Hawks major factor in playoff race

[celticsclay]

I just wrote a longer piece on this that timed out . Here is a shorter version. The Hawks play the Nets twice in the final 7 games. Normally they would rest their starters in at least one of these. Since they have right to swap picks with Nets, they will definitely be playing their hardest to try and turn that draft pick into a lottery ticket! Good news for Celtics!

[D.o.s.]

Good point. The Nets, of course, will be trying as hard for the same reason.

[apc]

Good point. The Nets, of course, will be trying as hard for the same reason.

Hawks trying hard> nets Trying hard. 
Are we playing the Hawks? i guess they have an incentive to rest top guys against us.

[celticsclay]

Good point. The Nets, of course, will be trying as hard for the same reason.

Yea obviously the Hawks' best is better than Nets' best on the average night this season.

[jpotter33]

Just on star power, reputation, and playoff experience alone, I bet they would want to face us over Brooklyn, even though I believe we're the only one of the two that has actually beat Atlanta. So that also factors into the equation I would think.

[SHAQATTACK]

Hawks can rest players and control the playoff pic , same with Cavs .....

[Quetzalcoatl]

I just wrote a longer piece on this that timed out . Here is a shorter version. The Hawks play the Nets twice in the final 7 games. Normally they would rest their starters in at least one of these. Since they have right to swap picks with Nets, they will definitely be playing their hardest to try and turn that draft pick into a lottery ticket! Good news for Celtics!

First off, sympathy TP because that has been killing me lately!  I'm trying to get in the habit of always copying my post so I can paste it in just in case.

Secondly, that's a great point.  They have buyers lined up too, so I imagine every game is an opportunity to impress them

[LGC88]

Isn't it the other way round for the Cavs and our 2 games against them?
I mean, they have interest we finish at 7th seed. Just guessing their first round should be much easier than facing Nets or Heats and waste too much energy to beat them.
Just a thought...

[SparzWizard]

Hawks can just rest their guys for the remainder of season. Cavs still have to lock up that division title to ensure the #2 seed.

[GC003332]

The Cavs if they are looking at the big picture should play out the string with their full roster to try and make sure they have a better record than as many Western Conference teams as possible.
So if they do come out of the East and the Warriors fail to come out of the West they have home court in the Finals.

Gavin

[jpotter33]

The Cavs if they are looking at the big picture should play out the string with their full roster to try and make sure they have a better record than as many Western Conference teams as possible.
So if they do come out of the East and the Warriors fail to come out of the West they have home court in the Finals.

Gavin

I think Lebron (who is pretty much running that team) said he'd prefer rest to a higher seed/record.

[celticsclay]

The Cavs if they are looking at the big picture should play out the string with their full roster to try and make sure they have a better record than as many Western Conference teams as possible.
So if they do come out of the East and the Warriors fail to come out of the West they have home court in the Finals.

Gavin

I think Lebron (who is pretty much running that team) said he'd prefer rest to a higher seed/record.

Yea I really don't think you can risk injuries to your players for possible homecourt in the Finals...I would also argue that the NBA shouldn't use the homecourt method they do, particularly with the disparity in conferences. A team that wins 58 games in the Eastern conference with 30-35 of them coming against New York, Charlotte, Philly, Detroit, Celtics (sorry), Nets, Orlando, Pacers and the Heat should not get the home court over a Western conference team that plays those teams a combined 20 games.

[D.o.s.]

The Cavs if they are looking at the big picture should play out the string with their full roster to try and make sure they have a better record than as many Western Conference teams as possible.
So if they do come out of the East and the Warriors fail to come out of the West they have home court in the Finals.

Gavin

I think Lebron (who is pretty much running that team) said he'd prefer rest to a higher seed/record.

Yea I really don't think you can risk injuries to your players for possible homecourt in the Finals...I would also argue that the NBA shouldn't use the homecourt method they do, particularly with the disparity in conferences. A team that wins 58 games in the Eastern conference with 30-35 of them coming against New York, Charlotte, Philly, Detroit, Celtics (sorry), Nets, Orlando, Pacers and the Heat should not get the home court over a Western conference team that plays those teams a combined 20 games.

Basically the same argument for the 16 best records in the playoffs, rather than top 8 on each side.

[celticsclay]

The Cavs if they are looking at the big picture should play out the string with their full roster to try and make sure they have a better record than as many Western Conference teams as possible.
So if they do come out of the East and the Warriors fail to come out of the West they have home court in the Finals.

Gavin

I think Lebron (who is pretty much running that team) said he'd prefer rest to a higher seed/record.

Yea I really don't think you can risk injuries to your players for possible homecourt in the Finals...I would also argue that the NBA shouldn't use the homecourt method they do, particularly with the disparity in conferences. A team that wins 58 games in the Eastern conference with 30-35 of them coming against New York, Charlotte, Philly, Detroit, Celtics (sorry), Nets, Orlando, Pacers and the Heat should not get the home court over a Western conference team that plays those teams a combined 20 games.

Basically the same argument for the 16 best records in the playoffs, rather than top 8 on each side.

Yes but this one is a lot easier to change logistically. Heck just make it based on the all star game like baseball.

[mef730]

Good point. The Nets, of course, will be trying as hard for the same reason.

Hawks trying hard> nets Trying hard. 
Are we playing the Hawks? i guess they have an incentive to rest top guys against us.

Heck, Hawks showing up with hangovers and then playing with their shoelaces tied together > Nets trying hard.  Well, they could win 1 of 2, anyway.

Mike