Buzzerbeater Predictions : Game 19
The playoff race is heating up in the Great 8. Things have been tight for the last two playoff spots for a while now, but things are tightening up at the top as well now, as Balls of Steel and Cold Fish have dropped a few games recently. The result is that spots 2 through 4 are all up for grabs. Things will stay hot as this week 4 of the 5 teams playing for these spots are up against each other.
Featured Game
Cold Fish at Wheels World
First up in the Great 8 round robin has Wheels World hosting Cold Fish. Wheels World currently holds the fourth playoff spot, but their lead is razor-thin, as Slashing Dragons has a huge advantage in the point differential tiebreaker. Cold Fish has the advantage in offense and rebounding, but Wheels World has a good enough offense to take advantage of Cold Fish’s poor defense. That coupled with home court advantage gives Wheels World a fighting chance to hold on to their playoff spot this week.
Cold Fish by 3.0 (60.9%)
The Rest
Balls of Steel at Slashing Dragons
Balls of Steel suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Trombe BC on Saturday, and are looking to take that frustration out of someone. They may not find it easy this round, as the Slashing Dragons are one of the hotter teams in the league right now. Balls of Steels has an advantage in rebounding, but may find themselves at a slight disadvantage when they are trying to score. The place where this game will be decided will be when the Dragons have the ball. Slashing Dragons has a very good offense, but Balls of Steel counters with an equally good defense. If the Dragons offense can get rolling, they can pull off the win. But if the Balls of Steel defense proves too much, the road team will win.
Slashing Dragons by 2.6 (59.6%)
Crooklyn Ruckus at New York Knuckleheads
The Knuckleheads have secured the top playoff spot, and can focus on making sure they are in good shape for the playoffs. Unfortunately, that doesn’t necessarily translate into a chance for Crooklyn. The Knuckleheads will probably win easily.
New York Knuckleheads by 43.3 (98.6%)
Bautosai at Trombe BC
Mathematically, Trombe BC has not technically secured the top playoff spot. However, in order for Trombe to drop to the #2 seed, he would have to lose the remaining games, Balls of Steel would have to win the rest of his games, AND Balls of Steel would have to catch up over 111 points in PD PER GAME. Luckily, that will soon be a technicality, as Trombe will most likely win this game handily and secure the top seed.
Trombe BC by 46.6 (98.9%)
Upland Raptors at Misfits
The Raptors have a ticket to the playoffs, and will most likely take the #2 seed, as they have an easier remaining schedule than The Mercenaries. They still have to take care of business and win the games they should. The Misfits currently hold the last playoff spot, and are looking to keep it. However, the only advantage Misfits have in this game is home court. The Raptors hold a slight advantage in every aspect of this game.
Upland Raptors by 10.3 (78.5%)
Cathar Heretics at The Mercenaries
The Heretics pulled off an upset against the Mercenaries the first time around, and are looking to repeat that feat and attempt to move closer to the fourth playoff spot. As always, the key to beating the Mercenaries is rebounding. Cathar appears ill equipped to take advantage of that weakness, as they have the worst rebounding in the league. The Mercenaries hold a decent advantage in every aspect of the game, including home court.
The Mercenaries by 25.6 (93.9%)
The Ashkickers at white -red knights
While the other four teams looking for playoff spots in the Great 8 beat each other up, this round white -red knights hopes to sneak in a free game against weaker competition. These two teams are pretty even except in rebounding, where the knights have a solid advantage. Coupled with home courts, it should turn out to be a decent win for the knights.
white -red knights by 16.0 (86.6%)
BC Iron Horse at illinois frostes
The frostes are hoping to quickly gain ground back on Misfits, while Iron Horse is hoping to avoid automatic relegation one year after being the #3 seed in the playoffs. Iron Horse holds a sizeable rebounding advantage, but will have to somehow deal with their league-worst defense.
illinois frosted by 11.8 (81.0%)
