The Playoff Picture

[Chris Craig]

I know there have been several threads about whether or not the Blazers will make the playoffs and I probably could have posted this in one of those. But, I wanted to do a little more in-depth look at the race for the eighth spot as well as the playoff race as a whole. I am going to start with the Blazers and the race for the eighth seed. While Dallas, New Orleans, and possibly even Minnesota are right behind us, and are still in the race, (And I will add their remaining schedules as well and analyze them later this evening) I wanted to focus on Portland and Denver because it looks like its between the two of them more than anything. Though I'm not counting the three above teams out yet.

Arguably the Blazers would already be tied for the eighth seed at this very moment had the Timberwolves not had the ice debacle thus delaying that game. That said here are the standings and remaining schedules for both the Blazers and Nuggets. I have included my predictions for the results of those games in black, and will fill in as the season concludes with the actual results in green (for wins) and red (for losses) next to it.

Blazers Remaining Schedule (38-38):

March 21st - VS Milwaukee (W)(L)
March 23rd - VS New York (W)(W)
March 25th - VS Minnesota (W)(W)
March 26th - @ LA Lakers (W)(W)
March 28th - VS Denver (W)(W)
March 30th - VS Houston (L)(W)
April 1st - VS Phoenix (W)(W)
Monday April 3rd - @ Minnesota (W)
Tuesday April 4th @Utah (L)
Thursday April 6th - VS Minnesota (W)
Saturday April 8th - VS Utah (L)
Monday April 10th - VS San Antonio (L)
Wednesday April 12th - VS New Orleans (W)

That's a finish of 9-4 for a 41-41 record



Denver's Remaining Schedule (36-40):

March 22nd - VS Cleveland (L)(W)
March 24th - @ Indiana (L)(W)
March 26th - VS New Orleans (W)(L)
March 28th - @ Portland (L)(L)
Friday March 31st - @ Charlotte (W)(L)
Sunday April 2nd - @ Miami (W)(W)
Tuesday April 4th - @ New Orleans (L)
Wednesday April 5th - @ Houston (L)
Friday April 7th - VS New Orleans (W)
Sunday April 9th - VS Oklahoma City (L)
Tuesday April 11th - @ Dallas (W)
Wednesday April 12th - @ Oklahoma City Thunder (L)

That's a 5-7 finish for a 38-44 record

I think the Blazers couldn't win more than that, they may do worse. The Blazers play mostly under .500 teams the rest of the way, with two back to backs, a mere two game road trip, and end the season with 4 straight at home. Perhaps I being too generous, perhaps not enough. The Blazers by far have the better schedule.

The Nuggets are on a two game losing streak, their next two games are against Cleveland and Indiana and it doesn't get much easier from there. They play New Orleans three times, and with Boogie as of late they have been playing better, trying to push for the playoffs as well. Odds are at least one of those will be a loss. They play Portland in Portland, a loss. They play Houston and two against OKC both teams that have yet to beat this season. They have two back to backs and a five game road trip, not to mention they close the season on a two game road trip to Dallas and OKC. It is not going to be an easy road for them.

The playoff picture here is definitely in Portland's favor.

Later I will add more remaining schedules, further my analyses of the hunt for the eighth seed, and include my predictions of the playoff picture as a whole. Feel free to share your predictions and analysis as well.

New Orleans Remaining Schedule (33-44):

Tuesday March 21st VS Memphis (L)(W)
Friday March 24th @ Houston (L)(L)
Sunday March 26th @ Denver (L)(W)
Monday March 27th @ Jazz (L)(L)
Wednesday March 29th VS Dallas (W)(W)
Friday March 31st VS Kings (W)(W)
Sunday April 2nd VS Chicago (W)(L)
Tues April 4th VS Denver (W)
Friday April 7th @ Denver (L)
Saturday April 8th @ Golden State (L)
Tues April 11th @ Lakers (W)
Wednesday April 12th @ Portland (L)

A 5-7 finish for a 34-48 record

The Pelicans have a 3 game road trip and a four game road trip to end the season and 3 back to backs (all three on the road) ouch! With their current record and this hectic schedule there is little chance at making the eight seed.

 

[BosnianChampion]

I think we beat San Antonio because they'll sit everybody, and we go 42-40, but everything else I agree with! What an exciting finish to the season...I was depressed in January, now I'm hoping we can beat Golden State once!!

 

[PtldPlatypus]

I think the Blazers couldn't win more than that, they may do worse. The Blazers play mostly under .500 teams the rest of the way, with three back to backs, a three game road trip, and end the season with 4 straight at home. Perhaps I being too generous, perhaps not enough. The Blazers by far have the better schedule.

Only 2 back-to-backs, and only a 2-game trip. The April 1st game with Phoenix is in Portland.

Also, I think we'll beat Utah in Portland.

 

[Chris Craig]

I think we beat San Antonio because they'll sit everybody, and we go 42-40, but everything else I agree with! What an exciting finish to the season...I was depressed in January, now I'm hoping we can beat Golden State once!!

Like I said I may have not been generous enough. Bringing up resting players is a good point @BosnianChampion! That may very well affect how the season ends and whether or not we get the eighth seed. Though Denver has the tougher schedule if teams rest players they may have an easier time and get more wins. Same with the Blazers....the Spurs if they do rest guys should be a win for us I agree, and they very well might. I guess it depends on how close they are to Golden State and that #1 seed.

 

[Chris Craig]

Only 2 back-to-backs, and only a 2-game trip. The April 1st game with Phoenix is in Portland.

Also, I think we'll beat Utah in Portland.

Thanks for the correction. Even better! I think they probably will too, I just wanted to include some losses, as to not go a full 12-0 homer...trying to be a bit realistic anyway, but yeah we will probably win that game.

 

[Nate]

wait for it....

 

[Chris Craig]

wait for it....

...

 

[Nate]

...

Trust me, something is going to happen.

 

[gatorpops]

Before the last game my prediction was 13 and 0 -- Now it is 12 and 0

 

[gatorpops]

Chmpionship Season we went to PHI and lost by about 20 in both games
and then came home and won by about 20
then took game four in PHI
and then came home and won again.
W E WON 4 IN A ROW
We were a very young team then too.

 

[KingSpeed]

Chmpionship Season we went to PHI and lost by about 20 in both games
and then came home and won by about 20
then took game four in PHI
and then came home and won again.
W E WON 4 IN A ROW
We were a very young team then too.

Game 4 was in Portland. We won game 5 in Philly.

 

[KingSpeed]

I know there have been several threads about whether or not the Blazers will make the playoffs and I probably could have posted this in one of those. But, I wanted to do a little more in-depth look at the race for the eighth spot as well as the playoff race as a whole. I am going to start with the Blazers and the race for the eighth seed. While Dallas, New Orleans, and possibly even Minnesota are right behind us, and are still in the race, (And I will add their remaining schedules as well and analyze them later this evening) I wanted to focus on Portland and Denver because it looks like its between the two of them more than anything. Though I'm not counting the three above teams out yet.

Arguably the Blazers would already be tied for the eighth seed at this very moment had the Timberwolves not had the ice debacle thus delaying that game. That said here are the standings and remaining schedules for both the Blazers and Nuggets. I have included my predictions for the results of those games in black, and will fill in as the season concludes with the actual results in green (for wins) and red (for losses) next to it.

Blazers Remaining Schedule (32-37):

Tuesday, March 21st - VS Milwaukee (W)
Thursday March 23rd - VS New York (W)
Saturday March 25th - VS Minnesota (W)
Sunday March 26th - @ LA Lakers (W)
Tuesday March 28th - VS Denver (W)
Thursday March 30th - VS Houston (L)
Saturday April 1st - VS Phoenix (W)
Monday April 3rd - @ Minnesota (W)
Tuesday April 4th @Utah (L)
Thursday April 6th - VS Minnesota (W)
Saturday April 8th - VS Utah (L)
Monday April 10th - VS San Antonio (L)
Wednesday April 12th - VS New Orleans (W)

That's a finish of 9-4 for a 41-41 record



Denver's Remaining Schedule (33-37):

Wednesday March 22nd - VS Cleveland (L)
Friday March 24th - @ Indiana (L)
Sunday March 26th - VS New Orleans (W)
Tuesday March 28th - @ Portland (L)
Friday March 31st - @ Charlotte (W)
Sunday April 2nd - @ Miami (W)
Tuesday April 4th - @ New Orleans (L)
Wednesday April 5th - @ Houston (L)
Friday April 7th - VS New Orleans (W)
Sunday April 9th - VS Oklahoma City (L)
Tuesday April 11th - @ Dallas (W)
Wednesday April 12th - @ Oklahoma City Thunder (L)

That's a 5-7 finish for a 38-44 record

I think the Blazers couldn't win more than that, they may do worse. The Blazers play mostly under .500 teams the rest of the way, with two back to backs, a mere two game road trip, and end the season with 4 straight at home. Perhaps I being too generous, perhaps not enough. The Blazers by far have the better schedule.

The Nuggets are on a two game losing streak, their next two games are against Cleveland and Indiana and it doesn't get much easier from there. They play New Orleans three times, and with Boogie as of late they have been playing better, trying to push for the playoffs as well. Odds are at least one of those will be a loss. They play Portland in Portland, a loss. They play Houston and two against OKC both teams that have yet to beat this season. They have two back to backs and a five game road trip, not to mention they close the season on a two game road trip to Dallas and OKC. It is not going to be an easy road for them.

The playoff picture here is definitely in Portland's favor.

Later I will add more remaining schedules, further my analyses of the hunt for the eighth seed, and include my predictions of the playoff picture as a whole. Feel free to share your predictions and analysis as well.

Why are we losing to Utah at home?

 

[BBert]

We'll go 9-3.

 

[BBert]

This is not a thread hijack question:

Is there a thread to track the positioning of our 3 draft picks? If so, link please (can't find it)? If not, who wants to make one?

(Please don't post about our draft position in this unrelated thread though. Thank you.)

 

[BosnianChampion]

We'll go 9-3.

But there's 13 games?

 

[theprunetang]

But there's 13 games?

You've been a great addition to this forum, by the way. Just thought I would let you know.

 

[BosnianChampion]

You've been a great addition to this forum, by the way. Just thought I would let you know.

Thanks! Was @BBert making an inside joke that I missed?

 

[theprunetang]

Thanks! Was @BBert making an inside joke that I missed?

Not that I know of. I think you were just on point.

 

[Chris Craig]

This is not a thread hijack question:

Is there a thread to track the positioning of our 3 draft picks? If so, link please (can't find it)? If not, who wants to make one?

(Please don't post about our draft position in this unrelated thread though. Thank you.)

Its in every game thread

 

[Chris Craig]

The loss last night to the Bucks stings a bit, as it would have put us in a tie for eighth place. Hopefully, Denver loses tonight against the Cavs. Don't know if Bron is sitting though.

 

[Boob-No-More]

The loss last night to the Bucks stings a bit, as it would have put us in a tie for eighth place. Hopefully, Denver loses tonight against the Cavs. Don't know if Bron is sitting though.

Sounds like he's playing.

He's played one game since last Thursday. How much rest does a healthy professional athlete need?

BNM

 

[Chris Craig]

Sounds like he's playing.

He's played one game since last Thursday. How much rest does a healthy professional athlete need?

BNM

You'd be suprised

 

[Boob-No-More]

You'd be suprised

If you read the link, you will see he's a bit pissed about being called out for resting by Adam Silver. He basically wants to win enough that they can be like the Spurs and coast down the stretch. He says Pop gets leeway to rest players because of the clout he has. He wants to win more so that his coach (what's his name again, Tyrone Shoelaces?) has similar clout to rest his veterans in the future.

BNM

 

[Orion Bailey]

If you read the link, you will see he's a bit pissed about being called out for resting by Adam Silver. He basically wants to win enough that they can be like the Spurs and coast down the stretch. He says Pop gets leeway to rest players because of the clout he has. He wants to win more so that his coach (what's his name again, Tyrone Shoelaces?) has similar clout to rest his veterans in the future.

BNM

He is also pissed at Lavar Ball for comments about LBJ and his kids.
He has something to prove this next week.

 

[Boob-No-More]

He is also pissed at Lavar Ball for comments about LBJ and his kids.
He has something to prove this next week.

I have no idea whose that is, but anything that provides extra motivation for LeBron when he takes the court tonight against DEN is fine by me.

BNM

 

[Orion Bailey]

I have no idea whose that is, but anything that provides extra motivation for LeBron when he takes the court tonight against DEN is fine by me.

BNM

He is Alonzo Balls father. Top pick from UCLA. Or projected top 1 or 2.

His father is an attention seeker and went out and said LBJ's kids wont be as good at basketball as his kids. He went on to slam the curry's too. And though his reasoning is valid, it was a complete douche thing to do and LBJ responded in kind with a shot over the bow telling him to leave him and his family out of his mouth.
With the Tourney going right now, I know LBJ wants to put some serious numbers up so the media can go back at Lavar and push the drama.

 

[stampedehero]

I know there have been several threads about whether or not the Blazers will make the playoffs and I probably could have posted this in one of those. But, I wanted to do a little more in-depth look at the race for the eighth spot as well as the playoff race as a whole. I am going to start with the Blazers and the race for the eighth seed. While Dallas, New Orleans, and possibly even Minnesota are right behind us, and are still in the race, (And I will add their remaining schedules as well and analyze them later this evening) I wanted to focus on Portland and Denver because it looks like its between the two of them more than anything. Though I'm not counting the three above teams out yet.

Arguably the Blazers would already be tied for the eighth seed at this very moment had the Timberwolves not had the ice debacle thus delaying that game. That said here are the standings and remaining schedules for both the Blazers and Nuggets. I have included my predictions for the results of those games in black, and will fill in as the season concludes with the actual results in green (for wins) and red (for losses) next to it.

Blazers Remaining Schedule (32-38):

March 21st - VS Milwaukee (W)(L)
Thursday March 23rd - VS New York (W)
Saturday March 25th - VS Minnesota (W)
Sunday March 26th - @ LA Lakers (W)
Tuesday March 28th - VS Denver (W)
Thursday March 30th - VS Houston (L)
Saturday April 1st - VS Phoenix (W)
Monday April 3rd - @ Minnesota (W)
Tuesday April 4th @Utah (L)
Thursday April 6th - VS Minnesota (W)
Saturday April 8th - VS Utah (L)
Monday April 10th - VS San Antonio (L)
Wednesday April 12th - VS New Orleans (W)

That's a finish of 9-4 for a 41-41 record



Denver's Remaining Schedule (33-37):

Wednesday March 22nd - VS Cleveland (L)
Friday March 24th - @ Indiana (L)
Sunday March 26th - VS New Orleans (W)
Tuesday March 28th - @ Portland (L)
Friday March 31st - @ Charlotte (W)
Sunday April 2nd - @ Miami (W)
Tuesday April 4th - @ New Orleans (L)
Wednesday April 5th - @ Houston (L)
Friday April 7th - VS New Orleans (W)
Sunday April 9th - VS Oklahoma City (L)
Tuesday April 11th - @ Dallas (W)
Wednesday April 12th - @ Oklahoma City Thunder (L)

That's a 5-7 finish for a 38-44 record

I think the Blazers couldn't win more than that, they may do worse. The Blazers play mostly under .500 teams the rest of the way, with two back to backs, a mere two game road trip, and end the season with 4 straight at home. Perhaps I being too generous, perhaps not enough. The Blazers by far have the better schedule.

The Nuggets are on a two game losing streak, their next two games are against Cleveland and Indiana and it doesn't get much easier from there. They play New Orleans three times, and with Boogie as of late they have been playing better, trying to push for the playoffs as well. Odds are at least one of those will be a loss. They play Portland in Portland, a loss. They play Houston and two against OKC both teams that have yet to beat this season. They have two back to backs and a five game road trip, not to mention they close the season on a two game road trip to Dallas and OKC. It is not going to be an easy road for them.

The playoff picture here is definitely in Portland's favor.

Later I will add more remaining schedules, further my analyses of the hunt for the eighth seed, and include my predictions of the playoff picture as a whole. Feel free to share your predictions and analysis as well.

New Orleans Remaining Schedule (30-41):

Tuesday March 21st VS Memphis (L)(W)
Friday March 24th @ Houston (L)
Sunday March 26th @ Denver (L)
Monday March 27th @ Jazz (L)
Wednesday March 29th VS Dallas (W)
Friday March 31st VS Kings (W)
Sunday April 2nd VS Chicago (W)
Tues April 4th VS Denver (W)
Friday April 7th @ Denver (L)
Saturday April 8th @ Golden State (L)
Tues April 11th @ Lakers (W)
Wednesday April 12th @ Portland (L)

A 5-7 finish for a 34-48 record

The Pelicans have a 3 game road trip and a four game road trip to end the season and 3 back to backs (all three on the road) ouch! With their current record and this hectic schedule there is little chance at making the eight seed.

Man I hope your predictions COME REAL!

 

[rotary111]

Looking at how Dame has played since he got some rest at the Allstar break, our focus should be to get him as much rest as possible before the playoffs start. Dame and Vonleh are ballin right now. Vonleh looks like he is playing with a purpose. Somebody got through to him because he's dunking on people instead of getting swatted. Bring on the playoffs!

 

[Chris Craig]

Man I hope your predictions COME REAL!

0-3 So far damn. We gotta win the next three. They are all easy and are pretty much wrapped in a pretty bow for us. Denver needs to start fucking losing. Hopefully Indiana will take em out.

 

[Boob-No-More]

0-3 So far damn. We gotta win the next three. They are all easy and are pretty much wrapped in a pretty now for us. Denver needs to start fucking losing. Hopefully Indiana will take em out.

I mentioned it this morning in my Playoff Odds thread:

Indiana has a very unusual streak going. In their last 15 games, they have alternated wins and losses. If the pattern holds, they are due for a win against DEN tomorrow night.

And then DEN has NOP on Sunday, who have won 5 of 6 and seem to have finally figured out how to win in the post Buddy Heald era. They beat MEM by 12, MIN by 13, Hou by 16 and us by 23.

Come on rest of the league, give us some help here!

BNM