2023 NBA Playoffs (Conference Finals)?

[MAGAking1]

Here’s a look at some of the most intriguing series props for this Eastern Conference Finals matchup.

Celtics vs. Heat series props​

Series Exact Score: Celtics win 4-2 (+360)​

This is great value for a series number that is common. I think the Heat could win two home games and make things a little interesting, but the Celtics pull away in the final two games. The Heat are 6-1 at home this postseason, including the play-in games. They also didn't lose a game to the Milwaukee Bucks or New York Knicks at home, so I don't expect the Celtics to come in and handle them until Game 6.

Celtics -1.5 Games (-195)​

This play is juiced, but like I stated above I think the Celtics win this series by two games. As much as I think the Heat are competitive in this series, there is a slight chance the Celtics come in and smoke them. The Game 7 victory seemed like one that could turn their postseason around for the better. The confidence is high and Tatum got a much-needed confidence boost. I think the Celtics should cover this number.

Series Length Over 5.5 Games (-120)​

The majority of these props are banking on the Celtics to win this series in seven games. This is my most confidence series prop, as the Heat have just played so well at home. They will get two home games no matter what and if they can win both, they will likely have another one depending on how the games in Boston go. Nevertheless, this isn’t expected to be a series that ends in five games.

 

[Greenbacks]

I’m gonna drop some analysis on both series soon when I have a little more time

Great.
Pop in every once in a while.
Thank you

 

[Greenbacks]

 

[Avocado33]

Great.
Pop in every once in a while.
Thank you

I’ll try to give better input than the conspiracy theorist

 

[Willie99]

Greenbacks is a great poster, personally think he's right about you.
Again how is it you weaseled your way into a paid position here? as you have no concept of what is relevant reading for sporting fans.
Besides the original 2 million spent on this joint you might be the second biggest waste of money even at the poultry sum you receive for posting badly.

He's getting paid to post here? That's fucked up

 

[Willie99]

Give us the LeBron scoop.
I know you have something.
Lol

Guacamole's man crush

 

[MAGAking1]

He's getting paid to post here? That's fucked up

Judging from your YELP reviews it seems like the real travesty is people paying you to do their taxes.....lol

 

[Greenbacks]

Guacamole's man crush

Avocado been spot with the a all Lakers thus far.

 

[skoda]

Lakers beat the Nuggets I think

My original thought was if Philly won and there was a Embid/Jovic matchup.... Philly would win to put stamp on his MVP now Lakers could show NBA Jovic didn't deserve MVP. Jovic is by far the best player in 2023 IMO so unless the officials eliminate (Jovic does have high blood pressure) Denver is champ

No I do not get paid to post my thoughts

 

[Greenbacks]

My original thought was if Philly won and there was a Embid/Jovic matchup.... Philly would win to put stamp on his MVP now Lakers could show NBA Jovic didn't deserve MVP. Jovic is by far the best player in 2023 IMO so unless the officials eliminate (Jovic does have high blood pressure) Denver is champ

No I do not get paid to post my thoughts

We love your insight Skoda
Don't be a stranger
Thank you

 

[Greenbacks]

Eastern Conference finals (Game 1: Boston Celtics @ Miami Heat. Tuesday, 8.30pm EST)​

What the Miami Heat need to do: Win the battle of the three-pointers. When the Celtics stumbled during their seven-game series against the Bucks, it was primarily because their shooters were struggling to hit from beyond the arc. The Miami defense is capable of clamping down around the rim, meaning Boston’s shooters will need to stay hot. After all, bad shooting begets bad shooting, and this is a young Boston team who have shown they can get rattled.

What the Boston Celtics need to do: Take a page from Kendrick Lamar: Stay humble. As we saw in Game 5 against the Bucks – when Boston blew a double-digit fourth-quarter lead and an opportunity to put the series on ice early – the Celtics have had a season-long issue with snatching defeat from the jaws of victory by settling on lazy shots and concentrating on the clock, rather than their opponents, late in games. How much Boston have learned from that second round could determine whether they beat the Heat.

Key player: Bam Adebayo, center, Miami Heat. After his star-making turn in the conference semifinals, it would be tempting to give this to Boston’s Jayson Tatum. But we’ll take this opportunity to praise the key cog of Miami’s punishing defense. When Adebayo was left off the list of finalists for Defensive Player of the Year, an award that eventually went to Boston point guard Marcus Smart, he replied, “I can do anything those other guys can do.” Here’s the ideal chance for the big man to prove it against a Celtics offense that ruthlessly adapts to its opponents’ schemes.

Prediction: Celtics-Bucks felt like it showcased the two best teams in the Eastern Conference and that the winner would go on to make the NBA finals. The Celtics not only won the series, they arguably outplayed Milwaukee in two of their three losses. In the post-New Big Three Era, the Celtics have made a habit of reaching the conference finals only to fall short of the promised land – twice at the hands of the Heat. That streak ends here if they keep their composure. Boston in 6.

 

[Greenbacks]

Western Conference finals: Los Angeles Lakers v Denver Nuggets​

What the Lakers need to do: Defend. When these teams met in the conference finals in the bubble in 2020, the Lakers won the series in just five games, holding Denver to 109.2 points per contest. They may have to do even better this time as the Nuggets boast perhaps the best player on Earth, Nikola Jokić, winner of two of the past three NBA MVP awards. Thankfully for LA, they have maybe the greatest defender on Earth in Anthony Davis. In the 2020 championship run, Davis’ long arms altered countless shots and he’ll have to do the same here.
The problem for the Lakers is that Jokić is even better than he was three years ago, capable of scoring from anywhere and dishing dazzling assists. Against the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference semi-finals, the Lakers held the Warriors and Stephen Curry to under 100 points in Game 3, and an average of 109.8 points per game in the six total contests. They’ll have to keep that pressure up against Denver.
When the Lakers emerged victorious against Golden State, a relieved James said he and his team have a “lot of respect” for the Nuggets. And both teams will have a handful of days off between winning their semi-finals series and Game 1 in Denver on Tuesday. Rest will be important for the Lakers, especially if they want to keep their streak alive of winning Game 1 on the road and snatching home-court advantage from their higher-seeded foes, just as they did in the opening round against Memphis and later against the Warriors.

Key player for the Lakers: LeBron is still the King, but the Lakers’ best player is clearly now Davis, with his condor-like wingspan and ability to affect the game at both ends of the court. He can check guards and block shots at the rim on defense and attack the paint with the ball. But the series will probably come down to “the others,” as Shaquille O’Neal often calls a squad’s role players. Undrafted wing Austin Reaves has been the team’s third-best player over the past several months and guards Dennis Schröder and D’Angelo Russell have provided important scoring pop. Everyone will need to be on their A-game if they’re to survive Jokić.

What the Nuggets need to do: Stay calm. Sure, they’re a (relatively) small-town team. And sure LA is glitzy, with stars like Jack Nicholson and Michael B Jordan in the crowd. But the rims are still 10ft tall, and the court is still 94ft by 50ft. While Denver are a so-so defensive team, their star player can do it all on offense – and he’ll have to. When the Warriors had success against the Lakers, it came from drawing Davis away from the basket. Jokić can do so in spades, orchestrating from the top of the three-point arc. Combine his talents with the skilled supporting cast of point guard Jamal Murray, forward Aaron Gordon, shooter Michael Porter Jr and Swiss army knife Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and the Nuggets have more than enough to make it to the NBA finals for the first time in franchise history.

Key player for the Nuggets: The Nuggets’ starting five are excellent. They have size, scoring, experience, continuity and talent to boot. So, let’s look at the team’s reserves – specifically, the three players likely to come off the bench in any close game: versatile forward Jeff Green, slashing guard Bruce Brown Jr and promising rookie Christian Braun. Yes, Jokić is always No 1 when it comes to Denver. But without great bench play while the starters rest, Denver will be heading home sooner than they hoped.

Prediction: Given that the Lakers revamped their franchise to such a massive degree this year, it’s hard to glean any insight from the teams’ head-to-head battles during the regular season. But with two hungry rosters and two former MVPs, this should be a close one. The edge, however, has to go to James, who’s just been here too many times before. Lakers in 6.

 

[Greenbacks]

• Lakers are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
• Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games overall.
• Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
• Lakers are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
• Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
• Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.
• Lakers are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 road games.

• Nuggets are 4-0 ATS in their last 4 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
• Nuggets are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 home games vs. a team with a losing road record.
• Nuggets are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
• Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
• Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
• Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
• Nuggets are 4-1 ATS in their last 5 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
• Nuggets are 6-2 ATS in their last 8 games following a straight up win.
• Nuggets are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
• Nuggets are 23-9 ATS in their last 32 home games.
• Nuggets are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games following a ATS win.

• Over is 8-1-1 in Lakers last 10 Tuesday games.
• Over is 9-2 in Lakers last 11 road games.
• Over is 4-1 in Lakers last 5 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
• Over is 4-1 in Lakers last 5 Conference Finals games.
• Over is 4-1 in Lakers last 5 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
• Under is 4-1 in Lakers last 5 games vs. a team with a winning % above .600.
• Over is 11-3 in Lakers last 14 games following a straight up win.
• Over is 14-4 in Lakers last 18 after scoring 100 points or more in their previous game.
• Over is 13-4 in Lakers last 17 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
• Over is 9-3 in Lakers last 12 games following a ATS win.
• Over is 13-5 in Lakers last 18 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
• Over is 5-2 in Lakers last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
• Over is 5-2-1 in Lakers last 8 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
• Over is 14-6 in Lakers last 20 overall.
• Over is 35-15-1 in Lakers last 51 road games vs. a team with a winning home record.

• Under is 6-1 in Nuggets last 7 games following a straight up win of more than 10 points.
• Over is 5-1 in Nuggets last 6 Conference Finals games.
• Over is 5-1 in Nuggets last 6 games playing on 3 or more days rest.
• Over is 8-3 in Nuggets last 11 vs. a team with a winning straight up record.
• Under is 8-3 in Nuggets last 11 home games.
• Under is 10-4-1 in Nuggets last 15 games following a straight up win.
• Over is 5-2 in Nuggets last 7 Tuesday games.
• Under is 12-5-1 in Nuggets last 18 when their opponent scores 100 points or more in their previous game.
• Under is 14-6-1 in Nuggets last 21 after allowing 100 points or more in their previous game.
• Under is 14-6-1 in Nuggets last 21 when their opponent allows 100 points or more in their previous game.
• Under is 9-4-1 in Nuggets last 14 games following a ATS win.

Head to Head Trends

• Lakers are 1-5-1 ATS in the last 7 meetings in Denver.
• Over is 29-13-2 in the last 44 meetings.
• Over is 6-2 in the last 8 meetings in Denver.

 

[Avocado33]

Lakers in 6 (maybe 7) for me

I respect the Nuggets. They've had a good year. Jokic is obviously great and they bring some size that could give the Lakers perimeter players some problems. Their home court is also tremendous, and a sizeable advantage for them

But the major problem for Denver is their lack of rim protection, and struggles when drivers get past that front line. If LeBron and AD have any room to operate within 15 feet, the Nuggets are going to be in major trouble.

AD also seems locked in and non-fragile (for once), and he is the rare type of defender that can (and has in the past) bother Jokic a bit. No one can fully stop Jokic, but AD is the rare player that can at least make things much tougher for him

I like the Lakers to steal one of the first two then defend home court.

 

[Avocado33]

Guacamole's man crush

No argument there

 

[Avocado33]

He's getting paid to post here? That's fucked up

Can't be much. Enough to fuel the trailer maybe

 

[skoda]

My original thought was if Philly won and there was a Embid/Jovic matchup.... Philly would win to put stamp on his MVP now Lakers could show NBA Jovic didn't deserve MVP. Jovic is by far the best player in 2023 IMO so unless the officials eliminate (Jovic does have high blood pressure) Denver is champ

No I do not get paid to post my thoughts

Darvin Ham knows there is only one way to stop Nikola Jokic: By kidnapping him!

We know that won't happen but the officials can make it happen...


Darvin Ham was asked for his thoughts on the Lakers vs. Nuggets Western Conference Finals and how his team can stop Nikola Jokic, and he gave a pretty honest answer about what their best option might be.

 

[Greenbacks]

Nikola Jokic says Nuggets will be playing 'new team' in Lakers.​

DENVER -- Sporting a new haircut Monday, Nikola Jokic will enter the Western Conference finals with a fresh mentality.
Even though this will be the Denver Nuggets' second conference finals against the Los Angeles Lakers since 2020, Jokic says this will be a new experience against a new team. Which is a good thing, because when asked what he learned from the Nuggets' five-game loss to LeBron James and the Lakers in the bubble, Jokic said, "To be honest, nothing. I don't remember it."
Jokic certainly won't recognize these Lakers. Since these teams last faced each other Jan. 9, the Lakers have moved on from Russell Westbrook, Patrick Beverley, Kendrick Nunn, Juan Toscano-Anderson and Thomas Bryant and have added Rui Hachimura, D'Angelo Russell, Jarred Vanderbilt, Malik Beasley, Mo Bamba and Tristan Thompson.
Of the title team in 2020, only James and Anthony Davis remain.
"We didn't play with this kind of Lakers [team]," Jokic said. "So this is going to be basically a new team for us. Probably everything is new, everything is different.
"They're playing amazing in these playoffs. Since [the trade] deadline, they're playing really well."
Jokic also spoke glowingly of Davis, his big man counterpart. This will be Jokic's biggest test this postseason after facing Minnesota's Karl-Anthony Towns and Rudy Gobert in the first round and Phoenix's Deandre Ayton in the second.
"AD is a guard in a 7-foot-2 body," Nuggets forward Aaron Gordon said. "He is able to handle the ball really well, able to draw fouls, so you have to be conscientious with your hands. He can shoot that middy, fadeaway over both shoulders, just his skill package while being that big."
Of course, the Lakers will have to contend with Jokic, who has added two MVP trophies since they last saw him in the Western Conference finals.
Jokic enters this matchup fresh off dropping three triple-doubles in his last four games against the Suns. He averaged 34.5 points, 13.2 rebounds and 10.3 assists while shooting 59.4% from the field against Phoenix.
Denver coach Michael Malone says Jokic always has been this great on the court but, in the years since the bubble, has matured.
"Nikola has just to me been a definition of greatness for a while now," Malone said. "The consistency in which he plays at, the level he plays at is just you marvel at sometimes. [But] he's changed. He's married, he's a father, he's matured.
I'm sure the game has continued to slow down for him. But he was great in the bubble. Jamal [Murray] was great in the bubble and Nikola is still doing things that very few guys in NBA history have done. The series he just came out of against Phoenix averaging a triple-double was just incredible."
Jokic hopes that the Lakers will see a different Nuggets squad in this Western Conference finals rematch, too. While he still has Murray and Michael Porter Jr., Jokic's new-look team now boasts veterans like Gordon, former Laker Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Bruce Brown and Jeff Green.
"We are more experienced," Jokic said of this current squad. "We have been there before. We are maybe a little bit more, not focused, [but playing in] different environments [than the bubble]. So I think we are just experienced, playing a little bit more together."

 

[Greenbacks]

The Lakers and Nuggets have met in the Postseason before.
And AD did this in Game 2 of the 2020 Western Conference Finals.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1658517668419489792

 

[Greenbacks]