The NBENFANT Thread (NBA): 2023-2024 Edition!

[DaVoiceMaster]

Not good that New Orleans is beating Utah so far.

The bad news is Jazz are the 2nd most difficult opponent Pelicans play. If Pelicans win, they could easily go 7-1. Blazers have to be awesome to win 5 games.

Yup. They only play 2 playoff teams so we need those teams to actually win. Fortunately the Jazz pulled it out in the closing seconds. Sadly, the Blazers play 8 playoff teams. Pretty clear who the NBA wants to advance.

Who thought it a good idea to let Reggie Miller in the bubble?

[DaVoiceMaster]

Question...

If Memphis loses all 8 games and falls to 10th or 11th place and New Orleans is 8th and Portland is 9th, do they still have the 2 game series between the Pelicans and Blazers?

[DaVoiceMaster]

Clippers are spanking the Pelicans by 29th with 3 1/2 minutes left in the 1st half. 15-22 on 3 point shots. That doesn't bode well for the Blazers when they play the Clippers.

[zzaj]

Question...

If Memphis loses all 8 games and falls to 10th or 11th place and New Orleans is 8th and Portland is 9th, do they still have the 2 game series between the Pelicans and Blazers?

IIRC, DVM...the best of 2 play-in only occurs if the 9th team is within 4 games of the 8th. So it would depend on the record, but most likely...yes.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Coolie. Didn't know if it only applied if memphis was #8 or if any team could be #8. Thanks!

[Matt800]

New Orleans lost to LAC today so still on track for a shot at the playoffs.

[monopoman]

Pels really doing us a huge favor dropping the first two games.

[DaVoiceMaster]

But didn't everyone expect the Pelicans to lose the first 2 games, then win the next 6 games? They only played 2 playoff teams. Now they play 6 games against teams not in the playoffs.

[Matt800]

But didn't everyone expect the Pelicans to lose the first 2 games, then win the next 6 games? They only played 2 playoff teams. Now they play 6 games against teams not in the playoffs.

The first do look like they'd be the hardest for them, but for the Pelicans to win the last 6 would be hard as well. Most of the teams they are facing have won over 40% of their games. If the Pelicans chance of winning each game is 60%, then winning 6 of 6 would be about a 4.7% chance. 3 or 4 wins would be the most likely. Of course, that doesn't account for teams not trying, or resting players, or injuries.

[DaVoiceMaster]

They still have a much easier road ahead than the Blazers or Spurs.

[mighty_duck]

Looking at the NO-MEM game now, but I'm not sure who I should be rooting for!
A MEM loss will bring us closer to 8th place, but a NO loss will help us secure the 9th place. Decisions decisions!

[DaVoiceMaster]

I'm hoping Memphis loses out and the Blazers & Spurs finish 8th and 9th.

[Matt800]

Looking at the NO-MEM game now, but I'm not sure who I should be rooting for!
A MEM loss will bring us closer to 8th place, but a NO loss will help us secure the 9th place. Decisions decisions!

In theory Portland beating Memphis for the 8th spot would be ideal, but it would be so hard to do that it seems like the most realistic good scenario would be Portland finishing in 9th and within 4 games of Memphis. But who knows. If Memphis somehow does only win 0-2 games, it's possible that Portland could pass them.

[zzaj]

Personally, as a fan I want nothing to do with Popovich and the Spurs in do or die games. Blazers have shown that they can beat Memphis. I’ll take the inexperienced, short handed team any day...

[d-train]

Personally, as a fan I want nothing to do with Popovich and the Spurs in do or die games. Blazers have shown that they can beat Memphis. I’ll take the inexperienced, short handed team any day...

I would rather Blazers play all of the next 6 games against Spurs. That would be heaven.

[BlazersBroncos]

MEM just got more shorthanded with Jaren Jr going down with a torn meniscus. Good for us making the playoffs, but I hate seeing a young talented guy like that go down. He is a very very talented kid.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I think I'd like to move Simon's and find a defensive PG that can also dish the ball. Simon's cannot play defense or distribute the ball and at this point in his career, regardless of the potential, he does not have much offense. I think the Blazers could really use a defensive guard.

I've also decided Whiteside needs to go. I'd like to see the Blazers bring Skal Labisserie back to town as the back up big for both Nurkic and Collins. I would also bring Melo back next season. I'm not exactly sure what his role will be, but his leadership and probably fewer minutes at either position could be a good thing.

[DaVoiceMaster]

MEM just got more shorthanded with Jaren Jr going down with a torn meniscus. Good for us making the playoffs, but I hate seeing a young talented guy like that go down. He is a very very talented kid.

That is really too bad, but I'll take it this year. I really think #8 and #9 will come down to the Blazers, Spurs, and maybe the Pelicans. I've not seen the Suns, nor do I know what their schedule looks like so I'm n lo t sure where they will finish. I'm gonna hold em out of the top 10 though and probably top 11.

[DaVoiceMaster]

LouWill cleared quarantine just in time to play the Blazers (sigh). Those 10 days went really quick.

[monopoman]

Wow Grizz lose their first 4 games, they now have a 1 game lead over Portland and a 2 game lead over the 10th and 11th team. Only three teams in the bubble have lost all their games so far.

Grizz
Kings
Wizards