In the playoffs, coaches shorten rotations and starters play a far bigger chunk of the games. How do we account for that? johnhollinger's new rating system helps guide his predictions for every series – and suggests a Celtics-Nuggets NBA Finals.
It’s a close call, but I like Denver’s starting five more than Phoenix’s, even with Durant, and I worry a bit more about the Suns’ vets making it through a seven-game series. Add in a mile-high home court for the rubber match and I’ll take Denver.This isn’t your typical 2 vs. 6. The Warriors at full strength are a different team from the one that took the court for most of the season and scratched out 45 wins on the strength of an 8-2 finish against zombies.
But this year isn’t last year, and even in their good moments the Warriors have never looked like the juggernaut from a year ago. Here’s the thing I can’t escape: Memphis played Golden State twice after Adams and Clarke went down. The Warriors had their main guys, other than Wiggins, in both games, and Memphis beat the tar out of them anyway, 131-110 and 133-119. Ja Morant didn’t play a second in either game.
Between that and betting on Golden State to win at least one road game, I’m considerably less confident in the Warriors here than some others seem to be. Memphis has its own issues, especially in terms of half-court offense and general shooting, and I expect the frenetic pace of this series to somewhat disguise how much trouble everyone is having scoring.
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