For the rest of the NBA playoffs, the Stiffs will be making game threads for the nightly games so that Stiffs readers have a place to hang out and watch with like-minded fans. Or at least, fans that care mostly about the Denver Nuggets. We’ll also be adding a few super short round table questions as a lead-in. So sign up for an account if you haven’t already and join the conversation!
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Raptors at Cavaliers. Who you got?
Adam Mares (@Adam_Mares): The Raptors are not very good and the Cavs have LeBron so I’m going Cavs.
Evan Fiala (@eefiala): Cleveland. LeBron was messing around all of game one, the Cavs have no reason to worry.
Ryan Blackburn (@RyanBlackburn9): LeBron is undefeated so far in these playoffs. I don’t think that changes until the conference finals.
Daniel Lewis (@minutemandan): Cavaliers. Did you see them disrespect the Raptors in the first three minutes with that alley-oop from Kyrie to LeBron? Easy choice.
Gordon Gross (@GMoneyNuggs): The Raptors are still playing? I love their optimism. Cavs barring some sort of kaiju incident.
Zach Mikash (@ZachMikash): Cavs. If you’re picking the Raptors please send me your info, I’m thinking about becoming a bookie.
Ashley Douglas (@AshleyNBAHoops): Cavaliers in 5. Raptors have no heart to win.
Rockets at Spurs. Who you got?
Mares: Spurs. Rockets will either miss shots, get called for ghost fouls, have an issue with the air-conditioning, or find a snake in their locker room.
Fiala: After the shellacking Houston gave them, I fully expect the Spurs to bounce back big.
Blackburn: I’m less confident in the Spurs than I was 36 hours ago, but I think they win in six or seven games still.
Lewis: Rockets. Houston is by far the better team.
Gross: Rockets. This is the sort of team these Spurs are vulnerable against, and Pop has to figure out how to deploy Kawhi quickly. Game 2 might be too quick of an adjustment.
Mikash: Spurs. As a Nuggets fan I know all too well how San Antonio responds to game 1 losses in the playoffs.
Douglas: Well, after game 1 I’m really not sure. San Antonio won’t play like that all series, and neither will Houston. Ultimately I’ll take San Antonio because Popovich.
What are you most excited to watch tonight?
Mares: The best player of my generation: LeBron James.
Fiala: LeBron James’ in-game drinking habits.
Blackburn: Kawhi Leonard. He may go for a 5×5 tonight with over 40 points.
Lewis: James Harden. He has a magnificent beard.
Gross: Kawhi’s android face for sure.
Mikash: Kyrie Irving. Always a fan of those handles and going back and forth with Kyle Lowry makes for great entertainment.
Douglas: I’m excited to see Kawhi get the opportunity to step up and lead. With Duncan gone it’s time for a leader to emerge and now is the time to see if San Antonio has someone to make it happen.
Make one highly unlikely prediction.
Mares: The Cavs will throw another off-the-backboard alley-oop. So disrespectful!
Fiala: LaMarcus Aldridge will recover from a horrendous outing and find a way to not get entirely destroyed by the Houston pick-and-roll. He might score more than four points on offense, too.
Blackburn: DeMar DeRozan scores 10 points or less. He’s due for another craptastic performance.
Lewis: LaMarcus Aldridge scores double digit points. See, it’s unlikely, because he’s really not that good, which is also why I think it’d be hilarious to see him traded to the Knicks for Porzingis.
Gross: I was gonna go with “Aldridge’s corpse rises from the grave to play semi-competent playoff basketball” but now I’ll say Lowry goes for 40+ and the Raptors still lose by double-digits.
Mikash: Clint Capela will lead the Rockets in scoring tonight.
Douglas: The Spurs beat the Rockets in the same manner in which the Rockets first beat the Spurs in this series.
Tonight’s Video: In honor of Malik Beasley getting his high school jersey retired, here are highlights of Malik dropping 17 on the Thunder.
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