Play-In Game 1 Preview and Predictions

[cb4raptorscb4]

CSL Play-In Game 1 Preview



The regular season has concluded and it's time to proceed to the CSL Play-In Round. The last sim of the regular season saw some changes to the brackets, including the New Orleans Pelicans grabbing the 10 seed in the West over the Golden State Warriors. In the East, the Cleveland Cavaliers ended up edging out the Toronto Raptors who finished the season on a 3 game losing streak. Now, lets take a look at tonight's games to see what might happen.

Eastern Conference 7 (Boston Celtics 43-39) vs 8 (Milwaukee Bucks 42-40)
Season Series: 3-0 Milwaukee
Preview: Everything seems to be lining up for the Milwaukee Bucks in this matchup, with the exception of homecourt which always tilts the scales. That being said, the Bucks won the season series 3-0 including two wins in Boston. The Bucks are fully healthy right now and finished the season going 6-4 in their last 10 games. This includes a 97-84 win over the Celtics that saw Grant Williams score 37 points. For the Celtics, they enter the playoffs without their second leading scorer in Skal Labisserie who broke his foot just a few days ago against the Atlanta Hawks. With the injury, the Celtics will probably move Hlinason over the center to match up with Gafford. With the 4 opened up, 6'6 forward Devin Davis will probably start at PF to match up with Grant Williams. We expect this to be a hard fought low scoring game as these two grinding teams battle each other.
Prediction: Milwaukee Wins

Eastern Conference 9 (Detroit Pistons 38-44) vs 10 (Cleveland Cavaliers 36-46)
Season Series: 3-1 Detroit
Preview: The Detroit Pistons enter the play-in as a much better team than their record suggests. The Pistons finished the season on a 28-13 run, propelled by the acquisition of Jordan McLaughin. In their last matchup against the Cavs, JMac scored 31 points leading the Pistons to a 108-101 victory. However, the Pistons will be shorthanded as Xavier Tillman just isn't quite healthy enough to return to the lineup from most recent reports. Young phenom Noah Clowney will likely replace Tillman in the lineup, but he shot just 2-16 in his last 2 starts in the regular season. Cleveland meanwhile is fully healthy and will be led by Michael Porter Jr. MPJ had a slightly down season per his standards, but he is an absolute beast in the playoffs averaging 37.7 ppg in 89 games. Tough to bet against MPJ, but he just doesn't have enough help.
Prediction: Detroit Wins

Western Conference 7 (San Antonio 41-41) vs 8 (Denver 41-41)
Season Series: 2-2 Tie
Preview: Hey, two teams that a fully healthy with identical records and split the season series. This is one a toss-up, but the Nuggets enter going 3-7 in the past 10 games. These two teams play fairly different styles of basketball. The Nuggets are a low scoring, defensive team while the Spurs score about 11 ppg more. San Antonio made some big trades this season including bringing over Tremont Waters who will have the task of slowing down Frank Ntiklina. Another story line in this game is that we will see two Antetokounmpo brothers go head-to-head (Alex vs Kostas). The Nuggets haven't been managed properly this season and we think that will hurt them in this game.
Prediction:San Antonio Wins

Western Conference 9 (Utah Jazz 38-44) vs 10 (New Orleans Pelicans 35-47)
Season Series: 3-1 New Orleans
Preview: Somehow the Pelicans sneaked into the play-in, despite being talked poorly about by their own GM Jestor. The Rockets meanwhile are praying to the CSL Gods that the Jazz can knock them out in this game. The Pels are coming in hot, while the Jazz cooled off a bit to finish the season. Utah is led by Okouo who had a heck of a season and he'll be countered by the young star Wemby up front. One big loss for the Pels is that Principal Singh, who has been absolutely balling for New Orleans, got injured 3 minutes into the last game of the season against the Rockets. Thankfully the Pelicans do have veteran Zach Collins who should be able to step up in his absence. That being said, it seems like the Jazz have an advantage in talent, plus homecourt advantage.
Prediction: Utah Wins

That's all for tonight! Who do you have advancing?

[KW]

wouldn't shock me to see any result in these 4 matchups, but i voted for the opposite 4 as you did lol

[andrei]

I went with Milwaukee (injuries), Cleveland (also injuries), San Antonio (unmanaged Denver) and Utah (home court)

[TheTwoWallaces]

Tillman being out for literally 1 day is very annoying. Hopefully we can clamp down Porter just enough to win a low-scoring home-court game.

[Flaming Homer]

Nice recap and I 100% agree with Ryan here.
Milwaukee is the better team, managed and the loss of Skal for Boston seems just too much.

The other 3 series I see home court win.

[drumr]

We were above .500 before Langford missed 20 games and slightly above when he returned despite deciding to see what we had/develop Onu and Braun. Honestly though if we don't play well can't say I'll be mad at a high pick to add to my core before it ages so win/win to me

[blackice]

Man, we had the tie breaker vs CLE but that last loss did us in. Tough break.

Anyway, this is great stuff. I think BOS, even without Dennis at the helm and their injuries upfront is still a dangerous team. I expect MIL to win the series but it won't be easy. I have DET over CLE pretty comfortably though with Porter in the playoffs that could make it difficult. I like DET a lot, and they've made some nice key acquisitions like McLaughin and Tillman. SAS vs DEN could go either way, and I have UTA over NOP. Weatherspoon and Coffey need to make life hard for Simons and Maxey.

[Andrewu91]

I went Boston(let's not forget they have Fox and Bridges and just got a admin adjusted DC), Detroit (been hot lately), Denver(no reason, tough call) and Pelicans(streaking up)

[bt]

I've got Milwaukee at home with Boston missing Skal plus GM vs no GM should see them get it done.

The Tillman injury is such bad timing and knowing the other guy a good amount, I expect Porter to lift and the Cavs take this one. That Tillman injury sucks.

Real toss up with Denver and San Antonio. I'll go the Spurs as they have a GM.

Another real toss up but I'll go the Pelicans. I just like their backcourt better and think Wemby can limit Okouo some.

[Andrewu91]

I've got Milwaukee at home with Boston missing Skal plus GM vs no GM should see them get it done.

The Tillman injury is such bad timing and knowing the other guy a good amount, I expect Porter to lift and the Cavs take this one. That Tillman injury sucks.

Real toss up with Denver and San Antonio. I'll go the Spurs as they have a GM.

Another real toss up but I'll go the Pelicans. I just like their backcourt better and think Wemby can limit Okouo some.

2-2

Not bad

[Stockton12]

I've got Milwaukee at home with Boston missing Skal plus GM vs no GM should see them get it done.

The Tillman injury is such bad timing and knowing the other guy a good amount, I expect Porter to lift and the Cavs take this one. That Tillman injury sucks.

Real toss up with Denver and San Antonio. I'll go the Spurs as they have a GM.

Another real toss up but I'll go the Pelicans. I just like their backcourt better and think Wemby can limit Okouo some.

Wemby can’t stop okouo


i love this writeup thou good job

[mgtr81]

Sorry to disappoint you as our roller coaster season continues.

[cb4raptorscb4]

Looks like I know the West better lol