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BwareDWare94
Where were you when the world stopped turning?
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(1) Atlanta Hawks vs (5) Washington Wizards
Summary
A well-coached team versus a poorly coached group of immensely talented players. Anything can happen.
Key Pieces
Atlanta--Teague, Millsap, Horford, Budenholzer
Washington--Wall, Beal, Pierce, Gortat
X-Factors
Atlanta--Carroll, Schroder
Washington--Nene, Porter
Maximum Win Totals
Atlanta--4
Washington--4
Minimum Win Totals
Atlanta--1
Washington--2
Prediction
Washington comes in hot and rested, while Atlanta enters the series after a mind-bogglingly competitive series with the sub .500 Brooklyn Nets. Fortunately for Atlanta, they got hot at the end of that series, and as they hadn't been playing relevant basketball for weeks, perhaps we'll see them come out of the chute bucking. This series is as up in the air as any we've seen in several years. 4-3, Atlanta
(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (4) Chicago Bulls
Summary
For once it's LeBron whose team is facing a major injury and not the Bulls. This series will come down to two things--keeping Kyrie in check and making sure that Tristian Thompson is as ineffective as possible (in other words, box the fuck out, Chicago).
Key Pieces
Cleveland--LeBron, Kyrie, Mozgov
Chicago--Butler, Gasol, Gibson
X-Factors
Cleveland--Blatt, Thompson
Chicago--Thibs, Rose, Dunleavy
Maximum Win Totals
Cleveland--4
Chicago--4
Minimum Win Totals
Cleveland--2
Chicago--2
Prediction
The absence of Kevin Love is going to be glaringly obvious, but Tristian Thompson is simply incredible when it comes to offensive rebounding, and I don't think Noah and Gasol are tough enough to keep him out of the paint. If Chicago wants to minimize Thompson's effectiveness, I think they need to match him up with Taj Gibson, who has the tenacity, leaping ability, and nose for the ball that might be able to keep Tristian Thompson from having much of an effect on the series. Nevertheless, I expect LeBron to be LeBron, and for the Bulls to struggle to defend Kyrie Irving. I also expect Mozgov to be far too physical for Chicago's long and lanky interior. 4-3, Cleveland
Summary
A well-coached team versus a poorly coached group of immensely talented players. Anything can happen.
Key Pieces
Atlanta--Teague, Millsap, Horford, Budenholzer
Washington--Wall, Beal, Pierce, Gortat
X-Factors
Atlanta--Carroll, Schroder
Washington--Nene, Porter
Maximum Win Totals
Atlanta--4
Washington--4
Minimum Win Totals
Atlanta--1
Washington--2
Prediction
Washington comes in hot and rested, while Atlanta enters the series after a mind-bogglingly competitive series with the sub .500 Brooklyn Nets. Fortunately for Atlanta, they got hot at the end of that series, and as they hadn't been playing relevant basketball for weeks, perhaps we'll see them come out of the chute bucking. This series is as up in the air as any we've seen in several years. 4-3, Atlanta
(2) Cleveland Cavaliers vs. (4) Chicago Bulls
Summary
For once it's LeBron whose team is facing a major injury and not the Bulls. This series will come down to two things--keeping Kyrie in check and making sure that Tristian Thompson is as ineffective as possible (in other words, box the fuck out, Chicago).
Key Pieces
Cleveland--LeBron, Kyrie, Mozgov
Chicago--Butler, Gasol, Gibson
X-Factors
Cleveland--Blatt, Thompson
Chicago--Thibs, Rose, Dunleavy
Maximum Win Totals
Cleveland--4
Chicago--4
Minimum Win Totals
Cleveland--2
Chicago--2
Prediction
The absence of Kevin Love is going to be glaringly obvious, but Tristian Thompson is simply incredible when it comes to offensive rebounding, and I don't think Noah and Gasol are tough enough to keep him out of the paint. If Chicago wants to minimize Thompson's effectiveness, I think they need to match him up with Taj Gibson, who has the tenacity, leaping ability, and nose for the ball that might be able to keep Tristian Thompson from having much of an effect on the series. Nevertheless, I expect LeBron to be LeBron, and for the Bulls to struggle to defend Kyrie Irving. I also expect Mozgov to be far too physical for Chicago's long and lanky interior. 4-3, Cleveland