The Race for Homecourt Thread

[European NBA fan]

Lakers also just lost, so now the Celtics are only one game back of the Lakers in the loss column...too bad that the Lakers have the tiebreaker, though.

Do they how does that work? if it's facing each other aren't we 1-1

Since the season series is 1-1, the tie-breaker will be wins vs. own conference, and the Celtics lead that one (35-12 vs 34-13).

[KobeShesNotConsenting!]

Feeling pretty optomistic right now. We're only 1 game back of LA. After thursday we could be tied. LA's finish is not easy either we could realistically still get homecourt

[KobeShesNotConsenting!]

Lakers also just lost, so now the Celtics are only one game back of the Lakers in the loss column...too bad that the Lakers have the tiebreaker, though.

Do they how does that work? if it's facing each other aren't we 1-1

Since the season series is 1-1, the tie-breaker will be wins vs. own conference, and the Celtics lead that one (35-12 vs 34-13).

really? your sure thats how it works? That's huge if thats really how it works

[Tai]

Lakers also just lost, so now the Celtics are only one game back of the Lakers in the loss column...too bad that the Lakers have the tiebreaker, though.

Do they how does that work? if it's facing each other aren't we 1-1

Since the season series is 1-1, the tie-breaker will be wins vs. own conference, and the Celtics lead that one (35-12 vs 34-13).

Oh, you might be right. I just assumed the Lakers had already clinched cause fairweatherfan said so, without actually looking up how.

Thanks for that info. TP!

[Tai]

Ah, it's true:

http://www.nba.com/statistics/playoff_picture.html

a. Two Teams Tied
(1) Better winning percentage in games against each other.
(2) Better winning percentage against teams in own division (only if tied teams are in same division).
(3) Better winning percentage against teams in own conference.
(4) Better winning percentage against teams eligible for playoffs in own conference (including teams that finished the regular season tied for a playoff position).
(5) Better winning percentage against teams eligible for playoffs in opposite conference (including teams that finished the regular season tied for a playoff position).
(6) Better net result of total points scored less total points allowed against all opponents (“point differential”).

So, since the Celtics and Lakers are clearly not in the same division, the next tie breaker are their conference records, which the Celtics actually is one game ahead of the Lakers in.

Definitely changes things a little. Losing to the Nuggets and now the Jazz, BOTH at home, was big. They better step it up, or the Celtics definitely have a chance to snag back home court.

[fairweatherfan]

Ah, it's true:

http://www.nba.com/statistics/playoff_picture.html

a. Two Teams Tied
(1) Better winning percentage in games against each other.
(2) Better winning percentage against teams in own division (only if tied teams are in same division).
(3) Better winning percentage against teams in own conference.
(4) Better winning percentage against teams eligible for playoffs in own conference (including teams that finished the regular season tied for a playoff position).
(5) Better winning percentage against teams eligible for playoffs in opposite conference (including teams that finished the regular season tied for a playoff position).
(6) Better net result of total points scored less total points allowed against all opponents (“point differential”).

So, since the Celtics and Lakers are clearly not in the same division, the next tie breaker are their conference records, which the Celtics actually is one game ahead of the Lakers in.

Definitely changes things a little. Losing to the Nuggets and now the Jazz, BOTH at home, was big. They better step it up, or the Celtics definitely have a chance to snag back home court.

We had this discussion a few pages back - I can't find a formal record of it, but there are some articles that seem to confirm that when 2 teams from different conferences are tied, record against the OTHER conference determines the tiebreak.  Lakers have clinched that one.  Apparently this came up in the 01 Finals.

Here's an article on it:

http://www.celticstown.com/2011/03/23/lakers-hold-tiebreaker-against-celtics/

[fairweatherfan]

Yesterday's Results:  Things continue to look a bit brighter for the C's, as we pretty decisively took down our potential first-round opponent Philadelphia.  The Spurs made the West a little less dramatic with their win over Atlanta, and the Bulls won a surprisingly tight one against Phoenix. 

The good news is that after failing to hold a big lead in Utah, the Jazz managed to pull out a win against the Lakers, bringing them closer to our record.


Wednesday, April 5th

Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Chicago Bulls   57-20     --
Boston Celtics  54-23     3 (3)
Miami Heat       54-23     3 (3)


Tiebreakers:  Boston clinched over Miami, Boston leads 2-1 over Chicago in first tiebreak, and 35-12 to 34-13 in second tiebreak, Chicago clinched over Miami.


Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
SA Spurs          59-19     --
LA Lakers         55-22     3.5 (3)
Boston Celtics  54-23     4.5 (4)
Dallas Mavs      53-24     5.5 (5)

Tiebreakers: Dallas clinched over Boston.  LA clinched over Boston with second tiebreak.

Basically, the Bulls and Spurs are pretty much out of reach.  But we are back in 2nd in the East and have a better shot at surpassing the Lakers as well.  Should be an interesting week.

Today's games: Miami is at home against a Milwaukee team hoping to partly redeem a disappointing season.  The Mavericks take on a red-hot Denver team in Dallas, and the Spurs and Lakers wrap up back-to-backs, with San Antonio at home against Sacramento, and LA traveling to Golden State.

[fairweatherfan]

And a 1st round opponent update...

Wednesday, April 6th

Team                            W - L   GB (Losses Back)
6.Philadelphia 76ers   40-38     --
7.New York Knicks      39-38    .5 (1)
8.Indiana Pacers         35-43    5 (5)

9.Charlotte Bobcats    32-45    8



Philly and New York also play tonight in a game with major 1st round implications for us. 

[celticinorlando]

i will be good with the 2 seed. i want home court vs the heat. as for this bulls..another chance to make a statement vs them on thursday...just a reminder that they are the #1 seed by default...and a 1-3 record vs the celtics would plant a seed of doubt in their minds

[footey]

I don't care if we are the 2 or 3 seed. I would love to finish with a better record than the Lakers, in case we meet them in the finals. 

Who wins home court if we finished tied with the Lakers in regular season, as we split our series with them?

[ACF]

Who wins home court if we finished tied with the Lakers in regular season, as we split our series with them?

(3) Better winning percentage against teams in own conference.

[fairweatherfan]

Who wins home court if we finished tied with the Lakers in regular season, as we split our series with them?

(3) Better winning percentage against teams in own conference.

Read up above, there's some controversy on this. 

[CNYCeltsfan]

Well I don't think it is inconceivable we catch Chicago, it is possible.  If we beat them we own the tiebreak, then of course we have to win out and Chicago willhave to lose to orlando and NY.  NY will be fighting for position and playign hard, Orlando is the iffier one for me but perhaps they can catch Chicago napping.

The Spurs would have to lose all of their remainign 4, and I doubt that happen.

LA has OKC and San Antonio on their docket so if we win out we have a shot at them. 

IMO staying ahead of Miami and Dallas are key and catching the Lakers a realistic goal.

[j804]

a Lakers loss tonight against GSW would be really sweet, very possible as well they just had a blowout against Portland and should have some momentum

[j804]

some good news along the way D Wade is doubtful tonight against the Bucks, most likely won't play  

http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?w=1aij1&storyId=6299942&i=TOP&topslot=1