Game 57 - Cleveland Cavaliers 97 - Toronto Raptors 99

[rightsideup]

This game is massive for first seed. If we win it's a race to the finish. If we lose they've basically sewn it up and we're resigned to a 2nd place finish. It really does come to that

Yes a win in a head to head game with the amount of remaining games left is important if first place is to be achieved unless lebron gets hurt or some major unforeseen events for Cleveland.

[Nilanka]

This game is massive for first seed. If we win it's a race to the finish. If we lose they've basically sewn it up and we're resigned to a 2nd place finish. It really does come to that

Yes a win in a head to head game with the amount of remaining games left is important if first place is to be achieved unless lebron gets hurt or some major unforeseen events for Cleveland.

There's a part of me that thinks this team is better off without the pressure of being the 1st seed.

[007]

There's a part of me that thinks this team is better off without the pressure of being the 1st seed.

Yeah but you can't deny it'd be great to take it from LeBron

[Nilanka]

Yeah but you can't deny it'd be great to take it from LeBron

It would be fun for about 5 seconds, and the Lebron reminds us what REALLY matters

[KeonClark]

There's a part of me that thinks this team is better off without the pressure of being the 1st seed.

Sigh...the amount of trepidation on this board. If we would rather not achieve good things because of the "pressure" on the players, might as well just fold up now

[Nilanka]

Sigh...the amount of trepidation on this board. If we would rather not achieve good things because of the "pressure" on the players, might as well just fold up now

Except you don't get bonus points for finishing 1st.

Considering how fragile this team is (based on recent playoff performances), I'll take any advantage to help get over that hump.

[KeonClark]

Except you don't get bonus points for finishing 1st.

Considering how fragile this team is (based on recent playoff performances), I'll take any advantage to help get over that hump.

Lol yes you do. You get home court advantage in a potential 7th game. That's why teams want it. That's why you play the regular season

In b4 "yeah that really helped us the last couple years"

[Nilanka]

Lol yes you do. You get home court advantage in a potential 7th game. That's why teams want it. That's why you play the regular season

In b4 "yeah that really helped us the last couple years"

You get the same home court advantage as the 2nd seed

[consmap]

I'm worried about Kyrie going off this game mostly. Need to find a way to shut down those perimeter players!

[DanH]

You get the same home court advantage as the 2nd seed

Theoretically, the 8th place team is worse than the 7th place team, as is the winner of the 4/5 matchup compared to the winner of the 3/6 matchup. And in an ECF, you would get home court if you were 1 seed.

[KeonClark]

You get the same home court advantage as the 2nd seed

You don't get home court advantage throughout the east. You say it's bad for their fragile psyche. I say it's worse for their psyche to send out a vibe that we'd rather let cleveland have it, to avoid pressure. Pressure makes diamonds. I know that's a corny metaphor but pressure is something that needs to be overcome to reach success, in all walks of life

[Nilanka]

Theoretically, the 8th place team is worse than the 7th place team, as is the winner of the 4/5 matchup compared to the winner of the 3/6 matchup. And in an ECF, you would get home court if you were 1 seed.

Yeah, I'm aware of the ECF implications. But I might be convinced to give up home court in the ECF if it means there's less of a psychological hurdle to get out of the 1st round.

In general, I trust this team more as the hunters, than the hunted.

[Demographic Shift]

Odd that ESPN has the feature East game being the creaking Bulls vs the non descript Hawks in the battle for 6th instead of the #1 vs the #2 scrap in the Tdot.

Lots to look forward to.
Battle of the Tasmanian Devils on the glass as Biz takes on TT.
Will JV outshine Mozgov before both teams go small ball.
Will DD , Kyle and CoJo handle Irving, Smith and Delavadova.
How many clear as day offensive push off calls will Lebron have go his way.

Statement game if we win it...and I think we do with Ross and Ppat shooting 40% Or better from 3. We are able to guard Love at the perimeter and we take a page from the dearly loved Smitch and bang the Princess Kyrie each time he comes into the interior. He is good but he hates the tough going. Lebron gets his as always but so do DD and Kyle .

Raps W...

[KeonClark]

Yeah, I'm aware of the ECF implications. But I might be convinced to give up home court in the ECF if it means there's less of a psychological hurdle to get out of the 1st round.

In general, I trust this team more as the hunters, than the hunted.

Well either way we won't be the hunted. 2 vs 7 or 1 vs 8 there's gonna be big pressure to win either way. Would rather have goals and motivation right to the final game

[tonious35]

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap...ign-JJ-Hickson

Reminded me when he was in Cleveland and Shaq said he was the next Cedric Ceballos. Are the Wizards sure they want to sign him? Last two years he only helped Denver tank even more