Playoffs: Clippers @ Suns Sunday game thread 4-16-2023 - Game 1

[Mainstreet]

It looks like the Suns playoff roster is set because any changes would have had to be made by 3 PM ET today.

I will take this as a good sign about TJ Warren's health. He has been on the NBA injured list due to illness (non-covid).

 

[DJ Tabooh]

I think the Grizz, even with their injuries, run that Lakers team off the floor.

I have no idea what to expect in the battle by the Bay. Should be fun games to watch at least!

Warriors in 6. Sacramento beating the defending champs without any playoff experience….hard to believe. I do hope it’s a good series though.

If both teams are playing at their best, Golden State is a better team. Lakers/Grizz might go 7. JJJ has to stay out of foul trouble with the lack of depth on their frontline. I’m curious how Ja plays. Grizz are still the 4th youngest team in the NBA.

 

[Dr. Jones]

1 - I think the Grizz, even with their injuries, run that Lakers team off the floor.

2 - I have no idea what to expect in the battle by the Bay. Should be fun games to watch at least!

1 - Agreed
2 - My guess: Warriors in 5 or 6.

 

[Phrazbit]

ESPN's predictive model gives the Clippers an 82% chance to win the series. Not sure if it is based on team stats for the whole year or what.

538 has the series pretty even with one model, the Clips slightly favored, and the Suns as a heavy favorite in the other.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I have no problem believing the Suns will eliminate the Clinkers. Can anyone tell me I'm wrong?

The only real question of the west playoffs is who would win the Kings-Warriors series. I have no idea whether the allegedlly great Kings offense I have heard about (which the Suns could usually handle) would trump the Warriors' experience. Note that the Kings are on a 3-game losing streak while the Warriors have a 3-game winning streak. Since this Kings team is basically unknown in the playoffs, it piques my curiosity.

The other series in the west are probably not in much doubt. Except that I still think the Lakers will win the play-in and then, with the referees' help, upset the Grizzlies. I hope I'm wrong but I don't think so.

The kings warriors series should be a fun watch.

 

[Superbone]

ESPN's predictive model gives the Clippers an 82% chance to win the series. Not sure if it is based on team stats for the whole year or what.

What?!

 

[Chaplin]

ESPN model HAS to be under an assumption that a) CP3 will become a shell of himself and b) one of KD or Book will get injured. That is the only explanation for that number.

 

[95pro]

ESPN's predictive model gives the Clippers an 82% chance to win the series. Not sure if it is based on team stats for the whole year or what.

538 has the series pretty even with one model, the Clips slightly favored, and the Suns as a heavy favorite in the other.

First it’s ESPN. And then last, it’s ESPN.

 

[ajcardfan]

I am not comfortable with this series. I would've preferred the Warriors because you get the defending champs right out of the gate. If you are worthy of doing anything you beat em. If you don't it was the defending champs.

The Clippers? I hate that we are the favorites. Too many bad series like that since 1976. The talent difference isn't that great and the Clippers have nothing to lose really. We went all in on Durant and will be the team under more pressure.

 

[Raindog]

ESPN's predictive model gives the Clippers an 82% chance to win the series. Not sure if it is based on team stats for the whole year or what.

538 has the series pretty even with one model, the Clips slightly favored, and the Suns as a heavy favorite in the other.

Take anything ESPN predicts with a grain of salt. They're also predicting a Lebron-Luka finals, with Tom Brady hitting the winning shot on an assist from Tiger Woods.

 

[AZ Native]

ESPN's predictive model gives the Clippers an 82% chance to win the series.

I wish the betting lines supported this.

 

[Zobaczcie suki]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

 

[95pro]

I wish the betting lines supported this.

Vegas knows best

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

I am not comfortable with this series. I would've preferred the Warriors because you get the defending champs right out of the gate. If you are worthy of doing anything you beat em. If you don't it was the defending champs.

The Clippers? I hate that we are the favorites. Too many bad series like that since 1976. The talent difference isn't that great and the Clippers have nothing to lose really. We went all in on Durant and will be the team under more pressure.

We’ve only played 8 games with Durant I’d rather we get another two series before having to play the champs to gel.

 

[DJ Tabooh]

First it’s ESPN. And then last, it’s ESPN.

Exactly. They had Boston as the favorites to beat Golden State and we saw how that worked out. Don’t use ESPN lines for anything.

 

[TJ]

Need this schedule to come out so I can buy tickets. Clipper tickets are pretty affordable.

 

[BirdGangThing]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

Always trips me out when I see Tom Green doing sports

 

[Covert Rain]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

Man...that was like chalkboard scratching to watch.

 

[Dr. Jones]

There is a strong case for this idea. Someone has to get rid of the Warriors. It's probably going to be either the Suns or the Grizzlies.

Agreed. I think the Kings and Grizz could beat them. But the Grizz might have the best shot next to us.

 

[Ouchie-Z-Clown]

Need this schedule to come out so I can buy tickets. Clipper tickets are pretty affordable.

Hadn’t even thought of that . . . CHEESE?

 

[TJ]

Hadn’t even thought of that . . . CHEESE?

Just bought some from Seat Geek under the basket near the visitor's bench. Game 3. Theyre refundable if the day doesnt work

 

[TJ]

xc_hide_links_from_guests_guests_error_hide_media

I hate Nick Wright.

 

[mjb21aztd]

Let the rollercoaster on az sports fan stress begin!! Lol got plenty of 420 happy vibe flower rdy lol

Want to see big performances in series by kd da book cp3 and warren and bench do well

Wishing all cards suns fans a good week!!

 

[JosiahLee]

I have no problem believing the Suns will eliminate the Clinkers. Can anyone tell me I'm wrong?

The only real question of the west playoffs is who would win the Kings-Warriors series. I have no idea whether the allegedlly great Kings offense I have heard about (which the Suns could usually handle) would trump the Warriors' experience. Note that the Kings are on a 3-game losing streak while the Warriors have a 3-game winning streak. Since this Kings team is basically unknown in the playoffs, it piques my curiosity.

The other series in the west are probably not in much doubt. Except that I still think the Lakers will win the play-in and then, with the referees' help, upset the Grizzlies. I hope I'm wrong but I don't think so.

I think the Warriors are very happy to be facing the Kings instead of the Suns. I can't imagine any scenario where the Kings win that series.

 

[ajcardfan]

I think the Warriors are very happy to be facing the Kings instead of the Suns. I can't imagine any scenario where the Kings win that series.

Agreed. If it had gone Suns-Warriors in Rd 1then the playoff series winner against Denver in Rd 2 would have been the Western Conference championship. (Most likely).