The Race for Homecourt Thread

[fairweatherfan]

Figured it was about the right time this season, we did one last year (for the 4 seed!) and it's a good place to keep track of HCA.

I'll be leaving the Spurs off the list as they're probably uncatchable and who wants to see that anyway?  Also leaving the Mavs off because they are the Mavs.  Eastern conference and Lakers only.  Here we go:

Tuesday, March 1st

Team                W-L    GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  43-15    --
Miami Heat        43-17    1 (2)
Chicago Bulls    41-17    2 (2)

Tiebreaks:  Boston clinched over Miami, Boston leads 2-1 over Chicago, Chicago clinched over Miami.

Team                W-L    GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  43-15   --
LA Lakers         42-19   2.5 (4)

Yesterday's results:  Boston 107 Utah 102; Chicago 105 Washington 77.
Today's games: LA at Minnesota.  Easy pickings.  Probably.

I'll try to update this daily.  Enjoy!

[vinnie]

Important win tonight against another crapfest of a team  These are the games they must win.  Should be able to beat up on the suns and warriors this week At home to maintain the lead.

[CelticSooner]

Great thread. TP

[barefacedmonk]

I hope this doesn't jinx us now. I've found a scapegoat if we don't end up as the first seed.

Good job!

[fairweatherfan]

I hope this doesn't jinx us now. I've found a scapegoat if we don't end up as the first seed.

Good job!

I think just tracking the race is safe.  I won't be getting cocky.  Yet.

[PosImpos]

Um...if you're going to list the Lakers you should also list the Spurs and the Mavs, who both have better records and have very good chances of making the Finals as well.

[greensamurai]

+1. Here is to hoping we can catch the Spurs   

[Drucci]

Great thread, TP. Hopefully it gets consistently updated with good news for us.

[fairweatherfan]

EDIT:  By popular demand, now with 100% more Mavericks.  HCA is important with Dallas because there's a good chance our team could become confused and disoriented by playing key games in such a banner-free environment.   

I also added tiebreakers with the Western squads as well.


Yesterday's results: Lakers beat the Timberwolves.  Meh.  Spurs lost but I'm not adding them unless we get a bit closer.

Wednesday, March 2nd

Team                  W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics   43-15    --
Miami Heat        43-17    1 (2)
Chicago Bulls    41-17    2 (2)

Tiebreakers:  Boston clinched over Miami, Boston leads 2-1 over Chicago, Chicago clinched over Miami.

Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  43-15   --
Dallas Mavs      44-16   -- (1)
LA Lakers         43-19   2 (4)


Tiebreakers: Dallas clinched over Boston.  Boston split head-to-head with LA , but leads in second tiebreaker, conference record - 29-7 vs 25-11.

Today's games: Phoenix at Boston.  Channing Frye has hit two straight game-winners but may be distracted by whether KG can hold up at second base this time.

Chicago at Atlanta.  Bulls start a rough road sequence (Atlanta, Orlando, Miami) with a solid Hawks team; hopefully they look ahead and take the L.

[greenpride32]

Yes I agree this list needs DAL and SAS to be complete.  There are six legitimate title contenders this year.

With Parker being hurt, who knows how many games SAS will drop.  They already dropped one to MEM, and have a really though stretch of games including 2 vs MIA, and games against DAL and HOU.  I think DAL played 500 or below ball for a long strech when Dirk went out.

[guava_wrench]

Mavs already beat us twice. Include them.

Spurs might fall back to the pack with Parker out 2-4 weeks. Include them too.

Then I would consider giving a TP.

[Mike-Dub]

Mavs already beat us twice. Include them.

Spurs might fall back to the pack with Parker out 2-4 weeks. Include them too.

Then I would consider giving a TP.

Mavs should be on the list.  Spurs not yet.

[Fafnir]

I don't see why both the Spurs/Mavs shouldn't be considered. The C's play the Spurs one more time and if they win that game are well within striking distance. The Tony Parker injury could cost them enough games to make it close.

Four games in the loss column isn't an unsurmountable lead.

[fairweatherfan]

Mavs already beat us twice. Include them.

Spurs might fall back to the pack with Parker out 2-4 weeks. Include them too.

Then I would consider giving a TP.

Well, I'm just glad you took the time to lay out the conditions under which you'd think about making a token gesture.  It's very important to me that I know where I stand on these things.

Anyway, I won't be adding the Spurs unless we get significantly closer; we're still four games back in the loss column and five back overall, but we'll see how things go. 

The Mavs I didn't include because I don't really care about the Mavs; I don't think there's any real chance they get past both the Lakers and the Spurs as they'll likely have to do.  But I guess I can throw them in as the token bannerless franchise.

[Roy H.]

Jeez, people are awfully critical of somebody else's hard work.  If folks want to supplement FWF's chart with the rankings of other contenders, nothing is stopping them from doing so.

Nice work, FWF, and nicer work still if you keep this up through the regular season.