The Race for Homecourt Thread

[Donoghus]

I think 15 wins + will be enough for us to net the #1 seed.

My gut on this. 

[Roy H.]

I think 15 wins + will be enough for us to net the #1 seed.

My gut on this. 

Yeah, I expect that 15 will do it, as well.  It's important to win against Chicago, though.  Not only is it a two game swing, but it also locks up the tie-breaker.

[Fafnir]

I think 15 wins + will be enough for us to net the #1 seed.

My gut on this. 

Yeah, I expect that 15 will do it, as well.  It's important to win against Chicago, though.  Not only is it a two game swing, but it also locks up the tie-breaker.

Beating Chicago would be a big one.

I think between 58-60 wins will likely get it done, especially if we beat Chicago late in the season.

[fairweatherfan]

With 15 games to go, if they beat the Celtics they'd only be 3 back. Given that they're also going to need to make up games on the C's to catch them beyond that its likely those extra wins and loses will be to eastern teams.

That means if the Bulls are somewhat likely to win the tiebreaker if it is going to come into play.

Good point - their tiebreaker gap is very similar to their overall gap.  Hadn't thought of it that way.

[Donoghus]

If we can go into April and only have to play .500 ball to clinch, then I'll be ectastic.

@ATL, DET, PHI, @CHI, WSH, @MIA, @WSH, NY

[Fafnir]

With 15 games to go, if they beat the Celtics they'd only be 3 back. Given that they're also going to need to make up games on the C's to catch them beyond that its likely those extra wins and loses will be to eastern teams.

That means if the Bulls are somewhat likely to win the tiebreaker if it is going to come into play.

Good point - their tiebreaker gap is very similar to their overall gap.  Hadn't thought of it that way.

We'll still likely maintain it, most of the C's tougher games are western conference opponents, but there is a chance.

If they could also go on a nice four game losing streak like the Heat did it'd make me check ESPN's scoreboard a lot less  .

[samantha28]

Bulls are our biggest threat right now, and we'll have to see how Rondo can deal with Rose next time we see them (April 7th). Rose is truly amazing, and he unfortunately owned Rondo a couple of months ago.

[BballTim]

Bulls are our biggest threat right now, and we'll have to see how Rondo can deal with Rose next time we see them (April 7th). Rose is truly amazing, and he unfortunately owned Rondo a couple of months ago.

  I think Rose got the best of Rondo once in the 3 games they've played.

[fairweatherfan]

Yesterday's results: Nothing too exciting - the Bulls took care of business against the Hornets, and the Mavs squeaked out a road win at Minnesota.

Oh yeah, one exciting thing - the Bobcats lost, which means the Boston Celtics are officially the first team in the 2011 Playoffs!



Oddly, this thread has the info before ESPN's standings do; but trust me, we're in.  Not at all surprising, but nice to get it out of the way.  Next up, winning the division - our magic number there is currently 8.


Tuesday, March 8th

Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  46-15     --
Chicago Bulls   44-18    2.5 (3)
Miami Heat        43-20    4 (5)

Tiebreakers:  Boston clinched over Miami, Boston leads 2-1 over Chicago in first tiebreak, and 30-7 to 26-11 in second tiebreak, Chicago clinched over Miami.


Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  46-15    --
Dallas Mavs      46-17   1 (2)
LA Lakers         45-19   2.5 (4)

Tiebreakers: Dallas clinched over Boston.  Boston split head-to-head with LA , but lead in second tiebreaker, conference record - 30-7 vs 26-11.


Today's games: Another fairly slow day - the Lakers continue with a brutal road trip by playing the Hawks in Atlanta, and Miami takes on Portland at home.

[fairweatherfan]

Yesterday's results: Two teams moving in sharply different directions, as Miami continues its increasingly entertaining freefall with a home loss to Portland, while the Lakers won their 8th straight by taking down a solid Hawks team on the road.  The last couple of weeks have been a great demonstration of the difference between a team that you worry about in January, and one you worry about in June.


Wednesday, March 9th

Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  46-15     --
Chicago Bulls   44-18    2.5 (3)
Miami Heat       43-21    5 (6)

Tiebreakers:  Boston clinched over Miami, Boston leads 2-1 over Chicago in first tiebreak, and 30-7 to 26-11 in second tiebreak, Chicago clinched over Miami.


Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  46-15    --
Dallas Mavs      46-17   1 (2)
LA Lakers         46-19   2 (4)

Tiebreakers: Dallas clinched over Boston.  Boston split head-to-head with LA , but lead in second tiebreaker, conference record - 30-7 vs 26-11.


Today's games: Our own Celtics take on the Clippers in Boston, while the Bulls are at Charlotte, and the Mavs play in New Orleans.  No big matchups but every win is a good one at this point - let's hope the Cs can make it 6 in a row, and that the Bobcats can catch fire against Chicago tonight.

Oh yeah, and some guy on the Internet just got his 6th star.  So long Walker Wiggle, hello Silas Strut!

[ACF]

Oh yeah, and some guy on the Internet just got his 6th star.  So long Walker Wiggle, hello Silas Strut!

Looking good, looking good. Congrats, bro.

[fairweatherfan]

Yesterday's results: It was bound to happen sooner or later, but a bad night in Boston as the Celtics fell to the Clippers.  They made a big run to give themselves a chance in crunch time, but ultimately were unable to climb out of a 21-point hole.

The Bulls beat Charlotte and crept closer in the East, but may lose Boozer to injury for awhile.  And the Mavs again lost in surprising fashion, falling apart down the stretch to let the Chris Paul-less Hornets beat them by 1.

Thursday, March 10th

Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  46-16     --
Chicago Bulls   45-18    1.5 (2)
Miami Heat       43-21    4.5 (5)

Tiebreakers:  Boston clinched over Miami, Boston leads 2-1 over Chicago in first tiebreak, and 30-7 to 27-11 in second tiebreak, Chicago clinched over Miami.


Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  46-16    --
Dallas Mavs      46-18   1 (2)
LA Lakers         46-19   1.5 (3)

Tiebreakers: Dallas clinched over Boston.  Boston split head-to-head with LA , but lead in second tiebreak, conference record - 30-7 vs 26-11.


Today's games: Tonight, the Heat continue their brutal stretch run by taking on the Lakers in Miami, and putting us in the awkward position of (maybe) rooting for Miami.  The race for homecourt definitely makes strange bedfellows.

Also, the Mavs look to turn around their mini-skid by playing the Knicks at home.

[Tai]

Bro, please do the integrity of this topic a favor and include the Spurs in the overall standings in home court.

Thank you. 

[fairweatherfan]

Yesterday's results: Our long national nightmare is finally over, as the Miami Heat finally beat a good team.  Luckily for us, they did it by snapping the Lakers' 8 game winning streak, and giving us a bit more breathing room in that race.

The Mavericks also were able to take down the Knicks in Dallas.  With New York's loss, our magic # for clinching the division is now 7. 

Friday, March 11th

Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  46-16     --
Chicago Bulls   45-18    1.5 (2)
Miami Heat        44-21    4 (5)

Tiebreakers:  Boston clinched over Miami, Boston leads 2-1 over Chicago in first tiebreak, and 30-7 to 27-11 in second tiebreak, Chicago clinched over Miami.


Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  46-16    --
Dallas Mavs      47-18   .5 (2)
LA Lakers         46-20   2 (4)

Tiebreakers: Dallas clinched over Boston.  Boston split head-to-head with LA , but lead in second tiebreak, conference record - 30-7 vs 26-11.


Today's games: Just a couple of meaningful games on the slate: our own Celtics take on the sneaky good Sixers (16-6 in their last 22) in Philly, and the Bulls face Atlanta, who gave them their last loss a little over a week ago.

[Tai]

Oh I didn't read the opening post where you said you'd leave the Spurs out cause it's unlikely we'd catch them.

 It's your topic, so whatever, but I do think "never say never" applies, and it does make your topic seem a lil' disingenuous. Just saying.