Second Half of the Season March-April Regular Season Discussion

[ggsimmonds]

It's hard to count out Boston. Both games they got up 20, despite blowing the leads. They missed 30 3pts this time. So, in theory if they ade a couple more 3pts each games, could easily be up 2-0. I have more faith the Boston could come back compared to Cleveland

Oh yeah I expect Boston to win this series, but the talk going into the playoffs was that if the Knicks don't make a good showing Thibs is out. Taking 2 games against Boston qualifies as a good showing imo

[l3ulvl]

Curry to miss at least a week with hamstring strain

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Getting the win without him was huge, there was a stretch when it looked like Minny had the D figured out and the comeback was on

This gives Kerr a chance to put together a more defensive strategy and see if Butler/Green can squeeze the clock on offense

but, man, it's gonna be rough without Steph

[cjonesfan921]

Knicks are up 2-0 but, even as a Knicks fan, I still give Boston the slight edge to win.

Knicks need to be up 3-1 after 4 and then just find a way to win one.

With all the talk of Boston choking, the Knicks haven't played well for 75% of this series, either. They built this team specifically for Boston, I did think we were missing one more piece but let's see how Boston responds tomorrow.

[illwill10]

Cavs up 21. Like with the Knicks up 2-0, I feel the pressure is more on the Pacers and Knicks. Letting the Cavs and Celtics back in the series wakes them back up. If Cavs don't choke, ir makes Game 4 a must win for Pacers. I feel like if Cavs tie it 2-2, then Cavs can win it in 6 games. The same could be said for the Celtics

[MrDubya]

I’m so hoping the Knicks can win Game 3.

[illwill10]

Celtics up 25 at half. This is why it's hard to count them out being up 20+ in each game so far

[MrDubya]

Good road win for the Timberwolves. Had a chance to lose it in the fourth quarter, but glad they were able to hang on to the rope.

[Fake Empire]

The difference in defensive effort between regular season and the playoffs is staggering especially this year. All the remaining teams have smelled blood and want to win it and it's one of the reasons we see this kind of games in playoffs. Most games feel like European style basketball and it's obvious a lot of these players can't play intense defence and simultaneously be very efficient offensively.
Maybe it's time for a new NBA regular season format which will make more games important? And while we are at it some better rules for travelling and carrying? It's getting ridiculous now, I've seen already 5-6 travelling violations in the DEN-OKC game, like 5-6 steps. It's very annoying especially for some of us who are quite old and grew up playing with the fundamental basics and rules of basketball.

[ggsimmonds]

Maybe its just me but increased intensity on defense in the playoffs is something I'd use against shortening the season. I want "playoff basketball" to feel different.

[illwill10]

Pacers aren't playing wih Cavs. Up 40 at half on their way to up 3-1. Pacers will be 41-15 since the start of 2025

[dubcity]

This game was over 2 minutes into the 2nd quarter. Another case of one team making all their 3s and the other making none of them. Modern NBA isht.

[jeebs9]

That was a terrible showing last night. From bad for Mitchell

[MrDubya]

That was a terrible showing last night. From bad for Mitchell

Yeah, I agree. It sucks, because the one team I still had hope for is all but finished probably. Cavs had a great regular season at least. As a Detroiter, I hate seeing the Pacers moving on to the conference finals, but oh well. Maybe the Knicks can stop Boston, then they can get that rematch from last year vs Indiana.

[Fake Empire]

Maybe its just me but increased intensity on defense in the playoffs is something I'd use against shortening the season. I want "playoff basketball" to feel different.

I get your point. It's not easy to find the perfect balance. I think the play-ins implementation was a step forward to make regular season matter more. Shortening the season to 56 games for example will bring more intensity in many games but as you said the playoffs will maybe feel similar. There are other ways like a points system for division clashes or conference ones (2x points for a win there).

[jeebs9]

Did Tatum just tear his Achilles?