House Basketball Elite Eight Preview

By Britton Barthold

After two upsets on Sunday, the 11/12 House basketball league has been narrowed down to the final eight teams. On Wednesday night, those eight will go down to four, and with all four games being intriguing matchups, it should be a solid slate of action all night.

Suns [9-1] vs. Celtics [4-7] @ 6 pm (Regular Season Game: Celtics forfeit)

This might be the least appealing of all the games Wednesday, as it pits the top seed against an upset minded lower seeded team. However, the Celtics are coming off a two point win against the Knicks, and have been hot since dropping five straight to start the season. The Suns only blemish all year was a season finale loss to the Lakers, but the dominating duo of Conor Davey and Danny O’Boyle will be on the attack after the first round bye. Aidan Coyle of the Celtics should have a big game as well, as the anticipated battle between him and the Suns Spencer Stovall will be intense.

The Pick: Suns

Sorry, no upset here. I think it will be a close game, but the Suns are too good to drop this game. Will they make it all the way? Their side of the bracket favors them, but they need to start here. Coming off a bye week will be tough, but the Suns will finish the job. Suns 56 Celtics 48

Nuggets [7-3] vs. Jazz [6-5] @ 7 pm (Regular Season Game: Nuggets 68 Jazz 52)

The Nuggets are coming off a bye while the Jazz are coming off a first round win against the league’s worst team. The Jazz were only able to beat the Nets by four points, which is scary considering their talent. For the Nuggets, the team has been electric since the return of James Fox. The offense plays well, and during this regular season matchup, managed to drop 68 on the Jazz. The defense for the Jazz will be key during this game, as they have allowed 67 points a game for the past four games. Against a high scoring offense like the Nuggets, the Jazz will need to play the boards well and score on the other end.

The Pick: Nuggets

The Nuggets have been too good, and I don’t think the Jazz will play good enough defense. Will the Nuggets score 68 again? Probably not, but I do see this becoming a high scoring affair. Nuggets 59 Jazz 55

Lakers [7-3] vs. Heat [6-5] @ 8 pm (Regular Season Game: Lakers 40 Heat 33)

The Heat are coming off a five point win against the Cavaliers on Sunday, while the Lakers will be playing their first playoff game after having a first round bye. The two teams met during the regular season, in a game which the Lakers won. However, it has been a while since that game, and the Heat have been improving. The Lakers will have to defend Sam Bowtell of the Heat, which is a challenge for most teams. The Lakers have the height to do so, but don’t necessarily have the strength to stop a guy like Bowtell. The Heat lack options at big man when Bowtell is out, which gives the Lakers the slight advantage due to their size depth.

The Pick: Lakers

I think it will come down to how the Heat play without Bowtell on the court. With Maccarone, Adiletta and Nixon on the perimeter, the team will  have to rely heavily on them with Bowtell out. Unfortunately, the Lakers will have a huge advantage when the Heat have no one guarding the paint, which gives John Mackie the chance to dominate. Lakers 47 Heat 39

Bulls [7-3] vs. Mavericks [4-7] @ 9 pm (Regular Season Game: Bulls 44 Mavericks 33)

The Mavericks pulled off a one point upset against the Wizards on Sunday, setting up a rematch with the Bulls. These two teams literally last Wednesday, so the Bulls will play the Mavericks for the second straight week. I guess that makes it easier? I don’t know, but I do know one thing for certain. Jack Garfield dominated against the Bulls, and with the return of Charlie Travers, the team should make this game a whole lot closer than it was last Wednesday. The Bulls will need scoring from Jamie Schofield along with the Drake twins, and will need Jack Feeley to dominate the boards. Overall, this game should be a good one, and will be much closer than their previous meeting.

The Pick: Bulls

Oh come on I’m not picking against my own team. Yea, I am confident, probably a bit too confident but whatever. Well, back to unbiased Britton. The Bulls outside shooting attack and perimeter defense held off the Mavericks, and improved play against Jack Garfield should give the Bulls a close win. Bulls 45 Mavericks 41