Big NW division game tonight. A Denver win would put more distance between the Blazers and the Jazz. Putting Dallas in the 8th seed . . . with a Utah loss tonight and their remaining schedule, I think you can pretty much pencil them in at the 7 spot . . . which puts Blazers at no worse than 6th. A Utah win puts the Blazers within 1 game of Denver with the 2 teams playing against each other in the final regular season game. How intense would that be to be playing for the NW division title that night? A Nugget loss tonight makes it that much closer to happening. Personally, I'll be pulling for Utah.
What's the second tiebreaker? Division record? So we have to finish at least half a game up on Denver or Utah, right? Think I'm pulling for the jazz here...
yep division is 2nd tiebreaker. so its basically another game we ahve to make up against Denver.. cant be half game since it will all even out with number of games played at end fo reg season.
Damn . . . maybe I should be for Denver tonight so Blazers come that much closer to wrapping up at least the 6th spot. As long as the Blazers don't play Lakers or Spurs in the first round, I think they got a shot. (Denver plays Portland tough, but they are capable of self destructing at any point)
I'm putting my faith in this team. Therefore, I'm not thinking defensively. I look at the standings and take a simple approach: I hope everyone above us in the standings lose. I'm not worrying about Utah, Dallas or Phoenix. Therefore, it's my hope that Denver loses tonight.
With Utah's schedule we shouldnt expect them too catch us. Right now I want Houston Denver and San Antonio to lose everything. We are peaking at the right time IMO we should be gunning for those just above us.. 6th is pretty much a lock for worst case scenario with Dallas.. then adding in Utah's brutal schedule. Home court is within our grasp and we got all 3 of those teams we are gunning for left on our schedule.. so if we can take care of our own business.. the teams below us wont matter.
yep exactly where I am at. Its time we dont play too not lose, we play to win, that doesnt just go for games.. but for the standings too!
Alright, I'm on board . . . Go Utah. Although if the Blazers finish 7th, I'm going to start a thread cursing you guys. (One of my worries is this is one of the games that makes Utah's schedule so tough. They start winning these tough games and they are right back in the playoff clutter . . . ah hell I just wish there was a Blazer game on tonight so I wouldn't be thinking about all this . . .)
This is a tough call for me. But I can not root for the Jazz. They have 4 tough games left (Maybe 5 but I don't think the Lakers are going to put much effort in the last game) But we also have 4-5 tough games left. One game in the loss column separating us is not enough for me. (We lose all tie breakers with everyone) Denver on the other hand has a very easy schedule. I have to root for Denver tonight.
A win here for Utah could possibly give them a HUGE boost of confidence on the road going forward and the rest of their road games are on at least 1 days rest, so if they can pull this one off, watch out! The remaining teams besides Spurs & Lakers, Utah has had success against in the past, so I wouldn't be surprised if Utah won tonight.
That is what worries me. We could win every game the rest of the way, but so could New Orleans or Utah, and then we could be potentially tied with 2-3 teams, which would not be good. I'd be pissed if we have the second best record in the west, but so does three other teams.
I agree with you. That is why I am hoping for an ass kicking by Denver. Another humiliating loss on the road may break their confidence. It is going to be a very fun game to watch. Jerry was pissed that Brewer only used one foul against Roy. Look for a lot of fouls early by the Jazz and look for Denver to respond with their own. This is going to be a war. Sloan needs to go back to starting Kililenko IMO.
I hate the Jazz more than I hate the Lakers, so I am pulling for Denver tonight. Although I won't be disappointed if Utah wins.
This is another of those games where the Blazers win no matter what. Just like last night's game with Huston and Suns. In the end I guess it can become a detriment to the Blazers if the wrong team wins though. ?????????????????
Getting the #3 or 4 seed is all that matters. If we finish 5 or lower, none of the matchups are better or worse (or more predictable at this point in time) than the others. Heck, outside of HCA, I'd rather play the Lakers in the first round than just about anyone. So ... go Jazz!
