In 5th place .... how much higher?

[Cry Havoc]

I don't expect the Blazers to move up to 2 or 3, so as a division winner they're locked in at 4. I think the Mavs and Thunder are locked in at 7 and 8. So that leaves the Rockets, Spurs, Clips, Memphis jockeying for 2, 3, 5 and 6. The key is really the head-to-head games with the Rockets. If either team sweeps the two games, I think the winner will be 3rd and the loser could move all the way to 6th depending on what the Clips do in their remaining games.

That divisional bull needs to stop. You shouldn't get rewarded for having a worse record.

[Old School 44]

^no doubt, dumb rule. Can you imagine if Toronto was not in the Atlantic Division? That would make the Brooklyn Nets a lock for the 4th seed in the east at 34-40.

[Cry Havoc]

^no doubt, dumb rule

In reality though, barring injury I don't see it making a lot of difference.

le contenders out West:
Golden State, San Antonio

If these teams stay healthy, they'll meet at some point, and the winner (again, barring injury) is Finals and likely LOB. (Though I could see Cleveland giving GSW some fits because they have no one to really slow him down.)

Potentially have a Finals run in them:
Houston

Good team but won't go anywhere:
Memphis, Dallas, Portland

Wild card but probably out in the first round:
Clippers

[Raven]

Why are all of you so scared of GSW? How does avoiding them for as long as possible help the Spurs?

easier schedule, since they have the #1D and #2O.

[travis2]

Keep in mind also that in any potential 4/5 series involving Portland...HCA for the series is strictly record based. If the #5 seed has a better record, they get the HCA.

That division winner + #1 non-winner is seeding only.

[SnakeBoy]

Because another team might take them out for us.

I think the Spurs would eke out a series against them anyway, but Golden State is really good. You don't go the whole year as the #1 offense, #1 defense, and finish 10+ games ahead of your next closest compe or in a brutal conference without being a very nasty team. They have home court, and if anybody beats them over 7 games it'll be a huge upset. That said...

Yeah that seems like wishful thinking to me, Spurs are the only team that can take out GSW imo.

I heard a dude on the radio who gave the best reason I've heard for wanting GSW in the WCF instead of the semis. Basically it was because of pressure on a team increases each round they advance. The dubs are inexperienced in that regard and they could tighten up, start missing shots, or panic and try playing hero ball. Spurs on the other hand have been there done that repeatedly. Probably some truth in that.

[therealtruth]

Yeah that seems like wishful thinking to me, Spurs are the only team that can take out GSW imo.

I heard a dude on the radio who gave the best reason I've heard for wanting GSW in the WCF instead of the semis. Basically it was because of pressure on a team increases each round they advance. The dubs are inexperienced in that regard and they could tighten up, start missing shots, or panic and try playing hero ball. Spurs on the other hand have been there done that repeatedly. Probably some truth in that.

It will be interesting alot of teams don't get that far on the first attempt. However Kerr gives them an edge due to his championship experience. He may be the next PJ in his ability to take a good team to a great team.

[Russo21]

Can't believe we are 75 games into the season. It's been a blur. Feels like yesterday I was celebrating #5

[FlAVaK]

Priorities

1. Stay healthy.
2. Stay infront of Cavs.
3. 50 wins.

2. & 3. redundant now, as the Cavs got 49 wins too. So Spurs need to win out (Cavs got one more loss, hold the tie-breaker) or Cleveland to lose one more to get HCA in a potential finals matchup...

But you are right: as long as 1. stands, opponents are not that important!

[szkorhetz]

As high as Tiago takes us, tbh....

Funny, but true.

[hater]

Who gives a about 50 wins?

[Agloco]

Why are all of you so scared of GSW? How does avoiding them for as long as possible help the Spurs?

The answer is pretty obvious. Anything can happen in the playoffs

[DesignatedT]

Sucks those games against Houston are worse scheduling wise for us.

The first game vs Houston is a second night of a b2b for us after we play at OKC (Houston coming off 3 days rest) and the second game is 3 games in 4 nights for us (2 games in 5 nights for them)

Very tough spots for us to win those games and of course all the cliff jumpers will be coming out if we don't.

[SpursFan86]

An interesting thing to note: if Portland/LAC both stay in 4th/5th, the travel will be very easy for the first 2 rounds.

http://www.nbaplayoffsbracket.com/2015/

We wouldn't leave the central time zone until the WCF, and we'd be guaranteed at least one series where we don't leave Texas.

[Mel_13]

Sucks those games against Houston are worse scheduling wise for us.

The first game vs Houston is a second night of a b2b for us after we play at OKC (Houston coming off 3 days rest) and the second game is 3 games in 4 nights for us (2 games in 5 nights for them)

Very tough spots for us to win those games and of course all the cliff jumpers will be coming out if we don't.

True. 6th seed is the most likely outcome.

[DesignatedT]

I'm fine with it tbh. I would rather be 6 then 5. I'm in the avoid GS boat.

I think memphis finishing at 3 and us 6 would be the best case for us. Unless Portland can somehow climb up (very doubtful). Would set up a tough second round vs houston but maybe we get lucky and dallas upsets them.

[Blake]

I'm fine with it tbh. I would rather be 6 then 5. I'm in the avoid GS boat.

Welcome aboard

[TimmyDuncan21]

My Guess is they get 4th.

[Beaverfuzz]

Just win games and take it into the playoffs. I'd rather matchup with Portland first (and home court) and then Golden State but I can also accept a great WCF between the two teams. Just have to get over the hump and win just about every series on the road, of which this team is severely lacking in compared to last year.

[Silver&Black]

Remaining schedule is not really the easiest tbh....