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15. Brooklyn Nets (18)
Will the playoff opponents use switching mechanisms that will negate the skills of Dr. Angelo Russell as a pick-and-roll scorer? A Nets attack that likes its mid-guard a little too much and ranked 22nd for the percentage of penalties on the edge can it generate enough high-value looks to harm the defenses in the playoffs?
The answer for the moment is: who cares?
Brooklyn is back in the dance, having built a promising long-term alignment although not controlling its own first-timers since 2013.
The Nets closed their unexpected 2018-19 season with three consecutive victories to reach 42 in total, 14 more than last year.
14. Indiana Pacers (13)
Indiana earned a 17-point score with a score of 17 goals after the All-Star break, heavily relying on a solid defense to reach the playoffs as the fifth-leading list in the East. .
This defense, anchored by Myles Turner, should hold up in the playoffs. But unless the Pacers make the best of their limited opportunities from deep (they ranked 29th in three attempts), the points will be difficult to find.
Indy's first-round match with the unstable Celtics will be a popular choice, but the talent gap between these two teams is immense. It will take a fantastic collective effort on the part of a Pacers team to make progress.
13. Orlando Magic (14)
The Magic have signed their playoff ticket with a 116-108 victory in Boston on Sunday, completing a second-half spurt that makes their mediocrity all season a bit misleading.
Since January 31, Orlando is first in defensive efficiency and Fourth in net notation. Basically, once the opponents have stopped hitting all three goals, the defensive profile of the Magic has improved and victories have accumulated. They may not have the offensive punch needed to thwart the first round, but the firmly established defensive identity of the Magic gives them something to rely on to go from there. ;before.
12. Los Angeles Clippers (8)
The Clippers had defense No. 17 after the All-Star break, the lowest of any playoff teams in the West and just ahead of the Pacers in that period. Opposed to a Warriors team that has just set the all-time record for efficiency in a single season, LA's strategy for the regular season of beating his opponent does not seem ideal.
The Clips exchanged their best player on the deadline and still won 48 games in a transition season. They will be smoking in the first round, but 2018-2019 will always count as an unequivocal success.
11. Thunder of Oklahoma City (12)
OKC overcame a 14-point hole in the fourth quarter to beat the Rockets of Paul George's three wins Tuesday. The 112-111 win, combined with Wednesday's loss to the rest of the Bucks, secured sixth place in the West and a date with Portland in the first round.
The Thunder, suspected on the offensive all season and under .500 since the break of the star game, seemed extremely fragile after a very hot start. But at least they finished on a positive note by winning five straight wins with a 49-33 record.
If OKC can call on his former defensive prowess and attract George's attention, the way to the final of the conference is realistic. Unfortunately, we did not see any of these things for a few months.
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