SneakerReporter: 2023 NBA Finals Preview & Prediction

SneakerReporter: 2023 NBA Finals Preview & Prediction

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by | Jun 1, 2023 | Featured, NBA

No. 1  Denver Nuggets Vs No. 8 Miami Heat

This is one of the most anticipated NBA Finals in a long time because it wasn’t expected. Both the Nuggets and Heat were underdogs for their own respective reasons. The 1st seeded Nuggets felt disrespected all season long as they were the best in the West. Nikola Jokic continued to showcase greatness but it wasn’t good enough because Joel Embiid was able to take the MVP crown. Nothing would make Joker happier than to win the Finals MVP since he got snubbed for the regular season award.

 

Jamal Murray has been on a mission to show everyone that he’s back and he’s not going anywhere. This playoffs Jamal Murray put anything to rest about he was only good in the NBA Bubble. This postseason Joker and Murray both have been playing at an elite level that very few would be able to reach. They will need to continue that pace as they have the 8th seeded Miami Heat coming into town trying to take the NBA Championship away from them.

 

Just like the Denver Nuggets the Miami Heat are huge underdogs aside from their seed. This Miami Heat team just beat the NBA Finals favorites Boston Celtics in seven games. The Heat have a lot of rough riders and a lot of undrafted players on the roster. They will need to continue to play at a high level if they want to shock the world.

 

If the Heat are going to shock the world it will be on the shoulders of Jimmy Butler who’s played lights out. The Heat will need Jimmy to be all over the court and there might even be a couple games he will need to play the whole game. This postseason Butler has gotten help from Caleb Martin who’s been playing out of his mind. Last season he was on a two way contract and didn’t play much in the playoffs but now he’s one of the most effective players on this team. It was arguable that Martin could have won the Eastern Conference MVP over Butler but the way he’s playing has gained a lot of recognition across the league.

 

This series will come down to whose role players will show up and show out. If Miami can get Vincent, Robinson, and Strus hitting shots they will be successful. If the Nuggets can get some impressive play from Porter Jr, Brown, KCP, and Gordon this could be a quick series. The Nuggets have a lot of talent and they’re deeper than the Heat but if Tyler Herro comes back from his injury in Game 2 this could make thing’s interesting adding their 20 point scorer back into the mix.

 

With that being said I’m going to go with the Nuggets in 5 games. I think they have too much fire power and everyone knows how to execute their roles. Joker & Murray are going to be too much for Jimmy Butler to try and keep up with so this will be the year of the Nuggets winning their 1st championship.

 

Series Prediction: Denver Win in 5 games (4-1)

Jun 1, 2023 No Comments
Minnesota Lynx Drop Home Opener Against The Chicago Sky (77-66)

Minnesota Lynx Drop Home Opener Against The Chicago Sky (77-66)

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by | May 19, 2023 | Featured, Minnesota Lynx, WNBA

The Minnesota Lynx had a lot of hype for them coming into tonight’s game. That hype was real because Collier, McBride, and Miller all have one goal in common which is to be champs. The Lynx were without Lindsay Allen their point guard tonight as she was nursing a hamstring injury. These teams clashed earlier this month and with it being for meaningful games now it was going to be intense.

 

The Lynx came out swinging in this game as Napheesa Collier was impacting the games on both ends of the floor with her defense and offense. It didn’t look like she missed a step at all out there on the court tonight because she looked elite. Collier finished the game with 17 points, 2 assists, and 5 rebounds.

 

This is a good sign for all Minnesota Lynx fans that we’re watching the game tonight and it gives the fans hope that the team will turn things around for the better. Kayla McBride was able to knock down a couple of his shots tonight and really had her offense going in the second half. Kayla finished with 12 points, 1 assist, and 5 rebounds. The two veterans led the way for this team as they know there will be some rough patches in the road.

 

Tonight was one of those rough patches as they only scored 3 points total in the 2nd quarter alone. Diamond Miller didn’t have the outing we all expected from her especially off her amazing preseason performances but she’s still getting her feet wet too.

 

The Chicago Sky came into Minnesota tonight and took that win from them and weren’t giving it back. Elizabeth Williams was a dominant force in the paint as she was blocking, rebound, and even stealing the ball. Her activity was one of the reasons that the Sky won the game and it was huge.

 

The player of the game was Kahleah Copper and she took this one over. Copper finished with 20 points, 5 assists, and 7 rebounds. It seemed as though anything that she put up was going in and she kept the pressure on the referees all night long. Copper was scoring inside and outside which was tough for a Lynx team that’s trying to figure things out on the fly.

 

The Lynx made some mistakes tonight but it’s all about making the adjustments and fixing the the issues before they get worse which I believe they will. The Minnesota Lynx play the Atlanta Dream on Tuesday as they try to get their first win of the WNBA season.

May 19, 2023 No Comments
SneakerReporter 2022-23 NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Finals Prediction

SneakerReporter 2022-23 NBA Playoffs: Western Conference Finals Prediction

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by | May 16, 2023 | Featured, NBA

No. 1  Denver Nuggets Vs No. 7 Los Angeles Lakers

The Western Conference Finals will feature the Denver Nuggets taking on the Los Angeles Lakers for a chance to advance to the NBA Finals.

The Nuggets are coming into this series playing at an elite level after taking care of the Suns. Nikola Jokic has shown that he is still playing at a MVP level and he’s elevated his game this whole playoffs. Joker has been one of the best players in the playoffs if not the best. Now he will need to continue that against the Lakers who have length and have bolstered the bench during the season since they last played each other.

Jamal Murray has been a great robin to Joker and he’s been locked in. The last time these two teams played was in the bubble during Covid. Now Jamal Murray will have a chance to showcase that same bubble ball against the Lakers but now in 2023. The Nuggets have a lot of depth with their bench and they have players that have the experience to take down the Lakers. It’s going to take for the other guys like Bruce Brown, KCP, and Jeff Green to hold it down when Murray/Jokic need a break. This Nuggets team came into this playoffs disrespected and they feel like this will be the perfect time to put the league on notice.

The Lakers are deep and it’s crazy because LeBron James looks like he hasn’t lost a step at all in year 20. LeBron was able to coast at the end of the season because his teammates stepped their game up and now he’s well rested and coming off beating the Warriors. LeBron has been a complete player in these playoffs and this could be the series where he needs to put on an offense display. It helps LeBron because he has Anthony Davis by his side and it will be a great matchup with The Brow and Joker. Anthony Davis will be the key to this series for the Lakers and if he can average a double double this would be a great way to lead the Lakers to Banner 18. The Lakers have Schroder, Russell, and Reaves who need to step up for sure in this series.

This series will be about the other players and whose defense will show up in this game. It’s going to be tough to go against LeBron especially with the chip on his shoulder but this will be the Nuggets chance to show the league that they’re for real.

 

Series Prediction: Denver Win in 6 games (4-2)

May 16, 2023 No Comments