Perfect Bracket Still Possible ...

[timvp]

This needs to happen:

1. Lakers 57-25 (Beat Kings)
2. Hornets 56-26 (Beat Clippers and Lose against Mavs)
3. Rockets 56-26 (Beat Jazz and Clippers)
4. Jazz 54-28 (Lose against Rockets, Beat Spurs)
5. Suns 55-27 (Beat Warriors and Blazers)
6. Spurs 55-27 (Beat Kings, Lose against Jazz)
7. Mavericks 51-31 (Beat Hornets)
8. Nuggets 50-32 (Beat Memphis)

This bracket still works out nicely for the Spurs. In the first round, the Spurs can finally get their 1995 revenge against the Rockets. Beating them as a sixth seed would be poetic justice.

In the other series, the Jazz and Suns would murder each other. Denver will at least make the Laker expend a lot of energy. I think the Mavs would be even money to beat the Hornets.

In the second round, the Spurs play the winner of Mavs and Hornets. The good thing is that both teams would have to adjust from playing a finesse team to playing the Spurs. If the Hornets win, the Spurs could pound it inside and hopefully steal one of the first two games. Against the Mavs, the Spurs would have homecourt and are also due for some revenge.

On the other side of the bracket, I really think the Lakers could lose in the second round. Specifically, I think the Jazz could beat them. The Lakers probably won't have Bynum and even though the Jazz don't have a defender against Kobe, Sloan will order hard foul after hard foul. Gasol would also get beat up down low. The Suns would also have a legitimate shot against the Lakers.

Then in the WCF, the Spurs could conceivably play the Jazz ... and if the above scenario worked out, the Spurs would have homecourt. That would obviously be a tough series but winnable. The Suns would have homecourt against the Spurs but by then, one would hope Shaq would be exhausted after those two brutal series. If the Spurs play the Lakers in the WCF, the Spurs would have a pretty decent shot assuming they are rolling by that time.

Things look bleak right now but I'd love if things worked out like this. That said, knowing how the West has been this year, no way it'll pan out as planned :depressed

[Kibic]

No, it will not. To many ifs.

[timvp]

Another way to skin that cat:

1. Lakers 57-25 (Beat Kings)
2. Hornets 56-26 (Beat Clippers and Lose against Mavs)
3. Rockets 55-27 (Lose against Jazz and Beat Clippers)
4. Jazz 55-28 (Beat Rockets, Lose against Spurs)
5. Suns 55-27 (Beat Warriors and Blazers)
6. Spurs 55-28 (Lose against Kings, Beat Jazz)
7. Mavericks 51-31 (Beat Hornets)
8. Nuggets 50-32 (Beat Memphis)

:dizzy

[Streakyshooter08]

If Spurs, Rocks and Suns have the same record what decides the seeding? If Spurs have the tiebreaker against Rockets, Suns have the tiebreaker against Spurs and the Rockets against the Suns. Divison or conferece record? It is pretty confusing...

[timaios]

Another way to skin that cat:

1. Lakers 57-25 (Beat Kings)
2. Hornets 56-26 (Beat Clippers and Lose against Mavs)
3. Rockets 55-27 (Lose against Jazz and Beat Clippers)
4. Jazz 55-28 (Beat Rockets, Lose against Spurs)
5. Suns 55-27 (Beat Warriors and Blazers)
6. Spurs 55-28 (Lose against Kings, Beat Jazz)
7. Mavericks 51-31 (Beat Hornets)
8. Nuggets 50-32 (Beat Memphis)

:dizzy

1. Lakers 57-25 (Beat Kings)
2. Hornets 56-26 (Beat Clippers and Lose against Mavs)
3. Spurs 55-27 (Lose against Kings, Beat Jazz)
4. Jazz 54-28 (Beat Rockets, Lose against Spurs)
5. Rockets 55-27 (Lose against Jazz and Beat Clippers)
6. Suns 55-27 (Beat Warriors and Blazers)
7. Mavericks 51-31 (Beat Hornets)
8. Nuggets 50-32 (Beat Memphis)

[timvp]

1. Lakers 57-25 (Beat Kings)
2. Hornets 56-26 (Beat Clippers and Lose against Mavs)
3. Spurs 55-27 (Lose against Kings, Beat Jazz)
4. Jazz 54-28 (Beat Rockets, Lose against Spurs)
5. Rockets 55-27 (Lose against Jazz and Beat Clippers)
6. Suns 55-27 (Beat Warriors and Blazers)
7. Mavericks 51-31 (Beat Hornets)
8. Nuggets 50-32 (Beat Memphis)Ya good point. Scratch that skinning process.

Basically, it'll probably come down to the last game of the last day. Until then, it's too unpredictable. But I still like the opening scenario.

:smokin

[JPB]

It'll depend on who's tanking what (on purpose or not).

[timaios]

Ya good point. Scratch that skinning process.

Basically, it'll probably come down to the last game of the last day. Until then, it's too unpredictable. But I still like the opening scenario.

:smokin


3. Spurs 55-27 (Lose against Kings, Beat Jazz)
4. Jazz 54-28 (Beat Rockets, Lose against Spurs)
5. Rockets 55-27 (Lose against Jazz and Beat Clippers)
6. Suns 55-27 (Beat Warriors and Blazers)

But Suns own tiebreak against Spurs !
:downspin:

More Than Two Teams Tied
(1) Better winning percentage in all games among the tied teams.
(2) Better winning percentage against teams in own division (only if all tied teams are in the same division).
(3) Better winning percentage against teams in own conference.
(4) Better winning percentage against teams eligible for playoffs in own conference (including teams that finished the regular season tied for a playoff position).
(5) Better net result of total points scored less total points allowed against all opponents (“point differential”).

Pho vs Hou 2-2
Pho vs SA 3-1
SA vs Hou 2-2

Pho 5-3
Hou 4-4
SA 3-5

So it is

1. Lakers 57-25 (Beat Kings)
2. Hornets 56-26 (Beat Clippers and Lose against Mavs)
3. Suns 55-27 (Beat Warriors and Blazers)
4. Jazz 54-28 (Beat Rockets, Lose against Spurs)
5. Spurs 55-27 (Lose against Kings, Beat Jazz) Spurs own tiebreak against Rockets
6. Rockets 55-27 (Lose against Jazz and Beat Clippers)
7. Mavericks 51-31 (Beat Hornets)
8. Nuggets 50-32 (Beat Memphis)

And i think in that case
3 Suns vs 6 Rockets ... Rockets have HCA ???
Rockets own tiebreak against Suns !

:dizzy

[atxrocker]

poetic justice.




takes me back about 15 years

[Streakyshooter08]

More Than Two Teams Tied
(1) Better winning percentage in all games among the tied teams.
(2) Better winning percentage against teams in own division (only if all tied teams are in the same division).
(3) Better winning percentage against teams in own conference.
(4) Better winning percentage against teams eligible for playoffs in own conference (including teams that finished the regular season tied for a playoff position).
(5) Better net result of total points scored less total points allowed against all opponents (“point differential”).

Thanks.

[mystargtr34]

No disrespect to the Rockets... but i think all Spurs fans want them in the first round... they will still be a tough out nonetheless but without Yao manning the middle SA just matches up well with them.... so ive been wanting to get that 3-6/6-3 matchup with Houston from about 2 weeks back.

Either way... Houston fans should be stoked with the way the team has played since Yao went down and the improvement of everyone from Scola and Landry to even Rafer Alston..

Next year with Yao back they will be as dangerous as any team.

[ForeignFan]

hum, I do not see the Spurs beating the Jazz right now...

[rascal]

If you don't think the spurs can beat anyone they play then forget about a championship because they won't win looking for the easy way out and playing like crap.

[Cloud786]

Anything can happen.. too hard to predict

[Bruno]

The most likely scenario is :

1. Lakers 57-25 (W Kings)
2. Hornets 56-26 (W Clippers, L @Mavs)
3. Spurs 56-26 (W @Kings, W Jazz)
4. Jazz 54-28 (W Rockets, L @Spurs)
5. Rockets 55-27 (L @Jazz, W Clippers)
6. Suns 55-27 (W Warriors, W @Blazers)
7. Mavericks 51-31 (W Hornets)
8. Nuggets 50-32 (W Memphis)

[Cloud786]

Bruno, Rockets have tiebreaker against the Suns because of conference record.. so we'd play phoenix in the first round there.

[sendman]

I don't care how they do it, if they do it. So let's do it! :spin :spin :spin

[Bruno]

Pho vs Hou 2-2
Pho vs SA 3-1
SA vs Hou 2-2

Pho 5-3
Hou 4-4
SA 3-5

So it is

1. Lakers 57-25 (Beat Kings)
2. Hornets 56-26 (Beat Clippers and Lose against Mavs)
3. Suns 55-27 (Beat Warriors and Blazers)
4. Jazz 54-28 (Beat Rockets, Lose against Spurs)
5. Spurs 55-27 (Lose against Kings, Beat Jazz) Spurs own tiebreak against Rockets
6. Rockets 55-27 (Lose against Jazz and Beat Clippers)
7. Mavericks 51-31 (Beat Hornets)
8. Nuggets 50-32 (Beat Memphis)

And i think in that case
3 Suns vs 6 Rockets ... Rockets have HCA ???
Rockets own tiebreak against Suns !

:dizzy

http://www.nba.com/statistics/playoff_picture.html


If a tie involves more than two teams, the tie-break criteria in subparagraph b. shall be applied in the order set forth therein until the first to occur of the following:
(a) Each of the tied teams has a different winning percentage or point differential under the applicable tiebreak criterion (a “complete” breaking of the tie). In this circumstance, the team with the best winning percentage or point differential under the criterion will be awarded the best playoff position, the team with the next-best winning percentage or point differential will be awarded the next-best playoff position, and so on, and no further application of the tie-break criteria will be required.


Spurs will get the 6th seed if Suns, Rockets and Spurs are tied.

[Quasar]

Disagree... if these guys continue playing the same lackadaisical way, the most likely scenario is :

1. Lakers 57-25 (W Kings)
2. Hornets 56-26 (W Clippers, L @Mavs)
3. Rockets 55-27 (L @Jazz, W Clippers) <- @Cloud: Rockets have tiebreaker against the Suns because of conference record
4. Jazz 54-28 (W Rockets, L @Spurs)
5. Suns 55-27 (W Warriors, W @Blazers) <- Suns won season series 3-1.
6. Spurs 55-27 (W @Kings, L Jazz)
7. Mavericks 51-31 (W Hornets)
8. Nuggets 50-32 (W Memphis)

Edit:
1. Forgot to factor in Rocket tie-breakers vs Spurs. Not sure but it seems the Rockets (33-19) would own the tie-breaker against the Spurs(32-20) due to conference record in a three-way tie scenario.:


Two or more teams tied:
(1) Better winning percentage in all games among the tied teams.
(2) Better winning percentage against teams in own division (only if all tied teams are in the same division ). <- this will not apply!
(3) Better winning percentage against teams in own conference.

Important: Unless I'm reading it wrongly, there's a bug in this page whereby it states that the Spurs (31-19) have a better conference record than the Rockets (32-18). It seems to me they're using division record instead of conference record there!


2. Bruno.. I don't get you. If Houston owns the tie breaker against the Suns, won't they be 3rd?

[pku47]

I think Quasar's right

Question: Why Hornets are supposed to lose against Mavs? If they beat Mavs, Nuggets will be 7th(season series vs Mavs 2-1), Much easier for Hornets then.

[Bruno]

Bruno.. I don't get you. If Houston owns the tie breaker against the Suns, won't they be 3rd?

No, because when more than two teams are tied you don't look at head to head tiebreakers.

When I say most likely scenario, it's the scenario where teams beat lottery teams and beat at home other playoffs teams. It isn't based on recent level of play.

BTW, in your scenario both teams will lost the Jazz @ Spurs game.
:spin

[tlongII]

Probably timvp's best "Game Thoughts" work to date...

[urunobili]

guys.. are you suggesting we should tank a couple more just for the sake of having the Rox in the first round?

[Russ]

I would love to see the Spurs in one bracket and the Lakers and Suns (and Jazz and Hornets while we're at it) in the other.

It's all about brackets now not seeding or even HCA.

(Wouldn't it be funny if the Spurs had no HCA during the whole Western Conference playoffs and then had HCA in the Finals).

[Quasar]

No, because when more than two teams are tied you don't look at head to head tiebreakers.

Aha, I quoted it there, but forgot it meant head-to-head did not apply anymore. :p Indeed, in that case, conference record would be the tie breaker, which means the most likely scenario to me is:

1. Lakers 57-25 (W Kings)
2. Hornets 56-26 (W Clippers, L @Mavs)
3. Rockets 55-27 (L @Jazz, W Clippers) <- Conference record: 33-19
4. Jazz 54-28 (W Rockets, L @Spurs)
5. Spurs 55-27 (W @Kings, L Jazz) <- Conference record: 32-20
6. Suns 55-27 (W Warriors, W @Blazers) <- Conference record: 31-21
7. Mavericks 51-31 (W Hornets)
8. Nuggets 50-32 (W Memphis)


BTW, in your scenario both teams will lost the Jazz @ Spurs game. :spin

Yeah... Spurs have been playing like crap lately, while Jazz probably better than Houston and are taking. Pop said it's likely that Manu won't play until the playoffs, so it is likely they lose at Utah.

The good thing about playing Utah is that the Spurs would have HCA... But it will be a tough first series for the Spurs. if they keep bringing no energy and Duncan continues to give sub-par energy, it is likely the Spurs will face a first round exit, unless Super Manu is back!

While it will be tough playing the Lakers after the Jazz (if the Spurs make it through), this will be preferable to playing the Suns!

[MoSpur]

Like Duncan said, they're slumping. They need to worry about how they're playing, not the seeding.

[angel_luv]

I would like the Spurs to start the playoffs on the road... against Phoenix would be great.
So whichever scenario will make that happen is what I am rooting for.

[DarrinS]

I'd love to see Suns vs. Jazz in the 1st round. :toast

[angel_luv]

Like Duncan said, they're slumping. They need to worry about how they're playing, not the seeding.


Word!

[Bruno]

Indeed, in that case, conference record would be the tie breaker

No.http://www.nba.com/statistics/playoff_picture.html


More Than Two Teams Tied
(1) Better winning percentage in all games among the tied teams.

In games between Suns, Spurs and Rockets, Suns are 5-3, Rockets are 4-4 and Spurs are 3-5.



1. Lakers 57-25 (W Kings)
2. Hornets 56-26 (W Clippers, L @Mavs)
3. Rockets 55-27 (L @Jazz, W Clippers)
4. Jazz 54-28 (W Rockets, L @Spurs)
5. Spurs 55-27 (W @Kings, L Jazz)
6. Suns 55-27 (W Warriors, W @Blazers)
7. Mavericks 51-31 (W Hornets)
8. Nuggets 50-32 (W Memphis)


What I'm saying to you is that you have said that Spurs will lost against Jazz and Jazz will lost against Spurs. It's just impossible.

[wildchild]

This needs to happen:

1. Lakers 57-25 (Beat Kings)
2. Hornets 56-26 (Beat Clippers and Lose against Mavs)
3. Rockets 56-26 (Beat Jazz and Clippers)
4. Jazz 54-28 (Lose against Rockets, Beat Spurs)
5. Suns 55-27 (Beat Warriors and Blazers)
6. Spurs 55-27 (Beat Kings, Lose against Jazz)
7. Mavericks 51-31 (Beat Hornets)
8. Nuggets 50-32 (Beat Memphis)



We're in luck these days :rolleyes and with an insane amount of luck, we could beat Utah.
If we beat Utah, it's Spurs-Suns in 1st round.
The faces we wouldn't wanna see in 1st round?. Possibly. Mavs, Rockets, Denver are good options? better than Suns?.

In any case, Pop would start the game against Utah with Spurs Dynasty 21 as guard and Sequ as center?.

[Quasar]

No.http://www.nba.com/statistics/playoff_picture.html

What I'm saying to you is that you have said that Spurs will lost against Jazz and Jazz will lost against Spurs. It's just impossible.

Ooooh ok! Missed that one :)

Ah ok... in that case, it would be
1. Lakers 57-25 (W Kings)
2. Hornets 56-26 (W Clippers, L @Mavs)

3. Jazz 55-27 (W Rockets, W @Spurs) <- 2-1 Suns, 2-1 Rox = 4-2
4. Rockets 55-27 (L @Jazz, W Clippers) <- Tie breakers?? 2-2 Suns, 1-2 Jazz = 3-4, better conf than Suns
5. Suns 55-27 (W Warriors, W @Blazers) <- Tie breakers?? 1-2 Jazz, 2-2 Rox = 3-4

6. Spurs 54-28 (L @Jazz, W Clippers)
7. Mavericks 51-31 (W Hornets)
8. Nuggets 50-32 (W Memphis)

:dizzy

It may indeed be better to win against the Jazz..

[1Parker1]

I doubt this scenario will happen. Spurs will most likely end up with the 3rd seed and a first round matchup against the Suns or Rockets. And I think the Suns series would be a complete toss up.

[1Parker1]

It's hard to imagine the Spurs exiting in the first round of the playoffs, but I can see that happening if they get a tough matchup, like the Suns.

[angel_luv]

I doubt this scenario will happen. Spurs will most likely end up with the 3rd seed and a first round matchup against the Suns or Rockets. And I think the Suns series would be a complete toss up.

As in Phoenix tosses up their hands then slump away to start packing for their early vacation?

:)

[1Parker1]

^Sure, Ms. Glass Half Full :)

[Bruno]

Ah ok... in that case, it would be
1. Lakers 57-25 (W Kings)
2. Hornets 56-26 (W Clippers, L @Mavs)
3. Suns 55-27 (W Warriors, W @Blazers) (5-3)
4. Jazz 54-28 (W Rockets, W @Spurs)
5. Rockets 55-27 (L @Jazz, W Clippers) (4-4)
6. Spurs 55-27 (L @Jazz, W Clippers) (3-5)
7. Mavericks 51-31 (W Hornets)
8. Nuggets 50-32 (W Memphis)


Jazz will also have a 55-27 record in this case and they have the tiebreaker over Phoenix (2-1 record in head to head games). Jazz will be third, Phoenix fourth, Rockets 5th and spurs 6th in your scenario.

[Quasar]

Jazz will also have a 55-27 record in this case and they have the tiebreaker over Phoenix (2-1 record in head to head games). Jazz will be third, Phoenix fourth, Rockets 5th and spurs 6th in your scenario.

Heh... I was editing my post while you posted yours. Head-to-head, followed by conference record would make it like this:
1. Lakers 57-25 (W Kings)
2. Hornets 56-26 (W Clippers, L @Mavs)

3. Jazz 55-27 (W Rockets, W @Spurs) <- 2-1 Suns, 2-1 Rox = 4-2
4. Rockets 55-27 (L @Jazz, W Clippers) <- Tie breakers?? 2-2 Suns, 1-2 Jazz = 3-4, better conf than Suns
5. Suns 55-27 (W Warriors, W @Blazers) <- Tie breakers?? 1-2 Jazz, 2-2 Rox = 3-4

6. Spurs 54-28 (L @Jazz, W Clippers)
7. Mavericks 51-31 (W Hornets)
8. Nuggets 50-32 (W Memphis)

[CubanMustGo]

Geez, the way the Spurs have played against quality opposition recently it doesn't matter who we play, we're toast. Unless you can get Dirk's trainers to do some work on everyone who's out hurt.

[Supergirl]

1. Lakers 57-25 (Beat Kings)
2. Hornets 56-26 (Beat Clippers and Lose against Mavs)
3. Spurs 55-27 (Lose against Kings, Beat Jazz)
4. Jazz 54-28 (Beat Rockets, Lose against Spurs)
5. Rockets 55-27 (Lose against Jazz and Beat Clippers)
6. Suns 55-27 (Beat Warriors and Blazers)
7. Mavericks 51-31 (Beat Hornets)
8. Nuggets 50-32 (Beat Memphis)

I think this is more likely, because I think the Spurs will probably win both against the Kings and the Jazz.

reality is it doesn't matter. the best team finds a way to win. any team in the west can beat any other team, but it takes a real champ to win a 7 game series against any one of the other teams, and to do it 3 times just to make it to the finals...

the only teams that have a chance of doing that are the Spurs, the Lakers, the Suns, the Mavericks, and the Hornets. And I think the Suns and the Spurs are likely to come out of it.

[41times]

This year, i don't think there is such a thing as a perfect bracket. No matter who you are you are going to have a tough road to the Finals. The West is just ridiculous.

[Killakobe81]

The west is tough ...but Spurs miss Manu with him ..Spurs still very dangerous ...

[urunobili]

This bracket still works out nicely for the Spurs. In the first round, the Spurs can finally get their 1995 revenge against the Rockets. Beating them as a sixth seed would be poetic justice.


worst case scenario.. they bounce us out with scola averaging 20 and 10 on Tim

[timvp]

This needs to happen:

1. Lakers 57-25 (Beat Kings)
2. Hornets 56-26 (Beat Clippers and Lose against Mavs)
3. Rockets 56-26 (Beat Jazz and Clippers)
4. Jazz 54-28 (Lose against Rockets, Beat Spurs)
5. Suns 55-27 (Beat Warriors and Blazers)
6. Spurs 55-27 (Beat Kings, Lose against Jazz)
7. Mavericks 51-31 (Beat Hornets)
8. Nuggets 50-32 (Beat Memphis)Go Spurs, Rockets and Suns tonight.


:oink

[td4mvp21]

timvp, wouldn't it be better to root AGAINST Houston and for the Spurs and the Suns to win out? Then it would be:
1. Lakers
2. Hornets
3. Spurs 56-26
4. Jazz 53-29
5. Suns 55-27
6. Rockets 55-27 (Phoenix owns the tiebreaker due to a better division record)
7. Mavs
8. Nuggets

The Spurs would instead have homecourt against the Rockets and still be in the same bracket as you mentioned. Although your bracket is more likely at this point, I'll still root for the Spurs to end up 3rd and the Rockets 6th.

[timvp]

timvp, wouldn't it be better to root AGAINST Houston and for the Spurs and the Suns to win out? Then it would be:
1. Lakers
2. Hornets
3. Spurs 56-26
4. Jazz 53-29
5. Suns 55-27
6. Rockets 55-27 (Phoenix owns the tiebreaker due to a better division record)
7. Mavs
8. Nuggets

The Spurs would instead have homecourt against the Rockets and still be in the same bracket as you mentioned. Although your bracket is more likely at this point, I'll still root for the Spurs to end up 3rd and the Rockets 6th.Rockets have the tiebreaker on the Suns. They aren't in the same division, so the conference record is used.

[td4mvp21]

Rockets have the tiebreaker on the Suns. They aren't in the same division, so the conference record is used.

WTF? Why doesn't the NBA just do things consistently :pctoss

Well then