I said this would happen back before the season started. They made a pretty big change to their roster from last season, and they had quite a few injuries. They're a good team, but they have a lot of injury prone guys, like Bogut and Lee.
http://www.playoffstatus.com/nba/trailblazersclinch.html Trail Blazers Clinching Options Spot #1 The Trail Blazers cannot win this spot Spot #2 The Trail Blazers cannot win this spot Spot #3 The Trail Blazers cannot win this spot Spot #4 No clinching cases were found for this spot Spot #5 Case 1 Trail Blazers beat the Jazz, and Lakers beat the Warriors Spot #6 Case 1 Spurs beat the Suns Case 2 Trail Blazers beat the Jazz Spot #7 The Trail Blazers have already won this spot Spot #8 The Trail Blazers have already won this spot Trail Blazers Elimination Options Spot #1 The Trail Blazers cannot win this spot Spot #2 The Trail Blazers cannot win this spot Spot #3 The Trail Blazers cannot win this spot Spot #4 Case 1 Jazz beat the Trail Blazers, and Rockets beat the Timberwolves Spot #5 No elimination cases were found for this spot Spot #6 No elimination cases were found for this spot Spot #7 The Trail Blazers have already won this spot Spot #8 The Trail Blazers have already won this spot
If GS loses and POR and HOU win, I think that means we will be locked into the 5th seed. Hoping for this scenario so that we can rest our starters for all of next week.
It's worth the push to try to get HCA. I wouldn't rest the guys unless we know we can't get home court.
I feel like more and more it seems like teams that have multiple days in between games always seem to look rusty when they come back. I would hate to us come out of the gate in the playoffs like that.
Agreed, but HOU winning tonight would close that window shut for us, regardless of what we do the rest of the way.
I don't think it's going to be that interesting. If I calculate it right,even if Blazers go 3-0, Houston has to go 1-3 vs Minny, NO(X2), SA. I do like that the likely match up will be Houston v. Blazers in round 1. Bring it on!
I say don't rest them because 5th isn't exactly lock up yet. Warriors have an easy schedule the rest of the way (besides us) and have the tie break.
Don't rest them because this team likes its routines. Whenever the starters have rested during a blowout, the next game has seen some really sorry performances. No, keep the routine going. Nice and steady.
Friday April 11th, 2014 Games To Watch (Games Updated Throughout Comments)- Portland @ Utah Root For: Trail Blazers Reason: Two more wins and the Trail Blazers can lock up, at worst, the No. 5 seed Houston @ Minnesota Root For: Timberwolves Reason: It's a long shot to obtain HCA, but there's still a slight chance it could happen. Rip City will need a Wolves win tonight to keep those hopes alive. Phoenix @ San Antonio Root For: Spurs Reason:If we lose out and Phoenix wins out, the Suns will pass us in the standings. One more win by Portland or loss by Phoenix and that scenario ends. Also, San Antonio can lock up the No. 1 seed out West with a win tonight. I still like them in a possible 2nd Round matchup. Golden State @ Los Angeles Lakers Root For: Lakers Reason: A Warriors loss combined with a Trail Blazers victory secures the No. 5 seed for Portland.
Judging by GS playing LAL, it's a damn good chance Sunday's game is going to decide 5th place, since it'll be the same scenario (They both win tonight means the same scenario for Sunday.) At least, I hope... because I'll be at that game... I at least want something riding on it.
Fuck that shit. I want Houston to lose out, crushing their confidence come playoff time. Furthermore, I want Stotts to play his playoff rotation and have those guys step up their agressiveness. Playoff basketball started a couple of weeks ago. The best teams have already ramped up their effort.
In what kind of fucked up world do we live where I have to root for the L*kers to win? God, I feel dirty.
Saturday April 12, 2014 Games To Watch (Games Updated Throughout Comments)- Houston vs. New Orleans Root For: Pelicans Reason: Portland got some help with Minnesota beating Houston tonight, but a minor miracle still would have to occur for the Rockets and Blazers to flip spots. Houston would have to go 1-2 and Portland would have to win their final two games. Tyreke Evans left New Orleans' game tonight with an injury so he could be out.
Just realized the Rockets have the Pelicans twice to end the season ... Yep, minor miracle indeed. But like we saw tonight, anything can happen.
