Playoff chase thread - Dallas-Mavs.com Forums

spreedom · 02-23-2015, 04:34 PM

Man, the West is a bloodbath. Mavs have the toughest remaining strength-of-schedule in the West:

Also noteworthy, fewest remaining back-to-back games, and 4th-most opponent back-to-backs.

Windmill360 · 02-23-2015, 04:40 PM

We have the fewest back to backs though. I think this can work well for us. Gives us opportunity to tune our roster against the best in preparation for playoffs without having to kill ourslves in back to backs.

LonghornDub · 02-23-2015, 05:35 PM

I have this odd suspicion that the Mavs end up as the 8-seed and then give the Warriors a hell of a first-round series.

Would love to be wrong about the first part of that, of course. But I think the Thunder are about to go on a tear, and with the Mavs' remaining schedule, it wouldn't surprise me to see the Thunder surpass them before mid-April. And I just sort of assume the Spurs will make a push at some point, though who knows with all the miles they have after the past three summers.

mavsfan1000 · 02-23-2015, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

I have this odd suspicion that the Mavs end up as the 8-seed and then give the Warriors a hell of a first-round series.

Would love to be wrong about the first part of that, of course. But I think the Thunder are about to go on a tear, and with the Mavs' remaining schedule, it wouldn't surprise me to see the Thunder surpass them before mid-April. And I just sort of assume the Spurs will make a push at some point, though who knows with all the miles they have after the past three summers.

Rockets are going down.

Windmill360 · 02-23-2015, 05:56 PM

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

mavsfan1000 · 02-23-2015, 06:22 PM

Grizzlies are for real. Hope we don't play them. Dirk would get worn down by Gasol.

EricaLubarsky · 02-23-2015, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windmill360

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

They're also playing the most opponents who are on B2Bs as well.

dirt_dobber · 02-23-2015, 06:42 PM

good thread -
this will be fun to watch sort out.

mxr2000 · 02-23-2015, 06:55 PM

Hope on the way to the play off pick a new player that can score and help us when we fall in a slump on some parts of the game mostly 3rd quarter.

yahyes · 02-23-2015, 06:57 PM

4 seed would be good. They'll get a home court first round. Possibly go against Portland or Houston. Which could be epic.

markus1234 · 02-23-2015, 07:38 PM

Feb. 24 Toronto 8:30
Feb. 25 at Atlanta 7:30
Feb. 28 Brooklyn 8:30

Mar. 2 New Orleans 8:30
Mar. 5 at Portland 10:30
Mar. 6 at Golden State 10:30
Mar. 8 at Los Angeles 9:30
Mar. 10 Cleveland 8:30
Mar. 13 Los Angeles 8:30
Mar. 16 Oklahoma City 8:30
Mar. 18 Orlando 8:00
Mar. 20 Memphis 8:30
Mar. 22 at Phoenix 9:00
Mar. 24 San Antonio 8:00
Mar. 27 at San Antonio 8:30
Mar. 29 at Indiana 7:00

Apr. 1 at Oklahoma City 8:00
Apr. 2 Houston 8:30
Apr. 4 Golden State 8:30
Apr. 8 Phoenix 9:30
Apr. 10 at Denver 9:00
Apr. 12 at Los Angeles 9:30
Apr. 13 at Utah 9:00
Apr. 15 Portland 8:00

58-24

Vinsanity · 02-23-2015, 07:58 PM

^ Crazy to think that we'd have to only lose 4 more games to get to 58 wins. I'm gonna say we finish 55-27 with the 4th seed and a first round matchup against the 5th seed Rockets.

LonghornDub · 02-23-2015, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markus1234

Feb. 24 Toronto 8:30
Feb. 25 at Atlanta 7:30
Feb. 28 Brooklyn 8:30

Mar. 2 New Orleans 8:30
Mar. 5 at Portland 10:30
Mar. 6 at Golden State 10:30
Mar. 8 at Los Angeles 9:30
Mar. 10 Cleveland 8:30
Mar. 13 Los Angeles 8:30
Mar. 16 Oklahoma City 8:30
Mar. 18 Orlando 8:00
Mar. 20 Memphis 8:30
Mar. 22 at Phoenix 9:00
Mar. 24 San Antonio 8:00
Mar. 27 at San Antonio 8:30
Mar. 29 at Indiana 7:00

Apr. 1 at Oklahoma City 8:00
Apr. 2 Houston 8:30
Apr. 4 Golden State 8:30
Apr. 8 Phoenix 9:30
Apr. 10 at Denver 9:00
Apr. 12 at Los Angeles 9:30
Apr. 13 at Utah 9:00
Apr. 15 Portland 8:00

58-24

Sorry, but this is unrealistic. No way the Mavs beat Donald Sloan's Pacers in Indy.

Underdog · 02-23-2015, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

Sorry, but this is unrealistic. No way the Mavs beat Donald Sloan's Pacers in Indy.

markus1234 · 02-23-2015, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vinsanity

^ Crazy to think that we'd have to only lose 4 more games to get to 58 wins. I'm gonna say we finish 55-27 with the 4th seed and a first round matchup against the 5th seed Rockets.

At the beginning of the season i predicted 60+ wins

Unfortunately Dirk and Parsons are not as good as I expected.

Underdog · 02-23-2015, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markus1234

At the beginning of the season i predicted 60+ wins

Unfortunately Dirk and Parsons are not as good as I expected.

I'll take 16 wins in the playoffs over 60 wins in the regular season...

rimrocker · 02-23-2015, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windmill360

We have the fewest back to backs though. I think this can work well for us. Gives us opportunity to tune our roster against the best in preparation for playoffs without having to kill ourslves in back to backs.

The one that stands out to me and is concerning is that we have the least amount of games against sub 500 teams.
Our lack of success against above 500 teams somewhat validates that concern.

Windmill360 · 02-23-2015, 11:33 PM

What better way to get your team geared for the playoffs than to play the best. Beating sub .500 teams isnt going to put you ahead of the best.

Windmill360 · 02-23-2015, 11:33 PM

Spurs lost.

rimrocker · 02-24-2015, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windmill360

What better way to get your team geared for the playoffs than to play the best. Beating sub .500 teams isnt going to put you ahead of the best.

Good point and true but we need all of the advantages we can get to position for the POs. Playing over twice as many .500+ teams than sub .500 teams is not an advantage.
I'd rather build PO momentum in the first round against Portland instead of GSW.

Romus · 02-24-2015, 05:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markus1234

At the beginning of the season i predicted 60+ wins

Unfortunately Dirk and Parsons are not as good as I expected.

For sure, especially Parsons ....
Dirk is different, just respect.

EricaLubarsky · 02-24-2015, 09:44 AM

Moved up to 5th last night without playing

sefant77 · 02-24-2015, 09:59 AM

Obviously they should try everything to avoid #7 and #8. No reason to play Warriors or Grizzlies in die 1st round. I think thats doable, specially with Durants injury. But you cant drop games like Indy...

Would be funny if the Thunder have a great run and going for #6 and you see teams tanking in the last games to avoid #3.

But looks like there are good chances for a Warriors/Grizz-Thunder matchup in round 1

Oberon · 02-24-2015, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonghornDub

I have this odd suspicion that the Mavs end up as the 8-seed and then give the Warriors a hell of a first-round series.

Would love to be wrong about the first part of that, of course. But I think the Thunder are about to go on a tear, and with the Mavs' remaining schedule, it wouldn't surprise me to see the Thunder surpass them before mid-April. And I just sort of assume the Spurs will make a push at some point, though who knows with all the miles they have after the past three summers.

Why so pessimistic?

I'm pretty sure we don't finish 8th this season. The Thunder are still 6 games behind us, so I don't think they are going to catch us as long as we don't lose about 50% of our remaining games. Also, the Spurs look a bit tired this season and will probably lose a few more games. I see both teams finishing behind us, although I believe they have a good chance in the playoffs despite playing GSW and Memphis.

Our main rivals will be Portland, LAC and Houston. I hope we can leave two of them behind. I would like to play either Portland or Houston in the first round. Out of all the teams in the playoffs I think these are the ones where we have the best chance of beating them. The toughest teams for us will be GSW or OKC.

tsar · 02-24-2015, 11:24 AM

I feel really good about this team. I think we're really going to see some good stuff in the remainder of the season: we're close to being healthy, we have Amar'e, we have fewest back to backs. I'm already seeing adjustments coming out of Carlisle and Rondo really seems to be putting in work to fit in.

I see us as the 3 or 4 seed going into the playoffs.

LonghornDub · 02-24-2015, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oberon

Why so pessimistic?

I'm pretty sure we don't finish 8th this season. The Thunder are still 6 games behind us, so I don't think they are going to catch us as long as we don't lose about 50% of our remaining games. Also, the Spurs look a bit tired this season and will probably lose a few more games. I see both teams finishing behind us, although I believe they have a good chance in the playoffs despite playing GSW and Memphis.

Our main rivals will be Portland, LAC and Houston. I hope we can leave two of them behind. I would like to play either Portland or Houston in the first round. Out of all the teams in the playoffs I think these are the ones where we have the best chance of beating them. The toughest teams for us will be GSW or OKC.

I'm not especially pessimistic about the Mavs. I think they'll probably play increasingly well over the next couple of months. I just think all the West teams are incredibly even (except perhaps the Warriors and Grizzlies, who are somewhat ahead of the pack) and the Mavs happen to have the toughest remaining schedule, so it wouldn't surprise me to see them slip in the standings even if they're playing well overall.

Of course, it's a bit of a guessing game with key injuries to Aldridge, Durant, Howard, etc. If the Mavs stay healthier than their competition, I very much doubt they slide to 8th.

Windmill360 · 02-26-2015, 02:03 PM

Spurs clips and griz lost last night. All is right with the world again

Clippers v grizzlies play tomorrow night as do thunder v blazers

bunkmoreland · 02-26-2015, 03:46 PM

First round of the playoffs in the West is going to be fantastic to watch this year.

Windmill360 · 02-27-2015, 02:06 AM

Thunder lost

Underdog · 02-27-2015, 02:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Windmill360

Thunder lost

GS and OKC both lost - Mavs advance a bit toward the top and distance themselves a bit from the bottom of playoff contention... Not a bad night after yesterday's game.

Melonhead · 02-27-2015, 04:28 AM

Hoping for at worst, mavs finish .500 the rest of their games. Love the 5 seed, I'm thinking 6. And got dammit mavs are going to destroy rockets and parsons better step up. We need rondo as much as I don't like him.

Windmill360 · 03-03-2015, 10:27 PM

Memphis and houston lose

Helicopter34 · 03-08-2015, 11:14 PM

I'm afraid the Mavs had only made it this far because they had a ridiculous amount of games against the Eastern Conference in the first half. They will make a terribly hard out in the playoffs, don't get me wrong - but they're 5-11 against current playoff teams in the West if I'm correct. I just don't see them advancing past the first round unless they turn it around and clinch a top 4 seed.

Melonhead · 03-09-2015, 12:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Helicopter34

I'm afraid the Mavs had only made it this far because they had a ridiculous amount of games against the Eastern Conference in the first half. They will make a terribly hard out in the playoffs, don't get me wrong - but they're 5-11 against current playoff teams in the West if I'm correct. I just don't see them advancing past the first round unless they turn it around and clinch a top 4 seed.

As a 6 seed, mavs hold a slim chance at advancing playing either Houston/Portland. Anything lower, which at the moment I see a 7 seed, the Mavs dont advance and could actually get embarrassed.

markus1234 · 03-09-2015, 08:13 AM

Mem is actually the best matchup for us.

spreedom · 03-09-2015, 08:58 AM

I'd much rather play Houston or Portland than Memphis.

MavzMan · 03-09-2015, 09:18 AM

I'll take Portland, then Memphis and do not want Houston at all. Seems like Harden can win 2 or 3 games alone just because of the crush all the referees have on him and send him to the line.

tsar · 03-09-2015, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MavzMan

I'll take Portland, then Memphis and do not want Houston at all. Seems like Harden can win 2 or 3 games alone just because of the crush all the referees have on him and send him to the line.

Honestly I feel like we have a chance in any series this year EXCEPT for GoldenState... they're just a terrible match-up for us. Maybe we have a chance in the WCF against them, once our guys have been put through the grinder, but a first round match-up doesn't bode well for the little Mavs.

Windmill360 · 03-09-2015, 01:04 PM

Memphis plays that grind it out style and i think mavs prefer to play that way. GS would be the worst matchup for us. Theyre just better and luckier than us in every way. i think mavs want to stay away from high intensity clippers too. Houston may have a lot of pressure on them with how well they played in the regular season and how theyve never made it out of the first round in forever. If you win a couple games against them they may have a mental breakdown.

PartywithDirk · 03-09-2015, 02:43 PM

I think Memphis' style leads to close games, which means we may be able to sneak out a few victories against them...but they would absolutely murder us on the boards.

Don't want any part of Harden and his love affair with the refs.

I'm hoping for Portland. I think they offer us our best chance at a series victory. We match up ok with them and they have a bit of playoff choking history on their side, too.