That team was so beast. I actually rewatched game 1 the other day. Brooks and Yao took a huge turd on the blazers, Scola was basically a 3rd star, and Artest/Battier combined for the best wing defensive combo ever.
home court against the Clippers wouldn't matter, they still have the wood over us. I'm hoping we can catch the Spurs and win the division
SAS have a really rough april... and we own the season series so perhaps we can catch them this season... vs. GSW @OKC (B2B) vs. Memphis @ Twolves @ Mavs vs. Phoenix (B2B) @ Rockets vs. Lakers 7 of their last 8 games are WC teams (likely) battling for playoff position.. including another game at Houston... which could be crucial.
The Rockets need to position themselves for the playoffs by seizing the second or third seed. Then they would have a reasonable chance of the Western finals. I think that is as good as it gets for this season, but once you get there presumably against OKC, any thing can happen.
SAS also have a nasty habit of dominating after the all star break, especially when faltering leading in to it. Had they lost the 2 previous games, which they pulled out despite looking done and dusted, then I'd give us half a shot. Feels unlikely in my book though.
I think Portland can potentially drop to 5th. Just don't want to face the Clippers. I hope we get 4th. We can kill Portland in my opinion.
The most likely team we can leapfrog is Portland. I can't see the Spurs melting down on the stretch run, and the Clippers seem to be playing better than ever even without Chris Paul. I'm hoping for 3rd or 4th but 4th is most likely.
Well, I don't mean every game. It's not like OKC drops from 1 to 8 by losing 3 straight or something. But just look at POR - losing last night against the Pacers along with a tough schedule ahead could easily drop them below the 4 spots holding HCA. Spurs could drop. Clippers could drop. Houston could drop. Or they could all rise. I think OKC, for sure, is going to win the WC, if everyone stays healthy and they play at the rate they're currently going. Ironically, I think Westy coming back could mess with the team chem for the first few games, but they'll be ridiculously good afterwards.
If it's shaping up where the top 3 is locked, in order, OKC, SAS, and Portland, I honestly hope the Rockets soft-tank (aka give Harden, Parsons, Dwight various "injuries" so they rest) for the 6th seed. It's clear the teams to avoid are the Clippers and especially OKC. If the Clippers rise to 3rd, then I like our chances with the Blazers in a 4/5 matchup regardless of homecourt. But I pretty much would count 2nd round vs. OKC a likely loss.
Dream scenario would be the clippers moving to third and the blazers dropping to fifth and we get the fourth seed and destroy Portland's hopes and dreams.
What?? We're 2 games behind Portland and 3 games behind the Spurs. The top 3 are nowhere near locked. Those seeds might not be decided until the final game of the season, and if you tried to manipulate the standings, you'd probably end up letting the Warriors and Mavericls into the conversation. You have to play to win at all times.
IMO second place is well in the reach. OKC may still be a long shot. Very much depends on Asik. Is he coming back or will he be traded for someone playing backup C. I also wonder why Smith has been sidelined for so long. The second unit worked great in the beginning of the season, when Asik was still playing. If that unit becomes alive again, I consider the second place in the West a realistic possibility.
Rockets can not match up against OKC or LAC in the first round otherwise it's a quick exit again. I like their chances against anyone else though. Those 4 games that they should've won(LAL, DAL, MEM, PHI) will come back to bite them later...they should be 2nd right now. Every game counts.
I think its realistic to catch SA as they are only 3 games back with one game left in the season series which the Rockets lead 2-0. The next meeting is in game # 81. That one could be for all the marbles ..... If they have designs on catching SA they better stop losing games to inferior competition. That right now is the difference between the two teams , SA doesn't lose to scrub teams and the Rockets have ~7 losses to teams outside the playoff seeding.
