Stretch run--the final 20

[PtldPlatypus]

You may not realize it, but the Blazers have an incredibly grueling finish ahead.

• They have 20 games remaining (By comparison, the other teams presently occupying the 2-7 spots in the west only have 16-18 games left), and they're crammed into a 34-day stretch.
• After tonight, they have a 5-in-7 road trip, then another 5-in-7 stretch which includes both a R-H & H-R B2B--all that before the end of March.
• April 3-9 gives yet another 5-in-7, also including R-H & H-R B2B's, the last of which has them visiting the best team in the league.

The Blazers need to go 13-7 over the final 20 to improve upon last year's record, and I think that will take a herculean effort to accomplish. If they can manage 13 wins in this final string--after losing Wes--I will be incredibly optimistic going into the playoffs.

 

[BBert]

It's important to go into the playoffs on a good rhythm, and a layoff can sometimes hurt that, but after reading this, I hope there is some time to rest between the season finale and the playoffs?

 

[B-Roy]

vs DET
@ TOR
@ WAS
@ MIA
@ ORL
@ MEM
vs GSW
vs UTA
@ PHX
vs DEN
vs PHX
vs LAC
@ LAL
vs NOP
@ BKN
vs MIN
@ GSW
vs UTA
@ OKC
@ DAL

11 games against teams over .500 (bolded). Of the ones less than .500, Utah and Minnesota have been giving us fits. It's going to be a tough finish. I can honestly see Terry resting a lot of the starters against OKC and Dallas depending on if seeds are locked up or not.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

It's important to go into the playoffs on a good rhythm, and a layoff can sometimes hurt that, but after reading this, I hope there is some time to rest between the season finale and the playoffs?

First day of the playoffs will be April 18th. Depending on whether they have us start on Saturday or Sunday, we'll have either two or three days off between the final regular season game and the first post-season game.

11 games against teams over .500 (bolded). Of the ones less than .500, Utah and Minnesota have been giving us fits. It's going to be a tough finish.

Yeah, I'm definitely counting Utah as an above .500 team these days.

 

[Rhal]

6 of the 20 are against the east including the next 5 straight.
10 of the 20 are against playoff teams including some playoff teams. Toronto and the Wizards may be playoff teams but they have falling off a cliff since january and the mavs look like a hot mess.
The schedule is as following
Pistons
Toronto
Wizards
Heat
Orlando
Grizz
Warriors
Jazz
Suns
Nuggets
Suns
Clippers
Lakers
Pelicans
Nets
Timberwolves
Warriors
Jazz
Thunder
Mavericks
We may actually be in a position to knock the Thunder out of the playoffs which would be awesome.

 

[magnifier661]

6 of the 20 are against the east including the next 5 straight.
10 of the 20 are against playoff teams including some playoff teams. Toronto and the Wizards may be playoff teams but they have falling off a cliff since january and the mavs look like a hot mess.
The schedule is as following
Pistons
Toronto
Wizards
Heat
Orlando
Grizz
Warriors
Jazz
Suns
Nuggets
Suns
Clippers
Lakers
Pelicans
Nets
Timberwolves
Warriors
Jazz
Thunder
Mavericks
We may actually be in a position to knock the Thunder out of the playoffs which would be awesome.

What if they intentionally threw the game to keep them playing GS. Possibly knocking GS out of the first round

 

[magnifier661]

I would be so excited if we could pull off a 15-5 finish!

 

[KingSpeed]

We'll do better than 13-7. Have you been paying attention to how well we've been playing lately?

 

[riverman]

A lot of playoff teams are going to rest their starters leading up to the playoffs. We're good for the end stretch.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

We'll do better than 13-7. Have you been paying attention to how well we've been playing lately?

Did you pay attention to the content of the OP? Or do you just not believe that a compressed schedule can significantly impact performance? They have three 5-in-7's in 4 weeks. That's tough for any team, regardless of how well they're playing.

 

[magnifier661]

Did you pay attention to the content of the OP? Or do you just not believe that a compressed schedule can significantly impact performance? They have three 5-in-7's in 4 weeks. That's tough for any team, regardless of how well they're playing.

Let's get battle tested and go 20-0!

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Let's get battle tested and go 20-0!

Very little could make me happier. That would be an astronomical feat.

 

[magnifier661]

Very little could make me happier. That would be an astronomical feat.

You and me both brother!!!!!

 

[Eastoff]

Let's get battle tested and go 20-0!

ABM rides again!

 

[gatorpops]

Get the one tonight and then get the next one ans so on............ = 20 and 0

 

[KingSpeed]

Did you pay attention to the content of the OP? Or do you just not believe that a compressed schedule can significantly impact performance? They have three 5-in-7's in 4 weeks. That's tough for any team, regardless of how well they're playing.

Won't be tough for us. We're not a weak minded team like the Rockets or Grizzlies.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

Get the one tonight and then get the next one ans so on............ = 20 and 0

Step one-complete

 

[stampedehero]

A lot of playoff teams are going to rest their starters leading up to the playoffs. We're good for the end stretch.

+> Golden State did that tonight Denver fans indulged/ listened to the Doobies on the way home .

 

[stampedehero]

This Detroit win was fun but the next two weeks are Brutal. Who was the meathead who made this schedule for us?

 

[stampedehero]

Freeland, Leonard, Crabbe and Kaman could easily be on a downtown billboard if they contribute big time

 

[maxiep]

We have a one game road trip...to Brooklyn? F*** you, NBA.

 

[PtldPlatypus]

We have a one game road trip...to Brooklyn? F*** you, NBA.

Pretty sure it's the make-up game for the one that got snowed out a couple months back.

 

[Strenuus]

We have a one game road trip...to Brooklyn? F*** you, NBA.

Make up game for the blizzard that was supposed to happen in NYC, but never did.

 

[rasheedfan2005]

20-0 mail it in signed sheedfan #withwes
meyers gonna be big, dude took that eye of the tiger from wes. Freeland gonna do that enforcer work. Rolo doing the dirty work. Batum turning it on. Aldridge and lillard just being themselves is great. Afflalo meshing with the crew playing that big d. Blake takes care of the ball. Kaman stops turning it over and cj wright crabbe come in and scrap when called and dont try to do too much. We got this shit.

 

[maxiep]

Make up game for the blizzard that was supposed to happen in NYC, but never did.

Ah, so. Thanks Strenuus. That game just looked like it was scheduled for spite.

 

[Strenuus]

Ah, so. Thanks Strenuus. That game just looked like it was scheduled for spite.

I can understand that reasoning very well, Maxie. haha!

 

[magnifier661]

Ah, so. Thanks Strenuus. That game just looked like it was scheduled for spite.

Yeah it sucks that we had to get the road game between home games, especially since Brooklyn was worse off when we were supposed to play them. We now get blessed with the "Fighting for a playoff spot" Brooklyn now.

 

[H.C.]

Yeah it sucks that we had to get the road game between home games, especially since Brooklyn was worse off when we were supposed to play them. We now get blessed with the "Fighting for a playoff spot" Brooklyn now.

Don't worry. Brook has played a few games now without missing one. He'll get injured soon