Lakers lose another one!

[Juggity]

They just lost by one point to the Jazz, which puts them 3.5 games behind the spurs. :)

Both Dallas and LA are moving back while the spurs are seemingly regrouping, although there were painful moments in this game against the Hawks.

The Spurs-Lakers game coming up seems to be becoming exponentially less important. At this point I seriously doubt we will need to win it in order to maintain HCA.

[tmtcsc]

I think the playoff teams at the top have mentally checked out. The Lakers loss to the Nuggets may have convinced them that the 1 seed may be out of reach. The playoff seedings for 1-4 are pretty much set now.

I think the Spurs will face the Hornets in the first round. Nice break, but we'll have to face the winner of Nuggets and Thunder in Round 2. Thunder will be tough. I expect them to beat the Nuggets in 5.

Lakers will take Memphis pretty easily and then should face a decent match up with Dallas. That should go 6 in favor of the Lakers.

Its almost time for the real season !

[jmanu20]

Beating Sacto back home tomorrow should seal the #1 seed and buy our big 3 some extra rest next week. Meanwhile LA has GSW tomorrow and still also has to play POR and OKC!

[Dex]

The funny thing is Lakers still have games left vs POR, @ OKC, and vs SAS. Most people pegged those as their toughest games down the stretch. Even SAC in their final game in Sacramento shouldn't be a pushover.

Hopefully with the gap this wide, Lakers will give up in the chase.

Still, Spurs have already gotten their luck break. They need to take care of business these next two games at home, and make it so that Lakers game is meaningless.

[jmanu20]

[QUOTE=tmtcsc;5112990]I think the playoff teams at the top have mentally checked out. The Lakers loss to the Nuggets may have convinced them that the 1 seed may be out of reach.

Those two late 3's that Kobe hit to keep things interesting suggested otherwise.

[tdunk21]

posted in other thread....thought i should post in this one too...

http://twitter.com/#!/jmcdonald_saen


Kobe turnover, Lakers lose. Spurs' magic number down to 2. Meaning they can clinch No. 1 seed on homestand that begins Wed vs. SAC.

[DesignatedT]

Best case scenario: Spurs beat Sacramento tomorrow and then Lakers lose to POR on Friday clinching the 1 for us before we even play Utah.

Even if we have to clinch with the Utah game that still gives us 8 full days off before the playoffs start if Pop selects to sit his guys. I especially think Manu should take as much time off as possible.

[jmanu20]

[QUOTE=DesignatedT;5113005]Best case scenario: Spurs beat Sacramento tomorrow and then Lakers lose to POR on Friday clinching the 1 for us before we even play Utah.

They play GSW tomorrow night, who just beat POR. A 3rd straight Laker loss is not impossible.

[DesignatedT]

3rd straight Laker loss is not impossible.

Yeah I guess that would be the best case scenario. Maybe Phil will start resting tbh.

[elbamba]

It would be great to seal this up asap.

[rmt]

So you don't think that Pop will keep playing the starters to get HCA throughout (against CHI) - only in the West?

[Budkin]

Don't chance it... win the two last games at home. We've just been handed a gift. Don't give it back.

[Budkin]

So you don't think that Pop will keep playing the starters to get HCA throughout (against CHI) - only in the West?

I think if we clinch the West he shuts it down.

[DMC]

Pop's not a greedy person as far as I can tell, but does anyone think that COY might be a deciding factor why Pop wants the best record in the league, seeing that Tibbs is the rival both ways? I don't think so, but it's a point of contention if one wanted to make it so.

[Capt Bringdown]

What a pity LA won't have to face OKC in the early rounds. They have the best shot at derailing LA's script.

[wontstartdumbthreads]

Best case scenario: Spurs beat Sacramento tomorrow and then Lakers lose to POR on Friday clinching the 1 for us before we even play Utah.

Brilliant.

[FoxPerez]

I agree with what Buck Harvey wrote earlier this week and what I've written and told people before. The Spurs need wins, not rest.

A couple of weeks ago, in a blowout loss (I forget against who), Pop left his starters in to run set plays and work on the offense. San Antonio needs to show some improvement as a cohesive unit on both sides of the floor.

It's great that they're getting some breaks in helping them clinch the #1 seed, but I'd like to see them playing better basketball and working on developing some momentum going into the playoffs. Resting everyone won't do any good if they can't even get to the conference finals.

[Dex]

Pop's not a greedy person as far as I can tell, but does anyone think that COY might be a deciding factor why Pop wants the best record in the league, seeing that Tibbs is the rival both ways? I don't think so, but it's a point of contention if one wanted to make it so.

I'm no psychic, but I'd say no way in hell. Doesn't fit Pop's demeanor or personality that he has shown through the years whatsoever.

Pop wants the best record so the Spurs have the best possible chances in the playoffs.

Pop would still take health over getting the best record.

[DesignatedT]

Ah fuck I keep forgetting about Chicago. I think Pop will play the next 2 games as normal and then shut it down the last 2 games of the regular season regardless of where we stand vs Chicago.

[baseline bum]

Beating Sacto back home tomorrow should seal the #1 seed and buy our big 3 some extra rest next week. Meanwhile LA has GSW tomorrow and still also has to play POR and OKC!

If the Spurs beat Sac but drop the remaining three games and LA wins out, both teams would finish with 22 losses but the Lakers would get the tiebreaker with a 39-13 conference record vs the Spurs hypothetical 37-16. They need to either beat LA on the 12th or win 2 out of the 3 games vs Sac, Utah, and Phoenix to lock the #1 seed up in the West.

Those 2 LA losses really have opened up some breathing room for the Spurs that looked unthinkable just a few days ago.

[DesignatedT]

I agree with what Buck Harvey wrote earlier this week and what I've written and told people before. The Spurs need wins, not rest.

A couple of weeks ago, in a blowout loss (I forget against who), Pop left his starters in to run set plays and work on the offense. San Antonio needs to show some improvement as a cohesive unit on both sides of the floor.

It's great that they're getting some breaks in helping them clinch the #1 seed, but I'd like to see them playing better basketball and working on developing some momentum going into the playoffs. Resting everyone won't do any good if they can't even get to the conference finals.

I understand what you are saying and I feel the same way but Duncan and Manu NEED rest.

Duncan has been seen limping on that ankle for 2 games in a row now and even though he looks great, if that ankle causes problems then the whole thing is over for us.

Manu has looked worse as the season has progressed, especially in the last few weeks of the season. It is pretty clear he needs to rest as well.

Pop should tell the guys to play these next 2 games balls to the walls and use them as tune ups for the playoffs then shut it down for good with 2 games left in the season giving the guys a full week off before the playoffs start.

[Obstructed_View]

Pop's not a greedy person as far as I can tell, but does anyone think that COY might be a deciding factor why Pop wants the best record in the league, seeing that Tibbs is the rival both ways? I don't think so, but it's a point of contention if one wanted to make it so.

No way. Pop has a gigantic ego, but it doesn't extend to wanting individual accolades for himself.

[Mel_13]

Ah fuck I keep forgetting about Chicago. I think Pop will play the next 2 games as normal and then shut it down the last 2 games of the regular season regardless of where we stand vs Chicago.

Yep, he'll push until the West is clinched. They'll have HCA over Boston, Miami, and Orlando. No need to chase it with regard to Chicago.

[Dex]

If anything, getting the COY (or MVP or whatever award) just puts more pressure on the player/coach and acts as a distraction in the middle of the playoffs. Save that for the prima donnas.

[FoxPerez]

Is there a law that says that the rest has to come at the end of games?

I remember Bill Simmons advocating this for the Colts when they'd rest their starters. Rest them AT THE BEGINNING OF GAMES. If you only want Tim and Manu playing limited minutes, let them come in at the end and play a majority of their minutes in the 2nd half.

As we've seen, you can't replace their on-court ability to coach and strategize at the end of games. So if they're going to get rest, rest them at the beginning. Manu has plenty of experience coming off the bench and Tim has come off the bench when working his way back form injury before.

[jmanu20]

If the Spurs beat Sac but drop the remaining three games and LA wins out, both teams would finish with 22 losses but the Lakers would get the tiebreaker with a 39-13 conference record vs the Spurs hypothetical 37-16. They need to either beat LA on the 12th or win 2 out of the 3 games vs Sac, Utah, and Phoenix to lock the #1 seed up in the West.

Those 2 LA losses really have opened up some breathing room for the Spurs that looked unthinkable just a few days ago.

I see them beating Sac tomorrow and then Utah. Any scenario to buy the big 3 some extra rest before the "real season" is welcome in my (and I'm sure Pop's) opinion. And I agree, LA has certainly given the Spurs some extra wiggle room unexpectedly.

[Budkin]

Ah fuck I keep forgetting about Chicago. I think Pop will play the next 2 games as normal and then shut it down the last 2 games of the regular season regardless of where we stand vs Chicago.

Chicago is playing Boston on Thursday, who is going to try and make a statement that they are still the favorites in the East. Good chance they could lose that game. They also play again at Orlando and New York (not like that matters)

[Obstructed_View]

Is there a law that says that the rest has to come at the end of games?

I remember Bill Simmons advocating this for the Colts when they'd rest their starters. Rest them AT THE BEGINNING OF GAMES. If you only want Tim and Manu playing limited minutes, let them come in at the end and play a majority of their minutes in the 2nd half.

As we've seen, you can't replace their on-court ability to coach and strategize at the end of games. So if they're going to get rest, rest them at the beginning. Manu has plenty of experience coming off the bench and Tim has come off the bench when working his way back form injury before.

Pop tried that last year, resting Duncan in the first quarter, and it was an unmitigated disaster. The Spurs got behind so bad that Duncan had to put in a lot of work trying to get back and they still lost.

If you want to rest your players, start the best players, get a big lead and let your bench take it home. That's why starting Splitter and Duncan together makes nothing but sense.

[Mel_13]

Is there a law that says that the rest has to come at the end of games?

I remember Bill Simmons advocating this for the Colts when they'd rest their starters. Rest them AT THE BEGINNING OF GAMES. If you only want Tim and Manu playing limited minutes, let them come in at the end and play a majority of their minutes in the 2nd half.

As we've seen, you can't replace their on-court ability to coach and strategize at the end of games. So if they're going to get rest, rest them at the beginning. Manu has plenty of experience coming off the bench and Tim has come off the bench when working his way back form injury before.

That makes very little sense for many reasons, I'll mention just one.

The best argument for such a tactic is to have them play in end of game scenarios. Problem is, there's no way to be sure that the game will competitive at that point or that the opposition will still be playing their first string players.

[Dex]

Is there a law that says that the rest has to come at the end of games?

I remember Bill Simmons advocating this for the Colts when they'd rest their starters. Rest them AT THE BEGINNING OF GAMES. If you only want Tim and Manu playing limited minutes, let them come in at the end and play a majority of their minutes in the 2nd half.

As we've seen, you can't replace their on-court ability to coach and strategize at the end of games. So if they're going to get rest, rest them at the beginning. Manu has plenty of experience coming off the bench and Tim has come off the bench when working his way back form injury before.

So you're going to let the other team jump out to a 20-point lead before playing our main guns?

There is a reason our bench is our bench.

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I'll give you a reason.

I went to see the Spurs play the Raptors during the 2010 season. Duncan came off the bench for the only time in his career, and didn't make his first appearance until the start of the 2nd quarter.

He looked lost out there, and the whole team just had no rhythm to set a tone for the game. The Spurs ended up losing.

Also, starting off a game by resting your starters would mean a starting combo of Blair/Bonner for this team.

That would be wonderful.

[15 and counting]

They just lost by one point to the Jazz, which puts them 3.5 games behind the spurs. :)

Both Dallas and LA are moving back while the spurs are seemingly regrouping, although there were painful moments in this game against the Hawks.

The Spurs-Lakers game coming up seems to be becoming exponentially less important. At this point I seriously doubt we will need to win it in order to maintain HCA.

You are correct. The game will be insignificant to the starters but make no mistake, Phil is testing the benches. The Lakeshow is simply fucking around with every playoff team. They are experimenting with the rotations. They could easily had taken home court from your team but they are chose not to. Something is up. Conspiracy? Maybe. One thing is for sure, I trust Phil's judgement. The Lakers are only concerned with one team and that is Boston. They simply know that no one other than Boston can take them down regardless of HCA. They screwed around the whole season and the Spurs played like true champions the whole season and we still were in position to win the HCA throughout the playoffs. That is scary. As a true Laker fan, you play hard each and every night. Look at the 80s lakers. They were not only the best but they were greedy and would treat every game as a playoff game. That is what I admire about the Spurs. They truely are the only old school team today. I do not think they have the talent to take down the Lakers but they do have an incredible player in Duncan that plays with a lot heart. I just wish the lakers would have this same attitude.

[GSH]

I'm just enjoying the shortage of Laker trolls, compared to what we had around here during the losing streak. It's like somebody remembered to flush.

[tmtcsc]

The biggest obstacle to the Spurs winning a title is the LA Lakers. Not the Bulls. If we clinch the West, Pop starts resting players.

The Bulls have been great this year and I would love to see a Spurs/Bulls finals but I don't think they make it past the Celtics.

I'll be shocked if Miami makes it to the Finals.

[TD 21]

So you don't think that Pop will keep playing the starters to get HCA throughout (against CHI) - only in the West?

No. I now expect none of the starters to play against the Lakers. Before this loss by the Lakers, I was expecting them to play that game, then sit the Suns game (if they beat the Kings/Jazz).

My sense is the Spurs aren't concerned with the Bulls and that staying ahead of the Lakers was their goal and finishing first overall would just be the icing on top, but they're not going to push for it. Which would be stupid. I don't mind them sitting the Lakers game (again, if they beat the Kings/Jazz), but if home court is hanging in the balance going into the Suns game, he should play everybody. Since the Spurs would have a lot more on the line than the Suns, I've got to think they'd win it and probably convincingly. They get 2-3 days off before beginning the playoff either way. Why risk losing home court at the very end just for an extra day off? What's more valuable: having home court, or having an extra day of rest for the starters?

Imagine if this situation plays out, he rests the starters against the Suns, loses home court, they meet the Bulls in the Finals and lose game seven. That decision would haunt him forever. And if he even considers doing this, I hope the starters talk him out of it. They worked hard all year to accomplish this, there's no need to give it away at the end.

The Bulls, like the Lakers, are due to lose a few. Hopefully they lose to the Celtics and Magic and the Spurs (again, if they beat the Kings/Jazz) can not only sit the starters in the last two, but breathe a sight of relief while doing so.

[tmtcsc]

I'll give you a reason.

I went to see the Spurs play the Raptors during the 2010 season. Duncan came off the bench for the only time in his career, and didn't make his first appearance until the start of the 2nd quarter.

He looked lost out there, and the whole team just had no rhythm to set a tone for the game. The Spurs ended up losing.

Also, starting off a game by resting your starters would mean a starting combo of Blair/Bonner for this team.

That would be wonderful.

Love the sig, that's hilarious.

[FoxPerez]

... Also, starting off a game by resting your starters would mean a starting combo of Blair/Bonner for this team.

That would be wonderful.

Yikes. Yeah... point taken.

[Splits]

Gordon Hayward was on fire tonight in Staples.

SLzHhdeGjKM

[kobyz]

Lakers losing on purpose, they afraid of second round match up with the Thunder, they just prefer the Mavs by much, so they playing to be the second seed.

[Fireball]

Kobe never loses on purpose ... the same as Manu I think. Just watched the Jazz Lakers game in replay and was very amused by the ending. Hopefully Spurs will be able to beat the Jazz ...

[silverblackfan]

Kobe never loses on purpose ... the same as Manu I think. Just watched the Jazz Lakers game in replay and was very amused by the ending. Hopefully Spurs will be able to beat the Jazz ...

Agreed. Kobe and Manu have the same drive to win at any cost. I really doubt either can shut it off. If Phil wanted to rest Kobe, he would sit him during the 2nd half of the game or skip a game. Although I doubt Kobe would allow it.

[boutons_deux]

Spurs only 1L ahead of Bulls.

Bulls are as credible as Heat, Celts, Magic to win EC, so Spurs can't relax, yet. Starting the Finals with 2 games in Chicago where Bulls are 34-5 (same as Spurs) won't be fun.

[TampaDude]

You are correct. The game will be insignificant to the starters but make no mistake, Phil is testing the benches. The Lakeshow is simply fucking around with every playoff team. They are experimenting with the rotations. They could easily had taken home court from your team but they are chose not to.

Keep dreaming, dude... :lmao

[Fpoonsie]

As a true Laker fan, you play hard each and every night.

...lolwut?

[TXstbobcat]

I'm just enjoying the shortage of Laker trolls, compared to what we had around here during the losing streak. It's like somebody remembered to flush.

The laker fans were out full force on this site during the spurs losing streak and now that the lakers have lost 2 in a row, they all crawled back in their holes.

[silverblk mystix]

You are correct. The game will be insignificant to the starters but make no mistake, Phil is testing the benches. The Lakeshow is simply fucking around with every playoff team. They are experimenting with the rotations. They could easily had taken home court from your team but they are chose not to. Something is up. Conspiracy? Maybe. One thing is for sure, I trust Phil's judgement. The Lakers are only concerned with one team and that is Boston. They simply know that no one other than Boston can take them down regardless of HCA. They screwed around the whole season and the Spurs played like true champions the whole season and we still were in position to win the HCA throughout the playoffs. That is scary. As a true Laker fan, you play hard each and every night. Look at the 80s lakers. They were not only the best but they were greedy and would treat every game as a playoff game. That is what I admire about the Spurs. They truely are the only old school team today. I do not think they have the talent to take down the Lakers but they do have an incredible player in Duncan that plays with a lot heart. I just wish the lakers would have this same attitude.

Yeah, Phil was fucking around so much that he overplayed Gasoft and Glassnum...both almost suffered serious injury...that is how little PJ cared...ok...uh-huh...

[GrandeDavid]

I think the playoff teams at the top have mentally checked out. The Lakers loss to the Nuggets may have convinced them that the 1 seed may be out of reach. The playoff seedings for 1-4 are pretty much set now.

I think the Spurs will face the Hornets in the first round. Nice break, but we'll have to face the winner of Nuggets and Thunder in Round 2. Thunder will be tough. I expect them to beat the Nuggets in 5.

Lakers will take Memphis pretty easily and then should face a decent match up with Dallas. That should go 6 in favor of the Lakers.

Its almost time for the real season !

I think it'll play out exactly as you stated. I definitely think the Spurs will get past the Thunder...actually any team other than the Lakers. I HOPE they get past the Lakers. I think that if the Spurs can have HCA wrapped up this weekend, man, it'd be great to rest Tim and Manu, especially. Get those guys fresh for the playoffs and anything can happen.

[Strategic]

You are correct. They could easily had taken home court from your team but they are chose not to. That is scary.




you dumbass!!!!!:stfu you dumbass!!!!!:stfu you dumbass!!!!!

[guzmangm]

Seeing as Chicago has the same home court record as the Spurs do, I think it'd be a mistake to not try and seal HCA throughout the playoffs

[wildbill2u]

Best case scenario: Spurs beat Sacramento tomorrow and then Lakers lose to POR on Friday clinching the 1 for us before we even play Utah.

Even if we have to clinch with the Utah game that still gives us 8 full days off before the playoffs start if Pop selects to sit his guys. I especially think Manu should take as much time off as possible.

Give 'em enough work to keep their edge.

Seems to me that every time we have rested our players they come back with rust on their shots and not sharply focused. I don't want to lose the first game in a playoff series because we got 'rest'.

The playoffs are time to cowboy up.

[rascal]

You are wasting your time looking into every type of scenario that gives the spurs the top seed.

It won't matter in the end.

The lakers can beat the spurs if the entire series is played in San Antonio.

[Mel_13]

IJ_R-G_i4Xk

[Cane]

I don't think the Gasol Lakers have won a playoffs series on the road so they could use HCA. But like all veteran teams they need health more than anything else. Phil's gotta starting resting his core unless he just plans on going all-in on their knees since this is his last Lakers gig.

[sa_butta]

Yep, he'll push until the West is clinched. They'll have HCA over Boston, Miami, and Orlando. No need to chase it with regard to Chicago.
I agree, I think you take your chances that Chicago will not make it to the Finals.

[rmt]

You are wasting your time looking into every type of scenario that gives the spurs the top seed.

It won't matter in the end.

The lakers can beat the spurs if the entire series is played in San Antonio.

Rascal, do you see any scenario (with the current roster) that would end in SA beating LA (barring an injury to Kobe or Gasol)?

[Amuseddaysleeper]

Love the sig, that's hilarious.

:toast

[dbreiden83080]

I think if we clinch the West he shuts it down.

Yeah he shuts it down.. I like the Bulls chances of getting to the finals. If Spurs get there and can't win a game in Chicago they don't deserve to be champs..

[SpurOutofTownFan]

Can someone briefly explain how is the tiebraker decided between Spurs and Bulls if they both end up with the same overall record?

[rascal]

Rascal, do you see any scenario (with the current roster) that would end in SA beating LA (barring an injury to Kobe or Gasol)?

No, it will take a major injury for the Spurs to beat the Lakers.

[Chomag]

I think Lakers stopped caring after the Denver game. They are just in rest for the playoff mode now, but they are still formidable none the least

[LongtimeSpursFan]

Can someone briefly explain how is the tiebraker decided between Spurs and Bulls if they both end up with the same overall record?

Sean and Bill discussed last night. Basically if they have same records to end season they would look at records within conference and then against outside conference. As of last night they had similar records against within conference and last night was the Spurs and Bulls last game outside conference. Which they both won so now they have same records against outside conference teams. If those two tiebreakers are the same then it pretty much is a coin flip to determine HCA.

[SpurOutofTownFan]

Sean and Bill discussed last night. Basically if they have same records to end season they would look at records within conference and then against outside conference. As of last night they had similar records against within conference and last night was the Spurs and Bulls last game outside conference. Which they both won so now they have same records against outside conference teams. If those two tiebreakers are the same then it pretty much is a coin flip to determine HCA.

Thanks! so we hope for Boston to beat them tomorrow and the Spurs winning everything else...

[Strategic]

I think Lakers stopped caring after the Denver game. They are just in rest for the playoff mode now, but they are still formidable none the least


I'm not a mavericks fan but If Dallas wins their last five the Lakers would still need to win three more to secure the #2 seed. The mavs only have one road game left and that's at houston. I don't care which one of these teams get the home court advantage but I would like to see it play down to the last couple of games. In that case their old vets, and yes they both have some, won't get the rest the Spurs will get.



:flag::wakeup:flag::wakeup:flag:

[Ed Helicopter Jones]

I think LA is tanking because they're afraid of possibly playing Memphis in the first round.

[15 and counting]

Keep dreaming, dude... :lmao

That little smiling character is usually Phil Jackson.Theories and opionions keep these forums going. That is why they play the game to see who is correct. More times than not the Lakers have had the upper hand on the Spurs. What makes me laugh is both fake laker fans who and fake Spurs fans. A couple of days ago, the Laker fans were acting like they won everything based on the streak while Spurs fans were ready to give up on the entire season and ship everybody out. Overeaction on both sides but at the end of the day I do think these two teams will play for all the marbles. :lobt2:

[duncan228]

Spurs win, Lakers lose — top seed in the West rests in San Antonio (http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/06/spurs-win-lakers-lose-%E2%80%94-top-seed-in-the-west-all-but-set/)
Kurt Helin

I hope y’all like Tex Mex, because the road to the NBA finals in the West runs through San Antonio.

Sure, the two seed Lakers and top seed Spurs play next Tuesday, but now people will want to see that game about as much as they want to listen to a new Go-Go’s album. Or a watch regular season Kansas City Royals game.

Mathmatically the Lakers are still alive, but the Spurs all but wrapped up the top spot in the West they beat the Atlanta Hawks 97-90 in a pretty sloppy game Tuesday. The win kept the Spurs (59-19) two games up on the Lakers in loss column — and three of San Antonio’s four remaining games are against lottery teams. They weren’t likely to lose those if they put out much effort, so even if the Spurs fell to the Lakers (and the Lakers won out) it wouldn’t matter if they won the other three.

Then the Lakers went out and played a sloppy, disinterested game against the Jazz and lost.

The Jazz were one of those lottery teams expected to roll over at the end of the season, but to quote Apollo Creed’s trainer from Rocky, “He doesn’t know it’s a damn show! He thinks it’s a damn fight!” Gordon Hayward hit a game winning free throw, then Kobe Bryant fumbled the ball out of bounds on the last play and walked off the court staring at his hands in disbelief.

That puts the Lakers at 55-22, 3.5 back with four to play and three back in the loss column.

The Spurs magic number is 2 (any combination of Spurs wins and Lakers losses to reach that number and San Antonio clinches the West). Look for the Lakers to start resting guys as they realize they are the two seed (third seed Dallas is two full games back of Los Angeles and is not going to catch them).

San Antonio does have Chicago just 1.5 games back and the Spurs magic number for the best record in the NBA is 4. Meaning the Spurs still need to get some wins to lock up home court throughout (Chicago still plays Boston, Orlando and has a New York/New Jersey back-to-back left, so there may be losses in their future).

All hail the Spurs. They won the regular season prize. Which is not the big prize they covet, but it does come with home-court advantage. And Tex Mex.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/04/06/spurs-win-lakers-lose-%E2%80%94-top-seed-in-the-west-all-but-set/

[Brazil]

Fuck I just followed the first quarter of LA / Utah, I saw lakers leading by 10 or 12 points then I didn't check the final result ! Thats some good news for us !

[15 and counting]

you dumbass!!!!!:stfu you dumbass!!!!!:stfu you dumbass!!!!!

Dude. Relax man. No need to get worked up.

[DieHardSpursFan1537]

The next two home games MUST be won. We're lucky Lakers have dropped 2 in a row.

[ShoogarBear]

And strangely enough, Laker Fan has stopped posting in the Spurs forum. Good front-running, guys. :tu