Which team will make the playoffs?

[Rastapopoulos]

I'm gonna assume that the Griz will make it (currently 36-29) and the Lakers (20-45) and Suns (21-44) are definitely out of the running. Other than that, it's pretty close:

Nuggets (29-35) currently in 8th
Blazers (28-35)
Mavs (27-36)
Wolves (26-37)
Kings (25-39)
Pelicans (25-40)

Which of them will make it? (If the Griz drop out, obviously two could, but pick which is MOST likely.) State your reasons.

 

[DaLincolnJones]

My only reason for Portland to make the big dance is Nurk.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

I'm torn. Of all of them, Minnesota has quietly been playing the best recently. Over the past ten games they have the 5th best point differential in the league (6.8). But Dallas is right behind them at 4.4, and they've got the experience and the drive (swansong for Dirk?) and considering how shitty they were at the start of the season, to be where they are now shows that they've really turned it around. So I'm going to pick them, even if my heart says Blazers (-1.1 0ver last ten games).

 

[PDXFonz]

Addition of Nurk, strength of schedule, return of Evan Turner, and the increased quality of play from many players equals the Blazers making it back to the playoffs for the fourth straight season.

 

[Pinwheel1]

We play 6 games in the next 9 days. If we are still within a game or two of the 8th spot on March 20th. (and no more key injuries) it will be the Portland Trail Blazers.

 

[BlazerDuckSeahawkFan94]

It's between us and Dallas imo.

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Is there a site that will give strength of remaining schedule?

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Also, when it's this close, a lot will depend on head-to-heads.

 

[PDXFonz]

Is there a site that will give strength of remaining schedule?

http://www.playoffstatus.com/nba/westernsosag.html

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Looking at our remaining schedule, I only see the following as relatively easy games:
Mar 12: @Suns
Mar 23: Knicks
Mar 26: @lakers
Apr 01: Suns
(And bear in mind we have lost to the Knicks and the Suns already this season.)

 

[Mediocre Man]

Looking at our remaining schedule, I only see the following as relatively easy games:
Mar 12: @Suns
Mar 23: Knicks
Mar 26: @lakers
Apr 01: Suns
(And bear in mind we have lost to the Knicks and the Suns already this season.)

I would have thought last nights game would have been easy also.

 

[PDXFonz]

Looking at our remaining schedule, I only see the following as relatively easy games:
Mar 12: @Suns
Mar 23: Knicks
Mar 26: @lakers
Apr 01: Suns
(And bear in mind we have lost to the Knicks and the Suns already this season.)

Suns are that team that we always seem to lose to when we shouldn't.

 

[H.C.]

My head says Dallas.
My fandom says Portland.

 

[KingSpeed]

I would have thought last nights game would have been easy also.

Nothing's easy in the NBA

 

[Mediocre Man]

Nothing's easy in the NBA

Exactly my point

 

[Nikolokolus]

Portland's relatively easy schedule combined with the density of games feels like a wash, so who knows if they have any advantage there. My gut says Dallas, but the Blazers getting in wouldn't shock me, especially if Nurk keeps it going.

 

[KingSpeed]

Portland's relatively easy schedule combined with the density of games feels like a wash, so who knows if they have any advantage there. My gut says Dallas, but the Blazers getting in wouldn't shock me, especially if Nurk keeps it going.

Why does your gut say Dallas? 10 of our last 13 are at home. Our home win % is way better than road win %. Simple math makes our closing schedule more favorable.

 

[Trackjack]

What I want us to have good closing end the season so maybe with few different faces we carry it on to next year. I hope it us but everyone has to come focus every game for the rest of the season.

 

[Chris Craig]

Blazers by one game

 

[Rastapopoulos]

Last night was bad for us: Nuggets, Mavs and Wolves all won.

 

[riverman]

I'm of the school of "I don't want to know" at this point...we're just building some momentum for the first time this season....is it enough? Surprise me...worst that can happen is we get a better lottery pick...best thing...we get out of the first round of the playoffs....I'll enjoy it either way.

 

[UKRAINEFAN]

Denver looks as if they have a pretty tough schedule, 10 away and 7 home and four of the home are against OKC, Houston, Cleveland and Clippers. So I better change my vote.

 

[Blaz06Draft]

My analysis of the three most likely teams:
Denver 37-45
Portland 36-46
Dallas 34-48

I used season-long home and away point differential averages. For example, look at Portland's next home game. Portland's home point differential has been 1.7 ppg. Washington's away point differential has been -0.3. The difference is +2.0. So it's a win for Portland.

This is based on season averages. Of course, the Blazers have been playing better since the All Star break and Nurkic's arrival. But many of our competition for the 8th seed in the West have also been playing better. It should be interesting.

 

[Orion Bailey]

1000% the Blazers.
No other team has a player with the mindset of Dame that is in the hunt. Dame will get us there. Watch. He is sooo smart. He will use Nurkic in so many ways that will make everyone forget about his D.