The Denver Nuggets Take Game 1 Against Minnesota (109-80)

The Denver Nuggets Take Game 1 Against Minnesota (109-80)

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by | Apr 17, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

The Minnesota Timberwolves came into this game on a positive note after beating Oklahoma City on Friday. They were a lot of players questionable for this game from the Minnesota side but everybody would be playing. Denver came in today’s game, well rested and ready to go waiting on the Minnesota Timberwolves and it showed tonight.

The Denver Nuggets came into this game with a game plan, knowing that Karl-Anthony towns and Rudy Gobert. We’re going to need to step it up on the defensive and offensive end against Nikola Jokic. The Nuggets blitzed the Minnesota Timberwolves early as the game got away from Minnesota from the three-point line. The Timberwolves we’re shooting a lot of threes and when they’re going in it’s all great but when you’re not making them and you’re going to guess the number one seed in the Western Conference it’s tough. Karl-Anthony towns had one of his worst games of the year and one of the most important games of the season but we can’t expect that he’s gonna do that back to back. The Nuggets didn’t do anything special Karl-Anthony towns just wasn’t able to get his game going on both ends of the floor. Kat was making some mistakes that we barely see all year and missed a lot of wide-open shots that he normally would make.

Overall, the Timberwolves just didn’t have it offensively missing shots that they usually make all year long in a hostile environment in Denver. Karl-Anthony towns finished with 11 points,10 rebounds, and 2 assists on the night. Karl-Anthony towns is the head of the snake for the Minnesota Timberwolves so if he’s struggling, it’s gonna be tough for the team to really bounce back when their best player doesn’t have it going. Look for Karl-Anthony towns, to be more aggressive and more certain of in game two of this playoff series against the Denver Nuggets. Anthony Edwards has the steps game up as well to another level. If this Minnesota team is going to make it to the second round. Anthony had 18 points tonight because I had a lot more he just missed a lot of opportunities. There was a playing a game where Minnesota was struggling in transition, because Denver was playing at a faster pace. If the Timberwolves are going to make a splash in the series, they have to make the Denver Nuggets play at their pace not vice versa.

 

Nikola Jokic looks like the reigning MVP any definitely play like it in a short amount of time. Jokic was in foul trouble all night but Jamal Murray had his back having one of his best games of the season at the right time. Jamal Murray had 28 points, 8 rebounds, and 8 assists in this win. It seem like anything that the Denver Nuggets put up today was going in. They had the momentum and you could tell that the Timberwolves weren’t stopping the bleeding in this one. The Timberwolves had the lead early in the 1st quarter and never regained it again.

Apr 17, 2023 No Comments
SneakerReporter NBA 2022-23 Western Conference Playoff Predictions

SneakerReporter NBA 2022-23 Western Conference Playoff Predictions

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by | Apr 15, 2023 | Featured, NBA

The NBA regular season has ended, and every team has played its 82-game season. Only 16 teams remain for one objective… to reach the NBA Finals. 8 teams in each conference will compete to reach the Finals.

 

No. 1 Denver Nuggets (53-29) Vs No. 8 Minnesota Timberwolves (42-40)

The Denver Nuggets are coming into this series with the best record in the West. They’re also coming into this series with the Timberwolves a little banged up, especially after a long season. Nikola Jokic is in the MVP race again after having yet another amazing season. Joker will be trying to continue that as they host the Timberwolves who are banged up themselves coming into this series. Minnesota will be without Jaden McDaniels (Hand) and Naz Reid (Wrist) out indefinitely. On the season the Nuggets and Timberwolves series is 2-2 as the Timberwolves roster looks different from those games during the season. With that being said the Timberwolves will have to make sure that Joker doesn’t go off by having Rudy Gobert or Karl-Anthony Towns on him all series on switches. If they can contain Nikola and make someone else beat them this could be a good series for the Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards will need to try and slow down Jamal Murray and make sure that he has his game going as well on both ends. If Anthony Edwards takes that next leap in this series and has a good two games where he’s the best player on the court Minnesota will be in good shape. Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns will be spectacular in this series.

The Denver Nuggets have all the talent in the world and they have a lot of length as well. You have Nikola and Jamal to worry about but Michael Porter Jr and Aaron Gordon will also make things tough on you. If the Nuggets play their brand of basketball in this series and get the big men of Minnesota in foul trouble it could get ugly fast. Nikola is a problem for any team and if he has his scoring, passing, and rebounding all going he can be a nightmare to defend because of the versatility he possesses. Joker is the head of the snake and if he has it going in Denver it could be a very long series or short series depending on the Timberwolves counter. The Nuggets have the size and length to match up with the Timberwolves but it will come down to making the right plays in this series.

Prediction: Timberwolves Win the Series (4-2)

 

No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies (51-31) Vs No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers (43-39)

 

The Los Angeles Lakers are peaking at the right time and it’s been a collective effort. This team is loaded from top to bottom now after their moves at the trade deadline and can make some serious noise in the playoffs. In order for them to do that they have to disrupt the parade inside Ja’s city first. The Lakers won the season series 2-1 and both teams didn’t look like how they do today heading into this playoff series. It’s going to be a tough task to stop LeBron James and Anthony Davis especially when they have a true chance to win another championship. LeBron has been a complete monster these past couple of weeks and looks like he has his legs back under him from missing that time with injury. The Grizzlies will have to throw multiple bodies at LeBron to slow him down and if that doesn’t work it could get ugly. LeBron is pass first but he also knows how to get to his spots and knows how to get to the line. The Grizzlies will need to slow him down and hope that they can contain Anthony Davis with Jaren Jackon Jr if they want a chance at this series. Austin Reeves has been playing amazing basketball and his plus/minus is unreal showing his impact on the game. The Lakers depth is what will get them this win in this series because any night it could be a role player that can contribute to the win like a DLO or Schroder. The Lakers defend at a high level as well and that stems from their coach Darvin Ham so this could be a grind-it-out type of series for sure.

Ja Morant and the Memphis Grizzlies always want the smoke and let it be known they not ducking either. If Memphis wants to win this series they will need a 1st Team All NBA caliber series from Ja Morant. Ja will need to be the best player on the court on both ends. We know he’s electric with the ball and he can create for his teammates but he has to be the selfish one in this series. Morant will need to lead them in points and assists while making some of those hustle plays as well. Ja Morant can’t do it alone he will need Bane to show up in this series and make a huge impact with his shot-making ability. The Lakers aren’t a team that you can take lightly and they know that so trying to get them in foul trouble will help the Grizzlies as well. The Memphis Grizzlies have depth on their team as well but they don’t have as much experience as the Lakers do in the playoffs so it will come down to who makes the best decisions with no errors. Memphis will need to play big inside and Davis will be a nightmare matchup without Steven Adams in the lineup.

Prediction: Lakers Win the Series (4-2)

 

No. 3 Sacramento Kings (48-34) vs No. 6 Golden State Warriors (44-38)

 

The Sacramento Kings shocked the world this season getting the 3rd seed in the Western Conference this season. For that great season, they won the prize of playing against the defending world champion Golden State Warriors who are coming off a 150+ point performance against the Blazers. This has been a special season for the Kings and they have a special dynamic duo with Fox & Sabonis I just believe they ran into the wrong team this season in the standings. Fox has taken his game to another level and so has Sabonis but the Kings don’t have the firepower to keep up with the Warriors on the offensive end. The Kings can pull the upset if they can control the pace of the game and if they can force the Warriors into some tough shots throughout the series. The defense will be key for the Kings in this series because you don’t want to get into a shooting contest with the Splash Brothers. The Kings have Fox who is known to get in the passing lanes and get the steals so he will need to do that and more while Sabonis commands the boards in the paint. The Kings will need some huge help from the role players like Keegan Murray, Trey Lyles, and Malik Monk if they will pull this off. The inexperience is there but anything is possible in the NBA.

The Golden State Warriors are the defending champions and they have the pedigree every year to win the whole thing. That pedigree is Steph, Klay, and Draymond as long as they are healthy this team always has a chance no matter the situation. During the season the Warriors went 3-1 against the Kings and made it look easy I’m expecting the same in this series. The Warriors will be too much for the Kings as they have mismatches all over the court and it will be tough to knock the champions out. Not much to say in this prediction because I simply believe in the Warriors and their championship DNA.

Prediction: Warriors win the Series (4-1)

 

No. 4 Phoenix Suns (45-37) Vs Los Angeles Clippers (44-38)]

 

This series would have been the best out of the Western Conference for sure but the injury to Paul George derailed that dream matchup. The Suns are coming into this at full strength ready to make a statement against the Clippers. So far in the short term the Suns are undefeated with Kevin Durant in the lineup with Booker/Paul/Ayton. This could be a special playoff for the Suns if they can make it work against the Clippers. Now the Clippers aren’t a pushover they have some dogs over there as well with Westbrook and Leonard. This is gonna be a great series but the Phoenix Sunds have so much firepower in their lineup that the Clippers might not be able to handle it without Paul George. The season series is out the window as both teams look different so this will be a case of who really wants it. The Clippers would need a huge boost from Russell Westbrook because if he can turn into that MVP Russ that would be huge in this series to help Kawhi out. Kawhi will need to get back into his Spurs mode and really put this Clippers team on his back to have a chance in this series. Kawhi vs KD will be must-see TV and we will be ready for it. The Clippers have the depth as well in this matchup so I see them getting a couple of games because of that alone.

The Phoenix Suns just look like a well-oiled machine right now and it will be tough to stop their starters from getting to their spots and doing what they want. Durant and Booker are a walking bucket and both can give you 40 per night. If Ayton can hold his own in the paint and help out with being that dominant big then this could be a very quick series because he’s the X-Factor for sure. Chris Paul has the IQ and skills to get it done as the Clippers don’t really have anyone that can contain him so it will be interesting to see if this Suns team is Finals Ready in my opinion and they look SCARY.

Prediction: Suns Win the Series (4-2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo Credit: (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)  (Jane Tyska/Digital First Media/East Bay Times via Getty Images) (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Apr 15, 2023 No Comments
SneakerReporter NBA 2022-23 Eastern Conference Playoff Predictions

SneakerReporter NBA 2022-23 Eastern Conference Playoff Predictions

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by | Apr 15, 2023 | Featured, NBA

The NBA regular season has come to an end and every team has played their 82 game season. Only 16 teams remain for one objective… to reach the NBA Finals. 8 teams on each conference will compete to reach the Finals.

No. 1 Milwaukee Bucks (58-24) Vs No. 8 Miami Heat (44-38) 

The Milwaukee Bucks enter the playoffs with the best record in the Eastern Conference. The Bucks will look to sweep Miami Heat and advance to the next round. Arguably one of the best players in the league Giannis Antetokounmpo will be leading the way for the Bucks with his teammates backing him up as they’ve proved they are one of the best teams in the league. This Bucks team could be very dangerous heading into the playoffs and are hungry to head back to the NBA Finals. 

The Miami Heat punched their way into the playoffs after losing to the Atlanta Hawks in the play-in tournament and then beating the Chicago Bulls for the final spot in the eastern conference playoff picture. The Heat nearly missed out on the playoffs but a good team victory against the Bulls proves that they could surprise the Bucks and make it an interesting series. Jimmy Butler will look to lead his teammates against the best team in the East. 

Prediction: Bucks Win the Series (4-0)

No. 2 Boston Celtics (57-25) Vs No. 7 Atlanta Hawks (41-41) 

The Atlanta Hawks punched their ticket to the playoffs with a win over the Miami Heat in the Play-In tournament while on the road. The Hawks haven’t had the season they’ve wanted but still clawed their way into the playoffs. With a young team and Trae Young leading the way now is the time they have to play well together, they are playing arguably one of the toughest teams in the league as they are going up against the defending Eastern Conference Champions. The Road will not be easy for the Hawks, they’ll need to play the most efficient basketball they’ve played all season against the Celtics. 

The Boston Celtics are the defending Eastern Conference champions and are looking to make a trip back to the NBA Finals. A lot of critics and teams were interested to see how the Celtics would play since Joe Mazzulla took the head coaching job, and the Celtics showed no signs of slowing down. They were able to obtain the second seed in the eastern conference. The Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown duo will look to lead their team to success in this series and advance to the second round. 

Prediction: Celtics Wins the Series (4-0) 

No. 3 Philadelphia 76ers (54-28) vs No. 6 Brooklyn Nets (45-36)

The Brooklyn Nets are an entirely different team in the second half of the season. The Nets had Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant to start off the season but both were traded before the NBA Trade Deadline. The Nets have built themselves quite a team since the trades and were able to obtain a playoff spot. The Nets will head into the playoff as underdogs but they do have the talent to keep up with the 76ers and could make this series interesting. 

As for the Philadelphia 76ers they’ve dealt with injuries this season but were up there with the top teams in the league and were able to secure the third seed in the Eastern Conference. James Harden seems to be finding his rhythm and looks to be displaying his best in the NBA playoffs and make an NBA Finals run with teammate Joel Embiid who could potentially be the league MVP.  The 76ers have their work cutout for them and look to make a strong statement in round 1. 

Prediction: 76ers win the Series (4-1)

No. 4 Cleveland Cavaliers (51-31) Vs New York Knicks (47-35)

This series may be the most interesting in the eastern conference. The Cavaliers made a big splash last summer to get Donovan Mitchell and secured the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. Many critics thought that they wouldn’t make it this far but the Cavaliers front court has been underrated this season. The Cavaliers defense has been solid all season and will look to limit Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle if he’s ready to play. 

As for the Knicks they could be without Randle and will have to rely on Brunson to run the offense. If the Knicks have both those players then this series can be interesting but if Randle isn’t set to go it could be a hard series for the Knicks. This series will depend on if Randle will be able to put up numbers and show that he is the star for the Knicks. The Knicks will have their hands filled defensively as they have to guard Mitchell and Darius Garland. 

Prediction: Cavaliers Win the Series (4-3)

Apr 15, 2023 No Comments
Nike KD 16 First Look

Nike KD 16 First Look

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by | Apr 14, 2023 | Featured, Sneaker Releases, Sneakers

Kevin Durant took to instagram to reveal his 16th signature sneaker with Nike. Three colorways appear in the photo. Durant joined the Phoenix Suns before the NBA trade deadline in February, and the photo is set in the desert which is in reference to the Phoenix Suns. 

No technology information has been shared yet or a release date but a black and purple pair can be seen, an all red pair with hints of white, and a multicolor pair. It seems like Nike kept the same material from the KD 15 on the upper of the shoes, but it is an entirely different look from the KD 15.

While no release date has been announced, Kevin Durant will most likely lace up his 16th signature sneaker in the playoffs against the Los Angeles Clippers as KD and his Suns teammates look to make an NBA Finals run. For now take a look down below at the Nike KD 16.

Photo Via: Kevin Durant Instagram

Apr 14, 2023 No Comments