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

[JasonStern]

I haven't looked up how the play-in works. I would really prefer the 7th or 8th seed. But, I also don't want to get cought in a fair fight against the Warriors. How much of a chance does the 9 or 10 team get to jump into the playoffs?

https://www.nba.com/news/nba-play-in-tournament

TL/DR: Win the 1st game, get the 7th seed. Lose the 1st one, win the 2nd, get the 8th seed. Lose both and no playoffs.

If the Blazers lose two straight to the Warriors/Grizzlies/Spurs, then they really don't deserve to be in the playoffs.

I feel the biggest advantage to the 6th seed is just the additional time to rest before the playoffs begin. None of the top 4 matchups are really favorable for the Blazers. But getting some time to rest (especially Dame) and to plan for a known opponent (should Stotts choose to) certainly has value.

[d-train]

I haven't looked up how the play-in works. I would really prefer the 7th or 8th seed. But, I also don't want to get cought in a fair fight against the Warriors. How much of a chance does the 9 or 10 team get to jump into the playoffs?

https://www.nba.com/news/nba-play-in-tournament

TL/DR: Win the 1st game, get the 7th seed. Lose the 1st one, win the 2nd, get the 8th seed. Lose both and no playoffs.

If the Blazers lose two straight to the Warriors/Grizzlies/Spurs, then they really don't deserve to be in the playoffs.

I feel the biggest advantage to the 6th seed is just the additional time to rest before the playoffs begin. None of the top 4 matchups are really favorable for the Blazers. But getting some time to rest (especially Dame) and to plan for a known opponent (should Stotts choose to) certainly has value.

The 9th or 10th place team doesn't deserve to be in the playoffs. The 7th and 8th place team does deserve to be in the playoffs. NBA teams played the full schedule of games and should live by the results. We don't need a system to resolve unplayed games because there was none.

If a team should be eliminated because of the results of 1 game, then why have any 7 game series. The NBA wisely dropped having 3 game series because it was too risky that the lesser team could win.

[pinman42]

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Poor Rodney.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Unfortunately, it appears the Lakers are going to beat the Suns tonight. (sigh)

[monopoman]

Unfortunately, it appears the Lakers are going to beat the Suns tonight. (sigh)

The upside of this is that both the Jazz and Suns have a more secure spot at #1 and #2 respectively. It would be worse if the Lakers beat some other team that was irrelevant to the Blazers path.

Now best the Lakers lose this game but that is a nice consolation prize. The Blazers still hold all the cards and the Lakers need us to lose games to bypass us.

If the Blazers go 1-3 over the last four the Lakers have to go 3-1 to take the 6th seed from us.

[DaVoiceMaster]

Friggin Knicks. What a stupid finish.

[Norm2953]

There are some valid reasons why there has been talk of the Knicks trading for Dame.

[Matt800]

Friggin Knicks. What a stupid finish.

Yeah the Lakers now could fairly easily win out. Which would mean Portland would need 2 of 3 to stay ahead. They probably need all 3 to stay ahead of Mavs but who knows. I heard the Jazz may have some guys out tomorrow so that would help Portland's chances if true.

[DaVoiceMaster]

I dont think the Blazers have a shot at #5. Dallas has a way easy schedule and should win out. The Lakers schedule is fairly easy, as well and I kind of expect them to win out, as well. That puts the Blazers up Schitt Creek without a paddle.

[monopoman]

I mean I still think one of Jazz or Suns might rest players against us, and Denver might have 0 to play for in the final game of the season.

Blazers still have a 1 game lead and the tie breaker against LA, so even if they win out the Blazers have to go 2-1 over the final three to still retain their spot.

If the Jazz or Suns rest players and the Nuggets do the Blazers have no excuse for not winning.

There are some valid reasons why there has been talk of the Knicks trading for Dame.

Just because the Knicks want Lillard doesn't mean they have anything the Blazers would deem fair for Dame.

[Matt800]

I mean I still think one of Jazz or Suns might rest players against us, and Denver might have 0 to play for in the final game of the season.

Blazers still have a 1 game lead and the tie breaker against LA, so even if they win out the Blazers have to go 2-1 over the final three to still retain their spot.

If the Jazz or Suns rest players and the Nuggets do the Blazers have no excuse for not winning.

There are some valid reasons why there has been talk of the Knicks trading for Dame.

Just because the Knicks want Lillard doesn't mean they have anything the Blazers would deem fair for Dame.

Yeah we'll see. The Blazers could be close to keeping the 5th seed or dropping to the play in tournament based off how things go.

The Lakers play Houston tomorrow after an overtime game today.

The Mavs also play again tomorrow after losing today.

[Norm2953]

I would wonder in a play in game with the GSW if Steph could carry his team to a play in win.

[d-train]

I would rather play Jazz or Suns, than Warriors in a 1 game elimination. The one game elimination game for teams that earned a 7 or 8 seed is the dumbest thing the NBA has done since giving lifetime royalties to defunct ABA owners in 1976. It's sweet justice if NBA screws itself by risking Lakers playoff seed in their lamebrain play-in scheme.

[d-train]

Everyone knows that many NBA teams are capable of beating the best team in 1 game. However, it is especially true with respect to the Warriors. Curry is a top 5 player. He gives Warriors a very good chance to win any game. Grizzlies aren't bum's either. They have a nucleus that could be contending in a couple years.

Nice to see Blazers have themselves in the catbird seat among last 4 teams fighting to avoid the play-in. Blazers are the only team that controls its own destiny.

[d-train]

Blazers finish the season with the same winning percentage we had in 1977, if we win our final 3 games. Blazers won a championship in 1977.

Two weeks ago the naysayers said the wheels were falling off and called for the break-up of the team. The team was going to hell in a handbasket. I know, it's nothing new. We hear it every year. The naysayers will be back, hopefully not for awhile.

[JasonStern]

I don't think everyone understands how the play-in works. It's not single game elimination. If the Blazers managed to fall to 7, they'd play the 8th seed (likely the Warriors). Win and they're in as the 7th seed. But if they lose, they play the winner of the "9th vs. 10th" game for the 8th seed. So to miss the playoffs, the Blazers would have to lose to both the Warriors and then Grizzlies/Spurs - at which point the Blazers wouldn't deserve to be in the playoffs.

[Norm2953]

Its quite possible to lose to the GSW and if they draw the Grizzlies, that's a team that has beaten us
2/3.

[monopoman]

I mean everyone is acting like the Blazers are destined for the play-in tournament even if Mavs and Lakers win out which is not assured, even if Mavs+Lakers win out if we win the Denver game it is as follows.

5th Mavs
6th Blazers
7th Lakers

Lakers are also very likely to drop one of their final two games they are going on a road B2B over their last two games. Very difficult to win those games as we just saw the Blazers drop one. If the Lakers lose a single game the Blazers have 0 to play for assuming Mavs win out, since in that case the Blazers are locked at 6th win or lose vs. Denver.

[JasonStern]

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[Epicurus]

Warriors v Grizzles
Green's left hand was on shooter longer and harder than Powell's on Booker. Yet upon challenge the refs upheld it and a jump ball at midcourt followed. It is because of ref inconsistency watching the NBA is difficult, despite admiring the talents of the players and coaches.