What to do...

[Goldstar88]

If you are C’s, do you play the starters in the last few games of the season and try to secure the #1 seed or would you play it safe by resting them and not risk injury? I don’t think they can do any worse than the 4 seed at this point.

[Donoghus]

Play your butts off against Chicago.  TBD against Milwaukee since its the back end of a back to back but, personally, I would love the 2 seed.  Having HCA in the second round would be huge. 

The MEM game is going to be interesting.  They really don't have any incentive at this point.  Locked into that 2 seed. 

[liam]

It seems like you could do both by expanding the rotation.

[letsgoblue86]

At this point you let the chips fall as they will. Play Chicago like a normal game and then rest for Mil and Mem.

[Roy H.]

Win out, keep the momentum going.

We’re not even locked into home court in the first round yet.

[liam]

Can you add a third option of expanding the rotation?

[Goldstar88]

Can you add a third option of expanding the rotation?

I updated the initial post. Has to be one or the other. If Ime expands the rotation while still playing the starters, you still risk injury.

[liam]

Can you add a third option of expanding the rotation?

I updated the initial post. Has to be one or the other. If Ime expands the rotation while still playing the starters, you still risk injury.

They could get hurt in the shower too... I think lowering minutes for the starters would be a good idea but if I only have two options I go for it!

[Goldstar88]

Win out, keep the momentum going.

We’re not even locked into home court in the first round yet.

I’m not seeing how the C’s can do worse than the 4 seed. They are 3 games  up on Toronto with 3 to go. They split with the Raptors during the season and the C’s have a better conference record by 4 games.

[Roy H.]

Win out, keep the momentum going.

We’re not even locked into home court in the first round yet.

I’m not seeing how the C’s can do worse than the 4 seed. They are 3 games  up on Toronto with 3 to go. They split with the Raptors during the season and the C’s have a better conference record by 4 games.

Toronto has 5 games left.

Chicago can still tie us if they win out and we lose out.  They’d have the tiebreaker.

We can finish as low as 6th if we lose our remaining three.

[blink]

I think you go all out in the Chicago and Milwaukee games
If we somehow win those two, then we can decide what to do in that last game of the year.

I think having the two seed in a potential 2nd round match with the Bucks would be important.

[seancally]

Play them out. They get a week off for the play-in don’t they!

[#1P4P]

Fatigue and lingering/nagging injuries have to be managed well. Players that are experiencing abnormal symptoms for either issue should rest. They should play normal minutes, if they’re healthy, with a slight limit on minutes (open up the bench Ime, play Nesmith!).

I’ve arrived at the conclusion that the NBA’s load management culture was an excuse for several aging and injury-prone superstars that felt rest/missing games would help save their bodies. Availability is an ability and it’s winning out with the erosion of a new wave of healthy, young superstars like Giannis, Tatum, Luka, Young, Ja, Jokic, Booker, Towns, and even Embiid. There’s a thesis to an article there lol.

I digress, health entering the playoffs is the priority and the players can continue to play without jeopardizing their health as long as they’re fatigue and injury free.

[slamtheking]

win out, no coasting.  Team needs more reps to better understand how to play well without Timelord -- particularly against tough competition.  probably won't get the top seed but #2 is  very possible.  With Brooklyn currently at #10, they'd need Atlanta and Charlotte to both struggle the last week for them to climb to 8 with a shot at 7 in the play-in.
Brooklyn has Houston at home, one at the Knicks, Cleveland at home, Indy at home --> 4-0 very possible
Atlanta has one in Toronto, Wash at home, one in Miami, one in Houston. --> 2-2 very possible
Charlotte has one in Miami, Orlando at home, one in Chicago, Wash at home  --> 2-2 very possible

There's a fair shot at Brooklyn getting to the 8 spot against Cleveland with a good shot of winning that to take the #7 seed. 

[Moranis]

Boston needs the 2 seed at this point and for Brooklyn to stay in the 9/10 as they are the only team in the play-in that would give me concern in the 1st round.  Optimally, Philly overtakes Milwaukee for the 3rd seed as I'd rather face Embiid/Harden than Giannis.