P2 makes the most valid point. WHile it would be smart to cruise to the playoffs and rest people (sometime more than needed), losing the 1st seed would be a tough battle come playoffs:
1st: Philly/MIL/CHA NBD
2nd: due to a second seed or 3rd we play Miami (Not a threat but wait for ECF)
3rd: Although we would win against Heat, it would be a grind; some close games, Lebron and Wade Hero Ball, Ray or Paul off nights etc. But after that series we play the Bulls without HCA.
I believe the only two teams that have a chance to win the east are BOS and CHI, BUT we are still the team to beat. I am not afraid of CHI in a best of 7 series, but HCA will definitely play a role (09 round 1 despite KG being out).
IDK how CHI schedule is looking but I know ours is fairly easy to end the season. Darn, then again we tend to pull a no show against bad teams.
We just lost 3 of 4 (not 3,4, or 5 in a row), and some more b2b games are coming, but NOW is the time to finish strong! we are up 2-1 so far this season on CHI, if we can beat them this last game, I think we will secure 1st seed.
But ya OP, stay ahead of Laker