Will Cleveland Rest Their Starters?

[jpotter33]

So, looking at the standings it looks like Cleveland is firmly entrenched in the number 2 spot for the playoffs, which means they'll play the number 7 seed. If they beat Chicago today, that would put them four games over the number 3 seed, which would virtually guarantee them being the number 2 seed. In play for the number 7 seed right now is Brooklyn, Boston, and Miami (I'm thinking Pacers and Charlotte are only in play for number 8 ). Out of those three, who do you think they would want to play? They're 2-2 vs Miami, 3-1 vs Brooklyn, and 2-0 vs. Boston. Both Miami and Brooklyn have a ton of playoff experience, where Boston hardly has any at all. My guess is that they HIGHLY prefer us over Brooklyn or Miami in the first round, both who have the potential to give them problems.

Granting this, does this give them extra incentive to rest their starters against us for the two games coming up, hopefully leading to us winning and getting into 7th place? Surely they'll rest them for at least one of our games given their almost assured spot at number 2. The only reason I could see them not resting their starters is to try and gain home court advantage against a potential Western Conference Finals match, but that seems like a benefit/harm ratio that isn't necessarily in their favor. They'd almost have to play perfect the rest of their schedule to win home court advantage against some of the teams in the west: Cavs (49-27), Spurs (50-26), Clippers (51-26), Blazers (50-26), Grizzlies (52-25), Rockets (52-24), and GS has already won home court advantage throughout the playoffs.

I HIGHLY prefer the Hawks to Cleveland, so I think number 8 is the better play for us. However, it's much easier to lose games than win, and if we can pick up the Cavs win with them resting players, we can always rest our guys vs. Toronto and Milwaukee to try and position ourselves at number 8.

So what do you think? Will they rest their starters against us preferring us in the playoffs over the Nets and Heat?

[Rick Robeys Return]

Today's Cle/ Chic game is crucial if we want Cleveland to clinch the 2 seed ahead of Friday, when we play them. If they beat Chicago and win their next game against Bucks, they clinch before Friday. I think then they rest.....

[Boris Badenov]

I was thinking about the same thing.

I think they'll keep playing hard because (1) they're on a roll, (2) their stars are not old-timers and (3) there are possible implications for matchups with West teams if they make the Finals. LAC, SAS and POR are all in play.

Put another way: would you rather play for a more favorable matchup in the Finals which is the toughest series of the year, or for a more favorable matchup in a first round series you'll probably win easily no matter what?

[jpotter33]

I was thinking about the same thing.

I think they'll keep playing hard because (1) they're on a roll, (2) their stars are not old-timers and (3) there are possible implications for matchups with West teams if they make the Finals. LAC, SAS and POR are all in play.

Put another way: would you rather play for a more favorable matchup in the Finals which is the toughest series of the year, or for a more favorable matchup in a first round series you'll probably win easily no matter what?

Well, resting at this stage of the season is crucial no matter how old you are. Lebron has already said that he believes resting is more important than seeding in the playoffs, though Blatt has said differently. I don't think they'll rest their "big 3" both of our games, but I do fully expect them to rest at least one of their stars both games against us, which still seems to favor them over us unfortunately  Makes no sense to pull out all of the firepower against us. I would imagine they'll rest Lebron one game then Kyrie the next, or some combination like that.

[SHAQATTACK]

Yup......Cavs need to win next two ....so that they would rather rest players than play to win against the Celtics .

[saltlover]

They'll rest a little bit, but their starters haven't played all that many games together, so less rest than they otherwise might.