(Semi-)Cute nicknames and individual bad nights are not going to affect the Clippers' chances. They're a very different team now than they were in the third game of the season (and BTW, Kawhi didn't play that game).
Damn, that happened on the 3rd game of the season? I thought that was like a month ago. But yeah I do remember Kwahi not playing so they weren't fully healthy.
I stand corrected about Kawhi but the rest of them are scrubs then. And I think Kawhi has a nagging injury now.
Dallas wins, going to assume a Laker win (hope I have to come back and edit this), and it's still a positive night! Tomorrow's rooting interests: Portland - Would be a massive win for multiple reasons Denver Charlotte 5th Seed - Magic Number = 2* (excluding 3-way tie scenario) Portland wins or Dallas losses 6th Seed - Magic Number = 1 Portland wins or Laker losses 7th Seed - Magic Number = 0 - Clinched 5.10.21 Remaining Schedules: Dallas Toronto @Minnesota Portland @ Phoenix Denver Lakers @ Indiana @ New Orleans
I think it's a fairly safe assumption Dallas will win it's final two games. So Blazers need to win their final two games. But Suns have a chance at #1 seed now so it won't be easy with all of the chatter about Denver maybe resting players in their final game, how about this scenario: Blazers lose to Suns; Dallas goes 2-0 and gets 5th seed. Clippers blow a game on the road. If Denver wins the final game they'd be 3rd seed, otherwise its the Clippers at 3rd seed in that case, does Portland try to lose to Denver so they don't have to face the Clippers?
So, why do we still need a game to be ahead of LA? Is it because of a Dallas connection? Otherwise, I'd think we're set for #6?
Best case scenario is as follows: We win tomorrow. Clippers lose to the Hornets tomorrow. Denver wins their next two. Dallas wins out All that happens, we have a handshake deal with the Nuggets to let them win in the finale and face them in the 3/6. Edit: actually the best case scenario is we play Denver in the 4/5... but I don't think there's a way we can control that w/out having to win.
Toronto is fully committed to the tank. Lowry, Siakam, Van Fleet, Anunoby, Boucher all out tomorrow vs the Bulls… Minnesota has actually been playing all of their guys.
Laker won by two points. I'm halfway convinced Lakers are kind of OK with the play-in. Only way they get 6th is if they win both their remaining games and Portland loses both for that matter, Lakers could be resigned to Lebron and AD not being healthy enough to go for a Re-peat
I doubt all of this. I think they will be healthy enough to expect to contend. I think they obviously thought that tonight was going to be an easier win than it was. I don't think we can count on them to roll over. So we can not lose both of our next two games.
I think the Lakers would rather take the chance at the play-in than facing the Clippers in the 1st round. If losing tonight’s game meant they would face the Clippers in the 1st round, guaranteed LeBron and AD play.
5th Seed - Magic Number = 2* (excluding 3-way tie scenario) Portland wins or Dallas losses 6th Seed - Magic Number = 1 Portland wins or Laker losses 7th Seed - Magic Number = 0 - Clinched 5.10.21 Remaining Schedules: Dallas Toronto @Minnesota Portland Denver Lakers @ Indiana @ New Orleans
Jesus I didn't know they had such soft schedules. There goes our destiny pretty much. Gotta rely on scrubs to beat them lol.
If rest is the goal, you sit the starters vs Denver so you get 4 days rest before the play-in on Tuesday. You win that game and get 3-4 more days of rest before the playoffs start. You might lose the first play-in and have to play the second play-in but at least both games are at home. This is the gamble you take to avoid a first round sweep at the hands of the Clippers.
