2 bad games does not equal quitting... Rockets had a good game against Seattle today, Wasn't great, but hey, if you can hold Ray Allen to 6 pts (thank you Cat), then you're gonna win.
The Suns beat the Spurs last time and they should'nt have. The Spurs will be looking for revenge. Especially since they have to stay #1 in the West. As for the Blazers theyre too damn good to be swept by the SUNS and they also are in positioning with T-Wolves. As mentioned earlier the X-factor is Seattle. If they want to go out as winners and do us a huge favor by knocking out Suns it will be money. Besides if Rockets can close out I think the pressure is on the Suns. Suns vs. Sonics will tell the tale of the season. Let the better team go to the playoffs. Good Luck Rockets.
Completely agree. Finishing at 43-39 looks like it will happen for Houston. I hope the Suns finish with the same record. By the way, since the change to a 16-team playoff system, the 2000-2001 Rockets, at 45-37, hold the record for the best record not to make the playoffs. I believe a 43-39 Rockets record this year would rank 2nd on that list. Anyone know for sure?
The Suns are playing great ball. The Spurs will see that they are hard to beat come Sunday - but I hope Spurs carry the day (I think they will). But contrary to what most people think, the key game is the Portland game for Phoenix. Portlands wants home advantage bad in order to have a chance against LA L in the playoffs. If the beat the Suns, then I don't think they can overcome the pressure of having to beat Seattle at the KeyArena on back-to-back night. On the other hand our key game is the Tuesday game against Memphis. They beat Portland the other day and they have been playing good ball home and way and they ARE NOT A PUSHOVER. One game at a time y'all - San Antone has to beat Phoenix first on Sunday for any of this to really get interesting.
by all logistical means, we are still very much alive. Seattle/Phoenix may end up being the defining game. Heart attack city =\
Here's another reason the Suns might beat Portland. Portland does not want to play the Lakers in the first round again, so basically they are tanking just to avoid the Lakers. The games against the Spurs and the Sonics will be tougher for Phoenix. But Portland will lay down I think, and that's unfortunate. The Spurs have to beat the Suns first, though.
I disagree with your Portland logic because as long as the T'wolves beat the 29-51 Bulls tomorrow and the 28-51 Grizzlies on Wednesday, there is no way the Blazers will even be on the same side of the bracket. Assuming the T'Wolves roll, the Blazers are playing these last 3 games to determine whether they will be at best the #5 seed against #4 Minnesota, or at worst the #6 seed against #3 Dallas. No Lakers.
http://www.sportsline.com/nba/gamecenter/live/NBA_20030413_LAL@POR Rooting for the Blazers right now. If the Blazers lose today, their only motivation would be to stay ahead of Utah in the race for the 6th seed, which they will do just by going 1-1 because Utah ain't going 2-0. If the Blazers win today, they will clinch the 5 seed by going 2-0, but will fall to the 6th seed if they go 1-1. Of course this means nothing unless the Spurs win tonight.
Portland just killed the Lakers, and when I say killed I mean barely beat, but that's not the point. Portland just beat the one team that has brought trouble to them all these past 3-4 years. I'll bet you that that win will give them enough energy to topple the Suns. Spurs (Champs) - No way do they lose to the suns Portland (Chumps) - They are playing good ball right now, wouldn't take much to beat the Suns. Sonics (sorry don't have anything interesting to say here) - They are the enigma. They have played very well since the trade, and will probably love to hurt the dreams of another team... I think I will regret saying this, but... GO SONICS!!!
I think it is clearly possible for the Spurs and Blazers to beat the Suns. Both the Spurs and Blazers have a lot to play for right now. Spurs trying to keep the #1 seed and the Blazers trying to get home court with the #4 seed or at worst hang onto the #5 seed. The Rockets have Memphis at home on Tuesday, the final game at Compaq center. You have to believe the Rockets will win that one. (hoping!) Then it comes down to the final night. Rockets at Denver (very winable game - especially if the Rockets are STILL in the race at this point and know they HAVE to win this game to have a chance). And then you have the Suns at the Sonics. Talk about a wild card. The Sonics could play the spoiler role here. But if the Suns lose to BOTH the Spurs and the Blazers and the Rockets win the last two games then the Suns will know they HAVE to beat Seattle to get in. I just don't see the Suns losing THREE games in a row and get out of the playoffs the way they are playing now. If they lose to the Blazers and Spurs then I see them beating the Sonics and just edging out the Rockets by ONE game! If that happens, man will that hurt!
I am listening to it on the radio right now... Tied at 4 right now! http://www.620ktar.com/streaming/index.aspx You have to download the surfer network program though! Kind of surprising that the Phoenix radio station is allowed to broadcast the games on the internet for free to any random user when the League has exclusive radio rights I thought...
I forgot to mention, the Suns vs. Sonics will be the second game of a back to back road games for the Suns. If the Suns lose tonight, I think the Rockets have a real chance!
