Unless something goes horribly wrong with SA I don't think we could overtake the Spurs. Thunder will always be there for 1st or 2nd. The Clippers will be 4th for leading a division even with a worse record than us. I am hoping the Trailblazers cool down a little so we could claim 3rd. Otherwise we are 5th! The last 3 spots is a lottery. 1. Spurs/Thunder 2. Thunder/Spurs 3. Rockets/Trailblazers 4. Clippers 5. Trailblazers/Rockets 6-8. Between 8 teams except Jazz and Kings.
The Rockets have beaten the Spurs twice in San Antonio this year. They are 3.5 games back with more than 45 games to play. The Rockets have their share of injuries and adjustment issues. I think they can make a strong second half run and can overtake the Spurs. The Spurs are not better than the Rockets this year, they are a veteran team that has been playing together for a long time while the Rockets are still getting it together.
Beating the Spurs doesn't mean we could overtake them. It only proves that we are as good as the Spurs team vs team. Similarly the Mavs had beaten us twice this year and I don't think people rank them anywhere close to us. If we could consistently put away teams below .500 I would agree with you that we could lead the SW division.
They really have to start playing more consistent tho .... cant afford more losses to clearly inferior teams like Utah , Sacramento , Philadelphia or the Lakers. You don't see perennial division winners like the Spurs losing to the bottom dwellers - they have only lost to teams contending for the top 4 seeds - Houston twice , OKC twice , LA Clippers , Portland and Indiana. The Rockets have several losses to bottom dwellers - Phoenix , Utah , Sacramento , Philly and LAL. Minus those losses , they'd easily hold the three seed right now. With Westbrook going down again for what appears to be 6-7 weeks , I could see the Rockets moving up at least one spot .... but don't see them catching SA or Portland. How does seeding if the Rockets and Clippers tie for the 3rd best record while LAC wins their division & the Rockets are behind SA? Who gets the 3 , who gets the 4 ?! What are the tie breakers ?!
I could be wrong but I think a Division leader is guaranteed top 4 spot. That's why you see the Raptors 4th right now even when they are behind the Bobcats, Wizards and Pistons. This system is broke. The Raptors is only good for 12th if ranked in the West. Go figure!
I want at least a 3rd seed. But I can see us finishing anywhere from 2-4 with Westbrook injury and Portland slipping.
Guys Portland is legit. If we overtake anyone it will be OKC. But I see us finishing 5th with HC advantage.
