So, Let's just take a look at the remaining schedules of teams from US to OKC (Meaning, 4th-8th in the conference standings) US: @Jazz @Suns Vs. Nuggets Vs. Suns Vs. Clippers @lakers Vs. Pelicans @Nets Vs. Timberwolves @Warriors Vs. Jazz @ Thunder @Mavericks In my estimation, if LA and Batum come back in a week (Which would put us at the Nuggets game) and we can get vintage LA and post all star break Batum, I think a logical record would be something like 9-3. (Wins vs. Nuggets, Suns, Clippers, @ Lakers, Vs. Pels, Vs. Timberwolves, Vs. Jazz, @ Thunder, @ Mavs) Just to get an eyetest and a central place, here's the rest of the schedules in order of placement in the conference standings Clippers: @Knicks @76ers @Celtics Vs. Warriors @Blazers @nuggets @lakers (Not even a road game) Vs. Lakers Vs. Grizzlies Vs. Nuggets @Suns Total games: 11 games. 4 H/7A Logical W/L: 9-2 (Wins against knicks, sixers, celtics, nuggets, both laker games, nuggets again, and at the suns. Losses to Grizzlies and Blazers). SPURS: Vs. Thunder Vs. Mavericks Vs. Grizzlies @heat @magic Vs. Nuggets Vs. Warriors @ Thunder Vs. Rockets @ Rockets Vs. Suns @ Pelicans Total games: 12 games 7H/5A Logical W/L: A little more difficult to approximate given the tendency for Pop to sit guys. But I'll say 7-4 (Wins against Thunder at home, mavs, magic, nuggets, rockets at home, suns and pels) DALLAS: @ Spurs @ Pacers @ Thunder Vs. Rockets Vs. Warriors Vs. Suns @ Nuggets @ Lakers @ Utah Vs. Blazers Number of games: 10. 4H/6A Logical W/L: 5-5 (Wins @ pacers, Vs. Rockets, Vs. Suns, @ nuggets, @ Lakers) OKC: @ Spurs @ Jazz @ Suns Vs. Mavericks @ Grizzlies Vs. Rockets Vs. Spurs Vs. Kings @ Pacers Vs. Blazers @ Timberwolves Number of games: 11. 5H/6R Logical W/L: 6-5 (Wins @ Jazz, @ Suns, Vs. Rockets, Vs. Kings, @ Pacers, @ timberwolves) So, there you have it. Lets have a discussion about how we could see these play out. Give records, trouble spots, who has the best schedule, etc!
IDK it's not just about who you play late in the season.. It's also about when you play a team/if you're on a b2b. Blazers are in another stretch of 5 games in 7 nights... That's tough for any team to go through late in the season.. Especially coming off of a 5 in 7 nights. Next up is Utah and although they've lost two straight.. They're on an 11-4 run sense the break with wins over good playoff teams. Not an easy game considering schedule. Phoenix in Phoenix is a tough game for Portland... Always..... Denver could be a trap game especially when Portland is on a b2b. Phoenix in Portland is tough because we face them twice in 4 days... This is the last game of 5 in 7. Clippers will be on a b2b when they face the Blazers on the 1st..Having played Golden State the night before.. Hopefully with a full roster and a day off Portland can take this game. Lakers are the Lakers. I hope I don't get a text from Lakers fan's saying "HA TAKE THAT RIP CITY" like I did last year........ Portland is on a b2b when they face the Pelicans. vs Nets. Timberwolves are obviously a future 60+ win team next year.. Or at least that's how the Blazers play this team...................... Vs Warriors in Golden State - tough game, especially on a b2b. Utah - Hopefully they start to pack it in. If not tough game.... Vs OKC - Portland should win this game. Blazers have won the last 6 of 7 meetings? Something like that.(heres hoping this game knocks them out of the playoffs) Vs Dallas - this game depends how Ellis is shooting, and if Rondo can hold Lillard down. (Blazers might be locked into their seed by this game... Might rest people) If I had to pick a number the Blazers would finish it would be... 8 wins 5 losses. But I hope they finish 10-3. I'm not going to go through the other teams because I don't know their schedule's too well.. Nor do I wish to look it up.
Well, we're in a serious position to drop a ton of fucking games. Hopefully they don't allow OKC to catch up/overtake us. I'd consider that a huge fuck-up.
I'm thinking we go 7-6 and end up 51-31. And I think the Thunder go 8-3 and end up 49-33. I've got us losing the next two games and having a nice 7 game losing streak.
The Thunder have their own injury issues right now with Durant probably out for the rest of the season, Ibaka and Roberson out for several weeks, and Collison out for 7-10 days. I know Russ is superhuman and all, but if he gets them through the rest of the season at 8-3 I'll even root for the asshole to win MVP.
After losing 5 straight I'd be very happy if we finish .500 from here on out. 9-3 seems extremely optimistic. One benefit could be the final two games; if the division is decided and the Mavs are a lock in their seed both teams may rest their starters.
This seems as good a place as any to put this; If Portland finishes 7-6 (51-31), OKC has to go 11-0 (52-30) If Portland finishes 6-7 (50-32), OKC has to go 10-1 (51-31) If Portland finishes 5-8 (49-33), OKC has to go 9-2 (50-32) If Portland finishes 4-9 (48-34), OKC has to go 8-3 (49-33) If Portland finishes 3-10 (47-35), OKC has to go 7-4 (48-34) If Portland finishes 2-11 (46-36), OKC has to go 6-5 (47-35) If Portland finishes 1-12 (45-37), OKC has to go 5-6 (46-36) If Portland finishes 0-13 (44-38), OKC has to go 4-7 (45-37)
That makes it easier to understand for sure. We'd have to seriously FUCK UP to get beat out, but its possible...
