Utah Jazz in awkward situation

[Magz50]

No no no, people. We want the Spurs at home.

They're struggling big time; there are Spurs fans all over the 'General' board bemoaning the current plight and form of their favourite team. Plus, they might be without Manu for at least one of the next several contests, and could be without Horry and Barry for the rest of their season. I know, hoping for injury to the opponents is a cop out, but we can win consecutive games on our home floor against any team, fit or no. Any team.

There's a bigger issue, though, and that is the second round opponent. I'd much rather avoid the Lakers' half of the West draw. Give them two chances to be eliminated by another team and, failing that, we'll see them in the Western Conference Finals, when we've accumulated some serious momentum. Bynum's return is a factor worth consideration, and I know that the extra series might give him time enough to return to play us, but it seems as though he is still 3-4 weeks away, maybe not even beyond the realm of being shut down for the season*. If his return is so distant, that puts the Lakers juggling Bynum and whatever his medical mandates to their possible detriment towards the back end of the conference semifinals and in to the West finals.

Additionally, should we finish with the third seed and subsequently conquer San Antonio, we will either face the Hornets in the second round - a series everybody wants to see - or retain the home court advantage against the Mavericks.

If we lose to the Spurs on Wednesday, not only will we relinquish home court in the first round, but we'll be on the road for as long as we don't play the Mavericks or Nuggets the rest of the way.

Definitely, give me the Spurs at home.


*From Hoopsvibe.com

http://www.hoopsvibe.com/nba/nba-news/will-andrew-bynum-even-make-playoffs-ar47894.html

[size=75]Will Andrew Bynum Even Make Playoffs?
04.13.2008 - Updated on 04.13.2008

[Sportfan]

Spurs will rest Duncan and parker, we already have the 3rd seed wrapped up. Utah should win rather easy.

A link showing you already have the third seed wrapped up? I thought it was still up for grabs?

[Iggyemu]

Spurs will rest Duncan and parker, we already have the 3rd seed wrapped up. Utah should win rather easy.

No I don't think so. It would be a 4 way tie if you lose, the Rockets win and the Suns win. And I don't think any tie breaker you have would put you at 3. Check your stuff. I know this stuff is confusing but I think thats the scenario right now.

[Jordan45822]

Spurs are going take the last game very seriously. I know they say they don't care about seeding or homecourt, but IMO I think they care. A

Also Utah has not won in SA since the Stone Age its going to be very hard for them to win the game.

[Ern III]

... we already have the 3rd seed wrapped up...

You can do better than this. As far as I can tell, only the Mavericks' and the Nuggets' seeding is set in stone in the West.

[Jordan45822]

-= original quote snipped =-



You can do better than this. As far as I can tell, only the Mavericks' and the Nuggets' seeding is set in stone in the West.

They can still switch spots. So actually nobody is in the West

[Ern III]

They can still switch spots. So actually nobody is in the West

Of course, right you are. By virtue of Denver's 2-1 series defeat of Dallas.

Thanks.

[Magz50]

my bad if we haven't, i swear on espn sportscenter this morning it said Spurs clinch 3rd seed.

I just checked ESPN.com and it said "Spurs close to clinching 3rd seed", i blame it on being half asleep when i was getting up lol.

[rsavaj]

my bad if we haven't, i swear on espn sportscenter this morning it said Spurs clinch 3rd seed.

I just checked ESPN.com and it said "Spurs close to clinching 3rd seed", i blame it on being half asleep when i was getting up lol.

Don't worry man, last night ESPN said that the Spurs clinched the 3rd seed too. Only this morning did they correct it.

I was a little confused.

[Magz50]

Ah ok good to see my eyesight hasn't left me just yet. lol

[schneiderjazz]

Jazz should try to win the last game. When you have the best home record in the league, it is probably a good idea to have homecourt advantage.
Also if the Jazz can't beat the Spurs with HCA, how are they gonna beat the Lakers without it? They might as well go home and start thinking about next year.

[JDawg]

The way I see it if im San Antonio is I HAVE TO WIN.

Reason is simple.

1) you have to expect both houston to beat LAC and Suns to beat Porltand...therefore both teams are 55-27.

2) therefore if you LOSE to the JAzz at home to fall to 55-27 and the jazz improve to 55-27

by nba tiebreak standards, the 4 way head to head WILL decice the tiebreak on its own.

Therfore SA falls to #6.

SO,

if your San Antonio,

would you rather face Utah on the road as the #6 seed OR home to the Suns as the #3 seed.

Seems like a no brainer to me.

YES, the Suns are tough. But so is Utah.....and if im the Spurs id rather have homecourt against the suns than face UTah without it.

But thats just me talking here...so i dont know.

[ColdBlue]

While I would rather play the Rockets than the Spurs, I would take HCA without hesitation.

[pace31]

This is a 100% no-brainer, the Jazz NEED to win on Wednesday! While I can say I'm slightly more confident in beating the Rockets without HCA than I am beating the Spurs with it, it's not by much. The bigger picture though says hey who do we want in the 2nd round? The Lakers or Mavs/Hornets? Pretty easy choice on that one and it just gives the Lakers another round to possibly get upset before we'd get stuck with them. Just win Wednesday

[HarlemHeat37]

doesn't matter to the Spurs..

we're playing like ****, so it makes NO difference if it's in Utah or not..the way this team has been playing the last few weeks, we wouldn't be able to beat an East team in a best of 7 series, home or road..

I wanted Houston, but I don't give a **** anymore..

if you can't beat any team, you don't deserve to advance..if the Spurs are in form, I believe we're the best team in the West..but we aren't in form, and haven't been for a while now..since the 11-game winning streak..

it's a toss-up between Utah and Phoenix(could play Houston, but I doubt they lose to the Clips)..

[rewill17]

all the possible cominations/outcomes that are possible:

for your reference

If Jazz win, Hornets win both or split, Houston beats Clippers, Phoenix beats Portland, = Utah 3rd, facing SA
If Jazz win, Hornets win both or split, Hosuton beats Clippers, Phoenix loses to Portaldn = Utah 3rd, facing PHX
If Jazz win, Hornets win both or split, Houston loses to Clippers, Phoenixs beats Portland = Utah 3rd, facing Hou
If Jazzs win, Hornets win both or split, Houston loses to Clippers, Phoenix loses to Portland = Utah 3rd, facing PHX
If Jazz win, Hornets lose both games, Houston beats Clippers, Phoenix beats Portland = Utah 2nd, facing Dal
If Jazz win, Hornets lose both games, Houston beats Clipeprs, Phoenix loses Portland = Utah 2nd, facing Dal
If Jazz win, Hornets lose both games, Hosuton loses Clippers, Phoenix beats Portland = Utah 2nd, facing Dal
If Jazz win, Hornets lose both games, Houston loses Clippers. Phoenix loses Portland = Utah 2nd, facing Dal
If Jazz lose, Hornets win both games or splits, Houston beats Clippers, Phoenix beats Portland = Utah 4th - facing Hou
If Jazz lose, Hornets win both games or splits, Houston beats Clippers, Phoenix loses Portland = Utah 4th - facing Hou
If Jazz lose, Hornets win both games or splits, Houston loses Clippers, Phoenix beats Portland = Utah 4th - facing PHX
If Jazz lose, Hornets win both games or splits, Houston loses Clippers, Phoenix loses Portland = Utah 4th - facing Hou
If Jazz lose, Hornets lose both games, Houston wins Clippers, Phoenix wins Portland = Utah 4th, facing Hou
If Jazz lose, Hornets lose both games, Houston wins Clippers, Phoenix loses Portland = Utah 4th, facing Hou
If Jazz lose, Hornets lose both games, Houston loses Clippers, Phoenix wins Portland = Utah 4th, facing Hou
If Jazz lose, Hornets lose both games, Houston loses Clippers, Phoenix loses Portland = Utah 4ht, facing Hou

[carrottop12]

Yeah, here is a link to a newspaper that went through all of the possibilities.

http://blogs.sltrib.com/jazz/

And it goes with my first theory, if the Jazz win and Phoenix and Houston wins, the Jazz play San Antonio in the first round.

If the Jazz lose and both phoenix and San Antonio win they play the Rockets in Houston.

I am going to say go for home court advantage.

[rewill17]

Yeah, here is a link to a newspaper that went through all of the possibilities.

http://blogs.sltrib.com/jazz/

And it goes with my first theory, if the Jazz win and Phoenix and Houston wins, the Jazz play San Antonio in the first round.

If the Jazz lose and both phoenix and San Antonio win they play the Rockets in Houston.

I am going to say go for home court advantage.

well it didnt take in count hornets may lose both games ..

Either win or lose, Jazz can still face Houston.

[Iggyemu]

Yeah, here is a link to a newspaper that went through all of the possibilities.

http://blogs.sltrib.com/jazz/

And it goes with my first theory, if the Jazz win and Phoenix and Houston wins, the Jazz play San Antonio in the first round.

If the Jazz lose and both phoenix and San Antonio win they play the Rockets in Houston.

I am going to say go for home court advantage.

My head hurts. Lets just hurry up and get to 11:30 pm on Wednesday. We'll know by then.

[KDRE]

Ok, check this Rockets scenario from a media member that posts on Cf

This is the real deal

Just got off the phone with the League Office....ignore all the tie-breaking crap written because half of it is wrong. Just know that if the Rockets beat the Clippers tomorrow there is a 75% chance they are hosting a 1st round series. Don't ask why just accept these scenarios.

Rockets win, San Antonio wins, Phoenix wins...Rockets vs Utah (Hou homecourt)

Rockets win, Utah wins, Phoenix wins...Rockets vs Suns (Hou homecourt)

Rockets win, Phoenix loses, San Antonio wins..Rockets vs Utah (Hou homecourt)



The only scenario involving a Rockets win that does not give Houston home court, is if Phoenix loses at home to Portland and San Antonio loses to Utah. (Then Rockets vs San Antonio with Spurs homecourt)