Now reading over scenarios from other boards...apparently, it is impossible for us to face Dallas in the first round. That's good.
Yes As I understand it, there is no scenario in which we will play the Mavs. It's either the Spurs or the Hornets. http://trailblazerscentercourt.blogspot.com/2009/04/with-one-game-to-go-heres-playoff.html
Actually it's not. If Houston wins tomorrow (and San Antonio) night they'll have an identical division records, will be tied head-to-head, have the same conference record and the fourth tie breaker would be record against the rest of the western conference playoff teams where Houston holds and edge (Dave from Blazersedge.com has it all broken down if you want to look) http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/4/14/834639/april-14th-seeding-report So basically if we we win out, and everybody else does, we end up with the 4th seed. Worst case scenario of course is we lose and the Spurs and Houston win which would put us at fifth, but if they were both to lose and we win then we get the third seed which is pretty remarkable if you think about it.
if you would rather play the rockets than the spurs that's the worst case scenario. for me worst case is rockets & blazers lose, spurs win - putting rockets 4 blazers 5. that actually has a reasonable chance of happening too.
I don't really care about who we play (OK, maybe a little) but if we don't get homecourt I don't think we'll beat the Spurs or the Rockets in a seven game series. I know we beat SA in the regular season, but I still can't count out Timmy and Tony when they've got the homecourt advantage. Just look at the play off matchup between New Orleans and the Spurs last season when they were without Manu, they still got bounced by the Spurs and supposedly the Hornets matched up against them pretty well.
You misread what I said, Nik. My comment was in response to Entity's postulation about "all home teams winning" which would mean Houston lost (on the road against Dallas).