New Orleans Hornets @ Dallas Mavericks

[Doctor.]

Since this game has such a suge implications for the Lakers, I feel that it deserves a seperate thread. I think its going to be a dog fight.

If Mavs are smart, they will pley their harts out in order to win and avoid the Lakers. Even though Hornets are locked as No.2 sead, this is very important game for them as well, because by winning they can avoid the Mavs which is something they would like to do. So we are going to have a playoff game in Dallas.

Lets hope Mavs pull it off. I dont wanna play them in the first round.

[lakerz12]

I agree, I want to play Denver in the 1st round. So Denver definately has the tiebreaker over Dallas? I have not seen anything on this yet.

[slickgreek]

On Tuesday, Dallas coach Avery Johnson made it sound like the Mavericks were already preparing to face the Hornets in the playoffs.

"We've played New Orleans three times already this year," Johnson told the team's official Web site. "When we play against them in the playoffs, it's going to be pick-and-rolls with Chris Paul and (Peja) Stojakovic is going to be shooting the basketball from Slovenia somewhere, and we're going to have to stop them."

From Avery Johnson...interesting.

http://www.nba.com/games/20080416/NOHDAL/preview.html

[Kreuk]

I don't care who we play... you can't delay the inevitable... we are going to lose or we are going to win, and I believe we are going to win. bring on anyone.

i can't believe you guys would want to play a worse team, when the lakers have consistently played down to the level of the bottom tier teams... conversely, we play better versus top tier teams... i say bring on the top tier teams.

let somebody else be upset.

[CITYOFANGELSX3]

dirk has hit some huge clutch shots against us this season. Id rather play the 'enver nuggets.

[Doctor.]

Guys, luck comes in circles. And Mavs have been very unlucky and its about time for them to get couple of brakes. I dont want them geting it against the Lakers. Not to mentiune that they have preaty much the same team that had the best record in the league last year and made it to the finals the previous year. Are we going to beat them? Probebaly. But why take chances? Why not pley someone who we are confident about and someone who will give us more time to rest before the 2nd round which is going to be very dificult.

Its easy to sey bring them on, bit if we have 4 tough series, it will be dificult to win them all. Boston will be off in the 1st round resting. And so will Detroit. That will give them advantage down the road.

[KingLakers]

This game is really pointless to both teams because first they don't want to give each other a good scouting report because they could be playing each other this weekend also its real meaningless to the Hornets they Lakers locked up the top seed tonight winning or losing doesn't help or hurt them they own the tiebreaker against the Spurs. So in conclusion since we're going to see a lot of the benches you got to go with Dallas they have the better bench.

[That Nicka]

We should also be rooting for the Spurs to beat the Jazz.. as that will put the Spurs and Suns against each other

[EHL]

I'd rather face the Nuggets, sure. But Lakers have no excuses to lose to the Mavs, as good as they are.

[Speedlot]

I want hornets to lose, not because of future playoff standings, but because I want hornets to have a worse record than Lakers...

KOVE FOR MVP!! So people can use that fact in favor of Kobe.

[hermes]

i also would rather face the nuggets, mavs could be difficult to play in the first round

[Tommy Trojan]

bring on the nuggets baby!!!!!

[Bob Saget]

the hornets are locked into the two seed right?? why would they even play their starters?

[Magz50]

First round will be:

Lakers vs Dallas
Spurs vs Houston
Utah vs Phoenix
NO vs Denver

[Sportfan]

First round will be:

Lakers vs Dallas
Spurs vs Houston
Utah vs Phoenix
NO vs Denver

Thanks for letting me know! Now I don't have to watch any of the games tonight. One request: can you tell me the winning lottery numbers for next week?

[Magz50]

24, 12, 4, 31, 18, 16

I expect a cheque in the mail tomorrow.

[lakerfan10770]

First round will be:

Lakers vs Dallas
Spurs vs Houston
Utah vs Phoenix
NO vs Denver

I don't think this scenario is very likely....

I am assuming you think the seeding would be:

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

In order for this to happpen:

Jazz have to beat the Spurs
Nuggets have to beat the Grizzlies
Hornets have to beat the Mavericks
Blazers have to beat the Suns
Rockets can win or lose vs the Clippers

This scenario requires the Suns to lose at home against the Blazers. The more likely scenario would be if both the Suns & Rockets were to win. Which would give Spurs, Jazz, Rockets, & Suns the same record. In that case they go to the tiebreaker. When three or more teams are tied, the teams are ranked by their win percentage against their fellow tied teams. If that were to happen then it would finish, Jazz, Suns, Rockets, Spurs.

It's crazy trying to figure this stuff out, but I would like to watch these games knowing the possible implications. Partly so I know who to root for, but mainly because I just like to be informed.

[O.C Brandon]

the hornets are locked into the two seed right?? why would they even play their starters?

If the Hornets win tonight then they'll get Denver in the 1st Round, and if they lose then they'll have Dallas. Not to take anything away from Denver but I think the Hornets would rather play them 1st round instead of Dallas.

Both Dallas and Denver will be tough to beat anyway.

Be careful what you wish for...

[That Nicka]

We need a Spurs win and a Dallas win.
Through that, the easiest road to the WCF.

[That Nicka]

First round will be:

Lakers vs Dallas
Spurs vs Houston
Utah vs Phoenix
NO vs Denver

wrong


Lakers vs Nuggets
Jazz vs Rockets
Spurs vs Suns
Hornets vs Mavs