RealGM

So Hornets remaining schedule is:

@ Sacramento
vs Clippers
@ Dallas

Remaining Schedule for Dallas is:

@ Portland
@ Seattle
Vs Hornets

Lakers Remaining Schedule is:

vs Spurs
vs Sacramento

Lets say Lakers win both of their games and Dallas stays in 7th place while Hornets win their first 2 remaining games.

If you're Dallas, do you make sure you beat the Hornets on the final game of the season to remain in 7th place BUT knock Hornets down to the 2nd place so you can face them in the 1st round?

Or do you lose and rather face the Lakers in the 1st round?

Dallas hasn't had much success against either team this season since acquiring Jason Kidd but there are possible positives to face one or the other:

Facing Lakers could possibly mean No Bynum for the 1st round but they've had no answer against Kobe or Odom although Dirk has played really well against them. But if Bynum returns, it could be very tough.

Facing Hornets could possibly mean a better chance because the lack of experience of Hornets in the playoffs but Dirk would have to go up against David West and Chris Paul owned Kidd in their previous game. On the other hand, Kidd has the playoff experience and could possibly give Paul a very hard time.

Also the Spurs might get 2nd or 1st, would Dallas rather avoid the Spurs or face the Spurs in the 1st round?

If I am a Dallas fan I would easily pick playing New Orleans over the Lakers and Spurs.

i may be seriously underrating chris paul's defence, but i have only watched him a couple of times so dont flame me.

but last year jason kidd absolutely owned tj ford in the playoffs because he was able to post him up easily and we were forced to double leaving people open. chris paul is only slightly larger than tj so if i am correct in thinking that paul can get posted up easily i have a feeling that kidd could be huge in that series.

Well Lakers beat Dallas 3 times this season and one was without Pau, one without Bynum, and one without Bynum AND Pau.

Plus they're scared of Kobe. Remember the dude dropped 62 in 3 quarters on them. They probably wanna face New Orleans who's younger and like the guy above me said Jason Kidd can post up the 6 foot tall Paul.

Then again I don't think the Lakers will beat San Antonio Sunday to make this possible.

1. Lakers
2. Hornets
3. Spurs
4. Jazz
5. Rockets
6. Suns
7. Mavs
8. Nuggets

i thnk dallas should go against the hornets, only cause i dont want the lakers to face dallas in teh 1st rd, we may have won the series 3-1, bu they were all settled by like 3pts or less

For dallas, the hornets is the best fit, only cause of playoff experience.

1. Hornets - playoff experience (or lack of)

2. Lakers (with or without Bynum) - They are still beatable. I wouldn't automatically pencil in the Lakers for a win. It's definitely doable.

3. Spurs - the Mavs could take them, but they would probably want to avoid the Pop factor, at least in Round 1

I don't think the Lakers or Mavs want to play each other in the 1st round. The Hornets would be a lot easier for the Mavs to beat IMO.

The Mavs have the advantage in experience and other than at point guard, they win every head to head matchup. Dampier is bigger and stronger than Chandler and can move him away from the basket. Dirk is too big for West and West wouldn't be able to guard him out on the perimiter. Howard will abuse Peja on offense and on defense he just has to shadow him to make sure he doesn't get off open shots. Stackhouse and Peterson are about even but Stackhouse is more experienced. Paul has played better than Kidd this season but Kidd still brings valuable experience and can probably take Paul in the post. Off the bench the Mavs have a slight edge with Bass, Jones, George, Terry, and Lue. Coaching is about even this season.

The Lakers have Kobe and that alone gives them the edge over the Mavs who have a huge problem against elite wing men. The Lakers also have the edge in post scoring and Lamar has done a pretty good job on Dirk.

Hornets easily. I'm still not convinced yet. I don't think Lakers wanna see Mavs 1st round either though...