Time to talk about the Playoffs

Last Guardian · Post #21 » by **Last Guardian** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:30 pm

KingRobb02 wrote:Well, if we keep up our current pace, it looks like we might slip into the 4 spot and be forced to play the Raptors. In case you haven't noticed, the Raptors pretty much manhandle this team every time they meet.

Uhhhh, if we keep up our current pace we are going to keep the 3rd spot.....

KingRobb02 · Post #22 » by **KingRobb02** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:36 pm

Solid Snake wrote:-= original quote snipped =-
Uhhhh, if we keep up our current pace we are going to keep the 3rd spot.....

I mean that, we have basically been a .500 team since our fast start and Cleveland is only a few games back. If we continue to play .500 ball, they should hjave no problem catching us.

mhectorgato · Post #23 » by **mhectorgato** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:45 pm

KingRobb02 wrote:I mean that, we have basically been a .500 team since our fast start and Cleveland is only a few games back. If we continue to play .500 ball, they should hjave no problem catching us.

We've been a .667 team since ASW.

We're 6-4 our last 10 games.

We have no more West coast road trips this season, except for the 7 game series we've got penciled in.

Plus aren't the 3 conference winners seeded 1 thru 3?

Last Guardian · Post #24 » by **Last Guardian** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:48 pm

KingRobb02 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

I mean that, we have basically been a .500 team since our fast start and Cleveland is only a few games back. If we continue to play .500 ball, they should hjave no problem catching us.

Our fast start was 16-4. Thats 20 games. Since then, yea we are 20-18 which is 38 games. To be fair, we should split it up.

First 20 - 16-4

Middle 20 - 8-12

Last 18 - 12-6

So we had a bad stretch, but it is innaccurate to say we are playing .500 ball right now.

KingRobb02 · Post #25 » by **KingRobb02** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 9:24 pm

mhectorgato wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

We've been a .667 team since ASW.

We're 6-4 our last 10 games.

We have no more West coast road trips this season, except for the 7 game series we've got penciled in.

Plus aren't the 3 conference winners seeded 1 thru 3?

After that year when the Spurs and mavs had the 2 best records, they changed it so that winning your division only guarantees that you don't drop any lower than 4th.

Since starting 16-4, we have been 20-18, which isn't that great. To be fair, If i look at our last 20 (large enough sample size) we are playing .650 ball. Sure we have been "hot" lately but so have the Cavs. Right now, I think the Cavs will win the east, and they are playing .700 over the same span. If you ignore the games when Lebron has been out, they are a .650 team for the season and ahead of us in the standings. Looking ahead, we have games against the Hawks and Raptors, who usually beat us, the Bulls and Sixers, who will be fighting for playoff spots, Cleveland, San Antonio, New Orleans, who are better than us and Washington, who wants to take the division. I'm not predicting that we lose any or all of those games, just saying that these upcoming games will matter a lot more than the games in December or January so I hope that we can play a lot better. Cleveland is only 3 games back with 26 games to go. I just hope we can play well enough to hold them off.

Idunkonyou2 · Post #26 » by **Idunkonyou2** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 10:59 pm

KingRobb02 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

After that year when the Spurs and mavs had the 2 best records, they changed it so that winning your division only guarantees that you don't drop any lower than 4th.

Since starting 16-4, we have been 20-18, which isn't that great. To be fair, If i look at our last 20 (large enough sample size) we are playing .650 ball. Sure we have been "hot" lately but so have the Cavs. Right now, I think the Cavs will win the east, and they are playing .700 over the same span. If you ignore the games when Lebron has been out, they are a .650 team for the season and ahead of us in the standings. Looking ahead, we have games against the Hawks and Raptors, who usually beat us, the Bulls and Sixers, who will be fighting for playoff spots, Cleveland, San Antonio, New Orleans, who are better than us and Washington, who wants to take the division. I'm not predicting that we lose any or all of those games, just saying that these upcoming games will matter a lot more than the games in December or January so I hope that we can play a lot better. Cleveland is only 3 games back with 26 games to go. I just hope we can play well enough to hold them off.

The Magic are actually 22-18 through December, January and February. The way February ends, the Magic should be 24-18 through those months. Then cupcake way starts in March and April where the Magic only have to play 6 teams with winning records the rest of the way, with 5 of those 6 games at home. 50 wins is happening this year. If the Magic play at a high level, 55 wins will happen.

KingRobb02 · Post #27 » by **KingRobb02** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:23 pm

I think I calculated us at 51 wins if we play as well as we can. the problem is that I think the Cavs are capable of going on a serious run right now if Lebron sees a need to get to the #3 spot. If we slip up and lose some of those gimme games, it is a very real possibility that we slip out of the 3 spot.

Idunkonyou2 · Post #28 » by **Idunkonyou2** » Mon Feb 25, 2008 11:26 pm

KingRobb02 wrote:I think I calculated us at 51 wins if we play as well as we can. the problem is that I think the Cavs are capable of going on a serious run right now if Lebron sees a need to get to the #3 spot. If we slip up and lose some of those gimme games, it is a very real possibility that we slip out of the 3 spot.

The Cavs will be lucky to win 50 games IMO. I can't believe how hyped people are getting over the Cavs beating Memphis, LOL!! :lol:

KingRobb02 · Post #29 » by **KingRobb02** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 12:01 am

Idunkonyou2 wrote:-= original quote snipped =-

The Cavs will be lucky to win 50 games IMO. I can't believe how hyped people are getting over the Cavs beating Memphis, LOL!!

Actually i am juiced off the fact that they win 65% of their games when Lebron plays and that was when he was unhappy. I only imagine him getting better once he gets used to more consistent play from his mates.

Post #30 » by **Bensational** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:36 am

i'm still struggling to believe that Philli is in contention for a playoff spot. it just shouldn't happen. they've got to be everyone's hopeful for the #6 spot (if we hold on to #3).

i don't want to face the hawks, but hopefully our team can figure out some way to stop them in one of the next 3 games we've got against them before the playoffs. just incase we DO get them.

and i wouldn't rule NJ out just yet.

as for Cleveland + Toronto, i expect both of them to finish strong, and even though we've got the weaker schedule, they'll have something to prove.

Boston in the playoffs will be scary. the big 3 will be healthy and rested unless Doc is a complete moron (so there's hope still).

Hairy Midget · Post #31 » by **Hairy Midget** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 5:07 am

Soo, if we fall to the 4th seed, that means we'd play the Celtics in the first second round if they get the first seed right?

I'd much rather play the Celtics in the second round than the Pistons.

KingRobb02 · Post #32 » by **KingRobb02** » Tue Feb 26, 2008 2:08 pm

Hairy Midget wrote:Soo, if we fall to the 4th seed, that means we'd play the Celtics in the first second round if they get the first seed right?

I'd much rather play the Celtics in the second round than the Pistons.

Assuming that we make it past the Raptors, yes we would play the #1 seed in the second round.