The 2022-2023 Totally Random NBA Playoffs

 2022-2023 Totally Random NBA Playoffs

Hello America.  It’s that time again.  It’s time for the Totally Random NBA playoffs.  The rules are simple.  Results are determined solely by my random number generator which picks a random score within an NBA range.  No other factors are considered, and the tournament is run only once.

 

Round 1

Eastern Conference

We saw one of the most shocking results in recent memory when the Heat not only beat the Bucks in their best of seven series, but swept the Bucks 4-0.  Fans in Boston rejoiced because this meant the Celtics have home court throughout the playoffs if they keep winning.

The Celtics obliged by nearly sweeping the Hawks 4 games to 1thereby cruising into the second round.  There was no real drama here.

But a real drama happened between the Nets and 76ers.  Joel Embid is a favorite for MVP honors but that only applies to the regular season.  He will have to be content with that because the Nets, after trading KD and Irving, took out the 76ers in 5 games.  Amazing result.

The series between the Knicks and Cavaliers was the only cliff hanger in round one.  That one went seven games with the Cavaliers prevailing in Game 7 by a single point.  Wow.

Western Conference

There was much more intense drama in the west.  The Timberwolves were pesky with their size troubling the favored Nuggets but in the end, the Nuggets prevailed in 6 games.

With LeBron back, the Lakers are somewhat dangerous.  But although they took the young Grizzlies to seven games, the youngsters held their nerve in front of a screaming Memphis crowd and stumbled in the second round after seven grueling games.

As for the Warriors, could the defending champions advance against the exciting Kings, or would age finally catch up with them?  After dropping the first two games, it looked like they were done.  But the old veterans rallied winning four out of the next five games including a road win in Game 7 to break the hearts of Kings fans.  But then, Kings fans are used to being smashed so they’ll get over it quickly.

The Suns had high hopes but these were dashed by the surprising Clippers in six games.

Round 2

Eastern Conference

 

The Heat play well against the Celtics in the playoffs.  They shocked the defending Eastern Conference champs by winning two games in Boston to take a 2-0 lead.  But just before heads rolled in Bean Town, the Celtics returned the favor by winning two road games in Miami.  From then on, home court held, and the Celtics advanced after a dramatic game 7 win at home.  Phew.  That was frightening.

The Nets continued their Cinderella run through the East with a 4-3 series triumph over the Cavaliers.  Winning game 7 on the road is always a special accomplishment.  So, it will be the Nets and Celtics to decide the East.

Western Conference

The Nuggets had all they could handle with the surprising Clippers, but they survive in seven games blowing the clippers away by 25 points in game 7.

Meanwhile the old legs of the Warriors finally give out as the Memphis Grizzlies advance to the Western Conference finals in seven dramatic games.  The Warriors are worthy champions but they will not hoist the trophy this year.  It will be the Grizzlies and the Nuggets fighting for the West.

Conference Finals

The Nets are truly Cinderella, giving the Celtics all they can handle.  A magic season hangs in the balance for Boston as they are forced to endure another game 7.  But once again, home court prevails and the Celtics put out the flame of the Nets by a single point.  That was too close for comfort being the Celtics fan that I am.

The Nuggets had dreams of NBA glory and why shouldn’t they?  They have been good all year.  Unfortunately for them, the Grizzlies are on a roll.  Memphis won the first 3 games of the series which included two shock wins in Denver, and the Nuggets, despite winning the next two games, simply could not recover.  Grizzlies advance to meet the Celtics for NBA glory.

NBA Finals

The Boston Celtics survived two seven game series while the Grizzlies had two seven game series and a six game series.  Both teams are tired, but they are both young.  Each team landed punches with a couple of blowout games for both teams.  But in the end, it comes down to yet another game 7 at TD Bank arena.  The Grizzlies strive to win their first NBA championship while the Celtics search for banner 17.  In the end, the home crowd helps the Celtics cruise to an easy game 7 win over the Grizzlies to capture the 2022-2023 Totally Random NBA title.

Congratulations to my Celtics.  It doesn’t matter now if they win the real one since they won the far more important Totally Random NBA Playoffs for this year.  Just kidding.  I want both.

Let the real games begin!