C's Best against the best (Heat not so much)

[Jeff]

love this from Ian Thomson

The best against the best. Here are the standings through Thursday based on games against opponents who are .500 or better. Only five teams have a winning record in these playoff-caliber matchups. This perspective gives credence to the Knicks' start -- they've done pretty well in their limited exposure to winning opponents -- while the Heat and Magic have been disappointing. Note, too, that the Lakers have enjoyed the league's easiest schedule by far.
Thanks to hoopstats.com for this breakdown ...
1. Celtics (10-2)
2. Spurs (8-2)
3. Mavericks (9-3)
4. Jazz (7-6)
5. Thunder (5-5)
6. Nuggets 6-6)
7. Knicks (3-4)
T8. Suns (4-6)
T8. Heat (4-6)
10. Magic (3-6)
T11. Hornets (4-8)
T11. Bulls (4-8)
13. Bucks (4-9)
T14. Pacers (3-8)
T14. Grizzlies (3-8)
16. Lakers (1-3)
17. Rockets (3-9)
T18. Blazers (3-10)
T18. Raptors (3-10)
20. Hawks (2-7)
21. Clippers (3-11)
22. 76ers (2-8)
23. Warriors (2-11)
T24. Bobcats (1-9)
T24. Cavaliers (1-9)
26. Pistons (1-11)
T27. Timberwolves (1-13)
T27. Nets (1-13)
29. Kings (0-9)
30. Wizards (0-11)
While we're at it, here is how each team has performed against opponents with losing records. The Clippers, Timberwolves and Nets have played the most games against winning opponents, but as you'll see below they haven't done so well against the NBA weaklings either.
1. Bulls (11-0)
2. Spurs (13-1)
3. Jazz (11-1)
4. Heat (14-2)
5. Lakers (17-3)
T6. Celtics (11-2)
T6. Hornets (11-2)
T6. Mavericks (11-2)
9. Hawks (14-3)
10. Thunder (13-3)
11. Magic (12-3)
12. Nuggets (8-3)
13. Knicks (13-6)
14. Pacers (8-4)
15. Warriors (7-4)
16. Blazers (6-4)
T17. Rockets (7-5)
T17. Grizzlies (7-5)
19. Suns (8-6)
20. Bucks (6-5)
21. 76ers (8-7)
T22. Wizards (6-6)
T22. Nets (6-6)
T24. Bobcats (7-7)
T24. Pistons (7-7)
26. Raptors (6-7)
27. Timberwolves (5-6)
28. Cavaliers (6-9)
29. Kings (5-8)
30. Clippers (2-9)


Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2010/writers/ian_thomsen/12/17/sixth.man.dec17/index.html#ixzz18kzqhsbq

[Jeff]

I was thinking last night when I saw that the Heat lost to the Mavs that they must not have a good record against the best teams - and I was right.

[Kwhit10]

I was thinking last night when I saw that the Heat lost to the Mavs that they must not have a good record against the best teams - and I was right.

TP for the post.  I thought of the exact same thing last night while watching the Mavs close out the Heat.

[arctic 3.0]

LA has played 4 games against +500 teams?

[wdleehi]

It is hard to look at the Celtics record against the best because I don't think they keep records in practice.



 






Heat have to many holes that good teams can take advantage of.  



LA is sleep walking right now.  Much like the Celtics last year.   It hurts to say or think that.  It feels so much better to think they stink.

[Fafnir]

LA has played 4 games against +500 teams?

They've had a cream puff schedule so far, and its actually pretty easy for the next two weeks too.

From the second half of January forward they have the toughest schedule in the league iirc. I don't think LA will have home court in the west this year, even if Bynum comes back playing well.

[Taklamar]

Yeah, the Lakers SOS is at .410 right now, which is crazy low.  Knicks next lowest at .429, Kings at .453 then Pistons & Magic at .473.

Mavs at .530, Celts .514, Heat .483

[Birdbrain]

Very cool thanks for the info.  It's looking like Boston might have home court in the East wrapped up by the AS break.

[Fafnir]

Very cool thanks for the info.  It's looking like Boston might have home court in the East wrapped up by the AS break.

How do you figure that? Even if the C's keep winning at a .846 clip they won't have clinched it by then. They'd have around 46 wins with 28 games left to play. That's assuming we keep winning at near record pace.

The C's are in excellent position to get home court, but we're still only up 5 games in the loss column on Miami. Even after their 9-8 start. It'd be nice if we could clinch it in the Finals as well, though honestly I'm not worried about it. I think even if we're slightly behind SA/Dallas we'd still have it over LA.

(By the way Miami has played a lot of games, four or five more than most teams)

[Roy H.]

The Mavs have been impressive against top teams.  They've beat the Heat twice (including once ending a 12 game winning streak), the Spurs once (ending a 12 game winning streak), and the Celts once.

[Fafnir]

The Mavs have been impressive against top teams.  They've beat the Heat twice (including once ending a 12 game winning streak), the Spurs once (ending a 12 game winning streak), and the Celts once.

Tyson Chandler is proving to be a huge addition. The difference between him and Dampier/Haywood is striking.

[BballTim]

Very cool thanks for the info.  It's looking like Boston might have home court in the East wrapped up by the AS break.

How do you figure that? Even if the C's keep winning at a .846 clip they won't have clinched it by then. They'd have around 46 wins with 28 games left to play. That's assuming we keep winning at near record pace.

The C's are in excellent position to get home court, but we're still only up 5 games in the loss column on Miami. Even after their 9-8 start. It'd be nice if we could clinch it in the Finals as well, though honestly I'm not worried about it. I think even if we're slightly behind SA/Dallas we'd still have it over LA.

(By the way Miami has played a lot of games, four or five more than most teams)

  I think when he said "wrapped up" he didn't mean clinched, more like something drastic would have to happen for us to get caught by anyone.

[Fafnir]

Very cool thanks for the info.  It's looking like Boston might have home court in the East wrapped up by the AS break.

How do you figure that? Even if the C's keep winning at a .846 clip they won't have clinched it by then. They'd have around 46 wins with 28 games left to play. That's assuming we keep winning at near record pace.

The C's are in excellent position to get home court, but we're still only up 5 games in the loss column on Miami. Even after their 9-8 start. It'd be nice if we could clinch it in the Finals as well, though honestly I'm not worried about it. I think even if we're slightly behind SA/Dallas we'd still have it over LA.

(By the way Miami has played a lot of games, four or five more than most teams)

  I think when he said "wrapped up" he didn't mean clinched, more like something drastic would have to happen for us to get caught by anyone.

I don't think we'll get far enough clear of Miami that I'll be comfortable with 28 games to go, that's what was really trying to say.

I think its fair to say I don't expect to win 70 with this team, which means we'll fall off somewhat in the last two thirds of the season.

[BballTim]

Very cool thanks for the info.  It's looking like Boston might have home court in the East wrapped up by the AS break.

How do you figure that? Even if the C's keep winning at a .846 clip they won't have clinched it by then. They'd have around 46 wins with 28 games left to play. That's assuming we keep winning at near record pace.

The C's are in excellent position to get home court, but we're still only up 5 games in the loss column on Miami. Even after their 9-8 start. It'd be nice if we could clinch it in the Finals as well, though honestly I'm not worried about it. I think even if we're slightly behind SA/Dallas we'd still have it over LA.

(By the way Miami has played a lot of games, four or five more than most teams)

  I think when he said "wrapped up" he didn't mean clinched, more like something drastic would have to happen for us to get caught by anyone.

I don't think we'll get far enough clear of Miami that I'll be comfortable with 28 games to go, that's what was really trying to say.

I think its fair to say I don't expect to win 70 with this team, which means we'll fall off somewhat in the last two thirds of the season.

  Say we were up by 5-6 games with 28 left though. Even if the Heat went 24-4 over that stretch we'd have to lose 9-10 games to be caught. You might not call that "wrapped up" but I'd call it "firmly in control".

[Mike-Dub]

Nice find Jeff TP.

LA is sleep walking right now.  Much like the Celtics last year.   It hurts to say or think that.  It feels so much better to think they stink.

LA slept walked through much of last season IMO.