The Race for Homecourt Thread

[fairweatherfan]

Well Miami lost to Cleveland last night so maybe you guys should post more "this thread jinxed us!" messages to reverse the jinx.

I'm going to chalk this one up to my own jinxing powers.  I'll have to test this moving forward.

[fairweatherfan]

Yesterday's results:  So, we were all briefly Cavs fans as they took down Miami (by 12 no less).  Not really homecourt-relevant, but I have a lot of respect for this Cavs bunch with how they've persevered through an absolutely brutal year.  Despite a losing streak that lasted almost 1/3rd of the season, they'll finish with 18-20 wins and might even catch Minnesota for worst league record.  Kudos to them, hope they can be competitive next year.  And yes, I probably just jinxed them by saying so.


Wedesday, March 30th

Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Chicago Bulls   53-20     --
Boston Celtics  51-22     2 (2)
Miami Heat       51-23     2.5 (3)

Tiebreakers:  Boston clinched over Miami, Boston leads 2-1 over Chicago in first tiebreak, and 33-11 to 32-13 in second tiebreak, Chicago clinched over Miami.


Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
LA Lakers         53-20     --
Dallas Mavs      52-21     1 (1)
Boston Celtics  51-22     2 (2)

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


Our magic number for clinching a top 3 seed is 4

Today's games: A few meaningful games but none involving us, which is probably just as well these days.

The Heat will rally from this loss and crush the Wizards.  The Bulls will stomp the Timberwolves in a road game that they surely won't take for granted and get in trouble in like we just did.   And the Mavs will take down the Clippers.

[vinnie]

Thank you, Cavs. I am still laughing about many of the posts claiming that the Cavs were not that bad and might make the playoffs after the Cavs beat the Celts in game 2. I know they had some indjuries, but that was some classic stuff.

[Assassin70]

Is it me or does it seem like the Lakers consistently 2-3 days off between almost EVERY game?! Every time I look to see who they are going to play I have to search through about 2 or 3 days worth of games to find their next matchup. This week they played on Sunday and then don't play again until Thursday. When was the last time the Celtics had 3 full days off between games? I think they could use it

When the Lakers were playing their tough part of the schedule (logistic wise) they struggled.  But they flipped "the switch" after the all star break.

[barefacedmonk]

I think after the season's over I will use my newfound jinx power to create the "Race to Prevent Bin Laden from Getting Torn apart by Wolves Thread"

LOL.

[fairweatherfan]

Yesterday's results:  Bulls win, Heat win, Mavs win, and I'm seriously questioning my jinx powers now.


Thursday, March 31st

Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Chicago Bulls   54-20     --
Boston Celtics  51-22     2.5 (2)
Miami Heat       52-23     2.5 (3)

Tiebreakers:  Boston clinched over Miami, Boston leads 2-1 over Chicago in first tiebreak, and 33-11 to 32-13 in second tiebreak, Chicago clinched over Miami.


Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
LA Lakers         53-20     --
Dallas Mavs      53-21     .5 (1)
Boston Celtics  51-22     2 (2)

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


Our magic number for clinching a top 3 seed is 3

Today's games: Celtics are back in action in Texas where they will take on the Spurs.  Huh, haven't heard much about them, wonder how they're doing this year?

And the Lakers take on the Mavs in Los Angeles.  Good opportunity to make up some ground on one of those two as well. 

[fairweatherfan]

Yesterday's results: Celtics with one of their strongest wins of the year, beating the Spurs in San Antonio.  After a long, long stretch of no wins against San Antonio, we now have beaten them 5 consecutive times in their house.  Good stuff, and a welcome change from an ugly last few weeks.

In the other game, the Lakers stayed red-hot, taking down the Mavericks.  Dallas' unorthodox strategy of trying to get all the Lakers' garbage time players ejected to wear down their starters backfired as LA pulled away late in the 4th.


Friday, April 1st

Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Chicago Bulls   54-20     --
Boston Celtics  52-22     2 (2)
Miami Heat       52-23     2.5 (3)

Tiebreakers:  Boston clinched over Miami, Boston leads 2-1 over Chicago in first tiebreak, and 33-11 to 32-13 in second tiebreak, Chicago clinched over Miami.


Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
LA Lakers         54-20     --
Dallas Mavs      53-22     1.5 (1)
Boston Celtics  52-22     2 (2)

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


Our magic number for clinching a top 3 seed is 2

Today's games: Big slate of games tonight; first, the Bulls and Heat both play lottery teams (Pistons and Wolves, respectively) on the road.  Probably not an L there, but hopefully at least one will slip up here.

The main event is another Celtics-Lakers national TV doubleheader.  First, we take a pretty long overnight trip from San Antonio to Atlanta to take on the Hawks.  Then, the Lakers travel to Utah to play the free-falling Jazz.  Tonight!  Only on ESPN Your Face!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5eg53K5Sc24

[fairweatherfan]

I think it'd also be a good idea to start following our potential first-round opponents.  I'm not gonna put up their schedules or anything, but we'll keep the standings here for easy reference.



Friday, April 1st

Team                            W - L   GB (Losses Back)
6.Philadelphia 76ers   39-36     --
7.New York Knicks      37-38    2 (2)
8.Indiana Pacers         34-42    5.5 (6)
9.Charlotte Bobcats    32-42    6.5 (6)

[Drucci]

Great stuff as always, and it's a very good idea to add the daily updates on the potential first round opponent!

[fairweatherfan]

Missed yesterday's update due to the brief resurgence of a social life, so I'll skip straight to the standings and previews.  SPOILER:  Not looking great for Boston.


Sunday, April 3rd

Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Chicago Bulls   56-20     --
Miami Heat       53-23     3 (3)
Boston Celtics  52-23     3.5 (3)


Tiebreakers:  Boston clinched over Miami, Boston leads 2-1 over Chicago in first tiebreak, and 33-12 to 34-13 in second tiebreak, Chicago clinched over Miami.


Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
SA Spurs          57-19     --
LA Lakers         54-20     1.5 (1)
Dallas Mavs      53-23     4 (4)
Boston Celtics  52-23     4.5 (4)

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


I've added the Spurs to the standings as they're finally within reach of other teams, thanks to an even bigger slide than ours.

Our magic number for clinching a top 3 seed is 2

Today's games: This afternoon, the Spurs play the Suns in San Antonio, followed by the Lakers against the Nuggets.

Later, Celtics are at home against Detroit, while Miami travels to New Jersey, and the Mavericks travel to Portland.  Also, I sweat out a very close semifinal in the CB Keeper League.

[fairweatherfan]

And a 1st round opponent update...

Sunday, April 3rd

Team                            W - L   GB (Losses Back)
6.Philadelphia 76ers   40-37     --
7.New York Knicks      37-38    2 (2)
8.Indiana Pacers         35-42    5 (5)

9.Charlotte Bobcats    32-43    7 (6)

[fairweatherfan]

Pretty good day overall; Celtics defeat the Pistons in a game in a game that wasn't pretty but we held a comfortable lead for most of.  The Heat and Spurs won as well, but the Lakers and Mavericks both dropped their games.


Monday, April 4th

Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
Chicago Bulls   56-20     --
Miami Heat       54-23     2.5 (3)
Boston Celtics  53-23     3 (3)


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


Team                 W - L   GB (Losses Back)
SA Spurs          58-19     --
LA Lakers         55-21     2.5 (2)
Boston Celtics  53-23     4.5 (4)
Dallas Mavs      53-24     5 (5)

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

Our magic number for clinching a top 3 seed is 0 - we're in the top 3 of the East, to no one's surprise.  It's the next two spots that are the tough ones.

Today's games: The NBA has no games scheduled today out of deference to my Kentucky Mean making the finals of the CB Keeper League. 

Tuesday, we play the Sixers at home, while the Bulls face Phoenix and the Lakers take on the Jazz again.  Next update on Wednesday.  Go Butler!

[fairweatherfan]

And a 1st round opponent update...

Monday, April 4th

Team                            W - L   GB (Losses Back)
6.Philadelphia 76ers   40-37     --
7.New York Knicks      38-38    1.5 (2)
8.Indiana Pacers         35-43    5.5 (5)

9.Charlotte Bobcats    32-44    7.5

[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.

[j804]

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