I think every home game is a must win....there's a little kid seeing his first game each time....need to win for that kid
See this is why some told @HCP to start the season HCA was possible. He refused to believe, which is fine. These teams Portland has to play, are the same teams who have to play one another. West is going to beat up on each other, and it's going to stay close until the final night. No team outside of Hou and GSW are clearly better than anyone 3-9. It's even more wide open with the Spurs having injury issues this year. I thought to start the year Portland would finish with HCA in the first round. That's not being a homer, that's looking at every other middle of the pack team and saying. Is Minn, OKC, NO, Denver or Utah clearly better than Portland? Answer is No.
In fairness, when Butler was healthy, I think Minnesota was pretty clearly better then we were. But that's the thing about sports--injuries mean everything.
Are you sure about that? Or can the following argument be made. Middle of the pack teams generally play better at home, than on the road.
Wolves: 38-27, next @ Jazz...a Wolves loss could knock them down to #7. Big game for them. Blazers: 36-26, next vs Thunder...another huge game for the Blazers. Spurs: 36-26, vs Lakers, almost a gimme Win. Pelicans: 35-26, @ Mavericks, should be an easy win for the Pels. Thunder: 36-27, next @ Blazers...big game for the Thunder. They need this to stay in the race for HCA. The Blazers really need to win the next 3 games because then they start playing teams like the Warriors, Cavs, Rockets and Celtics. With the standings as tight as they are, a couple of losses can knock you from Home Court to out of the Playoffs in just a couple of days.
Someone posted status of all the tie-breakers a couple of days ago, but I can't find it now. Would someone re-post it (and maybe even update it)? Thanks!
@tester551 , I believe that was Mr @Chris Craig . The only thing that has changed since he posted was we are now 2-2 vs MIN.
Lakers are 7-3 in their last 10 and are playing well. I don't think they are a gimme for anyone right now. Still need to beat them though.
@TBpup reposted the original. Here's a slightly varied version listing only the other 3-10 teams, showing what currently does or what will decide the tie-breakers with Portland for each pairing. POR-MIN: 2-2 H2H; Div MIN 9-3 (POR 6-6) POR-SAS: 1-1 H2H (1g remain, 4/7 @SAS) POR-OKC: POR 2-0 H2H (2g remain) POR-NOP: NOP 2-1 H2H (1g remain); (conf, NOP 17-19) POR-DEN: DEN 2-1 H2H (1g remain, 4/9 @DEN) POR-LAC: 1-1 H2H (2g remain); conf POR 22-15 (LAC 22-18) POR-UTA: UTA 2-1 H2H (1g remain, 4/11 in POR)
Thanks. I think this was the one I was looking for. It appears that Portland has an uphill battle to win the tie-breakers, except against OKC, and possibly SAS & LAC
I love the fact that our last three games of the season all could have significant playoff seeding implications. Gonna go down to the wire.
Still a lot of basketball to be played, but if they keep it rolling they have as good a chance as anyone. Got to beat the thunder and secure that tie breaker though. That'd be pretty big. I'm sure the team knows this.
