework night while also stalking live unders.

 

[divol]

Thoughts on Knicks - Pacers series:
Last season it went to 7 games, with OG injured. Before Bridges, before Towns and now with healthy OG. Pacers basically got older and wiser. Siakam got a full season with the team, Tyrese gathered more playoffs experience. Both teams shown great resilience this post season, getting through two tough series.
I think that Carlsile has the upper hand coaching wise, but Knicks have better quality in their roster.
I think that Siakam and Towns on paper cancel each other out (Towns probably has an edge), but Bridges and overall Knicks wings are simply better.
I think that given Playoff elimination last year, I feel that Knicks -4.5 in Game 1 in MSG is a solid bet. Can Pacers win outright? Of course, but this is a bet that win or lose, I will probably feel that I was right taking the risk on it.

 

[divol]

It is what it is... Knicks -4.5 was great bet up till the moment it wasn't...
Brunson and Tyrese probably were obvious bets in hindsight, but hate betting props in Game 1 of any series.

 

[B.A.R.]

It is what it is... Knicks -4.5 was great bet up till the moment it wasn't...
Brunson and Tyrese probably were obvious bets in hindsight, but hate betting props in Game 1 of any series.

Tough to swallow, I'm sure.

Knicks make that run with Brunson out on fouls and you think they cruise home.

But, Pacers simply don't quit.

Plenty of good opportunities to come though!

 

[divol]

Have many thoughts, like for the third series straight, why Thibs doesn't play Robinson and Towns more minutes together...
But, I want to see how Knicks react to a loss in Game 1. Such a loss can really take the wind out of you + don't want to lay that many points. To do so, I need to believe in Knicks DD win...

 

[divol]

Been hectic few days for me, but rather see Game 3 in both series. I assume Knicks won't come to Indiana to roll over. I still think it shouldn't be 4-5 games series and this is a game Knicks will be playing for their lives.
Probably great game for live betting. Leaning Knicks, since I still think they have better roster, but worse coach. But betting such a short line makes no sense.
Rather see the game, then decide.

 

[divol]

So, both teams came back to do 2 - 1 and now the real series begin with Games 4&5...
I think that Thibs maybe saved his Knicks career by finally changing his approach. Changed starters, remembered he actually has more than 7 players on his roster that can ball - maybe aliens kidnapped Thibs and now it's his duplicate?
Robinson should play with Towns, been saying it from day 1 of the playoffs. Funny that 3 best units for the Knicks +- wise are without Towns, while from memory, he been having really solid playoffs so far.
I love the Pacers and TJ is probably my favorite player on the East Conference, but still... Knicks are just so talented + have one of the better clutch players in the league... Hope to see Game 7 here.

As for the Thunder - T-Wolves - so hard to say. I think Gobert getting too much heat. I feel they are using him wrong and already said my thoughts on that in the overall thread on this series. Thunder should respond, but that doesn't mean a win and they laying points as well. It feels like an Under 218.5 since both teams have the defense they should rely on.
Thunder got demolished and usually teams respond well to that. On the other hand Wolves know they still trail 2 -1 and losing tonight means they headed to OKC for possible end of the season, so see no reason for them to play relaxed despite of the win.
Hoping to see 2 - 2, since I would really like both series to extend, but staying out of this one. Maybe will take the Under, we will see closer to the game time...

 

[B.A.R.]

Yeah agree on under ...

 

[2daBank]

I didn’t like the starting Robinson move, not saying he shouldn’t be on court w towns cause you need someone to make up for towns not playing d, I just felt like Robinson went so hard those 1st 8 minutes he wasn’t very effective after that.

It would be nice to see both teams actually play the d they capable of tonight.

 

[divol]

I didn’t like the starting Robinson move, not saying he shouldn’t be on court w towns cause you need someone to make up for towns not playing d, I just felt like Robinson went so hard those 1st 8 minutes he wasn’t very effective after that.

It would be nice to see both teams actually play the d they capable of tonight.

Yeah, don't know about starting, because I see your angle, but playing them both, put the pressure on Indy no doubt.

 

[divol]

Glad I went to sleep and didn't take the Under in the end last night
Tonight's game, I think Knicks who in my eyes are still the better team have a chance to tie the series, but at +2 it really hard to find true value here. We saw Thunder react after a loss and Pacers at home surely will react as well. Refs killed Knicks in Game 1&3 and still Knicks won in Game 3. It feels like if the calls will be even, Knicks should win. On top of that, hard to believe we will see again Towns and Brunson in foul trouble together.
I also like Thibs exetending his rotation to 9 man rotation and hope it will continue and with Wright and Shamet getting that rust off in Game 3, they can produce more in Game 4 I believe.
Pacers obviously have a shot, but somehow throughout the game, their offense felt off for me. Can't put my finger on it, but somehow in Indiana, usually you can set any play and switch the names all you want - they are a very deep team that all have very similar abilities in a good way on offense. They all can score three pointers, all can drive to the basket, move without the ball - here the flow wasn't there.
Bottom line, no bets before game, but Knicks have a shot to even the series I think...

 

[divol]

Messy game by both teams, but one had Tyrese, Mathurin and Siakam and the other had OG at best... Wasn't impressed with Brunson and KAT despite the numbers. I'm looking at Knicks stats of tonight's game and I feel like stats and I watched a different game
Decent percentage, stars scored their numbers and even took offensive rebounds to even the turnover ration.
Bottom line - Knicks somehow went on defensive roller coaster. Or great defense, or zero defense. No in between and 130 points by Pacers show that it's a bad strategy. Horrible shot selection, didn't get Thibs subs rotation and I think players were confused as well. Didn't get why Shamet suddenly played in the end over McBride when Hart fouled out, didn't get why Thibs chose both games to play Shamet and Wright together, despite not getting minutes so long - would have made sense to bring them separate and I can continue...

In the end, Siakam killed Knicks on both ends of the floor, Mathurin showed up out of nowhere scoring in Game 4 twice as much as he scored in games 1-3 and Tyrese with 15 assists to 0 TO shows again how poor Knicks defense was, but also amazing numbers...

 

[divol]

Thunder will look to close the series and they should. Minnesota can give them a fight, but on paper, Thunder should win it, so don't want to take Wolves ATS.
I like the Under though. Liked it in Game 4 and lucky didn't take, so thinking if maybe I'm seeing things wrong, so still debating.

Looking at Wolves and Knicks, I thought how interesting it would have been, if Randle and KAT played each other in the Finals, but good chance they both see it on TV...

 

[2daBank]

Thunder will look to close the series and they should. Minnesota can give them a fight, but on paper, Thunder should win it, so don't want to take Wolves ATS.
I like the Under though. Liked it in Game 4 and lucky didn't take, so thinking if maybe I'm seeing things wrong, so still debating.

Looking at Wolves and Knicks, I thought how interesting it would have been, if Randle and KAT played each other in the Finals, but good chance they both see it on TV...

That last okc/solves game had a lot of guys you couldn’t have possibly known were gonna have monster games. Between ant la luster night and Randle turning back into a worthless bitch under wasn’t a bad call when the top 1 scorers are held a good 30 points under their averages!!!!

 

[divol]

Was leaning Knicks and Under in tonight's game, but it felt too obvious and sometimes decision not to bet is the smart move
I struggled with lines and totals in both CF, as it felt +- on point. Hoping for soft lines in NBA Finals makes no sense, so just hope to find some value at some games
Don't see a point to do a thread for the Finals, so will just write my thoughts in the general Finals discussion thread.
Was fun playoff so far and hope we have Finals to match!

 

[B.A.R.]

Was leaning Knicks and Under in tonight's game, but it felt too obvious and sometimes decision not to bet is the smart move
I struggled with lines and totals in both CF, as it felt +- on point. Hoping for soft lines in NBA Finals makes no sense, so just hope to find some value at some games
Don't see a point to do a thread for the Finals, so will just write my thoughts in the general Finals discussion thread.
Was fun playoff so far and hope we have Finals to match!

Loved having ya thoughts on a daily basis this spring!