PHO has home 6 games with LAL, BOS, MEM, @Sac, Hou, Mia, Mil, @ Ind, and two road games. They could easlily go 4-4 in that stretch. What does Denver have in that 8 game stretch? Thats whats I am more concerned with.
Phx just lost to GS on the road, so I don't think those two road games can be counted as gimmies (even against weak teams). At home, I think at least 5 will be hard fought games and even Memphis could steal. Still we are almost at the same place as Phx can get a game against the lakers or boston at home. So I say 5-3
We just moved in 1/2 game behind Denver in our division when Denver lost to Dallas tonight (12/27/09).
Plus a realy important item. Our conference record is 2nd only to the Lakers. Many teams have not played as many western conference games as us, but have more losses against western confernce teams than us.
They beat us with "Small Ball". We are playing "small ball" now, so I think we have a good shot of really beating them. Our team has shown some great resilience lately. I suspect that won't change.
Here's an amazingly thourough breakdown of the schedules. http://www.blazersedge.com/2009/12/28/1220772/sched-ahead-for-12-28-09-week-nine