Dallas and OKC

[DesignatedT]

With OKC defeating the Clippers and Dallas losing to Denver, OKC has drawn within 1 game of the #3 seed.


Who would you guys rather see get the #3 and #4 seeds and why? Is there a particular team you would rather see in the 2nd round? Would you rather LA face a particular team in the 2nd round? Does Denver have a shot against either of these teams?


Also, Dallas holds the season series with OKC with a 2-1 advantage (they only play each other three times this season) but if the two teams were to end up tied at the end of the season then OKC would get the #3 seed because they would be a division winner which would automatically get a top 3 seed should they tie Dallas, making this race even more interesting.


So who would you like to see finish #3 and #4?


:flag:

[Amuseddaysleeper]

I'd rather face Dallas, especially if they'll be without Butler. Hell, Dallas may not even make it to round 2 at this rate.

The only sucky thing is that Dallas would be play with more energy against us than any other team for obvious reasons. But I'd much rather face Dallas. I think we can beat OKC, but I'd rather Lakers have a harder time in their bracket with OKC than Dallas.

[weebo]

Spurs aren't making it past the first round. So, who really cares.

[Doe]

I don't really care who the Spurs play but I'd rather see LA have to go through OKC. Dallas doesn't worry me as much as they used to and I don't think they'd give the Lakers that many problems.

[Bartleby]

Chandler is getting gimpy again. Without him the Mavs will be lucky to get out of the first round.

[DesignatedT]

To answer your question though, probably Dallas. I'd like to see the Thunder take another shot at LA and the Spurs/Mavs are always fun. Plus the Spurs have not played the Kendrick Perkins Thunder.

Yeah, I'm starting to lean this way but am not sure. I admit I was pretty skeptical about the trade between OKC and BOS thinking that OKC all of a sudden going big wouldn't necessarily work but they have looked pretty scary. We know we can beat that Dallas team (even though the series last year probably could have gone either way, it was so close) but there team really isn't any better then they were last season IMO. The whole "revenge factor" thing is always scary though.

It's a pretty tough decision but when I factor in other things like stated above... I think OKC would definitely give LA more trouble then a mentally weak Dallas team who could also, although unlikely, fold against a physical Denver team.

[Pauleta14]

1st round - Memphis

WCSF - Denver

WCF - OKC

Finals - Chicago

[ShoogarBear]

Everybody seems to want Dallas, but they are still a very tough matchup for the Spurs and if Chandler's healthy they have something that they haven't had before.

Oh, and they may be historical playoff duds, but since The Great Collapse of 2006, the only team the Mavs have beaten in a playoff series is the Spurs.

[admiralsnackbar]

OKC would make for a much more interesting series to watch, but I gotta go with Dallas by a long mile.

Not exactly sporting to hope you meet a team that has been eviscerated by injuries, but lets face it: we're gonna need all the help we can get just to make the WCFs, much less the big show.

[admiralsnackbar]

Everybody seems to want Dallas, but they are still a very tough matchup for the Spurs and if Chandler's healthy they have something that they haven't had before.

Oh, and they may be historical playoff duds, but since The Great Collapse of 2006, the only team the Mavs have beaten in a playoff series is the injury-depleted Spurs.

Fixed

[Ice009]

Play whoever you got to play and shut the fuck up. That is my opinion on it.

[Sean Cagney]

Coin toss, either we could play and both will be tough (Dallas because they are our main rivals and DIRK usually goes off on us), neither is easy at all.

[Sean Cagney]

Play whoever you got to play and shut the fuck up. That is my opinion on it.

This is a great post! CHAT ROOM ICE??????

[ajballer4]

I was gonna start the thread on this cause I found it really interesting and was scoreboard watching all night. Getting dallas would be great

[Cane]

Whoever versus the Mavericks will get plenty of cheap shots and clotheslines especially from Terry and Cardinal. Other than that I think the Spurs would win convincingly against the Mavs since the Spurs guards just abuses theirs. Especially since the Spurs are the ones with a healthy lineup and the Mavs are missing Butler.

Thank the basketball gods that the Mavs also don't have a healthy Josh Howard anymore. His athleticism, size, and overall skillset was a match up nightmare for the Spurs.

[Mugen]

ROFL @ thinking that Green for Perkins wasn't an absolute steal for the Thunder...

OKC as the 3 seed would be the best case scenario for the Spurs:

-OKC can push LA to 6-7 games, maybe even win if they played out of their minds
-Denver would tear up the Mavs, tbh.
-OKC is now a horrible matchup with SA. Imagine our perimeter D trying to contain Westbrook/Durant and they can throw Perk at Tim. I'm not even gonna mention what Ibaka would do to Bonner/Blair.

OKC has to win that Laker game though to make it happen...DAL has a soft ass schedule remaining...

[HarlemHeat37]

For the Spurs, it doesn't matter to me, I don't see either matchup being tougher than the other..

However, I hope the Lakers play OKC, so I'm hoping they can move up to 3rd, although I doubt it will happen..

[Bito Corleone]

I don't have a preference in terms of who I'd like the Spurs to play, but I'd rather LA have to play OKC in the 2nd round than DAL. OKC just seems to play really well (more than usual) against LA.

[ajballer4]

ROFL @ thinking that Green for Perkins wasn't an absolute steal for the Thunder...

OKC as the 3 seed would be the best case scenario for the Spurs:

-OKC can push LA to 6-7 games, maybe even win if they played out of their minds
-Denver would tear up the Mavs, tbh.
-OKC is now a horrible matchup with SA. Imagine our perimeter D trying to contain Westbrook/Durant and they can throw Perk at Tim. I'm not even gonna mention what Ibaka would do to Bonner/Blair.

OKC has to win that Laker game though to make it happen...DAL has a soft ass schedule remaining...

Lucky for us, if LA loses this game, or we win soon enough to lock up #1, LA might ease off the pedal a bit. Maybe, maybe not. Depends who they want to play. OKC will wanna keep playing to avoid Denver IMO.

[ajballer4]

Also, I'm not so convinced Dallas wants to stay 3. They would have to go Portland then LA. Seems to me being the 4 seed is a better road

[DesignatedT]

Lucky for us, if LA loses this game, or we win soon enough to lock up #1, LA might ease off the pedal a bit. Maybe, maybe not. Depends who they want to play. OKC will wanna keep playing to avoid Denver IMO.

Yeah Exactly. The Spurs should have already clinched the #1 seed before the Lakers play OKC possibly leading to LA resting and an easy win for OKC.

[TE]

I don't have a preference in terms of who I'd like the Spurs to play, but I'd rather LA have to play OKC in the 2nd round than DAL. OKC just seems to play really well (more than usual) against LA.

Pretty much this. The Spurs would be playing the Mavericks however and we all know how that series tends to go (both teams play well against each other).

[Mugen]

Lucky for us, if LA loses this game, or we win soon enough to lock up #1, LA might ease off the pedal a bit. Maybe, maybe not. Depends who they want to play. OKC will wanna keep playing to avoid Denver IMO.

i think OKC feels that they can play with anybody including the Lakers....

You don't get that vibe from the Mavs or even the Spurs...

Would not be surprised if they came out of the West.

[DesignatedT]

Also, I'm not so convinced Dallas wants to stay 3. They would have to go Portland then LA. Seems to me being the 4 seed is a better road

Well as of right now New Orleans is the 6... Do you think they would rather go New Orleans/LA or Denver/SA?

[Cane]

OKC is an interesting team and while they did address some weaknesses by grabbing Perkins (size and low post defense), they still have another glaring weakness and thats scoring easy points in a playoffs situation especially in the low post. They seem like a team thats going to struggle to score in the playoffs and will be forced into taking too many low-% jumpers. And as great as Durant is, he's one-dimensional with the ball since his court vision and passing isn't up to par.

[ajballer4]

Well as of right now New Orleans is the 6... Do you think they would rather go New Orleans/LA or Denver/SA?

I'm assuming Portland will regain the 6 seed. They have Utah, LA, Memphis, Golden State.

New Orleans has PHX, Utah, Memphis, Dallas

But since New Orleans has the tiebreaker, you may be right, New Orleans might stay 6.

[DPG21920]

Do the Spurs rest if they clinch tonight?

[HarlemHeat37]

Do the Spurs rest if they clinch tonight?

I would rest Ginobili and McDyess..

[DesignatedT]

If you are going to rest those guys you might as well rest Duncan also. He has looked rejuvenated as of late but was also seen limping noticeable during the Houston and Atlanta game. No way that ankle is 100% right now.

[Mugen]

Do the Spurs rest if they clinch tonight?

I'd rest them after the Utah game.

10+ days is too much especially if we end up having to play MEM or POR in the first round.

[DesignatedT]

After the Utah game seems like the right move. Still gives them a full week off before playoffs begin.

[TE]

OKC is an interesting team and while they did address one weakness by grabbing Perkins (size and low post defense), they still have another glaring weakness and thats scoring easy points in a playoffs situation especially in the low post. They seem like a team thats going to struggle to score in the playoffs and will be forced into taking too many low-% jumpers. And as great as Durant is, he's one-dimensional with the ball since his court vision and passing isn't up to par.

I've watched a fair share amount of OKC games this year and there is one generalization that I can make: If OKC plays their tempo, they're really hard to stop. If they play defense like they're capable of playing, they have the athletes on the floor to score in bunches on fast break. IMO, Jeff Green was a liability because he fell in that tweener role. He could play multiple positions but on a team that is in a conference with other teams who have big men as an integral part of the rotation, Green was a liability. Now that Perkins and Mohammed have been added they can give fits to any frontline in the West. I wouldn't want to play a team with that added dimension. I do however think the Spurs would come out of that series in 6, but it would be a grind.


So I guess it's a toss up for me.

[Strategic]

I want to eliminate the Mavs. It's always nice to see that sorry ass look on Cuban's face. Now if the Gaylords starting show their faces for the Thunder's beat down then that would make me feel warm and fuzzy also.

[DesignatedT]

Also, for those who know.. What is the tie-breaker between the Spurs and Bulls if we both end up tied?

[DPG21920]

I can't believe no isn't cemented into the 8th spot

[crc21209]

Also, for those who know.. What is the tie-breaker between the Spurs and Bulls if we both end up tied?

Coin-toss if they end up meeting in the Finals....

[ajballer4]

I can't believe no isn't cemented into the 8th spot

Same thought. Everytime I count them out, they get right back in the thick of things

[ginobilized]

I'd like to see the Lakers go through Portland and OKC
while the Spurs get New Orleans and Dallas
That's a favorable setup for success
It will be an interesting week for sure

[crc21209]

I can't believe no isn't cemented into the 8th spot

Somehow, someway I still think they'll end up 8th. They play Phoenix on Friday and @ Memphis on Sunday so hopefully they lose those 2 games....

[DPG21920]

Also, I don't think anyone is saying Dallas or Okc would be easy, but it's a talent thing and okc is more dangerous. I'd rather play the Mavs but either is going to be tough.

[DesignatedT]

Coin-toss if they end up meeting in the Finals....

That's what I thought, Thanks.

[crc21209]

Also, I don't think anyone is saying Dallas or Okc would be easy, but it's a talent thing and okc is more dangerous. I'd rather play the Mavs but either is going to be tough.

+1. The Thunder are really a "wild-card" team at this point, and who knows...could get hot in a series. The Mavericks are just one of those damn teams that will always give the Spurs fits as long as they have Dirk, so it's really a coin-toss. Just let the chips fall where they may I guess...

[ChuckD]

This is Dallas' was of "catching the Spurs." they want to play them but they know they can't beat the Lakers. No surprises.

They won't get the chance. I think Denver takes them out. I think if they hold on, Portland takes them out. They are the weakest and most vulnerable team in the top half.

The plus is that if OKC bumps up, LA gets a REAL tough second round match up. The Thunder gave LA more than they bargained for last year, and that was without a post defender and rebounder. They have Perkins now.

[crc21209]

They won't get the chance. I think Denver takes them out. I think if they hold on, Portland takes them out. They are the weakest and most vulnerable team in the top half.

The plus is that if OKC bumps up, LA gets a REAL tough second round match up. The Thunder gave LA more than they bargained for last year, and that was without a post defender and rebounder. They have Perkins now.

That front line of Perkins, Ibaka, Nazr, and even Nick Collison could really bother the Lakers....

[DesignatedT]

That front line of Perkins, Ibaka, Nazr, and even Nick Collison could really bother the Lakers....

Yeah, I don't think there is any question that OKC would be a tougher matchup for LA.

[kaji157]

I think this is not the real Dallas, they seem tobe tanking for some games ago, since it was suspected that the lakers are tanking to get OKC. Now they are in position to decide, and i belive Dallas will prefer to meet us more than the lakers, because against the lakers their only advantage would be Dirk, while against us they have Dirk and size.

Most likely Dallas looses a few more so they can stay under OKC. OKC and Dallas are one game away while Denver is 4 games away from OKC so there is really no risk for Dallas to do it.

[FvckMavs]

OKC has a better defender Sefolosha to put on Kobe, while Kobe will shit on the turtle head all night.

[crc21209]

The Mavericks are just too damn weak mentally to win a series against the Lakers. Could they win a game or two? Sure. But four? No way. OKC already showed last year that they arent scared of the Lakers.....

[TD 21]

For the Spurs, it doesn't matter to me, I don't see either matchup being tougher than the other..

However, I hope the Lakers play OKC, so I'm hoping they can move up to 3rd, although I doubt it will happen..

Exactly.

I will say though, that even though the Mavs were due for a slide (not just in the sense that any team is; I felt all along they were playing above their heads), I do think they'd prefer to slide to four at this point. They're not going to have home court in the second round either way and they, like everyone else, would more than likely prefer to face the Spurs than the Lakers.

[Sean Cagney]

Exactly.

I will say though, that even though the Mavs were due for a slide (not just in the sense that any team is; I felt all along they were playing above their heads), I do think they'd prefer to slide to four at this point. They're not going to have home court in the second round either way and they, like everyone else, would more than likely prefer to face the Spurs than the Lakers.

YES, but how the hell is Denver easy for them in round one? They play them VERY WELL! VERY WELL! If they get them they are in for more than they bargained IMO!

[Man In Black]

:greedy

I'd like to see the Lakers go through Portland and OKC
while the Spurs get New Orleans and Dallas
That's a favorable setup for success
It will be an interesting week for sure

[mystargtr34]

Up until about a week ago i was really hoping for a Mavs-LA series thinking that Dallas could push LA to 6 or 7 games.. but the Mavs really have no answer for the Lakers and i think they are too weak on the perimeter to to beat the Spurs in a series.

Hopefully OKC can get the 3 spot and give the Lakers a hell of series... and the Spurs should be able to make do with either Denver or Dallas. And theres no garuantee the Mavs get through the Nuggets in the first round.

Another darkhorse IMO is Portland... i think they could push either OKC or Dallas to 7 games and are a real chance to win those series... although it would be tough without HCA. Harlem made a great point the other day... as Spurs fans we should all be hoping the Lakers dont get the Hornets in the first round since that would be an absolute cakewalk for LA... its extremely unlikely they lose a first round series agianst any of NO, Memphis or Portland... but you would much rather see LA get 1) Portland or 2) Memphis.. in that order.. so the series takes something out of them.. plus the small possibility of an upset.

Perfect scenario for me...

1. Spurs
2. Lakers
3. OKC
4. Dallas
5. Denver
6. Memphis
7. Portland
8. NOLA

One can argue that if you want to win a title... you shouldnt be worrying about playoff positioning since you will have to beat the best anyway.. but thats bullshit tbh.. you have to give yourself the best possible odds to win.. and that starts from the first round.

[Spursfanfromafar]

If Dallas finish fourth, I doubt if they would defeat the Nuggets and get to the second round.

[Isitjustme?]

I'd rather face Dallas. You have to remember OKC's record is deceptive, as they made a major upgrade midseason. Perkins just had 18 boards today and their record would be a lot better if they had this team all year.

[dbestpro]

OKC needs to sniff out the Mavs plan and rest their starters the rest of the way.

[Warlord23]

As it stands, both Spur fans and Mav fans would prefer Dallas to be in the #4 spot.

For the Spurs, having Dallas as the 4th seed means:
1. Not having to tangle with an OKC team that has athletic perimeter players in Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Sefolosha and a solid frontcourt featuring Perkins and Ibaka
2. There's a fair chance that Dallas doesn't make it out of the 1st round
3. OKC would make life more difficult for the Lakers

For Dallas, being in # 4 is better because they have no chance against LA - none whatsoever. They have a small chance at beating SA, and the first round is equally difficult for them (Denver or Portland).

It's in both Texas teams' interests for Dallas to tank their remaining games and drop below OKC.

[igruex]

For the Spurs, it doesn't matter to me, I don't see either matchup being tougher than the other..

However, I hope the Lakers play OKC, so I'm hoping they can move up to 3rd, although I doubt it will happen..

The worse matchup (and opponent) possible for the Spurs are the Lakers. If anyone has a chance to beat them or at least bringing them to 7 games is OKC. Therefore, if OKC gets #3 seed we should be more than happy.

[ATXSPUR]

At first I wanted OKC in the second round. But the more I think about it, the more they scare me. That series reminds me a whole lot of New Orleans in 08. I'd much rather Lakers get them. Who know, maybe the reverse of 08 will happen and this time Lakers are tired out from a young energetic team before Spurs pick them off in the WCF.

[hater]

OKC #3
Dallas #4

definitely

[Mel_13]

As it stands, both Spur fans and Mav fans would prefer Dallas to be in the #4 spot.

For the Spurs, having Dallas as the 4th seed means:
1. Not having to tangle with an OKC team that has athletic perimeter players in Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Sefolosha and a solid frontcourt featuring Perkins and Ibaka
2. There's a fair chance that Dallas doesn't make it out of the 1st round
3. OKC would make life more difficult for the Lakers

For Dallas, being in # 4 is better because they have no chance against LA - none whatsoever. They have a small chance at beating SA, and the first round is equally difficult for them (Denver or Portland).

It's in both Texas teams' interests for Dallas to tank their remaining games and drop below OKC.

Perhaps, but if Dallas slips to 4th we'll be seeing Denver in the second round.

[DesignatedT]

Perhaps, but if Dallas slips to 4th we'll be seeing Denver in the second round.

Even better IMO.

[Warlord23]

Perhaps, but if Dallas slips to 4th we'll be seeing Denver in the second round.

True, but then even at #3, IDK is Dallas has a higher chance of making it out of the first round. I'd rather face Dallas or Denver than OKC.

[ATXSPUR]

Perhaps, but if Dallas slips to 4th we'll be seeing Denver in the second round.

Denver in second round + Lakers getting OKC would be a blessing from above.

[tdunk21]

i want lakers to play portland, then OKC......by the time they make it to WCF, they will be tired after playing 2 young teams....

[Morg1411]

Play whoever you got to play and shut the fuck up. That is my opinion on it.

This.

[ajballer4]

Wow, Jason Terry is losing his mind. He got into it with JJ, then Carlisle kicked him out of huddle. Cuban had to restrain him.

[Strategic]

Jason Terry is such a dumbass!!! Arguing in the huddle.



:lobt::lobt2::lobt2::lobt: :downspin:

[Spurious]

Hmmm. If only Terry would have gone bonkers and slugged Cuban in the junk. Cuban with his privates perpetually in a sling and Terry suspended indefinitely by the team would be about as close to nirvana as it gets.

[ShoogarBear]

If only Terry would have gone bonkers and slugged Cuban in the junk.

Yeah, right. As if Cuban doesn't beg him to do that all the time anyway.

[Solid D]

I'd rather the Spurs play Dallas. Since the trades for Perkins & Mohammed (and Robinson), the Thunder have gone 17-4. They went from allowing 102 ppg to allowing 96.8 ppg in those 21 games...95.5 ppg since Perkins started playing for them. The combo of Ibaka, Perkins and Mohammed roaming the paint has made a huge difference in the Thunder's success.

[mystargtr34]

Yea its a really scary prospect thinking about Ibaka jumping all over Blair and Bonner for dunks and blocked shots. Perkins probably defends Duncan better than anybody in the league.. Tim really struggles to back him down and get good position.. which turns him into a really inefficient scorer.

[MajorMike]

#1 - Tie between Spurs and Bulls will be broken by the 3rd tie break which is coin flip. #1 is head-to-head and #2 is vs other conf (both are 23-7 or something thereabouts).

#2 OKC is still alive for #2 seed. They they win out and LAL loses out and Dal loses one. OKC winning out is easy if they beat LAL. LAL has OKC, SA and @ Kings (which will be the last game played in Sacrapento). Maybe not probable but certainly possible. Who would have ever thought they would lose 4 in a row while chasing the #1 seed? Dallas plays at Houston and they have Hornets at home, who are fighting for seeding. After the way they have been playing and dagum near yakked one up at home against LAC, you can't say it wouldn't happen. OKC wins any tie with Dal head to head for seeding (not because wins, Dal won 1-2, but div winner automatically gets higher seed) and they have to be a game ahead of LAL because head to head.

HOWEVER, this would put LAL as the #4 seed, which means we get them second round. But then again, when saying who do you want to play 2nd round, should actually say, who do you want to play less, OKC, Dal or LAL?

#3 Most likely 1st round is Grizz. If Grizz sweet NO and Port, then it would be NO, unless they sweep and Port also loses to GS, then it would be Port.

#4 No way LAL is going to tank to get OKC in second round on purpose. It would involve going into the playoffs on a big slide and OKC on a huge rush. Now, I can see that LAL might have tanked the Portland game because they have publically said they do not want them as a first round matchup, and that win gives Portland the inside shot to the #6 seed vs the #7 seed. I also wouldn't count on Dallas losing; just when you think they are going to win they lose and now when you think they are going to lose they will probably garbage some wins out like they did tonite.

All in all, I fully expect the standings to look pretty much exactly they way they do today when the playoffs start.

[Bruno]

The worst case scenario for Spurs would be Lakers ending with the 4th seed but Spurs can avoid it by losing their game against them.

[DPG21920]

I don't care who the Spurs get in the first round, as long as LA does not get NO. Luckily, NO controls their own destiny at this point. If they win out, they are the 6th seed. They own the tie breaker with Portland.

While I think Memphis is tough and I can see it going 6 tough games, I can also see the Spurs really doing a number on them.

I just want LA to have to face MEM or POR in the first round, then OKC or DAL in the 2nd.

[Seventyniner]

OKC wins any tie with Dal head to head for seeding (not because wins, Dal won 1-2, but div winner automatically gets higher seed) and they have to be a game ahead of LAL because head to head.

Wrong. A division winner is only guaranteed a top 4 seed, so if OKC and Dallas are tied for #2 (with the Lakers at #4), Dallas gets the #2 seed and HCA in the second round.

Good take the rest of the way, though. I still think the 6-8 spots could easily change, but I agree that 1-5 will end the way they currently stand.

[ChuckD]

I'd rather face Dallas. You have to remember OKC's record is deceptive, as they made a major upgrade midseason. Perkins just had 18 boards today and their record would be a lot better if they had this team all year.

To me, outside of their stars, the one player on OKC that gave us absolute fits was Jeff Green. I think he's like a 34% 3 point shooter (below NBA average) , but fucking filled it up against us, and opened the lane for their guards. I'm glad he's gone. Perkins is a nice pickup, and a good defender and rebounder, but he's almost no threat to post up and score or step out for a jumper.

[MajorMike]

Wrong. A division winner is only guaranteed a top 4 seed, so if OKC and Dallas are tied for #2 (with the Lakers at #4), Dallas gets the #2 seed and HCA in the second round.

Good take the rest of the way, though. I still think the 6-8 spots could easily change, but I agree that 1-5 will end the way they currently stand.

Incorrect.


As per NBA.com:

In the event two or more teams are tied in the standings, a series of tiebreakers are applied to determine which team receives the higher seeding.

Two-Team Tiebreaker:

1.Division winner (this criterion is applied regardless of whether the tied teams are in the same division)
2.Better record in head-to-head games
3.Higher winning percentage within division (if teams are in the same division)
4.Higher winning percentage in conference games
5.Higher winning percentage against playoff teams in own conference
6.Higher winning percentage against playoff teams in opposite conference
7.Higher point differential between points scored and points allowed


HOWEVER, homecourt is determined by RECORD, not SEEDING. Therefore OKC would be seeded ahead of Dallas, but if they were seeds #2 and #3, which is still possible as per the scenario in my last post, that means Dallas would actually host OKC.

In other words, if OKC does get the #2, in effect, Dallas gets the #2 becaus ethey get HC over OKC.

[ChuckD]

Wrong. A division winner is only guaranteed a top 4 seed, so if OKC and Dallas are tied for #2 (with the Lakers at #4), Dallas gets the #2 seed and HCA in the second round.

Good take the rest of the way, though. I still think the 6-8 spots could easily change, but I agree that 1-5 will end the way they currently stand.

You need to take a fresh look at the tie-breaker criteria. Go to the nba standings by conference page and look below the standings. The first tie-breaker is "are you a division winner?". You can be as high as a #2 seed as a non-division winner, but you are at a distinct disadvantage if you allow yourself to fall into any ties in the top half of the draw. Head to head isn't even a factor if you beat the team 4-0 but lose your division. Dallas automatically loses tie-breakers to LA or OKC.

[Seventyniner]

Incorrect.

[snip]

HOWEVER, homecourt is determined by RECORD, not SEEDING. Therefore OKC would be seeded ahead of Dallas, but if they were seeds #2 and #3, which is still possible as per the scenario in my last post, that means Dallas would actually host OKC.

In other words, if OKC does get the #2, in effect, Dallas gets the #2 becaus ethey get HC over OKC.

Hrmm...thanks for pointing that out. I was only half-right, then; Dallas would get HCA over OKC in the second round but not the #2 seed in case of a tie. I thought Dallas would get both.

That division winner tiebreaker is silly, though. I thought they introduced the whole only-top-4-seed-guaranteed-for-a-division-winner because of the Spurs and Mavs in 2006 (best 2 records in the conference, but met in the 2nd round). Allowing division winners the tiebreaker over head-to-head goes against the spirit of this. I think it would make more sense for winning the division to be the 2nd tiebreaker (right behind head-to-head).

[ChuckD]

Hrmm...thanks for pointing that out. I was only half-right, then; Dallas would get HCA over OKC in the second round but not the #2 seed in case of a tie. I thought Dallas would get both.

That division winner tiebreaker is silly, though. I thought they introduced the whole only-top-4-seed-guaranteed-for-a-division-winner because of the Spurs and Mavs in 2006 (best 2 records in the conference, but met in the 2nd round). Allowing division winners the tiebreaker over head-to-head goes against the spirit of this. I think it would make more sense for winning the division to be the 2nd tiebreaker (right behind head-to-head).

You're not David Stern, trying desperately to prop up the aging Lakers, who play in one of the two weakest divisions in the NBA and are a shoo in to win it every year.

[MajorMike]

Hrmm...thanks for pointing that out. I was only half-right, then; Dallas would get HCA over OKC in the second round but not the #2 seed in case of a tie. I thought Dallas would get both.

That division winner tiebreaker is silly, though. I thought they introduced the whole only-top-4-seed-guaranteed-for-a-division-winner because of the Spurs and Mavs in 2006 (best 2 records in the conference, but met in the 2nd round). Allowing division winners the tiebreaker over head-to-head goes against the spirit of this. I think it would make more sense for winning the division to be the 2nd tiebreaker (right behind head-to-head).

I don't disagree.

I do applaud the NBA for allowing for a team that wins 60 games but failing to win their division on having home court even if they must play tougher teams because of lower seeding. The NBA has done this for some time. For instance in 2003 when Dallas had 60 wins and finished 2nd in the division to SA, Dallas was the #3 seed but played at home against #2 seed 59-win SACTO.

In 2005, before the went to the current 'top 4' formula, Dallas was 60 wins but the #4 seed, but still had HC in the WCF over #2 seed Phx (54 wins).