02-27-2025, 11:41 AM
(02-27-2025, 08:51 AM)Smitty Wrote: Two weeks in the NBA is a looonnggg time. If the Mavs (-9.5) can beat the [14-43] Hornets tonight, they will have gone 4-2 since this post. Maybe they only win one more in the next 8 and my original prediction is accurate.... That's no fun though! With new information, we can change our opinions.
With LAL and GSW playing some of their best basketball, I can see them climbing up in the standings. I'm going to make a prediction that the Lakers finish as the 2 seed and the Warriors get the coveted 6 seed.
What does that mean for the Mavs. It means that the Mavs have to catch one of Clippers or Timberwolves to capture the 7/8 spot. After tonight, it's very possible that the Mavs and Timberwolves have identical records. (Mavs beat CHA & Lakers beat MIN). Meaning they're both within a game of LAC.
I'm now less worried about dropping out of the play-in all together. The Suns have imploded and have the hardest SOS remaining. The Spurs lost Wemby. The Kings traded away Fox and have the 2nd toughest SOS remaining. Again, two weeks is a lonnnggg time in the NBA. So, my focus is on the Mavs staying out of 9/10, giving them a chance to land the 7-seed in a one game playoff, or at worst, two chances to get into the tournament. With the recent reports on the Bigs and their likelihood of making a return relatively soon, I believe it's possible for the Mavs to stay out of 9/10 and capture that 7/8 spot.
SOS:
PHX #1 (.558)
SAC #2 (.557)
LAC #5 (.538)
DAL #19 (.494)
GSW #20 (.493)
MIN #29 (.438)
I would love to see this be the final seeding and playoff bracket:
1 OKC vs 8 MIN
4 DEN vs 5 HOU
3 MEM vs 6 GSW
2 LAL vs 7 DAL
Need to avoid the 8 spot. A first playoff series against OKC would be brutal.