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Looking at it strategically, it's clear that Washington is a better matchup than Milwaukee or Miami.

Right now Hollinger has us projected at 48-34 (4th) and Washington at 45-37(5th). If we are 4th then we will play Washington. If we are 3rd it's a little less certain but it looks like it will be Milwaukee. The Bulls are projected to finish 1 game ahead of the Raptors.

So we could see 4th and homecourt being clinched with 3-4 games to go in the season. Would you prefer the Raptors to then rest some of the main guys like Lowry, Derozan and Amir or gun for the best record and 3rd place?

Both 3rd or 4th give home court in the first and not in the second round. At this point it's all about the matchups and I see value in resting so there are no excuses when the first round of the playoffs are here. Amir is always banged up. Lowry seems run down. Some rest could help.

With the way this team has been playing I don't think they'll have that luxury. Washington could easily take homecourt advantage as the 5th seed.

Only if Washington gets a better overall record do they get homecourt advantage over us in a 4/5 matchup.
http://stats.nba.com/playoffpicture

I think that would require some pretty ugly basketball by the Raps - so much so I'd be afraid to watch the raps playoff games this year.

The resting has already begun.

Kyle is already forced to rest, and really he's the most important one.

The schedule breaks down to:

Game
off day
Back to Back
4 days off
Game
off day
Back to Back
2 days off
Back to Back

IMO, the key is to get Amir and DeMar some rest through those final two back to backs (with the extra minutes picked up by JJ, Hansbrough, or even Hayes/Fields if you want to give them a little burn in case they're pressed into emergency playoff duty). DeMar because he's the high minutes guy, and Amir because of his ongoing battles with chronic injuries. Whether that's limited minutes (say 6 mins to start the first and second half for Amir, and keep DeMar under 30) in one or both of those games, or sitting them entirely in one of the two.

If I had to guess, we wouldn't hold anybody out in the next two home games, but the Magic game and final Hornets game are the two with no playoff implications (assuming the Hornets are confirmed out by then, which looks likely). Casey is the type that would want to be fair to the other teams playing for a playoff spot, and given that we play 4 of the 5 teams competing for 7th and 8th, we're a pretty significant part of that picture.

I am all for resting the guys - don't care about the 50 wins. Amir, PatPat, and Demar need a break. Let's see what Bebe and Bruno can do

Why does everyone think Washington is a better matchup than Milwaukee?
The Bucks have been terrible since they got rid of Knight. I'd take the Bucks in a heartbeat

I think this board is putting way too much stock into the Raps regular season success against the Wizards, who I'd give the edge in a 7 game series. Not only is Wall the best player on both teams, he's tailor made to shred the Raps biggest weaknesses: perimeter D and overhelping. Gortat is a great pick and roll partner for him, you have Beal and Pierce spreading the floor, and then Nene could become a factor, like he did versus the Bulls last year in the playoffs. Also, if Wittman isn't completely clueless, he'd put Pierce at the 4 for a bit, which could be problematic as well.

raptor jesus wrote:I think this board is putting way too much stock into the Raps regular season success against the Wizards, who I'd give the edge in a 7 game series. Not only is Wall the best player on both teams, he's tailor made to shred the Raps biggest weaknesses: perimeter D and overhelping. Gortat is a great pick and roll partner for him, you have Beal and Pierce spreading the floor, and then Nene could become a factor, like he did versus the Bulls last year in the playoffs. Also, if Wittman isn't completely clueless, he'd put Pierce at the 4 for a bit, which could be problematic as well.

Is Beale healthy? A healthy scoring Beale I would fear. Don't think that has happened in any of the matchups. Plus bracketology avoiding Bulls or Lebron means getting 4/5 seed.

nickr91 wrote:Why does everyone think Washington is a better matchup than Milwaukee?
The Bucks have been terrible since they got rid of Knight. I'd take the Bucks in a heartbeat

I think Wash is a better deal since:
i) 3-0 season record
ii) We avoid Bulls and Lebron 2nd round, by playing winner of 1/8 bracket.

The potential is there. Why not go for it?

Bruno needs to get a few more regular season reps in before he takes over in the playoffs.

No we need to get this team in sync. I'd rather us win a majority of the remaining games and give our best shot punch against Cleveland in the 2nd round then take the easy route. Masai probably wants to see what this team is capable of against the Easts elite and beating the wizards would just give us fools gold. Get our defensive rhythm back face Cleveland in the 2nd round and see what this team is really made of. If we give up a good fight or even win a 2nd round then continue to build, if we fall flat on our face then major moves will need to be made.

Simple actually.

The only person I want to see get rest is Amir.

Don't care who we play as long as we win the series. When one team wins, other fans make excuses and even beg for asterisks because it was too easy (for example another team is injured or the conference is weak). I don't want that for us. No excuses, I want this team playing up to the challenge.

At this point, I don't want them getting fake wins late in the season and tiring out. Let them play with limited time (Starters) so they can stay conditioned, say 25-30 min a game, and have the bench earn their playing time for the playoff.

See my previous rest vs rust thread. Only starter to Boston TRoss
Let starters play 20-24 minutes vs Hornets home game April 15 this way your starters get rest and 6 days in TO before home playoffs start.

We're not making 3'rd at all. I rather we play Washington since they're playing just as bad as us.

Bring on Washington. Should be a fun series.

I'd rather play Washington but I still don't like our chances the way we've been playing this year. They give us the best chance though

You guys are **** insane if you think the Wiz are a better match up than the Bucks.

VinBaker6 wrote:You guys are **** insane if you think the Wiz are a better match up than the Bucks.

No one thinks that. It's about avoiding the cavs in the 2nd round.