I think It's between NO and Memphis. I think Memphis is better than New Orleans though. Ja Morant is for real, and I don't trust Zion's health at all. Just because NO seems to have the Blazers number I don't know if they're really that good.
http://www.tankathon.com/remaining_schedule_strength Look at who has the easiest schedule, vs who has the hardest schedule.
The Blazers have to make the playoffs after keeping Whiteside and not ducking the tax. Since they were so concerned about saving $2 million in the Skal trade, I'd hate to see what happens if they miss out on the revenue of at least 2 playoff home games.
Yeah, MEM is about to hit a littany of tough opponents. Portland could catch up (if Dame goes SuperHero again) but after a very slow start, NOP has been playing very well. Add Zion into that mix and even though they have a little farther to go than the Blazers to catch up, they are playing better than Portland of late and have an even easier schedule.
I just think Portland is so reliant on Dame to be their superhero, he's going to be ran into the ground during the stretch run.
I think we got chance if Nurk and Zach come back. But if they decide to put both of them for remaining of the season I am going with the pelicans to get the 8 seed.
If Blazers lose tonight, they will be 5 games back in the loss column, with Memphis holding the tie breaker... so essentially 6 games back with 26 games to play. Tonight’s game is the season.
Why? Post a poll like this after a horrendous showing by the Blazers last night and you were expecting people to be excited about their chances? This place is only consistent at being over-reactionary.
Both of those games were at New Orleans and Memphis is playing very well at home now. I think they've won 12 of their last 14 at home or something like that. From what I've seen I think Memphis is a better team than New Orleans.
The 1/20/20 game Grizz vs Pelicans (Pelicans won) was at Memphis actually. The Grizz have a 4 game trip coming up (after ASB). Kings, Lakers, Clippers and Rockets. Then have Kings and Lakers @ home then another 3 game trip (including Mavs), and still have road game against Utah, Milwaukee, Portland (2), Spurs, Toronto, Denver and Rockets. They also have back to backs against Toronto (wtf?) and New Orleans, with only one day off between games. They also have home games against the Nuggets, 76ers, OKC, Mavs(2), Thunder. They have a brutal end to the year playing @Dallas, @Portland, Denver, OKC, 76ers and @rockets. If they finish with the 8th seed, it's going to be a really good finish for them.
I kind of "gave up" on their chances to make the playoffs a while ago. Yes Dame is incredible when he's got it going, but it just doesn't seem like it's their year. I'm still enjoying watching the games for the most part. It's not really an over-reaction to look at it and say they not only have to make up ground but hope that other teams either fall off or don't makeup ground faster than they do. I want them to make the playoffs, just if I had to "bet everything", I would bet they don't. Even a win tonight, the battle is still an uphill one.
Yeah I missed that one game was in Memphis. However, I still think they are better than New Orleans and will slide into the 8th spot.