2018 Playoffs Stretch Run
Jan 9, 2018 3:04:01 GMT -5
razorbacks, Kots (Colorado GM), and 2 more like this
Post by Miege22 on Jan 9, 2018 3:04:01 GMT -5
It's that time of year again. It seems like the playoffs arrive earlier and earlier each year, and with just four weeks left, we need to take stock of the race for the playoffs.
EAST
1. Brooklyn Nets (8-4) - they still hold the top spot by virtue of their wins over Toronto and Washington, however, they have lost to Orlando and currently play Cleveland.
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: 2 (any number of wins and Magic/Bulls losses)
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Cleveland (5-7), Portland (9-3), Boston (3-9), Oklahoma City (1-11)
OUTLOOK: Good, in theory... the Nets have three winnable games down the stretch, but they've also struggled lately and Harden being out is a massive loss for a team that relies so heavily on their stars. If the Nets were to lose to Cleveland this week, the pressure will go up about 12 notches in Brooklyn.
2. Washington Wizards (8-4) - the defending EC champions have lost two in a row, but they still control their own destiny having beaten Toronto, Chicago and Orlando. They've still yet to play Cleveland.
2017 FINISH: Lost in finals
MAGIC NUMBER: 2 (any number of wins and Magic/Bulls losses)
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Atlanta (3-9), Memphis (12-0), Cleveland (5-7), Houston (9-3)
OUTLOOK: Maybe not as good as you would think? The Wizards own the tiebreaker with the Raptors, Magic and Bulls, but their remaining schedule is easily the toughest of the teams in the race. Atlanta is friskier than their record, and a loss to Cleveland with Memphis looming? It would not be good, to state the obvious.
3. Toronto Raptors (8-4) - only in third because they've lost to both the Nets and Wizards. They do own the tiebreakers against the Bulls and Cavs, which could loom large.
2017 FINISH: Lost in first round
MAGIC NUMBER: 2 (any number of wins and Magic/Bulls losses)
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Tampa Bay (2-10), Oklahoma City (1-11), Orlando (6-6), Portland (9-3)
OUTLOOK: Probably the safest bet of the 8-4 teams. The Raptors should clinch a spot by week 14 at the latest.
4. Orlando Magic (6-6) - currently sitting here because they own the tiebreaker against Chicago
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: 4 (any number of wins and Bulls losses)
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Colorado (5-7), Las Vegas (6-6), Toronto (8-4), Memphis (12-0)
OUTLOOK: Sketchy, to say the least. The Magic own tiebreakers against the Bulls and Cavs, and a win this week over Colorado can all but eliminate the Swannies. Orlando will almost definitely have to win the next two as their last two games against the Raptors and Grizzlies will be darn near impossible to pull off.
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5. Chicago Bulls (6-6) - out at the moment because they lost to Orlando
2017 FINISH: Lost in first round
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Boston (3-9), Kansas City (5-7), Tampa Bay (2-10), Utah (8-4)
OUTLOOK: They're on the outside looking in right now, but their next three games are definitely winnable despite all the injuries. If they can win the next three, and Orlando loses their last two, they'll get in.
6. Colorado Swannies (5-7) - ahead of Cleveland by virtue of their win over them
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Orlando (6-6), Golden State (6-6), Atlanta (3-9), Las Vegas (6-6)
OUTLOOK: Could be better. The Swannies have already lost to the top three teams in the conference, so there's no help there, and they've also lost to the Bulls. Of course, if they win this week, they'll own the tiebreakers with Orlando and Cleveland, and their last three games are winnable. They're not dead yet.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers (5-7)
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Brooklyn (8-4), Minnesota (5-7), Washington (8-4), Seattle (5-7)
OUTLOOK: Not great, Bob. The Cavs have lost to Orlando, Chicago, Toronto and Colorado. They do still get the Nets and Wizards, but holding tiebreakers against those two will only matter if things go south with either of those teams. Anything short of winning out is the end of the line for this team.
8. Atlanta Hawks (3-9)
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Washington (8-4), Utah (8-4), Colorado (5-7), Golden State (6-6)
OUTLOOK: Circling the drain. The Hawks, amazingly, aren't technically eliminated by virtue of their win over Orlando, but they absolutely HAVE to win out. A loss this week to Washington ends their chances.
9. Boston Celtics (3-9)
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Chicago (6-6), Seattle (5-7), Brooklyn (8-4), Kansas City (5-7)
OUTLOOK: In need of a miracle. The Celtics are more or less done. One more loss or Orlando win makes it official.
10. Tampa Bay Bull Sharks (2-10)
2017 FINISH: Lost in Conference Finals
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Toronto (8-4), Houston (9-3), Chicago (6-6), Minnesota (5-7)
OUTLOOK: Eliminated and playing spoiler.
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WEST
1. Memphis Grizzlies (12-0)
2017 FINISH: Lost in first round
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Kansas City (5-7), Washington (8-4), Utah (8-4), Orlando (6-6)
OUTLOOK: They've already clinched a spot, and a win this week clinches the top overall seed.
2. Portland Trailblazers (9-3) - in this spot thanks to a win over Houston
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: 1 (any combination of wins or Gamblers/Warriors losses)
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Las Vegas (6-6), Brooklyn (8-4), Oklahoma City (1-11), Toronto (8-4)
OUTLOOK: PRETAAAAY, PRETAAAY GOOD. The Blazers are going to clinch a spot this week, all that's left is landing in the 2-3 match-up and avoiding Memphis in the first round.
3. Houston Rockets (9-3)
2017 FINISH: Won Championship
MAGIC NUMBER: 1 (any combination of wins or Gamblers/Warriors losses)
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Minnesota (5-7), Tampa Bay (2-1), Kansas City (5-7), Washington (8-4)
OUTLOOK: Basically a lock. They've battled injuries, but they own the tiebreaker with the Jazz and just need to outpace them to stay in the 2-3 game.
4. Utah Jazz (8-4)
2017 FINISH: Lost in Conference Finals
MAGIC NUMBER: 2 (any combination of wins or Gamblers/Warriors losses)
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Golden State (6-6), Atlanta (3-9), Memphis (12-0), Chicago (6-6)
OUTLOOK: Healthy bet. The Jazz can clinch a spot this week with a win and a Gamblers loss. They're going to need some help to get into the 2-3 match-up, and given the rock-paper-scissors nature of the Jazz-Rockets-Blazers tiebreaker (POR>HOU, HOU>UTA, UTA>POR) it's anyone's guess as to who would win in a three-way tie.
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5. Las Vegas Gamblers (6-6)
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Portland (9-3), Orlando (6-6), Golden State (6-6), Colorado (5-7)
OUTLOOK: Just playing out the string. The Gamblers' recent play has been admirable, but they need a ton of help to leapfrog the Jazz into the playoffs.
6. Golden State Warriors (6-6)
2017 FINISH: Lost in first round
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Utah (8-4), Colorado (5-7), Las Vegas (6-6), Atlanta (3-9)
OUTLOOK: Crazier things have happened. The Warriors MUST WIN against Utah to stay alive, and they'll probably have to win out just to get in.
7. Seattle Supersonics (5-7)
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: OKlahoma City (1-11), Boston (3-9), Minnesota (5-7), Cleveland (5-7)
OUTLOOK: This is the super sleeper. Four winnable games and four Utah losses... yeah, we know it's unlikely, but it's not over is all.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves (5-7)
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Houston (9-3), Cleveland (5-7), Seattle (5-7), Tampa Bay (2-10)
OUTLOOK: Hey, it could happen.
9. Kansas City Kings (5-7)
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Memphis (12-0), Chicago (6-6), Houston (9-3), Boston (3-9)
OUTLOOK: Yeah, they're done this week.
10. Oklahoma City Thunder (1-11)
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Seattle (5-7), Toronto (8-4), Portland (9-3), Brooklyn (8-4)
OUTLOOK: Eliminated and playing spoiler.
EAST
1. Brooklyn Nets (8-4) - they still hold the top spot by virtue of their wins over Toronto and Washington, however, they have lost to Orlando and currently play Cleveland.
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: 2 (any number of wins and Magic/Bulls losses)
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Cleveland (5-7), Portland (9-3), Boston (3-9), Oklahoma City (1-11)
OUTLOOK: Good, in theory... the Nets have three winnable games down the stretch, but they've also struggled lately and Harden being out is a massive loss for a team that relies so heavily on their stars. If the Nets were to lose to Cleveland this week, the pressure will go up about 12 notches in Brooklyn.
2. Washington Wizards (8-4) - the defending EC champions have lost two in a row, but they still control their own destiny having beaten Toronto, Chicago and Orlando. They've still yet to play Cleveland.
2017 FINISH: Lost in finals
MAGIC NUMBER: 2 (any number of wins and Magic/Bulls losses)
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Atlanta (3-9), Memphis (12-0), Cleveland (5-7), Houston (9-3)
OUTLOOK: Maybe not as good as you would think? The Wizards own the tiebreaker with the Raptors, Magic and Bulls, but their remaining schedule is easily the toughest of the teams in the race. Atlanta is friskier than their record, and a loss to Cleveland with Memphis looming? It would not be good, to state the obvious.
3. Toronto Raptors (8-4) - only in third because they've lost to both the Nets and Wizards. They do own the tiebreakers against the Bulls and Cavs, which could loom large.
2017 FINISH: Lost in first round
MAGIC NUMBER: 2 (any number of wins and Magic/Bulls losses)
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Tampa Bay (2-10), Oklahoma City (1-11), Orlando (6-6), Portland (9-3)
OUTLOOK: Probably the safest bet of the 8-4 teams. The Raptors should clinch a spot by week 14 at the latest.
4. Orlando Magic (6-6) - currently sitting here because they own the tiebreaker against Chicago
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: 4 (any number of wins and Bulls losses)
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Colorado (5-7), Las Vegas (6-6), Toronto (8-4), Memphis (12-0)
OUTLOOK: Sketchy, to say the least. The Magic own tiebreakers against the Bulls and Cavs, and a win this week over Colorado can all but eliminate the Swannies. Orlando will almost definitely have to win the next two as their last two games against the Raptors and Grizzlies will be darn near impossible to pull off.
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5. Chicago Bulls (6-6) - out at the moment because they lost to Orlando
2017 FINISH: Lost in first round
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Boston (3-9), Kansas City (5-7), Tampa Bay (2-10), Utah (8-4)
OUTLOOK: They're on the outside looking in right now, but their next three games are definitely winnable despite all the injuries. If they can win the next three, and Orlando loses their last two, they'll get in.
6. Colorado Swannies (5-7) - ahead of Cleveland by virtue of their win over them
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Orlando (6-6), Golden State (6-6), Atlanta (3-9), Las Vegas (6-6)
OUTLOOK: Could be better. The Swannies have already lost to the top three teams in the conference, so there's no help there, and they've also lost to the Bulls. Of course, if they win this week, they'll own the tiebreakers with Orlando and Cleveland, and their last three games are winnable. They're not dead yet.
7. Cleveland Cavaliers (5-7)
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Brooklyn (8-4), Minnesota (5-7), Washington (8-4), Seattle (5-7)
OUTLOOK: Not great, Bob. The Cavs have lost to Orlando, Chicago, Toronto and Colorado. They do still get the Nets and Wizards, but holding tiebreakers against those two will only matter if things go south with either of those teams. Anything short of winning out is the end of the line for this team.
8. Atlanta Hawks (3-9)
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Washington (8-4), Utah (8-4), Colorado (5-7), Golden State (6-6)
OUTLOOK: Circling the drain. The Hawks, amazingly, aren't technically eliminated by virtue of their win over Orlando, but they absolutely HAVE to win out. A loss this week to Washington ends their chances.
9. Boston Celtics (3-9)
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Chicago (6-6), Seattle (5-7), Brooklyn (8-4), Kansas City (5-7)
OUTLOOK: In need of a miracle. The Celtics are more or less done. One more loss or Orlando win makes it official.
10. Tampa Bay Bull Sharks (2-10)
2017 FINISH: Lost in Conference Finals
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Toronto (8-4), Houston (9-3), Chicago (6-6), Minnesota (5-7)
OUTLOOK: Eliminated and playing spoiler.
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WEST
1. Memphis Grizzlies (12-0)
2017 FINISH: Lost in first round
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Kansas City (5-7), Washington (8-4), Utah (8-4), Orlando (6-6)
OUTLOOK: They've already clinched a spot, and a win this week clinches the top overall seed.
2. Portland Trailblazers (9-3) - in this spot thanks to a win over Houston
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: 1 (any combination of wins or Gamblers/Warriors losses)
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Las Vegas (6-6), Brooklyn (8-4), Oklahoma City (1-11), Toronto (8-4)
OUTLOOK: PRETAAAAY, PRETAAAY GOOD. The Blazers are going to clinch a spot this week, all that's left is landing in the 2-3 match-up and avoiding Memphis in the first round.
3. Houston Rockets (9-3)
2017 FINISH: Won Championship
MAGIC NUMBER: 1 (any combination of wins or Gamblers/Warriors losses)
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Minnesota (5-7), Tampa Bay (2-1), Kansas City (5-7), Washington (8-4)
OUTLOOK: Basically a lock. They've battled injuries, but they own the tiebreaker with the Jazz and just need to outpace them to stay in the 2-3 game.
4. Utah Jazz (8-4)
2017 FINISH: Lost in Conference Finals
MAGIC NUMBER: 2 (any combination of wins or Gamblers/Warriors losses)
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Golden State (6-6), Atlanta (3-9), Memphis (12-0), Chicago (6-6)
OUTLOOK: Healthy bet. The Jazz can clinch a spot this week with a win and a Gamblers loss. They're going to need some help to get into the 2-3 match-up, and given the rock-paper-scissors nature of the Jazz-Rockets-Blazers tiebreaker (POR>HOU, HOU>UTA, UTA>POR) it's anyone's guess as to who would win in a three-way tie.
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5. Las Vegas Gamblers (6-6)
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Portland (9-3), Orlando (6-6), Golden State (6-6), Colorado (5-7)
OUTLOOK: Just playing out the string. The Gamblers' recent play has been admirable, but they need a ton of help to leapfrog the Jazz into the playoffs.
6. Golden State Warriors (6-6)
2017 FINISH: Lost in first round
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Utah (8-4), Colorado (5-7), Las Vegas (6-6), Atlanta (3-9)
OUTLOOK: Crazier things have happened. The Warriors MUST WIN against Utah to stay alive, and they'll probably have to win out just to get in.
7. Seattle Supersonics (5-7)
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: OKlahoma City (1-11), Boston (3-9), Minnesota (5-7), Cleveland (5-7)
OUTLOOK: This is the super sleeper. Four winnable games and four Utah losses... yeah, we know it's unlikely, but it's not over is all.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves (5-7)
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Houston (9-3), Cleveland (5-7), Seattle (5-7), Tampa Bay (2-10)
OUTLOOK: Hey, it could happen.
9. Kansas City Kings (5-7)
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Memphis (12-0), Chicago (6-6), Houston (9-3), Boston (3-9)
OUTLOOK: Yeah, they're done this week.
10. Oklahoma City Thunder (1-11)
2017 FINISH: Missed playoffs
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Seattle (5-7), Toronto (8-4), Portland (9-3), Brooklyn (8-4)
OUTLOOK: Eliminated and playing spoiler.