So we are four games back but 7 of our last 10 are at home. Meanwhile, Memphis must play SA twice, Warriors twice, and the Bulls, Clippers, and Mavericks. The tiebreaker is conf record. We're both 25-20 but we are likely to pass them given the schedule.
@ LAC - L (Clippers have lost 3 straight, and are only 3-7 in their last 10 games. This is winnable.) vs Phi - W vs Sac - W vs Bos - L (Boston has won 3 straight, but are only 5-5 in their last 10 games. This is winnable.) vs Mia - L @ GSW - L @ Sac - W vs OKC - L vs Min - W vs Den - W I see us going 5-5, possible 6-4 to finish out the year. 42-40 for the season. That should be good enough for the Blazers to hold on to that 6th seed. Looking at the schedules for Dallas, Utah, and Houston - Houston has a tough finish. Houston will be on the outside looking in. What a waste of a year for Houston. Dallas and Utah will tread water and hold on to their current spots. Memphis has a tough finish with GSW twice, SAS twice, and Toronto once. They may slide a couple of games back, but I don't think we can muster enough wins to catch them for that 5th spot. I'm guessing Blazers will be matched up against OKC in the first round. I'm okay with that. Chip and a chair! Let's show 'em what we got!!
If we beat the Clips, I see us losing only 2 games the rest of the way. 45-37 = 5 seed. We might even win out. Geezus- we're not losing to Boston and Miami at home, lol.
I don't think so. Blazers probably finish 43 - 39, good for 6th place. Too bad they can't make 5th, playing the Clips could possibly be a good series.
All of them except GSW are realistically winnable (and I'd say if GSW was at home we could win it too). The trick is MEM needs to lose a couple games they shouldn't lose, as well, for us to pass them for 5th. Fivethirtyeight.com has us winning 43, and Memphis winning 44. That's really damn close. One extra slipup and one extra win in either direction will determine 5th, which boggles my mind.
Yes they crushed us and that is why we will win that game. Extra incentive. They are 17-18 on the road this year, so even though it will be a tough game, I think we will be favored. I think we can go 7-3 or 6-4. Hard to guess at the end of the year when teams are tanking or resting players depending on whether their draft/playoff position could change. (i.e OKC's position is doubtful to change at that point...they might rest Durrant)
OKC will be playing their 3rd game in 4 nights and on a back to back as well. They will be locked into the 3rd seed with nothing to play for so maybe they rest guys. The Clippers game tonight is the toughest, but the Boston and Miami games you list as losses are certainly winnable. I really have no idea what to expect; I could see us going anywhere from 4-6 to 8-2 in this stretch. Memphis could very well go 2-8 in their last ten. If they go 3-7 and we go 7-3; both certainly plausible, we are the 5th seed. So while I say odds are we won't catch Memphis, its certainly in play.
Who has the head-to-head on that? We are 4 away, so we'd be tied?... or was it 2-2? I have no idea. lol.
