I must admit that I had written Portland off as a chance a couple of weeks ago - figuring that their play was far too indifferent to make any sort of push for the playoffs. But they've poked their head above .500 and Denver is in a serious tailspin. I thought trading Rasheed away signalled their intention to give up on this year (not that they don't have talented players still) and that they were looking to move their other 'trouble' players... but it seems that I was wrong and they are making a charge for their 22nd consecutive year of post-season appearances! IMO they are the most serious chance of any of the 'other teams' - although Utah is still hanging around like a bad smell... Do you think they are any chance of making it?
<a HREF="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/standings">NBA Standings</a> Wasn't Portland terrrible on the road? Seems like they have that problem turned around. Can Portland close the gap? It is possible.
2 games behind Denver for the last spot? Sure looks like they could. And Utah is only a game in back of them. The Rocks need to win games. Lots of games. And things are just going to be tougher from now on. If the Rockets are ever going to get consistant for a prolonged stretch, then this is it. Another slump for a few games at this point is going to be a disaster. I may take up tropical fish again for the relaxation. The Rocks aren't supplying it! But I still think that we return to the playoffs. I just wish we had won several of those games we let get away. Maybe then I could relax a little.
Blazers will make the Playoffs... they're always there. They're far too talented not to make it. I think Denver will drop out. In no particular order. Sacramento Minnesota San Antonio Lakers Dallas Houston Portland Memphis On a side note, Houston really needs to win against the Blazers Friday.
I think they will make it in for Denver becuase they are going south losing 4 in a row while the Blazers are going north winning 5 in a row BUT hopfuly we can end that winning streak here on friday
Have to say I am very happy about Denver's slump. Portland is a team you don't want to discount. You want to make sure that if someone gets bumped out of the running, it's just not you. Utah, I'm not worried about. So, as long as one of Memphis, Denver and Portland is in the rearview, we're ok.
This schedule helps you turn around a lot of problems: Wed 18 LA Clippers Win 101-86 25-28 Fri 20 at Golden State Win 94-93 26-28 Sat 21 Boston Win 105-84 27-28 Mon 23 at Miami Win 89-81 28-28 Tue 24 at Orlando Win (OT) 94-91 29-28 This schedule does not: Fri 27 at Houston Tickets KGW 8 8:30 PM Sat 28 at Dallas Tickets KGW 8 8:30 PM MARCH OPPONENT TICKETS TV NAT TV TIME (ET) Wed 3 Memphis Tickets 10:00 PM Thu 4 Detroit Tickets TNT TNT 10:00 PM Sat 6 Utah Tickets KGW 8 10:00 PM Sun 7 at LA Clippers Tickets KGW 8 9:30 PM Wed 10 Minnesota Tickets NBA TV 10:00 PM Fri 12 Sacramento Tickets KGW 8 10:00 PM Sun 14 at Minnesota Tickets 3:30 PM Tue 16 at Milwaukee Tickets 8:00 PM Wed 17 at Indiana Tickets ESPN 7:00 PM Over their next 11 games, they only play two teams not currently ranking as playoff qualifiers. Their margin for error is razor thin, they basically cannot lose any more than 8-9 games the rest of the way to have a chance at 46 wins or so and the 8th spot. I'm predicting that, over their next 11, they do no better than 3-4 wins and 7-8 losses, maybe an outside shot at 5 wins if they pull some upsets. IF they lose 7-8 games, they are done. Thoughts?
Ok - they have a tough schedule coming up - but I don't think they need 46 wins - Denver won't win that many! 44 will be enough - 43 might even cut the mustard!
You might be right. but they're 0-2 since they started playing good teams, they better put it together fast or else 43 is a pipe dream.
I concede - they're done! Heck 41-42 wins might be enough for the 8 spot this year (Denver still crashing), but if anyone looks like sneaking that it's the Jazz at the moment...
I can't understand why. Denver's fans have been filling that giant stadium for years, for lousy teams, and I'd like to see them rewarded with a playoff series to root for. Portland spent years circumventing the (legal loopholes in the) salary cap and throwing millions and horrible human beings. They've made the playoffs for 20-odd years now, and I wouldn't mind letting Whitsitt's stank-ass moves fester for a little while. Portland's fans deserved better for years, and Allen/Whitsitt refused to give it to them. Throwing a game or two's worth of playoff receipts their way? Go Denver.
