Utah or Dallas?

[The Laker Kid]

Where's the option for "I don't care who we play on the first round.. as long as it's not the Portland Trailblazers!"

[Dr Aki]

cos theres no chance portland slip to eighth with 2/3 games remaining seeing as theyre 3 games ahead of 8th seed

and utah just keep losing damnit, theyre on a collision course with us now

[Rubynator]

Read this in a forum the other day.

If the Jazz lose to the Lakers, the Jazz will be sealed with the #8 seed regardless of what happens with New Orleans or Dallas. Even if the Jazz win, it's still possible that the Jazz will be #8 anyway, because if the Hornets and Mavs both win on Wednesday, their records would be better than Utah's.

If the Lakers lose tomorrow, who the opponent would be for the 1st round is out of their control. If the opposition is still the Jazz, it could create a psychological advantage for the Jazz. There is precedent for this. The Mavs let the Warriors win a seemingly meaningless game and get into the playoffs near the end of 06-07. This, of course, came back to bite them.

Before Laker fans get angry at me, I'm not saying the Lakers will fail as the Mavericks did that year. What I am saying though, the Lakers will have no control of who their opponent is, if they lose. Utah has had a terrible road record against good teams all year. A win in L.A., albeit with the Lakers not trying, can still be a potential confidence boost.

Rather than have no control of what will happen, the Lakers can choose to humble the Jazz tomorrow. Show that they are afraid of no team in the West and go into the playoffs by sending a message to their 1st round opponent by routing them.

It's the choice they've earned by being the best in the West. I wonder how they will decide . . .

He has a point history could repeat itself with what happend in 07 but these are two different teams its not like the Lakers would allow themselves to lose in the 1st round after beating them last year and losing in the Finals. They are much more motivated team especially with Bynum out to prove himself they could handle them. The only problem is the Utah crowd has almost the same energy with the Golden State crowd which scares me.

[Sedale Threatt]

If I recall correctly that Golden State team came into the playoffs on a huge roll, whereas Utah is limping in. The difference in momentum and confidence between the two teams is vast.

[daddyfivestar]

Or New Orleans?

All 3 can still finish 8th.

[DubaLakers]

If the LAL win they face the Jazz is what I heard. Status quo until the half and let the bench finish it. DFish shouldn't even play, rest him up, only old guy. I'd rather face Dallas, reasoning Dallas doesn't drive the ball, soft series, no one gets hurt. Utah drives a ton, they play physical, they have a top three PG, and the refs let them beat up the opponent.

[Dexmor]

Am I the only one who would rather have Utah? I hate the idea of playing vs Kidd and Dirk.

[slickgreek]

Western Conference scenarios
Denver will be seeded:

• #2 if Nuggets win OR Rockets lose

• #3 if Nuggets lose and Rockets win

Houston will be seeded:

• #2 if Rockets win and Nuggets lose

• #3 if Rockets win and Nuggets win OR if Spurs and Blazers lose.

• #4 if Rockets lose, Spurs win and Blazers lose OR if Rockets lose, Spurs lose and Blazers win.

• #5 if Rockets lose and Spurs and Blazers win.

Portland will be seeded:

• #3 if Blazers win and Rockets and Spurs lose.

• #4 if Blazers win and either Rockets or Spurs win (or both win) OR if Blazers and Spurs both lose.

• #5 if Blazers lose and Spurs win.

San Antonio will be seeded:

• #3 if Spurs win and Rockets lose.

• #4 if Spurs win, Rockets win and Blazers lose.

• #5 if Spurs lose OR if Rockets and Blazers win.

New Orleans will be seeded:

• #6 if Hornets win OR if Mavericks and Jazz lose.

• #7 if Hornets lose and either Mavericks or Jazz win (but not both)

• #8 if Hornets lose and Mavericks and Jazz win.

Dallas will be seeded:

• #6 if Mavericks win and Hornets lose.

• #7 if Mavericks win and Hornets win OR if Mavericks lose and Jazz lose.

• #8 if Mavericks lose and Jazz win.

Utah will be seeded:

• #6 if Jazz win and Hornets and Mavericks lose.

• #7 if Jazz win and either the Hornets or Mavericks win (but not both)

• #8 if Jazz lose OR Hornets and Mavericks win.

[Mamba Venom]

I love what Kobe said

Utah will be good because they are physical and thats the challenge the Lakers want in the 1st round!