Tracking the Playoff Race

Post #301 » by **THE J0KER** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 4:07 am

...current standings...

Catchall · Post #302 » by **Catchall** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 4:19 am

Seeds 4 - 8 in the west are all within one game. Nuts.

LEO MESSI · Post #303 » by **LEO MESSI** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 4:22 am

Jazz has the tiebreaker vs Pelicans.
They are 7th, not 8th...

Post #304 » by **Young_Star11** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:44 am

THE J0KER wrote:
inquisitive wrote:With HCA throughout playoffs, i expect Rockets to rest or play Harden/CP3 very little.

This is a historic season for Houston, with franchise-best ever W/L regular season record. So playing for history books, they will probably give their best until the end.

As of right now, the Rockets need one more win (or a Toronto loss) to secure HCA for the entire post-season. 6 games left.

Not sure what else there is to gain by playing hard when the post-season is what they/everyone else will judge themselves by.

The OKC game could be one to watch if they want to influence OKC's seeding.

Post #305 » by **Young_Star11** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 9:50 am

Young_Star11 wrote:Anticipated SA beating OKC

3. Por - 51 (5-2 to finish)
4. NO - 49 (6-1)
5. OKC - 48 (4-2)
6. Uta - 48 (6-1)
7. SA - 47 (3-3)
8. Min - 46 (3-3)
9. LAC - 45 (4-3)
10. Den - 42 (2-5)

So it would be:
Hou v Min
NO v OKC

GS v SA
Por v Uta

Think I'm being too bullish about NO and Utah. Let's see.

Had Por to beat LAC, which happened
Had Min to beat Dal, which happened
Had Uta to beat Mem, this happened

Had OKC to beat Den, this didn't happen
Had NO to beat Cle, this didn't happen

3. Por - 51 (4-2 to finish)
4. Uta - 48 (5-1)
5. NO - 48 (5-1)
6. Min - 47 (3-2 - changed)
7. SA - 47 (3-3)
8. OKC - 47 (3-2)
9. LAC - 45 (4-2)
10. Den - 43 (2-4)

Still very bullish about NO and Uta and not Denver. If Denver play with as much desperation as they did against OKC they could get to 45 or 46.

Portland look good for the 3-seed so they could rest some guys on the final night of the season, as I think they'll secure the #3 seed before then.

Post #306 » by **THE J0KER** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 12:15 pm

Young_Star11 wrote:...
10. Den - 43 (2-4)
...

Based on what?

Denver is 27-10 (73%) at home, and next three games playing at home vs MIL, IND, and MIN which are on road 50% teams or below. So Denver has nice chances to collect 3 wins already in next 3 games! Then they go to the LA vs Clippers which at the time will be out from West playoff race if they lose 2 out of next 3 games, and then Denver playing home vs Portland which will be at the time very probably already secured on West #3 spot, and in last match Nuggets will face Minnesota on road. So, the most realistic scenario for Denver is 4-2, which unfortunately will not be enough for a playoff (they need 5-1 for playoff and 6-0 to escape GSW and HOU).

Wizop · Post #307 » by **Wizop** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 1:18 pm

IND DEN big for both teams.

Sent from my phone.

OkcSinceSGA · Post #308 » by **OkcSinceSGA** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 1:20 pm

Clippers pretty much killed themselves last night losing to Portland. Considering the 40 different starting lineups or whatever and constant injuries, the Clippers fought very valiantly this year. Pretty much the worse case scenario happened. I wonder how good they would of been with Beverley, Gallinari, Bradley at least playing 20-30 games together. I'd imagine 50 wins no doubt. I remember getting killed for saying if this team was healthy they could win 50-52 best case.

What I'm more upset about is that the Pistons have started to win and pushed their pick from 11th to 12th on us lol. Clippers are just about locked into the 12th and 13th picks now (chance to fall to 14 depending on Denver). Adding two late lotto picks to this underrated core could make for a REALLY good, low-key 50 win team next year.

They NEED to resign Tyrone Wallace and Montrezl Harrell for cheap. Then you have a young core of...

Harrell/Rivers/Wallace/Harris+two late lotto rookies. Older vets in Lou+Milos. I really hope one of them is Zhaire Smith or Shai. Draft well, sign smart. Then in 2 or 3 years if GS drops a bit maybe they can contend again.

kuclas · Post #309 » by **kuclas** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 1:44 pm

I think Cleveland has the 3 seed in the east. I don't see them losing at most 2 games. And that's at most. They most likely only lose 1 game down the stretch to some combination of Toronto/Wizards or both.

Philly likely goes at worst 4-3 down the stretch ( I see lost to Cleveland, and some combination of lost at Pistons (Blake is injured again) or at Charlotte and Milwaukee (last game...depending if Milwaukee plays their regulars)

Indiana I could see them losing at most 3 games or as little as 1 game.

So Cleveland 3 seed.

4/5 will be Indiana/Philly (home court to be determined).

As Sixers fan, if Embiid doesn't have surgery by Monday, chances are slim he gets back by the beginning of the playoffs (min 14 day recovery). He will miss the 1st two games of the playoffs regardless unless surgery is today (Saturday). Who knows depending on the extent of the surgery.

Pacers fans gonna love if Embiid isn't playing cause Oladipo will have free range to drive to the rim (no philly rim protectors) and Myles Turner isn't physically overmatched by Embiid in the paint. I don't like Philly's chances against anyone if Embiid misses 2 playoff games or more (and that's assuming they have home court). Without home court, I don't like Philly's chances at all if Embiid misses any games.

Tukkerwolf · Post #310 » by **Tukkerwolf** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 1:44 pm

THE J0KER wrote:
Young_Star11 wrote:...
10. Den - 43 (2-4)
...

Based on what?

Denver is 27-10 (73%) at home, and next three games playing at home vs MIL, IND, and MIN which are on road 50% teams or below. So Denver has nice chances to collect 3 wins already in next 3 games! Then they go to the LA vs Clippers which at the time will be out from West playoff race if they lose 2 out of next 3 games, and then Denver playing home vs Portland which will be at the time very probably already secured on West #3 spot, and in last match Nuggets will face Minnesota on road. So, the most realistic scenario for Denver is 4-2, which unfortunately will not be enough for a playoff (they need 5-1 for playoff and 6-0 to escape GSW and HOU).

4-2 could very well be enough to pass the Wolves. Which would be enough.

WarriorGM · Post #311 » by **WarriorGM** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 8:07 pm

Too bad the Clippers seem like they are out of it. Teodosic gone. I would have wanted to see a Rockets vs. Clippers first round.

Post #312 » by **Young_Star11** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 8:55 pm

THE J0KER wrote:
Young_Star11 wrote:...
10. Den - 43 (2-4)
...

Based on what?

Denver is 27-10 (73%) at home, and next three games playing at home vs MIL, IND, and MIN which are on road 50% teams or below. So Denver has nice chances to collect 3 wins already in next 3 games! Then they go to the LA vs Clippers which at the time will be out from West playoff race if they lose 2 out of next 3 games, and then Denver playing home vs Portland which will be at the time very probably already secured on West #3 spot, and in last match Nuggets will face Minnesota on road. So, the most realistic scenario for Denver is 4-2, which unfortunately will not be enough for a playoff (they need 5-1 for playoff and 6-0 to escape GSW and HOU).

I went onto say "Still very bullish about NO and Uta and not Denver. If Denver play with as much desperation as they did against OKC they could get to 45 or 46."

Entirely possible they sweep 3-game homestand (MIL, IND, MIN) and maybe go 5-1 or 6-0.

kuclas · Post #313 » by **kuclas** » Sun Apr 1, 2018 2:51 am

Can Boston catch Toronto. I didn’t think they could
But they are only 2 games behind. Toronto has Cleveland than Boston back to back next week.

So east could 1 seed is still up for grabs.

pingpongrac · Post #314 » by **pingpongrac** » Sun Apr 1, 2018 5:16 am

Toronto is making things so much more difficult for themselves. Wednesday's game becomes an important one now. If they win, the 1st seed is pretty much locked up. If they lose, they'll likely need to win their last 4 games because I can't see the Celtics losing to the Bulls, Hawks or Nets and I think they'll take one of their other games @MIL/@WAS.

Jedi32 · Post #315 » by **Jedi32** » Sun Apr 1, 2018 6:14 am

The spurs may finish fourth in the west? Wow

Kwakle · Post #316 » by **Kwakle** » Sun Apr 1, 2018 6:45 am

ClipsFanSince98 wrote:Clippers pretty much killed themselves last night losing to Portland. Considering the 40 different starting lineups or whatever and constant injuries, the Clippers fought very valiantly this year. Pretty much the worse case scenario happened. I wonder how good they would of been with Beverley, Gallinari, Bradley at least playing 20-30 games together. I'd imagine 50 wins no doubt. I remember getting killed for saying if this team was healthy they could win 50-52 best case.

What I'm more upset about is that the Pistons have started to win and pushed their pick from 11th to 12th on us lol. Clippers are just about locked into the 12th and 13th picks now (chance to fall to 14 depending on Denver). Adding two late lotto picks to this underrated core could make for a REALLY good, low-key 50 win team next year.

They NEED to resign Tyrone Wallace and Montrezl Harrell for cheap. Then you have a young core of...

Harrell/Rivers/Wallace/Harris+two late lotto rookies. Older vets in Lou+Milos. I really hope one of them is Zhaire Smith or Shai. Draft well, sign smart. Then in 2 or 3 years if GS drops a bit maybe they can contend again.

I don't see them contending unless they draft or trade for a superstar. They have a lot of good players, but no go-to stars for the playoffs. I also don't think Harrell will get signed for cheap. He showed a lot of promise and potential during the 2nd half of the season.

baldur · Post #317 » by **baldur** » Sun Apr 1, 2018 8:50 am

Lac must get rid of gallinari. Any cent is a waste for these kinds of constantly injured players. 20m is huge for anyone who is always injured.

OkcSinceSGA · Post #318 » by **OkcSinceSGA** » Sun Apr 1, 2018 2:49 pm

baldur wrote:Lac must get rid of gallinari. Any cent is a waste for these kinds of constantly injured players. 20m is huge for anyone who is always injured.

Yep. Plus if they dump DJ+Gallinari this summer they have a couple max slots. If not to use this year, then next.

711takeover · Post #319 » by **711takeover** » Sun Apr 1, 2018 3:44 pm

kuclas wrote:Can Boston catch Toronto. I didn’t think they could
But they are only 2 games behind. Toronto has Cleveland than Boston back to back next week.

So east could 1 seed is still up for grabs.

I don't think they will but they definitely have a great chance if they beat Toronto next week too. If they don't, raps have it all but locked up

kuclas · Post #320 » by **kuclas** » Sun Apr 1, 2018 3:54 pm

711takeover wrote:
kuclas wrote:Can Boston catch Toronto. I didn’t think they could
But they are only 2 games behind. Toronto has Cleveland than Boston back to back next week.

So east could 1 seed is still up for grabs.

I don't think they will but they definitely have a great chance if they beat Toronto next week too. If they don't, raps have it all but locked up

My real reason for hoping Boston keeps the race for the one seed tight is I want a full strength raptors team playing Indiana on Friday. I’m a sixers fan. If Toronto has the one seed already they may decide to rest players against Indiana. Thus ensuring an easier matchup for Indiana on Friday. Sixers fan want at least home court in first round

Will Denver make the playoffs?