It has come down to Jazz, Blazers and the Nuggets Currently the battle for 8th is shaping up like this 8th Utah- 39-36 9th Portland- 38-36 10th Denver- 39-37 Utah's remaining schedule Spurs Clippers Grizzlies Mavericks Rockets Timberwolves Suns Portland's remaining Schedule 76ers Hornets Lakers Warriors Spurs Nuggets Spurs Lakers Denver's remaining Schedule Rockets Suns Rockets Blazers Kings Spurs I still feel Portland will be the team that will pull it out and claim that 8th spot. They have the experience and the most talent to make it. Their schedule isn't that bad and as long as they take care of the east teams in the rest of their trip they should be favourites grab the last seed. Having to face San Antonio and L.A in their last two games may seem difficult but they are a strong road team that has had much success against the west' elite this season, certainly at the rose garden.
To me it's out of Portland and Denver. Portland's shedule looks easier then Denvers but I think Denver's the better team. Therfore they will pull off the 8th seed. IMO.
I don't like Utahs chances with that pretty brutal schedule ahead of them. 6 of their last 7 opponents are playoff teams so that's pretty tough. I'm not liking Portlands chances either, mainly because they have the Lakers and the Spurs twice, and that's a very tough thing to do. So, I think it's the Nuggets. They are very capable of beating the Rockets and Suns, and, I think they need to actually win those 3 to have a chance. Than they need to beat the Blazers and either the Spurs or the Kings. But, either way, I feel that they have the best opportunity currently. But, we won't know what is really the easier schedule until the season comes to an end and the playoffs are sealed. But, here is also the big thing that could play into this, the Nuggets have the tie-breaker between the Jazz, and that could be huge.
I still think the Blazers have the best chance, but they have to go 2-2 in those 4 games vs the Lakers/spurs.
I'm still going with Blazers. I love it. I remember everyone was discounting this team from making the playoffs but they have had a resurgance. Did Darius Miles score 30+ last night or am I just going crazy!
To me, it's either the Blazers or the Nuggets, even though the Jazz are still in it and have a big chance. It's gonna be tough for Portland though, because they're playing SA and LA twice each... ouch.
I actually expect Portland to win both home games against S.A and L.A, they just seem to rise to the occasion when their backs are against the wall. Which would make them so dangerous come playoff time.
I think Denver CAN pull it out if Melo plays good, but I think Portland will get it because like Allnet said they rise to the occasion, but The Nuggets are very dangerous
I like the fact there is actually a battle for positioning this late in the season. Portland is playing the best basketball of the three late in the season, and they have the most talent. Utah's schedule is brutal down the stretch, at best they will win 3 of their last 7, which would give them a 42-40 record, but more reastically they will finish with a 2-5 record and end the season at .500. The Blazers also have a tough schedule because of their games versus the Spurs and Lakers two times. The 76ers and Warriors should be give me games, and they should be able to beat the Hornets. The Nuggets game could go either way, and depending on the urgency for the Spurs and Lakers to win those final two meetings against the Blazers, will determine Portland's chances. However, they probably only need to play .500 ball if they beat the 76ers tonight, the rest of the way. Denver has choked down the stretch and I've counted them out already. Their team chemistry has fallen apart and with their remaining schedule it's going to be close to impossible to make up a 2 game difference over the Blazers or Jazz.
Yeh Portland just beat Philly ,I want to see Denver to make it so we can see how Melo performs when it really counts.
Though I would like to see Portland make it to get to see that old Laker-Blazer matchup again, both aren't the same teams they once were and I don't see the Blazers pulling this one off. All three teams have some tough teams that they will have to beat in this last stretch, but I don't think it will be Portland because of the 4 games of L.A. and San Antonio. Utah does have a chance I think, but in the end I expect Denver to come out in the 8th spot.
