Our remaining schedule: @ L.A. Lakers @ Seattle @ Portland @ Golden State @ Sacramento @ Utah Minnesota Memphis @ Denver San Antonio Looking at Sacramento, Utah, and New Orleans' remaining games, I believe all of these teams will finish at 41-41 or worse. If we finish with a 9-1 record (and beat both Sacramento and Utah), then we will have a overall record of 41-41 and we will hold the tiebreaker against both Sacramento and Utah and should allow us to squeeze into the last playoff spot.
In fact, Sacramento may finish well short of 41-41. They are losing to Golden State right now and have an incredibly tough schedule left: Fri 31 @ Golden State Sun 2 L.A. Clippers Tue 4 @ Dallas Wed 5 @ San Antonio Fri 7 @ L.A. Clippers Sun 9 Houston Tue 11 Phoenix Sat 15 @ Denver Sun 16 NO/Okla. City Tue 18 Seattle
Going undefeated the rest of the way isn't out of the question, because Saturday of next week will mark 5 weeks since TMac's injury, so he could suit up vs. Sacto. Wesley is aiming to get back ASAP, he's traveling with the team according to Houston Chronicle. I think we can keep our ground this week vs LA, Portland, and Seattle. Then we play 2 games in 2 nights Saturday and Sunday, but we should have the cavalry back by then. A 41-41, meaning we'd have tiebreaker over every other team ahead of us except NO who has impossible schedue, is more realistic than 42-40. Everything is dependent on this Lakers game though. If we win, I would be willing to put money down on our playoff chances. If not, making the playoffs would be very tough.
I'm excited by the thought of T-mac coming back, even thought I want him to rest. But if I could choose 1 game for him to come back, it would be the one against San Antonio. We could definetly beat them.
Even if he could, I am not sure it is a good idea. First, if I am not mistaken, he said he was ordered by the doctor NOT to do any physical exercise during this 5-week period. That means he will be very out of game shape. Second, you have a physical player called Ron Artest to guard him, which will put a big test to his body. Last but not least, the Rockets will have to RE-adjust to him on court, which will very likely mess up the on-court chemistry. Even if we get into the playoff, there will not be enough time for Tmac to get into game shape. If he comes back earlier? Well, we already saw what happened to him when he rushed himself back from injury: the first few games would be fine, then he got re-injuried; or he went to the basket too often and got injuried due to the physical punishment he received in the paint. It is simply not worth the risk! Let the current guys finish the season and PLEASE, do not rush Tmac back!
Finishing 9-1 will put us in the playoffs. Even a record of 8-2 will give us a chance (assuming we beat Sacramento). Our remaining schedule is very favorable. Sure, going 9-1 and 8-2 will be tough no matter what, but if we get T-Mac and Wesley back, it's certainly possible.
Excellent point Barry, especially about Artest. I guess there is really a 0% chance TMac joins the team on the roadtrip. My guess would be our first game back home, which would be against Minnesota on April 12, assuming we have a great road trip.
Sacrement just beat GS: 96-93 Clippers killed Utah: 106-91 NO/OKC beat Memphis: 107-102 Looking like the Lakers will beat Seattle.
I don't know why, but when I see our next 7 games, I honestly think we can go 7-0 or 6-1 at best. @LA @SEA @POR @GS @SAC @UTAH vs. MINN
Who to root for...? April Fools-3rd, 2006 Edition April 1st Jazz @ Trailblazers April 2nd Rockets @ Lakers New Orleans @ Toronto Clippers @ Kings April 4th Hornets @ Pistons Kings @ Mavericks Spurs @ Utah Rockets @ Sonics Teams to worry about... Code: Team GB 8th Wins Loss [b]41-41[/b] 8. Sacramento 0.0 37 36 4-5 9. New Orl/OKC -1.5 34 37 7-4 10. Utah -2.5 34 38 7-3 [color=red]11. Houston -4.5 32 40 9-1[/color] 4.5 games out Assuming the 8th seed will be 41-41 (which looks entirely possible), then the last column is the amount of wins/losses it would take to get to 41-41. Tiebreaker Status: A win over Sacramento gives Houston the tiebreaker. --Loss means it goes to conference record. (not good) New Orleans has the tiebreaker over Houston A win over Utah gives Houston the tiebreaker --Loss means Utah wins the tiebreaker Rockets Schedule: @ LA Lakers @ Seattle @ Portland @ Golden State @ Sacramento @ Utah Minnesota Memphis @ Denver San Antonio Jazz Schedule: @ Portland San Antonio @ Minnesota Portland Houston Denver @ New Orleans @ Dallas @ San Antonio Golden State New Orleans Schedule: @ Toronto @ Detroit Golden State Toronto @ Dallas Cleveland Seattle Utah @ Sacramento @ Phoenix @ LA Lakers Kings Schedule: LA Clippers @ Dallas @ San Antonio @ LA Clippers Houston Phoenix @ Denver New Orleans Seattle
Yeah? Well, in the next 6 games for Sacramento, they have to play... Clippers at Dallas at San Antonio at Clippers Houston Phoenix Now, if they lose those four games (very possible!) and we win 6 straight... .... .... hell, I still believe!!!!!!
com'on guys. give up already. however, how fun would that be to sneak into the playoffs like that. Though i would have to smoking what you guys be smoking to even think about that. so pass some over
2 Games ago I was studying the schedules of all the playoff contenders and I said we still have a chance. I'm exceited to see that i'm not alone. I saw Sac's tough schedule and saw the possibilty. After last nights game, I think we REALLY CAN DO IT. I already paid for my playoff package so I'm hoping I get to go to a few playoff games. That SAC game will be huge. I hope TMAC can stop being a baby and come back for that game. If he reinjures him self, so what, he has the whole season to rest. He said himself if we have a chance, iill come back....Well that is our chance....if he punks us and doesnt' help us make that push, he is screwing usover...You know Yao would come back even if he couldn't walk..if he thought we had a chance to make the playoffs...why do we give such an easy pass to TMAC?,,,,....If we beat Lakers, I think we are in....I'm getting excited..evey game is like a playoff game.....Everybody thought I was crazy a week ago when I said not to give up...now there are more believers...Never Underestimate the......you all know how it goes......Oh and Clutch, thanks for this awsome website...I love it...thanks for letting me on (i'm a rookie).....
Those 2 games against the Clippers are far from locks as well. I'm starting to believe again as well. I think its time for the obligatory sig change.
Who to root for...? April 2nd-3rd, 2006 Edition April 2nd Rockets @ Lakers New Orleans @ Toronto Clippers @ Kings April 4th Hornets @ Pistons Kings @ Mavericks Spurs @ Utah Rockets @ Sonics Teams to worry about... Code: Team GB 8th Wins Loss [b]41-41[/b] 8. Sacramento 0.0 37 36 4-5 9. New Orl/OKC -1.5 34 37 7-4 10. Utah -2.0 35 38 6-3 [color=red]11. Houston -4.5 32 40 9-1[/color] 4.5 games out Assuming the 8th seed will be 41-41 (which looks entirely possible), then the last column is the amount of wins/losses it would take to get to 41-41. Tiebreaker Status: A win over Sacramento gives Houston the tiebreaker. --Loss means it goes to conference record. (not good) New Orleans has the tiebreaker over Houston A win over Utah gives Houston the tiebreaker --Loss means Utah wins the tiebreaker Rockets Schedule: @ LA Lakers @ Seattle @ Portland @ Golden State @ Sacramento @ Utah Minnesota Memphis @ Denver San Antonio Jazz Schedule: San Antonio @ Minnesota Portland Houston Denver @ New Orleans @ Dallas @ San Antonio Golden State New Orleans Schedule: @ Toronto @ Detroit Golden State Toronto @ Dallas Cleveland Seattle Utah @ Sacramento @ Phoenix @ LA Lakers Kings Schedule: LA Clippers @ Dallas @ San Antonio @ LA Clippers Houston Phoenix @ Denver New Orleans Seattle
