Looking at those schedules Hornets, Jazz, and the Mavs have the toughest schedule and we are more likely to catch the Spurs than the Nuggets.
The nuggets are gone. If we are going to catch someone, its going to be Houston, imo. We are tied with NO, but their sched. is brutal... Houston's isn't that easy either. If we play well we can end up in the 4 seed... 1. LA 2. DEN 3. SA 4. POR 5. HOU 6. NO 7. UTAH 8. DAL I think that is probably our best case (realistically) scenerio.
Good battle going on in Indiana where the Pacer have stormed back from 15 down entering the 4th quarter to take the lead. About 5 minutes left.
Re: Merged: Who do we root for? We got some help from Memphis tonight. Minnesota is giving the Jazz all they can handle. NO is losing by double digits to GS. Sacramento is making a comeback. It could be a great night for the Blazers!
Of course, the game against the Rockets tonight is HUGE, but the Utah vs. New Orleans game tonight will also have a big impact on the race for HCA in the Western Conference. If the Blazers beat the Rockets and the Jazz manage to FINALLY beat a quality opponent on the road (not likely), the Blazers would would be 1.5 games ahead of the Rockets and 2 games ahead of the Hornets. If, on the other hand, the Blazers lose to the Rockets and the Hornets beat the Jazz, the Blazers would drop back to 6th in the West. As much as I dislike the Jazz, I'm going to be pulling for them to get their act together for one night and beat the Hornets on the road. The race for the 4th seed and HCA in the first round is between the Rockets, Hornets and Blazers. I'll also be cheering for the Magic to beat the Rockets and the Heat to beat the Hornets on Tuesday night. BNM
After the Spurs lose in Cleveland (down in the 3rd quarter), the Blazers will be tied with them in losses. Hopefully, that remains following the Rockets game.
OK, Spurs just lost. Here's the golden opportunity, Blazers! Could very well pass the Spurs with a win on Wednesday night!
IF we win, we are guaranteed 4 WC Playoff teams (i'm counting the suns as one) to lose as well... either NO/Utah... Dallas/PHX... Houston... and SA (who already lost)... that would be a PHENOMINAL day...
NO was even luckier than we were tonight, wow, they should be done pretty soon though, they are hanging on by a thread
If Denver, with its easy schedule, locks up second before our game with them, they might sit Chauncy and Melo. Considering how close Portland is to all the teams around them, that might be a gimme and could vault them into a higher seed.
I want the 3 seed cuz whomever gets denver is beating them (a hunch)..and we'd get a winnable 2nd round matchup
Portland has been crap on the road, by and large, and you expect them to win in Denver? That's one of the last teams I can see Portland beating on the road. If Portland had HCA, I'd love a second round matchup with Denver. But not with Denver HCA.
NO is a mess right now. I predicted they will be the 8th seed and low and behold...they may end up there if they don't get their act in gear.
So what would happen if Houston, San Antonio, and the Blazers end up in a 3 way tie for 3rd, and Portland has the tie breaker against the Spurs, the Spurs have the tie breaker against Houston and Houston has the tie breaker against the Blazers.
MORE THAN TWO TEAMS TIED 1. If applicable, division champions must be determined first. 2. Better winning percentage in all games among the tied teams. 3. Better winning percentage against teams in own division (only if all tied teams are in same division). 4. Better winning percentage against teams in own conference. 5. Better winning percentage against teams eligible for playoffs in own conference (including team that finished the regular season tied for a playoff position). 6. Best point differential between offense and defense. Note: If a multiple team tie is reduced to a two-team tie at any point using the above criteria, the two-team tie will be resolved in accordance with the existing two-team tie procedure. http://www.cbssports.com/nba/story/7164305
