Suns Path to Playoffs

[DirtyDez]

So at this point we have to go 3-0 and the Blazers have to go 0-2 right?

Nope. We must finish 3-0 and pray Blazers lose one game to either Mavs or Wizards. Also, we can finish 3-0 and still make it if Grizzlies lose their remaining games to Boston & Milwaukee.

Yup. Need to finish 3-0 and hope Portland loses once or Grizzlies go 0-2 to finish. Our best shot is if the Mavs actually play Luka/KP on Tuesday (they're sitting monday)

Knowing our luck they'll sit Mon/Tuesday then play against us on Thursday

So we control our own destiny over the Spurs?

[clpp01]

Nope. We must finish 3-0 and pray Blazers lose one game to either Mavs or Wizards. Also, we can finish 3-0 and still make it if Grizzlies lose their remaining games to Boston & Milwaukee.

Yup. Need to finish 3-0 and hope Portland loses once or Grizzlies go 0-2 to finish. Our best shot is if the Mavs actually play Luka/KP on Tuesday (they're sitting monday)

Knowing our luck they'll sit Mon/Tuesday then play against us on Thursday

So we control our own destiny over the Spurs?

Yes, win% favors the Suns at this point so SA would need the Suns to lose at least one more game then they do from this point forward in order to jump Phx.

[sunsbg]

So Mavs starters rest vs Jazz, beat the Blazers and we pray Luka has mercy and doesn't go 50/35/25 on us. There's still a chance.

[King4Day]

I'm really surprised there hasn't been an article of sorts going over what has to happen for the Suns to get in and about how close they have become.
I wonder what the biggest bet Vegas took on Phoenix to make the play-in game. Or 8th seed for that matter.

EDIT: Found this but it's not very in-depth: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2903792-nba-playoff-picture-2020-play-in-scenarios-for-suns-grizzlies-trail-blazers

[King4Day]

15. Phoenix Suns
Record: 5-0 | 31-39 (.443)
Title odds: +15000
Previous ranking: 19

The longest winning streak in the NBA? The bubble Suns, rising to firmly assert themselves into the play-in picture with three games to go. Before the shutdown, the Suns ranked 16th in offensive rating (110.2) and 19th in defensive rating (111.3). In the bubble, the Suns are seventh offensively (115.0) and suddenly elite defensively, ranking fourth (107.0). One major area of improvement is how the Suns are holding up when Devin Booker sits. Pre-hiatus, their offensive rating dropped to 98.7 with him on the bench. In the bubble: 107.1. -- Young

Remaining schedule: OKC, PHI, DAL

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/nbareturn29629954/nba-power-rankings-shake-top-5-playoff-matchups-take-shape

I'm a little surprised we're not higher but I suppose they're taking into account more than just the bubble.

[King4Day]

Luka Doncic, Kristaps Porzingis, and Dorian Finney-Smith will all miss Monday's game against the Utah Jazz. ~ RealGM headline

I highly doubt they are all going to sit again against Portland unless they are really injured.
I'd love if they say against us but if they can beat Portland, I'll take our chances with beating them full strength if it comes to that.

[Qwigglez]

Doesn't look good for us. We really needed that Sixers win against the Blazers. Here's what it looks like now.

Memphis plays Celtics and Bucks. Both teams are locked in their playoff spot. I don't see why the Celtics/Bucks bother playing their star players. We need both teams to beat the Grizzlies.

Blazers play Mavs and Nets, and both are locked in their playoff seed as well. I'm hoping, for some kind of miracle from one of those two teams to beat the Lillard Blazers.

Meanwhile for the Suns, OKC could potentially move from 5th to 6th seed, so I imagine they want to beat us so they don't drop and play the Nuggets instead of the Rockets in the 1st round. Afterwards we play the Sixers who is fighting for 5th place against the Pacers. Mavs game, hopefully they rest Luka and KP against us.

[darmani]

Don't worry guys. Our old friend Tyler Johnson is gonna go off against the Blazers on Thursday. The Nets are somehow 4-2 in the bubble with wins against the Bucks and Clippers.

[spanishninja]

15. Phoenix Suns
Record: 5-0 | 31-39 (.443)
Title odds: +15000
Previous ranking: 19

The longest winning streak in the NBA? The bubble Suns, rising to firmly assert themselves into the play-in picture with three games to go. Before the shutdown, the Suns ranked 16th in offensive rating (110.2) and 19th in defensive rating (111.3). In the bubble, the Suns are seventh offensively (115.0) and suddenly elite defensively, ranking fourth (107.0). One major area of improvement is how the Suns are holding up when Devin Booker sits. Pre-hiatus, their offensive rating dropped to 98.7 with him on the bench. In the bubble: 107.1. -- Young

Remaining schedule: OKC, PHI, DAL

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/nbareturn29629954/nba-power-rankings-shake-top-5-playoff-matchups-take-shape

I'm a little surprised we're not higher but I suppose they're taking into account more than just the bubble.

yeah, I mean overall, we're still on the outside looking in. on the other hand, CBS Sports has us maybe TOO high at #4:

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-power-rankings-lakers-bucks-struggling-nuggets-rockets-surging-suns-pacers-turning-heads/

[darmani]

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[King4Day]

15. Phoenix Suns
Record: 5-0 | 31-39 (.443)
Title odds: +15000
Previous ranking: 19

The longest winning streak in the NBA? The bubble Suns, rising to firmly assert themselves into the play-in picture with three games to go. Before the shutdown, the Suns ranked 16th in offensive rating (110.2) and 19th in defensive rating (111.3). In the bubble, the Suns are seventh offensively (115.0) and suddenly elite defensively, ranking fourth (107.0). One major area of improvement is how the Suns are holding up when Devin Booker sits. Pre-hiatus, their offensive rating dropped to 98.7 with him on the bench. In the bubble: 107.1. -- Young

Remaining schedule: OKC, PHI, DAL

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/page/nbareturn29629954/nba-power-rankings-shake-top-5-playoff-matchups-take-shape

I'm a little surprised we're not higher but I suppose they're taking into account more than just the bubble.

yeah, I mean overall, we're still on the outside looking in. on the other hand, CBS Sports has us maybe TOO high at #4:

https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nba-power-rankings-lakers-bucks-struggling-nuggets-rockets-surging-suns-pacers-turning-heads/

lol OMG. Happy to see the attention but that's a bit much

[SunsRback4Good]

^^^^ Suns haven't been ranked top 5 in power rankings probably dating back to 2010.

[SunsRback4Good]

Suns path to the playoffs Suns path to the playoffs Suns path to the playoffs Suns path to the playoffs Suns path to the playoffs Suns path to the playoffs Suns path to the playoffs Suns path to the playoffs Suns path to the playoffs Suns path to the playoffs

[darmani]

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The Nets want everyone rested for the Blazers. Good.

[Frank Lee]

As one of the more vocal “this is a crock o ****” playoff scoffers, I am gladly eatin some crow. To those whom I admonished about the importance of ‘seeing what/who we have’ well, I’m redassed. Regardless of what transpires over the next few days, this team has greatly benefitted from the experience. We can at least walk away minus one Shank and plus one Payne.....Plus a taste of meaningful games.

6 game streak really the longest in book’s career here....? What a drought for us all.

[starbosa10]

We want Mavs to win this right? Could still get the 6 seed if they win today right?

[darmani]

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[Jdiddy701]

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The Nets want everyone rested for the Blazers. Good.

Nets play very hard. I can see Portland losing their last game to them. Tyler Johnson owes us BIG TIME.


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[Calvin Klein]

We want Mavs to win this right? Could still get the 6 seed if they win today right?

They would have to play to win against us though, right?

[darmani]

We want Mavs to win this right? Could still get the 6 seed if they win today right?

They would have to play to win against us though, right?

Yeah, but we are invincible.

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