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We are finishing up a cozy home schedule without any back to backs against a series of poor defensive teams, which has contributed to our 8 - 1 home record. During our home stand so far, we've faced teams with the following ranks in defensive efficiency: 30, 27, 23, 22, 21, 13.

Here is our next 8 games, with the opposing team's defensive efficiency ranking included:

12/2 - GSW (5)
12/5 - @CHI (6)
12/7 - DET (8)
12/9 - MIA (2)
12/11 - @MEM (17)
12/12 - BOS (4)
12/16 - @ORL (9)
12/17 - TOR (10)

Fortunately we have 5 out of our next 8 at home, but the caliber of defenses that we will be facing will be dramatically improved. With games against CHI, DET, MIA, BOS, and TOR (and maybe ORL too), we are going against teams that will likely be in the thick of the EC playoff race at the end of the season.

Let's hear some W/L predictions for this next stretch of games.

4-4 would be ideal. But I think it'll be 3-5.

Tough stretch of games. I think this is the most important stretch of the season. I think we really get a true judgement of how good this team really is after these games. 4-4 or 3-5 is definitely a realistic prediction, but I think if we have a winning record through this stretch then we are definitely talented enough to make a top 6 seed in the east.

Also, the next few games in specific could affect how much time Big Al gets when he comes back. Not sure how long he's supposed to be out for, but if we happen to play great in the next three games and win these without Al, we could see even more reduction in Al's minutes once Frank appears to be more comfortable. If there is a market for him, a trade could be very possible as well, but I don't know of any team that would be very interested.

6-2


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8-0 conservatively. 9-0 most likely

I'm gonna say we lose to Warriors, Heat, Celtics. We go 5-3.

Outside of the opening few games and January where we have not one, but two west coast trips, this might be the toughest stretch on the schedule. 3-5 would be acceptable. 1-7 would be a disaster.

BigSlam wrote:6-2


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co-signed. Losses to the Warriors and Heat, win the rest of them.

MasterIchiro wrote:I'm gonna say we lose to Warriors, Heat, Celtics. We go 5-3.

I'll join in on the 5-3, but no idea who they come against.

Al will be out 2-3 weeks. This will test the "Trade Al" chatter.

I'm hoping for 4-4 losing to GSW, CHI, MIA, and possibly BOS

MotorKeepsGoing wrote:

BigSlam wrote:6-2


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co-signed. Losses to the Warriors and Heat, win the rest of them.

I am also hoping for a 6-2 record.......

Welp, not an ideal start.

I am not at all looking forward to playing against Drummond without Al.

yosemiteben wrote:Welp, not an ideal start.

I am not at all looking forward to playing against Drummond without Al.

let Pyshco T bang him

TinmanZBoy wrote:

yosemiteben wrote:Welp, not an ideal start.

I am not at all looking forward to playing against Drummond without Al.

let Pyshco T bang him

I'm all for getting him more minutes at the 5. That would be a nice matchup to Drummond.

TinmanZBoy wrote:

yosemiteben wrote:Welp, not an ideal start.

I am not at all looking forward to playing against Drummond without Al.

let Pyshco T bang him

ಠ_ಠ

12/2 - GSW (5) Blowout loss
12/5 - @CHI (6) Solid win
12/7 - DET (8)
12/9 - MIA (2)
12/11 - @MEM (17)
12/12 - BOS (4)
12/16 - @ORL (9)
12/17 - TOR (10)

Big game tonight against DET, let's make it happen.

Lin fans, if you want some context for how much better this season is than last season, last season through 19 games we were 4 - 15. We had an ORTG of 98.2 (26th) and a DRTG of 106.5 (25th).

This season went from 26th to 5th in ORTG and 25th to 9th in DRTG, and we have 7 more wins through 19 games.

Thought 4-4 would be good result.
Believe 6-2 is looking very realistic now ...

It's going be a back to back game for both teams. But I think it favors the Hornets because the Hornets had a blowout win that allowed the starters to rest, while the Celtics tired themselves out with crazy overtimes battling the Warriors.

let's go Hornets... let's make this stretch a 6-2.
Another back to back test.

lost to bos and orl which are our main competitors for the 7th/8th seed...