Playoff Picture

[makaveli]

http://stats.nba.com/playoffpicture
right now it has us matched up with ATL, next round would be against IND or MIA, and can you blame me for saying that if the league ended tomorrow we would most likely play the Cavs in the NBA East Finals?

This gets me very confident about our general direction, and with a super exciting 2016 off season, next year we could be the team to beat in the east, for years to come.

[yelkao]

What about Toronto?

[saltlover]

You're misreading how their playoff picture works.  We'd have the Raptors or Hornets in round 2.

[ThaPreacher]

You're misreading how their playoff picture works.  We'd have the Raptors or Hornets in round 2.

And both of those teams are series Boston could potentially win.  It is the preferable side of the bracket than seeing Cleveland in the 2nd Round.  I think that Cleveland vs Chicago in the first round is a fun one.  And both Indiana and Miami could stretch a series with Cleveland.

Staying in the 3rd seed is key for Boston!

[CroCorvus]

For me, there are only three teams that could cause us trouble come Playoff. First is of course Clevelend and they will be Eastern Conference Champions if they stay healthy. After them there is the Bulls and the Pistons. I wan't go into seeding, but if somehow we get to paly this two teams, I think they would cause us troubles. I'm not worried about other teams it the East.

[Donoghus]

For me, there are only three teams that could cause us trouble come Playoff. First is of course Clevelend and they will be Eastern Conference Champions if they stay healthy. After them there is the Bulls and the Pistons. I wan't go into seeding, but if somehow we get to paly this two teams, I think they would cause us troubles. I'm not worried about other teams it the East.

Toronto doesn't make you nervous?

[CroCorvus]

For me, there are only three teams that could cause us trouble come Playoff. First is of course Clevelend and they will be Eastern Conference Champions if they stay healthy. After them there is the Bulls and the Pistons. I wan't go into seeding, but if somehow we get to paly this two teams, I think they would cause us troubles. I'm not worried about other teams it the East.

Toronto doesn't make you nervous?

No. They are a good team but they don't scare me. Take us and them all healthy and I think we got them in six. They remind me of last year's Hawks - not in a style of play but playing waay better then they are. Once again, when the pressure comes, they will shrink.

[makaveli]

You're misreading how their playoff picture works.  We'd have the Raptors or Hornets in round 2.

okay, but it turns out the same. toronto is no team to be afraid of either, especially in a 7 game series, where they got kicked out by WAS and NETS.

[Granath]

For me, there are only three teams that could cause us trouble come Playoff. First is of course Clevelend and they will be Eastern Conference Champions if they stay healthy. After them there is the Bulls and the Pistons. I wan't go into seeding, but if somehow we get to paly this two teams, I think they would cause us troubles. I'm not worried about other teams it the East.

Toronto doesn't make you nervous?

No. They are a good team but they don't scare me. Take us and them all healthy and I think we got them in six. They remind me of last year's Hawks - not in a style of play but playing waay better then they are. Once again, when the pressure comes, they will shrink.

Toronto should worry you.

The top 7 guys on that team are under 30 and quite a few of them (DeRozan, Val, Joseph) are just reaching their peak. They're better than they were last year. They're on pace for about 55 wins. The Cs are currently 0-2 against them this year. Could they fold in the playoffs again like they did against Washington last year? Sure. But I'm betting that this team being a bit older and wiser will not be an easy out in the playoffs.

As far as other playoff teams that scare me...well, they all do. Anything can happen. But I do know that whomever the Cs play will be in for a hell of a dogfight because this team doesn't quit!!!

[WeMadeIt17]

Would love to catch the Raptors and grab the 2nd seed. Its possible for sure. This team is playing so hard and on any night you can have someone that beats you. Getting Kelly back is going to be big down the stretch.

[straightouttabahstun]

I hope we can keep this third seed. I'd rather face Atlanta or Miami than Indiana. As a team, they aren't great, but they scare me more than those teams. And Paul George. Good god, Paul George.

[Granath]

Would love to catch the Raptors and grab the 2nd seed. Its possible for sure. This team is playing so hard and on any night you can have someone that beats you. Getting Kelly back is going to be big down the stretch.

It's possible for the Sixers to have a better W/L record than the Celtics but it's not likely. Catching the Raptors is not quite as unlikely, but don't hold your breath.

Toronto is 4.5 games ahead of the Celtics with about 25-27 games to go. They have a pretty easy schedule left with 4 more games at home on the road. Beyond one road game against the Spurs, it's possible that they may be favored in every other game left. They're 16-5 since Jan 1. Even if the Cs put up a 20-5 record (which is exceptionally unlikely) in their last 25, it might not be enough to catch Toronto.

Simply put the Cs should strive for 50 wins (17-8 in their last 25 to do it) and that 3rd place seed. That would be a MASSIVE accomplishment for this team. Just avoiding a slump and going
46-36 (13-12 to finish the year) would still be an 8 game improvement, a likely first round playoff series at home and make the Cs attractive for prospective FAs.

[Denis998]

I think Avery said it the best.
https://youtu.be/-jREyZnwg4g

[Timdawgg]

One plus I saw on that page is this..

Brooklyn   (26 games remaining):   HOME: 8   AWAY: 18

There is no team remotely close with that few home games left...

Oh and on the flip side to further help our Brooklyn pick..

L.A. Lakers   (25 games remaining):   HOME: 16   AWAY: 9

[chilidawg]

Would love to catch the Raptors and grab the 2nd seed. Its possible for sure. This team is playing so hard and on any night you can have someone that beats you. Getting Kelly back is going to be big down the stretch.

It's possible for the Sixers to have a better W/L record than the Celtics but it's not likely. Catching the Raptors is not quite as unlikely, but don't hold your breath.

Toronto is 4.5 games ahead of the Celtics with about 25-27 games to go. They have a pretty easy schedule left with 4 more games at home on the road. Beyond one road game against the Spurs, it's possible that they may be favored in every other game left. They're 16-5 since Jan 1. Even if the Cs put up a 20-5 record (which is exceptionally unlikely) in their last 25, it might not be enough to catch Toronto.

Simply put the Cs should strive for 50 wins (17-8 in their last 25 to do it) and that 3rd place seed. That would be a MASSIVE accomplishment for this team. Just avoiding a slump and going
46-36 (13-12 to finish the year) would still be an 8 game improvement, a likely first round playoff series at home and make the Cs attractive for prospective FAs.

538 Projects us at 49 wins, 3 games ahead of Miami, 5 behind the Raptors, solidly in 3rd place:

http://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2016-nba-picks/.

Your 50 win goal seems reasonable.