Looking at the schedule...

[KingSpeed]

.... I don't see many losses the rest of the way. It's a mostly cupcake schedule. Lots of home games, a 8 out of 9 stretch at one point, games against teams like Memphis, Lakers, Suns, Kings, and Knicks, all easy wins. Just coming out of All Star break, the toughest game is the first, but let's say we lose to Utah. Then we beat Phoenix, Sacramento, and pick up games on Minnesota and OKC then games against Knicks and Lakers. That's a 38-27 record, that's nearly the 3rd seed by that point. Go Blazers!

 

[Sarni]

We will not end up anywhere near 3rd seed.

 

[KingSpeed]

We will not end up anywhere near 3rd seed.

Why do you say that? We've beaten OKC twice and have wins over SA and Minnesota. Spurs are banged up, old, and only 2.5 games ahead of us.

 

[BonesJones]

.... I don't see many losses the rest of the way. It's a mostly cupcake schedule. Lots of home games, a 8 out of 9 stretch at one point, games against teams like Memphis, Lakers, Suns, Kings, and Knicks, all easy wins. Just coming out of All Star break, the toughest game is the first, but let's say we lose to Utah. Then we beat Phoenix, Sacramento, and pick up games on Minnesota and OKC then games against Knicks and Lakers. That's a 38-27 record, that's nearly the 3rd seed by that point. Go Blazers!

2/3 of our remaining games are against above .500 teams. That's not a cupcake schedule.

44-45 wins.

 

[Sarni]

Why do you say that? We've beaten OKC twice and have wins over SA and Minnesota. Spurs are banged up, old, and only 2.5 games ahead of us.

Because our remaining schedule is tough. I'll be happy if we end up with 45 wins, and that will not be enough to get 3rd seed. 45-37 would mean we went 13-11 from here which would be solid.

I think we will end up behind Warriors, Rockets, Spurs, Timberwolves and Thunder for sure, most likely behind Jazz too, and it's a toss whether we finish above Nuggets or not. So basically 7th or 8th seed.

Trash Warriors will lose in the first round. Will be swept by us or Nuggets.

 

[Mediocre Man]

Undefeated after the break

 

[Schilly]

Of the remaining 24 games

6 are against teams we are clearly worse than (GS, HOU, CLE, BOS, SA)

7 are against teams we are clearly better than (PHO, SAC, LAL, NY, MEM, DAL)

11 are against teams we are similar too.

IMO at worsts we go 12-12, at best 16-8. The team has shown signs of playing better the last 2 months thought I suspect 14-10 is about right meaning 46-36.

 

[H.C.]

I think I'm more interested to see if Stotts deserves to keep his job.
Over his tenure in Portland the team performs well going into and after the break.
If it continues, his job should be safe. If it doesn't, regardless of the flawed roster... The organization should look for a different direction.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Of the remaining 24 games

6 are against teams we are clearly worse than (GS, HOU, CLE, BOS, SA)

7 are against teams we are clearly better than (PHO, SAC, LAL, NY, MEM, DAL)

11 are against teams we are similar too.

IMO at worsts we go 12-12, at best 16-8. The team has shown signs of playing better the last 2 months thought I suspect 14-10 is about right meaning 46-36.

Utah seems to have become a team that is clearly better than us. They should be added to that list.

 

[e_blazer]

Utah seems to have become a team that is clearly better than us. They should be added to that list.

They have been hot lately, and like the Sixers, have the length that tends to be Kryptonite to the Blazers. It’s yet to be proved that they can maintain what they’re doing for a long stretch.

 

[kjironman1]

This is full on Jinx thread.
While i love the very idea of it i almost cringe when i read the opening line.

... I don't see many losses the rest of the way

That is just crazy talk. I almost think this thread should be locked down?

 

[kjironman1]

The "Jinx" is strong in this one........

 

[KingSpeed]

2/3 of our remaining games are against above .500 teams. That's not a cupcake schedule.

44-45 wins.

fair

 

[KingSpeed]

Because our remaining schedule is tough. I'll be happy if we end up with 45 wins, and that will not be enough to get 3rd seed. 45-37 would mean we went 13-11 from here which would be solid.

I think we will end up behind Warriors, Rockets, Spurs, Timberwolves and Thunder for sure, most likely behind Jazz too, and it's a toss whether we finish above Nuggets or not. So basically 7th or 8th seed.

Trash Warriors will lose in the first round. Will be swept by us or Nuggets.

Why behind Thunder?

 

[KingSpeed]

Trash Warriors will lose in the first round. Will be swept by us or Nuggets.

Good call.

 

[Pinwheel1]

Well since I picked 45-37 at the beginning of the season.... I guess we will go 13-11 the rest of the way.

 

[KingSpeed]

Of the remaining 24 games

6 are against teams we are clearly worse than (GS, HOU, CLE, BOS, SA)

7 are against teams we are clearly better than (PHO, SAC, LAL, NY, MEM, DAL)

11 are against teams we are similar too.

IMO at worsts we go 12-12, at best 16-8. The team has shown signs of playing better the last 2 months thought I suspect 14-10 is about right meaning 46-36.

48-34 may be good enough for 3 seed.

 

[kjironman1]

48-34 may be good enough for 3 seed.

I actually picked 48 wins. So lets all hope that happens.

 

[Schilly]

I think the whole thing hinges on Mo Harkless....

 

[THE HCP]

I think the whole thing hinges on Mo Harkless....

When he is flying around on defense, filling the lanes on breaks and constantly moving without the ball, he is no joke. It’s when he settles for camping in the corner is where is value is lost.

 

[UncleCliffy'sDaddy]

When he is flying around on defense, filling th Elaine on breaks and constantly moving without the ball, he is no joke. It’s when he settles for camping in the corner is where is value is lost.

Filling Elaine??? He needs to do that in the bedroom.....

 

[kjironman1]

I actually went and looked at the schedule. The next time the Blazers play Golden State they will be on 2 days rest and the Warriors have a TNT game the night before against the Spurs in Oakland. Figure late start on that game and most likely a solid hard fought game. The Blazers might just luck out on that game. You got to expect the Warriors will not want to come up here and lose twice.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

I see 17-7 being our high point.

Which would be good for 49 wins and MAYBE HCA at the 4 spot depending on how the T-Wolves and Thunder do down the stretch

 

[Titan]

My bold prediction 16-8 the rest of the way for 48 wins and the 6th seed.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

When he is flying around on defense, filling the lanes on breaks and constantly moving without the ball, he is no joke. It’s when he settles for camping in the corner is where is value is lost.

Can you imagine if he and Nurkic actually come into the playoffs fully focused? Is it possible that the Blazers could actually be a contender if those two actually played to their potential, were actually locked in on a regular basis? We've seen that they don't seem to have it in them to be their consistent best throughout the season, but what if they are able to bring it consistently in April/May?

 

[andalusian]

I believe I predicted 47 wins at the start of the season, so a 17-9 would work for me, at which point I will declare a bet of $100 against every member of this forum that did not predict 47 wins and start living like Kanye.

If that's not happening, I will claim that my job prevents me from betting and will live life like HCP - mowing lawns in trucks around the nation's basketball arenas.

 

[BlazerBeav]

It's time for Utah's streak to end. They almost did it last night - barely escaping at home against Phoenix. The game prior, benefiting from a last minute collapse by Kyle Anderson against a Aldridge-less Spurs team.

 

[H.C.]

Utah is clearly peaking right now.
It's very doubtful they'll be able to maintain their hot streak.
Shit Joe ingles didn't miss a three for like 30 days.

 

[KingSpeed]

My bold prediction 16-8 the rest of the way for 48 wins and the 6th seed.

As of now, 48 wins (.585) is good enough for 4 seed.

 

[KingSpeed]

I believe I predicted 47 wins at the start of the season, so a 17-9 would work for me, at which point I will declare a bet of $100 against every member of this forum that did not predict 47 wins and start living like Kanye.

If that's not happening, I will claim that my job prevents me from betting and will live life like HCP - mowing lawns in trucks around the nation's basketball arenas.

Can't go 17-9. Only 24 games left.