Nothing really matters below us. The cushion we had for 9 is gone., but the good news is if we win out, we're at least No. 9.
I hope this isn't already discussed. I did some crunching of #s, and I think it plays out like this. Grizzlies can be: 33-40 (0-3) for .452 34-39 (1-2) for .465 35-38 (2-1) for .479 36-38 (3-0) for .493 Portland can be: 32-42 (0-3) for .432 33-41 (1-2) for .445 34-40 (2-1) for .459 35-39 (3-0) for .472 Suns can be: 31-42 (0-3) for .424 32-41 (1-2) for .438 33-40 (2-1) for .452 34-39 (3-0) for .465 Spurs can be: 30-41 (0-3) for .422 31-40 (1-2) for .436 32-39 (2-1) for .450 33-38 (3-0) for .464 Pelicans can be: 30-42 (0-3) for .416 31-41 (1-2) for .430 32-40 (2-1) for .444 33-39 (3-0) for .458 Kings can be: 29-43 (0-3) for .402 30-42 (1-2) for .416 31-41 (2-1) for .430 32-42 (3-0) for .444 So if my math is right IF: If Portland goes 0-3, they end up at .432 winning %. To pass them, the Spurs would need to go 1-2, same with Phoenix. The Pelicans would need to go 2-1 and the Kings would need to go 3-0. If Portland goes 1-2, the Spurs and Suns need to go 2-1 to pass them, and Pelicans need to go 3-0, and the Kings couldn't pass them. If Portland goes 2-1, the Spurs and Suns need to go 3-0 to pass them and the Pelicans can't. If Portland goes 3-0, no one can pass them. To get the #8 seed outright (yay?), the Blazers need the Grizzlies to go 0-3 (.452) or 1-2 (.465), and the Blazers HAVE to go 2-1 (.459) and 3-0 (.472) respectfully. It seems to me that the Grizzlies have the best chance at staying the #8 seed, because all of their opponents (Raptors, Celtics and Bucks) have zero motivation to win those games. They each could go 0-fer and their standing in the Eastern conference is not changed at all. I just realized there are too many variables for my brain to comprehend...so in a nut shell, the Blazers need to win 2 games and hope for a Suns and Spurs loss. So root for the Pelicans tomorrow, and the *puke* Thunder on Monday and hope Portland can get their shit together against the 76ers tomorrow and the Nets, or hope the Mavs rest their entire team.
The Suns can win as many games as they want to but they'll still be below .500. If you are saying it will no longer be an advantage to us because they will have passed us then I'd have to disagree. Our team is completely capable of playing better than they did against the Rockets going forward and I think that kind of effort will easily win us all of our remaining games and the play-in games or game.
Suns will play Okc, 76ers and Dallas. They have to lose at least one game, i mean c'mon it's the freaking suns, how do they play like the 97 Bulls all of sudden? It seems like they can not lose right now, so crazy
Great post, Julius. 15 years ago, I used to post with energy and imagination like that on ESPN. I used to be a numbers guy. That post makes me realize how old I got. That post really sucks.
Don't think your Portland numbers are right. We already have 39 losses. And I think some of your Suns percentages are wrong -- they too have 39 losses already. But your final conclusions are the same, we win all our games, we make the play in.
yeah, think I did some transferring of #'s incorrectly...I'll finish up the post Im doing right now and re-calculate. Not sure how that happened other than my handwriting is small and bad.
You mean this? I'm getting motivated to read this thread and catch up tonight. http://www.sportstwo.com/posts/4986178/
Great post. Another thing to pay attention to is the Mavs still have a shot at the 6th seed and if that remains possible, they will do all they have to do to get it. IF Sixers want 5 seed (I'm not sure they d0), they have something to play for. And Nets may be playing to avoid Bucks in first round. Oh wait. Your numbers aren't right for Blazers. We have 39 losses. Suns have 39 losses too. Recalculate.
Agreed, this Nick Nurse character is quite the coach. I'd really hoped they'd come out today and put it on Memphis, after getting blown-out by Boston on Friday night. Need a T-Dot 'W' right here!
