I don’t mean their current form, quite the opposite actually. They are streaky, can beat anyone on their day and lose to anyone when things don’t go their way. I would rather play a team that is predictable.
Makes sense. Businesses want a predictable environment to do business in. Basketball is a business. 2 + 2 = 4.
Blazers 47-29. MEM, @ Dal, @Hou, @ Sas, @ Den, UTA. Spurs...44-32. HOU (W), @Lac, @ Lal, POR, SAC, NOP. The Blazers really can't afford to lose more than 2 games because the Spurs just won the toughest game they were projected to have for the rest of the regular season. If they beat the Blazers in SA, they will own the tie-breaker so Portland has to take care of business down the stretch. The Rockets will have the #1 seed wrapped up but they may want to see the Blazers in the 2nd round vs the Spurs and might play their entire team. Beating the Rockets on the road is a tall task. Denver may still be fighting for a playoff spot and Utah could be fighting for seeding as well. 4-2....no less.
Division winner owns the tiebreaker, we clinch the 3 seed with 3 more wins, or 2 wins and a Spurs loss.
Okay, that makes me feel better. So we could finished tied with them having the head-to-head tie-breaker but we get it because of Division winner, correct?
Nope. That was prior years. This year head to head is first tiebreaker. Division winner is the second. http://www.nba.com/article/2018/03/08/west-playoff-race-breakdown In that situation, SAS would get 3rd & Portland would be 4th
I still think SAS has to win out to even have a chance at catching us though. We essentially clinch the 3 seed with a win against them. If we win our next two and SAS doesn't lose, our magic number would be 2 to clinch the 3 seed. We have a "91%" chance at the 3 seed. I'm not worried. I don't think SAS wins out. HOU was without CP3.
Okay, thank you for the clarification. That is what I was worried about. I can see HOU playing their full squad to get a win against us because their team play-by-play guy said they would much rather play us (vs OKC). Can't imagine it would be different if it was the Spurs. So if HOU and SAS beat Portland, the Blazers have to go 4-0 against MEM, @Dal, @Den, UTA. They should be able to do that but it only takes 1 slip and it opens the door for the Spurs who could easily win the rest of their games.
With San Antonio beating the Rockets, and Portland losing to Memphis. Both teams look like they're going to finish with the same record. The game in Portland between Spurs & Blazers becomes huge. If Portland gets that game the 3rd seed is theirs. If they lose it... Then theres a high chance Portland falls to 4.
Maybe, but we're talking Greg "rest all of my old dudes at the end of the season" Popovich here. I don't think that'll change in order to get the 3rd seed instead of the 4th seed.
Based on what....? We're 3 losses ahead of them. They have just as hard of a remaining schedule as us..
Portland. 47-29 vs Mem, @ Mavs, @ Rockets, @ Spurs, @ Nuggets, vs Jazz Spurs. 45-32 @ Clippers, @ Lakers, vs Blazers, vs Kings, @Pelicans Well I mean Portland has 4 games against teams fighting for the playoffs. Spurs have three. Not sure I'd call that an equal remaining. Also. Spurs will prolly be favored in every game except the Pelicans. Where Portland is only likely to be favored against Utah, Dallas, Mem.
Possibly, but I seriously doubt they'll be 'tanking'. Also Denver is really good at home. 27-10 Where they're ass on the road. 14-25 That's a tough road game for Portland
Blazers 48-29. MEM(W), @ Dal, @Hou, @ Sas, @ Den, UTA. Spurs...45-32. HOU(W), @Lac, @ Lal, POR, SAC, NOP. ChOKC 44-33. @Nop(W), GSW, @Hou, @@Mia, MEM. Jazzzzz 45-33. @Min(L), LAL, LAC, @@LAL, GSW, @Por. Wolves 44-34. UTA(L), @ Den, @ Lal, MEM, DEN. Pelican 43-34. OKC(L) MEM, @Phx, @Gsw, @ Lac, SAS. Spurs rout the Rockets Utah DESTROYS Minnesota on the road. Thunder get a big win on the road against the Pelicans.
