Rockets can lose 2 games and still clinch HC throughout. If they lose 3 then Toronto could theoretically win out and get HC in the finals. So just go 14-2 and nothing to worry about.
We really need this 3 game cushion that we have, our schedule from here on out like minus 2-3 games is basically teams battling for playoff position. The Warriors from here on out look to have a softer schedule, but they are very beatable without Curry
It's good that the Warriors don't care about the regular season. Or at least that's what I keep hearing.
They pretty much have to win them all to have a chance .... I think Kerr will keep them going after the 1 seed until they lose another one .... at that point I think he'll start resting guys knowing he's not gonna make up that much ground.
Even without Curry's injury, Rockets would be a strong favorite to finish #1. With Kerr conceding to take pressure off his team, it becomes a certainty unless something weird happens.
I feel like Golden State have given up chasing that number 1 seed; and unfortunately I feel like this will lead to us facing Spurs 1st round and Thunder 2nd round. Thunder will end up either 4th or 5th, I'm very confident about that. Spurs will most definitely make the playoffs so lets hope they reach 7th. I do think we can beat both Spurs and Thunder but lets make it a little tougher on the Warriors and a little easier on us.
They're confident they can take one of the first two against us in Houston. And I bet they will. What our guys need to be prepared for, mentally, is to win two at Oracle. Game 3 or 4, and if necessary, Game 6. The only thing we've bought by besting them in the regular season is Game 7 at home. And that will count for a hell of a lot. But we have to get there.
I don't see the Thunder making the playoffs at all based on their remaining schedule for March, I can see them way out of the playoff race by April 1.
For real? I don't know their remaining schedule to be honest but I don't know, I've been watching the NBA long enough to know that teams that are suppose to make the playoffs usually always do if it comes down to the final stretch. I remember the Dwight Howard Lakers looked like a lock to miss the playoffs at some point in that season.
You get suspended 1 game on the 16th technical and every 2 technicals after that, but I think that's just for the regular season. I could be wrong on this, but I think it resets for the playoffs and once you hit 6 technicals in the playoffs you get a playoff suspension.
With both teams having 15 games left and the Rox holding the tiebreaker, here's the scenario... If the Rox go ____, the Dubs have to go ____ to regain the #1 seed: Rox 15 - 0 = Dubs impossible Rox 14 - 1 = Dubs impossible Rox 13 - 2 = Dubs impossible Rox 12 - 3 = Dubs 15 - 0 Rox 11 - 4 = Dubs 14 - 1 Rox 10 - 5 = Dubs 13 - 2 Rox 9 - 6 = Dubs 12 - 3 Rox 8 - 7 = Dubs 11 - 4 Rox 7 - 8 = Dubs 10 - 5 Keep in mind that Curry and Thompson will miss the next 4 games at least. Our remaining schedule... Home (9 games): Clippers Pistons Pelicans \ back-to-back Hawks / back-to-back Bulls Suns Wizards Blazers Thunder Away (6 games): Pelicans \ back-to-back T-Wolves / back-to-back Blazers Spurs Lakers \ back-to-back Kings / back-to-back Warriors have 8 home games and 7 away.
last 3 games KD- 38.8 minutes Klay- 38.333 minutes DrayG- 36.8 minutes Harden 32.3 minutes Paul 28.3 minutes Ariza 34 minutes Capela 25 minutes I am really enjoying this trend.. and with Curry out for 4 more games, and KD having the need to prove himself, I see more wear and tear.. If they lose couple more games, things will get really interesting as I am sure they won't like the prospect of facing both rockets and the raptors without home court.. so you may have a warriors team needlessly exerting them, while hopefully rox build up more of a cushion and can actually take the last week off..
if we can some how survive and get through the next four games... we will have a much easier remainder then the warriors.. we should beat the clips and the wolves.. pels and blazers are a toss up, since these are all on the road.. lets keep in mind all these teams are fighting like hell for playoffs. What makes me nervous.. first seed could very well have a harder route to WC then second seed.. We could be first seed and see spurs with Kwahi or a surging Utah followed by Blazers or thunder.. Second seed could very well see clippers followed by wolves or pelicans.