Playoffs!

After months of toiling over who's starting for LA, after a full season of OKC redefining the words 'NBA Player', after depraving ourselves by watching Rockets Spurs games, we have finally arrived at our destination. The games that matter. The reason for the season: the Playoffs.

How we got there is pretty remarkable, and would take even more time than I'm willing to steal from my job. But, I can highlight the last week.

• Daniel pulled one more win out of his ass to kick Peanut out of the playoffs. Due largely to Giannis not playing last week, BP went off, and Daniel has fulfilled his own prophecy of not caring about the league at all and paying no attention to it but stumbling into the playoffs and busting brackets. More on that later
• Old Man Team has found the Giannis to their Okongwu and has beating Isaac once more. Due, again, largely to Giannis' absence
• Steven brought his horribly named team to victory last week as Will continues to plateau into the playoffs
• I beat Cody by 3 points. More on that later, too
• Michael got the gift of playing Kenny and trotted to a mind-numbing 362-point margin of victory

Onward and Upward: the Playoff Matchups

#1 Seed Password is Taco vs #8 Seed Mike Honcho's Magic Men (Will -200)

With a record of 16-4, Will won the regular season via head-to-head tiebreaker with Isaac. No one was more devastated than Will by the trade deadline, losing out on Westbrook as well as Kessler. But, with the resurgence of Oubre, the White loophole starts, and shocking Captain Consistency Cole Anthony, he's no lame duck

Daniel, the sleeping giant, might actually set his lineups this week. If he does, we could really have something here. Naz Reid has been rotting on his bench for months, while Thybulle and Avdija are solid rotation players. If he drops Cousins for someone who actually plays we could very well have March Madness in here. That 'If' is big enough to keep Will the Vegas favorite

#2 Seed Rob Riggle vs #7 Seed Old Man Team (Isaac -150)

Losing out on the 1 Seed by tiebreaker, Isaac's team still rolls into the playoffs with an impressive record. Newly down KJ Martin and Malik Beasley, we'll see how quickly Trey Lyles and Jalen Smith can acclimate to the locker room. Speaking of Quickly, if Jalen Brunsen doesn't get his ass back on the court this might not be a matchup at all. Isaac's side have a much higher potential and a much lower chance of being rested, which keeps this fourth (4th) matchup of the season a relatively easy bet

OMT felt confident last week. With injuries to Alec Burks and TJ McConnel, and with Middleton threatening to return to the starting lineup, their resolve is wavering. But they got Larry back!

#3 Seed Brace Family YMCA vs #6 Seed Sky High Smiths (Dillon -120)

Dillon maintains Vegas' faith due to Ja and Luka missing games. Tyus Jones and Jaden Hardy are primed for big weeks, but it gets dicey with Powell and Mathurin hurt. Having just won a matchup by 3 points, any absence could prove costly

Cody just won't die. 9-11, fine season, but just loves playing my guys for some reason. Ross is eating without KD, Okongwu's a star, ‘Nard Dog is soaking up guard minutes for Memphis. This team could be primed for an upset

#4 Seed Uranus Stinky Petes vs #5 Seed Twerk Nowitzki (Steven -50)

After proving he can beat the best team in the league, Steven finds himself thrust into pressure to make a deep playoff run. Anchored by the strangest cast of players you ever did see, he’s hoping to live up to expectations

Michael took Christian Wood from Steven and he's looking to take a first round victory, too. After the disastrous Melton trade, Michael's done well for himself. Don't be surprised to see the winner of the Christian Wood Bowl get to the finals

A last chance saloon batch of Free Agents

Josh Green - With Luka down and Kyrie questionable, Green looks set for a killer game against Memphis tonight

Jalen Suggs - Don't know what's changed but Suggs is on a heater

Christian Braun - After ditching Bones, the Nugs turned to Reggie Jackson and it has not worked. Braun's regaining his minutes

Shaedon Sharpe - Always tempting

Jaxson Hayes - Continues to produce