The Race for Homecourt Thread

[fairweatherfan]

Yesterday's results: Psssh.  Loss to Sixers.  Less said the better, but I really hope we can avoid them in the first round. 

Bulls also blew out the Hawks despite no Boozer, and are now officially breathing down our necks.  Gotta bear down now, fellas.

Saturday, March 12th

Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  46-17     --
Chicago Bulls   46-18    .5 (1)
Miami Heat        44-21    3 (4)

Tiebreakers:  Boston clinched over Miami, Boston leads 2-1 over Chicago in first tiebreak, and 30-8 to 28-11 in second tiebreak, Chicago clinched over Miami.


Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  46-17    --
Dallas Mavs      47-18   -- (1)
LA Lakers         46-20   1.5 (3)

Tiebreakers: Dallas clinched over Boston.  Boston split head-to-head with LA , but lead in second tiebreak, conference record - 30-8 vs 26-11.


Today's games: Everyone but us is in action.  The Heat play the scrappy Grizzlies in Miami (still 5 more consecutive games against +.500 opponents!). 

The Bulls face the free-falling Jazz in Chicago; it's a back-to-back at least, so fingers crossed there.

And the Lakers take on the Mavericks in Dallas; we'll gain a little ground on at least one of them there.  Rooting for Dallas cause I still don't think they'll make it out of the West, and oh yeah, they're playing LA.

[fairweatherfan]

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.

Yeah, we're down 6 games and in the tiebreak with 19 to go; I really don't think it's gonna happen, or be particularly close.  My focus was on the East and the Lakers cause those seemed like realistic goals to me.  I decided going in that within 2 of the Spurs in the loss column would be my threshold, and we haven't gotten there yet.

But hey, TP for asking politely instead of trying to order me to do it like others have (like that's really going to help them) 

[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.

Yeah, we're down 6 games and in the tiebreak with 19 to go; I really don't think it's gonna happen, or be particularly close.  I decided within 2 in the loss column would be my threshold going in, and we haven't gotten there yet.

But hey, TP for asking politely instead of trying to order me to do it like others have tried to do (like that's really going to help them)  

Haha, well I understand, and TP for this topic! You have done a good job with it, for sure.

[Freeease1]

Areallt Great post ands A TP is in order. you got one from me that is. I do hope we can maintain HCA at least in the east. I am hoping we can finish strong from this week out to the end of the season. the new editions  and the lame should all be ready within two weeks.

[fairweatherfan]

Ok, after a brief snafu (the thread was accidentally deleted for awhile and had to be restored), we're back in action.  

Also thanks to that same snafu, my postcount went down by the # of posts I had in this thread, which knocked me back one star. The good news is this gives me one last chance to bask in Antoine's warming wiggle again.  





Whew!  With that out of my system, on to the post:

Yesterday's results:  Stop me if you've heard this before, but the Bulls blew out another team.  Chicago is now in a virtual tie with us, though we lead by percentage points and slightly in the tiebreaks.  Basically a tossup now though.

Miami also crushed Memphis, and the Lakers edged Dallas out as well.


Sunday, March 13th

Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  46-17     --
Chicago Bulls   47-18     -- (1)
Miami Heat        45-21    2.5 (4)

Tiebreakers:  Boston clinched over Miami, Boston leads 2-1 over Chicago in first tiebreak, and 30-8 to 28-11 in second tiebreak, Chicago clinched over Miami.


Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  46-17    --
Dallas Mavs      47-19   .5 (2)
LA Lakers         47-20    1 (3)

Tiebreakers: Dallas clinched over Boston.  Boston split head-to-head with LA , but lead in second tiebreak, conference record - 30-8 vs 27-11.


Today's games: With all our competitors going last night, we are the only team playing today.  Six PM against the Bucks, who sometimes give us trouble and sometimes roll over like toddlers with inner ear disorders.  Let's hope it's the latter tonight.  

I've got a very busy day tomorrow, so I might not have time to update; I'll try to get to it in the morning though.  If not, I'll be back on Tuesday.

[PosImpos]

Is there a reason why this thread isn't called "The Race for the 2nd Best Record"?

As the previous poster pointed out, the thread title seems disingenuous, all things considered.


I'm making a point of this because I think this is a really good post otherwise - well maintained and quite visually pleasing.

[fairweatherfan]

Quick and dirty update today as it's a very busy week.  Will try to get to this each day though.

Yesterday's results:  We needed one of these - a huge blowout over the offensively challenged Bucks gets us back on the right track.


Monday, March 14th

Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  47-17     --
Chicago Bulls   47-18     .5 (1)
Miami Heat        45-21     3 (4)

Tiebreakers:  Boston clinched over Miami, Boston leads 2-1 over Chicago in first tiebreak, and 31-8 to 28-11 in second tiebreak, Chicago clinched over Miami.


Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  47-17    --
Dallas Mavs      47-19     1 (2)
LA Lakers         47-20    1.5 (3)

Tiebreakers: Dallas clinched over Boston.  Boston split head-to-head with LA , but lead in second tiebreak, conference record - 30-8 vs 27-11.


Our magic number for clinching the Atlantic is now 5


Today's games: Celtics are on a back-to-back at New Jersey; early indications are that Deron Williams will play.  This makes it a tougher game but Rondo also tends to bring it against D-Will, so we'll see what happens.  Remember Eastern Conference games are slightly more important now due to the second tiebreak with Chicago.

The Heat once again play some Spanish team I've never heard of in Miami - last time they were crushed, I'd be happy to see it happen again.

And in the second half of the ESPN doubleheader, the Lakers take on Orlando in LA.  Go Magic (for now)

[apc]

the Bulls just got ahead of us. my gut feeling is that they will remain the first seed to the end of regular season, they are just playing too good right now. i really hope we can stay a head of the Lakers.

[fairweatherfan]

Well, I missed a couple days of updating - due to work and travel I haven't had regular computer access or much time this week.  I should be able to update regularly from here on out though.

Yesterday's results:  Long story short, after last night's win we are now in a dead heat with the Bulls for EC homecourt.  Miami dropped another to the Thunder last night, leaving them firmly in 3rd place and not a major threat for first or second.  In the West, LA and Dallas are tied for the second seed, two behind us in the loss column.  Gonna be a tight one down the stretch.


Thursday, March 17th

Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  48-18     --
Chicago Bulls   48-18      --
Miami Heat        46-22     3 (4)

Tiebreakers:  Boston clinched over Miami, Boston leads 2-1 over Chicago in first tiebreak, and 32-9 to 29-11 in second tiebreak, Chicago clinched over Miami.


Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  48-18    --
Dallas Mavs      48-20     1 (2)
LA Lakers         48-20     1 (2)

Tiebreakers: Dallas clinched over Boston.  Boston split head-to-head with LA , but lead in second tiebreak, conference record - 32-9 vs 27-11.


Our magic number for clinching the Atlantic is now 3


Today's games: First, lots and lots of college ball.  Not relevant to homecourt but hey, I'm looking forward to it.

In the NBA, just one game with homecourt implications: the Bulls travel to New Jersey to face the new-look Nets.  Hopefully the Nets can do to Chicago what they did to us a few days ago.

[CNYCeltsfan]

I still think it is important to get homecourt in the east.  I much rather face Indiana in the first round and hopefully rest our whole team as a few series go 6 or 7 games.

I want to be healthy but I also dont want 3 7 game series in a row

[fairweatherfan]

Yesterday's results:   Only one game of importance: the Bulls took down the Nets to win their 8th straight and move into sole possession of first in the East.


Friday, March 18th

Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Chicago Bulls   49-18      --
Boston Celtics  48-18     .5 (0)
Miami Heat        46-22     3 (4)

Tiebreakers:  Boston clinched over Miami, Boston leads 2-1 over Chicago in first tiebreak, and 32-9 to 30-11 in second tiebreak, Chicago clinched over Miami.


Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  48-18    --
Dallas Mavs      48-20     1 (2)
LA Lakers         48-20     1 (2)

Tiebreakers: Dallas clinched over Boston.  Boston split head-to-head with LA , but lead in second tiebreak, conference record - 32-9 vs 27-11.


Our magic number for clinching the Atlantic is now 3


Today's games: Big night tonight: first, our own Celtics take on the Rockets in the first game of a tough road back-to-back. 

The Bulls and Miami are each on the road, at Indiana and Atlanta respectively.  The Mavericks face the Spurs in a tough game, and the Lakers play Minnesota at home in what will probably be an easy W.

[Donoghus]

Big weekend for the Celtics. Gotta keep it close.

Next Five Games:

BOS-@HOU, @NO, @NY, MEM, CHA

CHI- @IND, SAC, @ATL, MEM, MIL

[fairweatherfan]

Yesterday's results:   It was a good day to lose meaningful basketball games: in addition to Boston's blowout loss in Houston, the Bulls were beaten by the Pacers, and Dallas went down to San Antonio.  Unfortunately, the Lakers were able to win a surprisingly close one against Minnesota, and Miami blew out Atlanta.

Oddly, we actually gained a little ground on the Bulls, as their loss was in-conference and ours was not.


Saturday, March 19th

Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Chicago Bulls   49-19      --
Boston Celtics  48-19     .5 (0)
Miami Heat        47-22     2.5 (3)

Tiebreakers:  Boston clinched over Miami, Boston leads 2-1 over Chicago in first tiebreak, and 32-9 to 30-12 in second tiebreak, Chicago clinched over Miami.


Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Boston Celtics  48-19    --
LA Lakers         49-20     -- (1)
Dallas Mavs      48-21     1 (2)


Tiebreakers: Dallas clinched over Boston.  Boston split head-to-head with LA , but lead in second tiebreak, conference record - 32-9 vs 28-11.


Our magic number for clinching the Atlantic is now 2


Today's games: Celtics continue their mini road trip with a game in New Orleans against the Hornets.

Miami is also in action again, facing Denver at home.

[Donoghus]

Dodged a bullet last night with the Bulls losing also. 

[nba is the worst]

It's been a rough 2 weeks - need tonight in the road B2B.

Can't see staying ahead of the lakers without an injury for them...