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The NBA Playoffs
The NBA Playoffs are three rounds of competitions between sixteen teams divided into the East Conference and the West Conference; the winners go to the NBA Finals
This competition mode started back in 1947 as a three game eliminatory process. The best two teams, winning two of three games will be able to go to the final that is played in 7 games. Generally the Playoffs start at the end of April with eight teams in each conference. The first three places in every conference are determined for the top ones on each division following the balance between win and lose.
This rule (Win-Lose) has created lots of controversy because it lets teams with a bad record, get in the playoffs easily. For example, if the two best records of the conference are in the same division, the second place regarding the record ends in the fourth place in the positions table. In fact, in case of reaching the first round it’s almost sure that team will be playing against the first place, while the second and third place will have better options to keep going even though they don’t have good records.
Following the logic of the playoffs, the five teams left are determined based in the record of victories among the non-winning teams of the conference. Nevertheless, being the champion of the division, does not guarantee to have an advantage at the Playoffs, eliminatory. Another detail to keep an eye on is that the advantage is given by the balance of the win-lose count during the regular season, without respecting the winners of each division.
This is one of the most criticized rule ever in this sport. Having a high record offers many advantages. The first rank will play always against the eighth one, the second will play against the seventh, the third against the sixth and the fourth against the fifth. So, having a good balance in this count means that the team will play against a team that is weaker. In fact, the one with the best balance will have the best advantage in the first playoff series, including the first round.
This is one of the most criticized rules ever in this sport. Having a high record offers many advantages. The first rank will play always against the eighth one; the second will play against the seventh, the third against the sixth and the fourth against the fifth. The team having a good record balance means it will play against a weaker team. In fact, the one with the best balance will have the best advantage in the first playoff series, including the first round which will give them a great chance to move to the NBA finals.
Having a good balance in the win-lose count for a team that is ranked sixth, means that it has better opportunities to win against the third despite the ranking of the other team. Having a good place in the ranking does not mean that you are the winner if you don’t have a good record.
Right now is a perfect time to think about the options regarding the winner. Orlando Magic is going to start the series against the Cleveland Cavaliers while the Denver Nuggets is starting the series against Los Angeles Lakers. The options are narrowed now and are not that difficult to make an accurate prediction.
In regards to the teams, I think that the Los Angeles Lakers should win as a visitor at least two games away in order to have a really good advantage in the series and have a perfect chance to win the conference. It’s not a secret that they play terrible on the road, but they play really good in house, so, they have assured the games at home, an uncertain future in the away games.
Cleveland should put a bit more effort in the games. There were just three games during the regular season for these two teams. That makes the predictions really tough, but, we saw that the differences in the scores were small and that makes the series more interesting because I believe that the series will go to 7 games, leaving the excitement at the end of the 7th game.
Odds are available to place your bets.
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