Forgive my english, I'm italian I think currently every team wants to play against Seattle in the first round. Memphis is almost sure to have the 8th spot and too hard to keep the 7th, so don't expect a great game against Nuggets. What about Sacramento? Honestly, I think the Kings has no chance against anybody so they are going (trying) to pick Seattle too (they still have 2 matches against Suns). Denver is gonna have 3 easy W and maybe 4 (vs. the Suns) if Phoenix will clinch the first spot in advance, so our chance to meet Seatlle is to have Nuggets as 5 and Rockets as 6. With that said, Kings are the main problem for us.
The Kings, if facing Seattle is what they want to do, would be our biggest problem. Good news is if they drop 2 games, Denver wins all, Houston loses one to Denver, and Seattle wins at least one to clinch their division, Denver would be fifth, Houston sixth and Sacramento seventh. The Kings might be losing on purpose to just not good enough to win, we don't know, but what we do know is that we could unwillingly go into fifth and get Dallas in the first round.
I too think that Seattle would be the easiest opponent for us to play...however, I may be the only one to think this, but I think we'll have a good chance against SA as well...I'm not convinced Duncan will be anywhere near 100%, plus Parker and Barry have all had sub-par averages in the playoffs...I want Seattle, but either way, this team will have the depth, scoring, defense and experience to compete with anyone...
If the Rockets win their remaining games, they'll likely wind up in the 5th seed and be facing a fully-loaded Dallas team. I'm torn between wanting them to win the remaining games and heading into the playoffs with confidence and avoiding a Dallas matchup in the first round.
We should just go with the ball rolls. I'd think that the Rockets should try their best to win every game, and whether Sacramento drops or not, we'll just do our best no matter who the opponent. Facing Dallas would probably be tougher, but we have proven through the course of the season that we can beat any team when our game is on. We'll get a chance to prove it to Mavericks if we meet.
Current records between the Kings, Nuggets and the Rockets as of april 15 including the recent games: Kings: 49-30, 3 games left. 2 against the Suns and 1 against the Jazz. Latest news reports that Stojacovic left the game early with a strain left groin. Possible finish for the Kings will be 50-32 as the Suns will be forced to win 2 of their last 3 games to gain the Western Conference best record as well as the homecourt advantage throughout the playoff series over the Spurs. Nuggets: 48-31. 3 games left. 1 each against the Rockets, Suns and Blazers. Possible finish for the Nuggets will be 50-32 also. They will either lose to the Suns or to the Rockets. If they win against the Rockets and lose against the Suns they will gain the advantage over the Rockets in their head to head match-up. The Sonics btw locked up the northwest division title with their sure win over the Hornets. Sorry Nuggets chance for the 3rd seed is gone. Rockets: 48-31. 3 games left. Each against the Nuggets,Clippers and the Sonics. Possible finish will be either 51-31 or 50-32.The Rockets will win it all or lose to either the Nuggets or the Sonics. The Rockets will be the most hardpressed team among the 3. If they will end up 51-31 they should hope that the Kings will win all of their remaining games(which we all doubt) to finish with a 52-30 records and gain the 5th seed otherwise the Rockets will be the 5th seed. If the Kings do have a 52-30 record, the Rockets(51-31) will be the sixth seed and have the possibility of gaining the homecourt advantage if the Sonics lose all their remaining games. Even though tied with 51-31 record together with the Sonics the Rockets holds the advantage with their superiority in the head to head match up. Guys I do have things undecided of. If the Rockets,Nuggets and the Kings end up with the same record of 50-32 it maybe hard to figure out the 5th,6th, and 7th placing. This are the scenarios: Rockets: 50-32(loss against the Nuggets); Nuggets: 50-32(loss against the Suns) and Kings: 50-32(loss against the Suns). With these all in in mind we can say the Nuggets holds the advantage over the Rockets so they will be 5th seed but the Kings holds the advantage to the Nuggets due to their head to head match up which the Kings won 2-1. The Rockets on the other hand holds the advantage over the Kings even though they split the season with a 2-2 record courtesy of the Rockets better conference records that the Kings. Who will actually gain the 5th, 6th and 7th seed in case their are tied with the situation mentioned above? For the Rockets to have the best chances to get the sixth seed Denver must finish 51-31 and the Rockets 50-32. The only danger will be the Kings finishing 51-31 which will push the Rockets to the 7th seed. Sorry guys for posting a very long message. The 5th,6th and 7th seed assignment is just so mind-boggling. Anyway like what Trip said the Rockets should be playing their best, build their confidence and be ready for whoever they might face in the playoffs. Each of these 3 teams should not forced themselves to the sixth seed like moths drawn to a fire by game fixing otherwise it will come to haunt them in the future. Who knows what karma might bring.
btw, who's making tonights game preview? just want to say that it looks like it will be another major blowout by denver, they're just killing us with their fast break.. let's hope sacramento will lose twice against phoenix..
Seattle might be tough too since Rashard Lewis is back. But they are still thin up front and if Yao can have his way inside, the matchup will be good. With the improvement in Yao's play lately, and Mutombo's big minutes off the bench, I think Seattle is still the best matchup.
Looks like the Rockets will get fifth, although anywhere from 5 to 7 is still possible. Playing Dallas would be a tough sell but I'm confident. However, Dirk Nowitzki could probably drop 40 every game against Weatherspoon, and Josh Howard's D might give McGrady some problems. This year, the playoffs will rest on Yao's shoulders. We know McGrady will play his heart out but Yao didn't do so well last season. If he can play in the playoffs like he is right now, we would be well-matched but I'm not sure if our team can match up with Dallas's high-octane offense.
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting Trip:</div><div class="quote_post">Looks like the Rockets will get fifth, although anywhere from 5 to 7 is still possible. Playing Dallas would be a tough sell but I'm confident. However, Dirk Nowitzki could probably drop 40 every game against Weatherspoon, and Josh Howard's D might give McGrady some problems. This year, the playoffs will rest on Yao's shoulders. We know McGrady will play his heart out but Yao didn't do so well last season. If he can play in the playoffs like he is right now, we would be well-matched but I'm not sure if our team can match up with Dallas's high-octane offense.</div> I agree with you. If there are two people that I do not want to see in the playoffs if I am any team(but also the Rockets ) it is Tim Duncan and Dirk Nowitski. Both players can take over the game at a moment's notice and Dirk just might be the most dangerous player in the Western conference just because of his ability to go off. Judging from how we stand now it looks like we will face Dallas. If we play Dallas I think we need to adopt the team philosphy of prayer, because I think that will be the only thing that can possibly stop Dirk.
