Playoff chase thread

[Windmill360]

Originally Posted by Windmill360

Grizz could get knocked down a peg or two. 10 back to back games!?!

People laughed and spat in my face when i posted this. They've gone 7-7 since.

[tap2390]

Originally Posted by Windmill360

People laughed and spat in my face when i posted this. They've gone 7-7 since.

[Twenty4sevenn]

Spurs lose to the Knicks. I'm afraid that's only gonna wake them up.

[PartywithDirk]

Looks like Durant may be shut down for the rest of the season. If so, Thunder probably shut down Ibaka too (if he's out 4-6 weeks). That should pretty much put a nail in their coffin.

Wonder if they look into trading KD this offseason, if they can't re-sign him? Wouldn't shock me to see Presti try and get something for him, rather than let him leave for nothing.

[MFFL]

Watch the Thunder get the 1st pick in the draft...

[Bryan_Wilson]

Originally Posted by PartywithDirk

Wonder if they look into trading KD this offseason, if they can't re-sign him? Wouldn't shock me to see Presti try and get something for him, rather than let him leave for nothing.

I really think it would be better for Both Durant and WB to be on different teams. Much like Nash would not have been a MVP if he stayed with mavs and Dirk(even though it's highly disputed as is with Shaq), I think WB and Durant can't fully realize their potential on the same team. OKC IMO is going to have to commit to one of them in the future and the other will have to be dealt for pieces to build around the one who remains.

[spreedom]

OKC would be pretty dumb to trade KD unless he either (A) absolutely will never be fully healthy again, or (B) tells them before the deadline that he's sure he isn't re-signing.

Outside of those two possibilities, you keep a guy that talented and do whatever you can to convince him to stay.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Twenty4sevenn

Spurs lose to the Knicks. I'm afraid that's only gonna wake them up.

Shhhhh. They are old. They need a late-afternoon (season) nap. Don't wake them up.

[EricaLubarsky]

0-3 against the warriors
1-3 against the Grizzlies
1-2 against the Rockets
1-2 against the Blazers
1-2 against the Clippers
1-1 against the Spurs
2-1 against OKC

[Underdog]

Mavs clinched a playoff spot with the OKC loss tonight.

[Twenty4sevenn]

Motiejunas out for the season.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by Twenty4sevenn

Motiejunas out for the season.

If God really is a Mavs fan, he'd let us face Houston.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by EricaLubarsky

If God really is a Mavs fan, he'd let us face Houston.

And yet the Mavs always seem to play poorly when their opponent has been hit by the injury bug. I still don't know about facing floppy and his ref pals. It will make me hate this game if that guy gets 15+ ft attempts each outing.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

And yet the Mavs always seem to play poorly when their opponent has been hit by the injury bug. I still don't know about facing floppy and his ref pals. It will make me hate this game if that guy gets 15+ ft attempts each outing.

It's still our best opportunity. Rick is the master at defensive schemes to disrupt specific offenses. With Houston, you really only have to worry about Harden flopping. It's tough to play 5-on-8, but Rick stopped Wade/LeBron/Bosh. Slowing/limiting Harden and letting the rest of the guys try to shoot will be much easier.

[Thukydides]

geez, I don´t wanna see the Spurs in the first round.. but it sure looks likely right now

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by Thukydides

geez, I don´t wanna see the Spurs in the first round.. but it sure looks likely right now

Are you a Houston fan or a Memphis fan?

[rimrocker]

Do we rest players the last 4 games or try to continue building confidence and chemistry?
I think Dirk and Tyson need rest.
This is a great opportunity for the Mavs imo....maybe the stars are beginning to line up for us again.

[Kante]

RC alreassy said that Rondo is gonna be rested in one game and other aswell.

[Thukydides]

Originally Posted by rimrocker

Are you a Houston fan or a Memphis fan?

Spurs have another game against HOU left, which I expect them to win - that would take them past the Rockets; Grizzlies have games against both GSW and the Clippers.. it´s quite possible for the Spurs to end up 2nd.

Or did I missunderstand you?

[Vinsanity]

I think we should be hoping for Memphis at this point. They haven't been playing great lately and Conley is banged up. Houston would be best case scenario but no way they finish 2nd. Just please no San Antonio.

[Melonhead]

Originally Posted by Vinsanity

I think we should be hoping for Memphis at this point. They haven't been playing great lately and Conley is banged up. Houston would be best case scenario but no way they finish 2nd. Just please no San Antonio.

I'm in shock right now. Memphis is losing the 2 seed to the spurs. They almost have to win out now after loss to clips. Spurs have an easy last 3 games. This is unbelievable what they've been able to accomplish since march

[MFFL]

Clippers will win their last two games and have the strongest chance to get the #2 seed that I can see

[Kante]

Grizzlies or Clippers better win out, i don't want to see the Spurs (like every year).

[purplefrog]

Originally Posted by MFFL

Clippers will win their last two games and have the strongest chance to get the #2 seed that I can see

Yep, I think the Mavs get the Clippers... for better or worse. It looks to me like they have the tie breakers over the Spurs if they both win out. Gasol was injured last night for the Grizzlies and Conley and Allen are also banged up. Injuries are likely to play a big role in the playoffs with the Warriors and Spurs looking healthy, the Clippers starting to get everyone back (I see Crawford played 20 mins last night), and everyone else trying to get their injured players back in time for the games that matter.

[jthig32]

If the Clippers and Spurs win out, we play the Spurs. A division winner always wins the tiebreaker against a non-division winner.

We're better than 50% to play the Spurs.

[Kante]

So, go Suns? Or Memphis has to win out.

[purplefrog]

Originally Posted by jthig32

If the Clippers and Spurs win out, we play the Spurs. A division winner always wins the tiebreaker against a non-division winner.

We're better than 50% to play the Spurs.

Ok. I interpreted the tie breaking rules to mean division winners get the tiebreaker only if both teams are from the same division....If they are from different divisions then it is head-to-head, and then conference record. But your interpretation makes more sense.

[Oberon]

Wow, the situation in the West is just crazy.

I still don't really get what happens if SAS, LAC, MEM and HOU all win their remaining games (I think there is no direct match between two of these teams). I mean they would have the same overall record in the end (56-26), so who would be first out of them?

If I got it right, a division winner would always have the advantage over a non-division winner so that basically takes LAC out of the discussion, but who would be the SW-Division-Winner when SAS, HOU and MEM share the same record? Is it the game record of only the games played within the same division? In that case it's MEM right? Oh dear that's confusing...

[Sportstudi]

Originally Posted by Oberon

Wow, the situation in the West is just crazy.

I still don't really get what happens if SAS, LAC, MEM and HOU all win their remaining games (I think there is no direct match between two of these teams). I mean they would have the same overall record in the end (56-26), so who would be first out of them?

If I got it right, a division winner would always have the advantage over a non-division winner so that basically takes LAC out of the discussion, but who would be the SW-Division-Winner when SAS, HOU and MEM share the same record? Is it the game record of only the games played within the same division? In that case it's MEM right? Oh dear that's confusing...

SAS 2:2 MEM
SAS 2:2 LAC
SAS 3:1 HOU
MEM 2:2 LAC
MEM 2:2 HOU
LAC 2:2 HOU

SAS W7L5
MEM W6L6
LAC W6L6
HOU W5L7

I would assume GSW go all out tomorrow to beat the Grizzlies, to send SAS to 2 spot.

POR is out of the 5-way tie scenario.

Up to this point:
GSW vs NOP
SAS vs DAL
LAC vs HOU
POR vs MEM (MEM with HCA)

If Grizzlies, Rockets, Spurs, Clippers win out:

2. Spurs
3. Clippers
4. Blazers
5. Grizzlies (home court)
6. Rockets
7. Mavs


If Grizzlies, Rockets, Spurs win out, Clippers lose one

2. Spurs
3. Grizzlies
4. Blazers
5. Rockets (home court)
6. Clippers


If Grizzlies, Clippers, Rockets win out, Spurs lose one

2. Grizzlies
3. Clippers
4. Blazers
5. Rockets (home court)
6. Spurs

If Clippers, Spurs, Rockets win out, Grizzlies lose one

2. Spurs
3. Clippers
4. Blazers
5. Rockets (home court)
6. Grizzlies

If Clippers, Spurs, win out, Rockets, Grizzlies lose one

2. Spurs
3. Clippers
4. Blazers
5. Grizzlies (home court)
6. Rockets

If Clippers win out, Spurs, Grizzlies, Rockets drop one

2. Clippers
3. Spurs
4. Blazers
5. Grizzlies (home court)
6. Rockets

If Rockets win out, Grizzlies, Clippers, Spurs drop one

2. Rockets
3. Grizzlies
4. Blazers
5. Clippers (home court)
6. Spurs

Basically the Southwest owns the second seed unless both the Spurs and Grizzlies lose.

In the event that Houston/San Antonio and Memphis are tied, then the overall head to head record between these three determines who wins the division. San Antonio has the best combined head to head record against Memphis/Houston, so they win the 2nd seed if everyone wins out.

If the Rockets drop a game, but the other 3 teams (SA, HOU, LAC) win out, Memphis gets the 2nd seed. That's because if it's not a three way tie, Memphis head to head record against San Antonio gives them the division (tied 2-2, but better division/conference record). In case of a three way tie, as explained above, the overall head to head record between the three decides it. The Spurs have the best overall head to head record against Houston and Memphis, so if everyone wins out, they get the number 2 seed.

The team in each series with the better record has home court advantage, including the First Round. This means that, for example, if the team who receives the 5 seed has a better record than the team with the 4 seed (by virtue of a divisional championship), the 5 seed would have home court advantage, even though the other team has a higher seed. Therefore, the team with the best regular season record in the league is guaranteed home court advantage in every series it plays.

For instance it happened in 2006. The Denver Nuggets won 44 games and captured the Northwest Division and the #3 seed. Their opponent was the #6 seed Los Angeles Clippers, who won 47 games and finished second in the Pacific Division. Although Denver won its much weaker division, the Clippers had home-court advantage and won the series in 5.

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by Thukydides

Spurs have another game against HOU left, which I expect them to win - that would take them past the Rockets; Grizzlies have games against both GSW and the Clippers.. it´s quite possible for the Spurs to end up 2nd.

Or did I missunderstand you?

No you understood me correctly but I didn't realize Spurs were that damn hot and in that position.

My bad!!!

[Melonhead]

Spurs have only lost 3 games since Feb 23

Only the Pelicans can save us and hope the others win out. I really dont want to see Spurs in the first round

[tsar]

Originally Posted by Melonhead

Spurs have only lost 3 games since Feb 23

Only the Pelicans can save us and hope the others win out. I really dont want to see Spurs in the first round

I'm actually wouldn't mind seeing the Spurs - I feel like we match up well with them. I don't really want to play the Clips or Memphis; in my opinion those two teams would be the unlucky draw.

I know this team hasn't shown much for us to have hope going into the playoffs, but I have a feeling in my gut that this group might surprise a lot of people.

[BPo001]

Originally Posted by tsar

I'm actually wouldn't mind seeing the Spurs - I feel like we match up well with them. I don't really want to play the Clips or Memphis; in my opinion those two teams would be the unlucky draw.

I know this team hasn't shown much for us to have hope going into the playoffs, but I have a feeling in my gut that this group might surprise a lot of people.

With the injury bug hitting Memphis I don't think they would be as bad of a matchup. Plus they play at a slower pace which I think helps our team out. We just don't match up well with the Clippers.

[rimrocker]

Weren't the Spurs rolling along pretty good last season going into the POs?
Spurs are one of those teams I think we can beat but I always hate meeting hot teams...especially since we aren't clicking yet.

[EricaLubarsky]

Originally Posted by rimrocker

Weren't the Spurs rolling along pretty good last season going into the POs?
Spurs are one of those teams I think we can beat but I always hate meeting hot teams...especially since we aren't clicking yet.

Spurs run into the playoffs hot every single year.

It's their thing-- they start out around .500 and everyone questions whether or not they are playoff contenders then they go on a crazy run at the Allstar break.

[Oberon]

@ Sportstudi

Thanks for the explanation!

The Memphis loss means we can't get them any more right?
They'd been my favorite team to play as of now but it seems we just can never avoid the Spurs...

I do have some hope, however, that the Pelicans beat the Spurs tomorrow. I mean they have to if they wanna advance to the playoffs. In that case, if both the Clippers and Houston win their last game (which they should), we would get Houston actually! I'd fancy that a lot more than a matchup against the Spurs.

[Sportstudi]

Originally Posted by Oberon

@ Sportstudi

Thanks for the explanation!

The Memphis loss means we can't get them any more right?
They'd been my favorite team to play as of now but it seems we just can never avoid the Spurs...

I do have some hope, however, that the Pelicans beat the Spurs tomorrow. I mean they have to if they wanna advance to the playoffs. In that case, if both the Clippers and Houston win their last game (which they should), we would get Houston actually! I'd fancy that a lot more than a matchup against the Spurs.

Updated situation:

Tue matchup:

Clippers - Phoenix (Clips need to win this to preserve their tiny chance to get #2 spot, Suns have nothing to play for)

Wed matchups
SAS - NOP (both going all out)
MEM - IND (IND going all out)
HOU - UTA (UTA has nothing to play for)

If all games go like expected the playoffs will probably look like this:
#1 GSW #8 OKC
#2 SAS #7 DAL
#3 LAC #6 MEM
#4 POR #5 HOU


Sure, the deciding factor here , and also NO's only chance, is Anthony Davis.
Leonard is by now the Spurs best defender and he's playing at the 3. Duncan is more of a 5 than a 4 nowadays. Still no Splitter and the Pelicans will play at home. In case NOP manages to pull off the miracle, the standings would look like this:

#1 GSW #8 NOP
#2 HOU #7 DAL
#3 LAC #6 SAS
#4 POR #5 MEM

- The only chance for LAC to get #2 is if all SAS, HOU and MEM will lose while the Clippers beat the Suns one day earlier.

- Houston will finish either #2 or #5 (they need to win vs. Utah and a SA loss against NOP). They will home court in the first row though as Portland as a division winner only has the seeding advantage, not the home court advantage. As a side note, Houston either get #2 seed, or NOP's 14th pick.
- For the Spurs it's pretty easy: Win, play DAL and have HCA for first two rounds. Lose, likely no HCA until conf final.

If Spurs lose Rockets win:
2 HOU 7 DAL (HOU tied with LAC but owns tie breaker as division winner)
3 LAC 6 SAS (SAS tied with MEM but inferior conference record)
4 POR 5 MEM

If LAC beats PHO, there's a tricky situation for Memphis. They still have big reasons to play for, but they also need to think about resting players (they're banged up right now badly).

1. The Division winner is out of question for MEM now. Should LAC wins tomorrow, MEM can only get as high as 5, because 2 will be SW division winner, 3 will be LAC, 4 will be POR. Only 5 and 6 up for grab between MEM and HOU/SAS (whoever loses on Wednesday).

2. One thing to play for for MEM, is if they win, SAS HOU both lose, then it will be a three way tie in SW division, and SAS will take the division due to their superior head-to-head record amongst the three. MEM will be 5 in that case, HOU will be 6, as MEM has better conf record over HOU.

Yes, SW division, and #2 or #3 seeds are already out of reach for Memphis. But they will still try to win, to avoid dropping to 6. 5 and 6 means HCA, and that's huge. However if SA and Houston both win, Memphis will have to settle for 6 anyway. In case both SA and Houston have some huge lead early on, Memphis might might pull out their starters late in the game or mentally give up - no point going all out at that point with all their injury concerns.

Regarding the situation of NO and OKC this is really strange. Well, both OKC and NO play against Minny and will very likely win that game (NO did last night). OKC played against Portland last night (who have the 4th seed locked up and nothing to play for; thus tey rested Aldridge) and NO against San Antonio. SA ist still fighting for the 2nd seed and also on an absolute tear right now. Better situation for OKC if you ask me. And while I agree that the technical vs. Westbrook was an iffy one, it still leaves some sour aftertaste in my mouth that he got two of those rescinded in just two weeks. There were 0.13 technicals per player given for the entire season and Russell got two of those taken away within just two weeks? Nothing against OKC, but that's still sort of strange. Seems Silver prefers to have OKC in the playoffs instead of NO.

[Eman]

Originally Posted by Windmill360

People laughed and spat in my face when i posted this. They've gone 7-7 since.

they spat in your face?!! tough crowd!

[ReplayCenterInSecaucus]

Let's go Pels!

[rimrocker]

Originally Posted by ReplayCenterInSecaucus

Let's go Pels!

I'm guessing most Mavs fans will be watching that game (if televised) instead of the Portland/Mavs game...at least I will be.