Spurs trying to track down the 2/3/4 seed

[RD2191]

Sigh, I just hope we have HCA in the first round.

[RD2191]

Depends on the remaining games for the division and conference records, as both teams still play a few games vs. division and conference opponents..

Thanks. Appreciate it.

[apalisoc_9]

Cheer for the Clipps IMO..

Wouldn't be a bad idea to play the warriors in the 2nd round.

Another thing to look at is Lebron's standings in the east..I'm picking Atlanta in the east but if the spurs do play Lebron, would be a huge plus if the spurs have HC

[Johnny RIngo]

OKC looks done so the Spurs can definitely win that game. Only the Rockets b2b games will be a challenge.

You can never be sure with this team when it comes to road games. I thought they were rounding into shape a few weeks ago and then they end up dropping that away game in New York.

[Spurs 4 The Win]

You can never be sure with this team when it comes to road games. I thought they were rounding into shape a few weeks ago and then they end up dropping that away game in New York.

That house of horrors in OKC can never be counted as an easy win

[RD2191]

You can never be sure with this team when it comes to road games. I thought they were rounding into shape a few weeks ago and then they end up dropping that away game in New York.

Our road play will probably be our downfall this post season.

[Cloud786]

Remaining schedules for seeds 2-6 in the West.

Rockets: 53-24
- @ Spurs
- Spurs
- Pelicans
- @ Hornets
- Jazz

Grizzlies: 52-25
- Pelicans
- @ Jazz
- @ Clippers
- @ Warriors
- Pacers

Blazers: 50-26
- @ Nets
- Timberwolves
- @ Warriors
- Jazz
- @ Thunder
- @ Mavs

Clippers: 52-26
- Lakers
- Grizzlies
- Nuggets
- @ Suns

Spurs: 51-26
- @ Thunder
- Rockets
- @ Rockets
- Suns
- @ Pelicans

[Malik Hairston]

That Clippers schedule..ugh..2 seed wrapped up..

[apalisoc_9]

That Clippers schedule..ugh..2 seed wrapped up..

Who knows bro.

The Nuggets or Suns might just decide to play for the heck of it.

[Cloud786]

Here's my prediction of how things will go down and shape up at the end.

Rockets: 53-24
- @ Spurs L
- Spurs W
- Pelicans W
- @ Hornets W
- Jazz W

-- 57-25


Grizzlies: 52-25
- Pelicans W
- @ Jazz L
- @ Clippers L
- @ Warriors W (Warriors resting)
- Pacers W

-- 55-27


Blazers: 50-26
- @ Nets L
- Timberwolves W
- @ Warriors W (Warriors resting)
- Jazz W
- @ Thunder L
- @ Mavs L

-- 53-29


Clippers: 52-26
- Lakers W
- Grizzlies W
- Nuggets W
- @ Suns W

-- 56-26


Spurs: 51-26
- @ Thunder W
- Rockets W
- @ Rockets L
- Suns W
- @ Pelicans W

--55-27


In this scenario, the seeds would breakdown like this.

1). Warriors
2). Rockets: 57-25
3). Clippers: 56-26
4). Blazers: 53-29
5). Grizzlies: 55-27
6). Spurs: 55-27
7). Mavericks
8). Thunder

Grizzlies would have the tiebreaker over us as their division record would be 9-7 as opposed to our 8-8 (in this scenario).

In my opinion, the only way the Spurs have any chance of having homecourt is to run the table. That would put us at 56-26, making the Rockets 56-26 as well as the Clippers (assuming the rest of the above stays true). In this three way tie, since there are two divisions involved, I believe the tiebreaker that would invoked would be best record in all games among tied teams. Rockets and Clippers split 2-2. Spurs and Clippers split 2-2. Spurs would be up 3-1 on Rockets. I believe this would put us at 2nd seed, Clippers at 3rd seed (division winner), and Rockets at 5th seed. Of course, this is just one scenario. Grizzlies could just as easily end up with the same record too, which could change everything up. Just mind boggling how close the Western Conference is this year.

[Cloud786]

In case anyone is wondering about how Rockets/Grizzlies/Clippers/Spurs have done against each other for tiebreaking purposes.

Rockets:
- Against Grizzles: 2-2
- Against Clippers: 2-2
- Against Spurs: 1-1 (2 games pending)

Grizzles:
- Against Rockets: 2-2
- Against Clippers: 2-1 (1 game pending)
- Against Spurs: 2-2

Clippers:
- Against Rockets: 2-2
- Against Grizzlies: 1-2 (1 game pending)
- Against Spurs: 2-2

Spurs:
- Against Rockets 1-1 (2 games pending)
- Against Grizzlies: 2-2
- Against Clipperes: 2-2

[FlAVaK]

^^that´s near to the scenario that was asked for the other day. Thanks for working that out! Would be a crazy outcome...

What happens if all these teams end up with identical records?

Depends on how the HOU-SAS games turn out, but I guess those would be Spurs wins, to get to this scenario. And what about the Clips?

Too many unknowns, here are the rules:

http://stats.nba.com/playoffpicture/

"b. More Than Two Teams Tied
(1) Division leader wins tie from team not leading a division.
(2) Better winning percentage in all games among the tied teams.
(3) Better winning percentage against teams in own division (only if all tied teams are in the same division).
(4) Better winning percentage against teams in own conference.
(5) Better winning percentage against teams eligible for playoffs in own conference (including teams that finished the regular season tied for a playoff position).
(6) Better net result of total points scored less total points allowed against all opponents (“point differential”)."

Do the math...

And for tie-breakers:

http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/3/1...ern-conference

"The most relevant head-to-head tiebreaks already clinched are:

Memphis over Portland
Memphis over Dallas
Portland over Houston
Portland over San Antonio
Los Angeles over Portland
Los Angeles over Dallas
Dallas over Oklahoma City
Dallas over New Orleans
Phoenix over Dallas
New Orleans over Oklahoma City
Oklahoma City over Phoenix

The most relevant head-to-head tiebreaks that have already ended in ties are:

Houston and Memphis
Houston and Los Angeles
San Antonio and Memphis
San Antonio and Los Angeles
San Antonio and Dallas"

[FlAVaK]

PS: We had a potential 5-team-tie in our league, which would have decided over relegation to the lower league (Europe).

Scenario: Teams A, B, C, D, E all end up with the same number of points (Wins respectively). Team D swept the season series against team E.
But team E would have ended infornt of them, because they got one more point in the 5-team-headtohead-comparison (A-B-C-E-D)

All of this was prevented by team A winning against another team in the last game, pulling out of the 5-team-tie, so the 4-team-tie ended B-C-D-E...

[cd021]

RS game. With Livingston suspended, they had to run out Barbosa and Holiday. GSWs defense is based more on length and versatility. The Spurs were able to play Mills or Cojo with the second unit without having to worry about Livingston (who is 6'7) posting up or challenging shots.

On the other end, Splitters absence was probably a plus with the added spacing of Bonner in the starting unit. Our defense wasn't that great at the rim on several occasions but we generally did a good job at closing out on shooters (specifically Green). The Warriors didn't play anywhere close to their best. Neither did the Spurs.

[cd021]

Here's my prediction of how things will go down and shape up at the end.

Rockets: 53-24
- @ Spurs L
- Spurs W
- Pelicans W
- @ Hornets W
- Jazz W

-- 57-25


Grizzlies: 52-25
- Pelicans W
- @ Jazz L
- @ Clippers L
- @ Warriors W (Warriors resting)
- Pacers W

-- 55-27


Blazers: 50-26
- @ Nets L
- Timberwolves W
- @ Warriors W (Warriors resting)
- Jazz W
- @ Thunder L
- @ Mavs L

-- 53-29


Clippers: 52-26
- Lakers W
- Grizzlies W
- Nuggets W
- @ Suns W

-- 56-26


Spurs: 51-26
- @ Thunder W
- Rockets W
- @ Rockets L
- Suns W
- @ Pelicans W

--55-27


In this scenario, the seeds would breakdown like this.

1). Warriors
2). Rockets: 57-25
3). Clippers: 56-26
4). Blazers: 53-29
5). Grizzlies: 55-27
6). Spurs: 55-27
7). Mavericks
8). Thunder

Grizzlies would have the tiebreaker over us as their division record would be 9-7 as opposed to our 8-8 (in this scenario).

In my opinion, the only way the Spurs have any chance of having homecourt is to run the table. That would put us at 56-26, making the Rockets 56-26 as well as the Clippers (assuming the rest of the above stays true). In this three way tie, since there are two divisions involved, I believe the tiebreaker that would invoked would be best record in all games among tied teams. Rockets and Clippers split 2-2. Spurs and Clippers split 2-2. Spurs would be up 3-1 on Rockets. I believe this would put us at 2nd seed, Clippers at 3rd seed (division winner), and Rockets at 5th seed. Of course, this is just one scenario. Grizzlies could just as easily end up with the same record too, which could change everything up. Just mind boggling how close the Western Conference is this year.

I'd expect Portland to beat OKC. They have been awful defensively (OKC has)

I could see the Spurs losing @ the Pelicans with the big 3 sitting and Kyle Anderson playing until he drops.

The Pelicans are making the postseason.

Pelicans

Warriors-L
Grizzlies-L
Suns -W
@ HOU -L
@ Min -W
SAS-W

44-38

OKC

SAS-L
@ IND-L
@ Kings-W
POR-L
@ MIN-W

44-38

Pelicans own the tie breaker. I could see them winning one of the GSW, Warriors, & Rockets other than that I agree with the projected W's & L's.

[Uriel]

Splitter injury not serious, per Popovich, but he’ll miss time

The tightness in starting forward Tiago Splitter’s right calf isn’t serious, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich says, but the injury could still keep him out for at least a week, including a critical home-and-home set with Southwest Division rival Houston.

“There’s some edema and some stuff in there,” said Popovich, speaking less than two hour before tipoff of Sunday’s home game with Golden State. “It’s not real serious, but enough to keep him out a while. Hopefully we’ll get him back. He’s part of why we’ve played well lately, a big part of it.

“But he’ll miss tonight, he’ll probably miss (Oklahoma) City and Houston back-to-back, I’d imagine. I don’t want lose him. No matter who we end up playing (in the playoffs), he’s a big part of that.”

Popovich indicated he’ll fill Splitter’s spot on a game-by-game basis. He said he didn’t know who would replace Splitter for the Warriors during his pregame availability.
Splitter played just seven minutes in Friday’s victory over Denver before his calf tightened.

Despite the apparent lack of severity, the Spurs are still concerned given that Splitter missed 20 games in October and November with a similar injury. Not only that, Splitter didn’t consistently hit his stride until recently, with his reinsertion back into the starting lineup coinciding with their 16-3 hot streak. Those starters — Splitter, Tim Duncan, Kawhi Leonard, Tony Parker and Danny Green — registered a net rating of plus 30.3 points per 100 possessions over that span, No. 2 among 24 units with at least 100 minutes.

Splitter was averaging 9.9 points on 58.1-percent shooting during the run. Overall, he’s averaging 8.2 points and 4.8 rebounds in his fifth NBA season.

http://blog.mysanantonio.com/spursna...ell-miss-time/

[RD2191]

RS game. With Livingston suspended, they had to run out Barbosa and Holiday. GSWs defense is based more on length and versatility. The Spurs were able to play Mills or Cojo with the second unit without having to worry about Livingston (who is 6'7) posting up or challenging shots.

On the other end, Splitters absence was probably a plus with the added spacing of Bonner in the starting unit. Our defense wasn't that great at the rim on several occasions but we generally did a good job at closing out on shooters (specifically Green). The Warriors didn't play anywhere close to their best. Neither did the Spurs.

Come on son. Livingston wouldn't of been the difference last night. I'm just messing with you though. 1 game is 1 game but I like what I saw, tbh.

[gameFACE]

Wait, that's actually good news!

[Spurs 4 The Win]

Spurs have 5 games left to go 5-0 and secure homecourt, trickiest games are the next 2. We suck at OKC and then Houston will be well rested for the b2b.

[cjw]

Another thing to look at is Lebron's standings in the east..I'm picking Atlanta in the east but if the spurs do play Lebron, would be a huge plus if the spurs have HC

Spurs are a game up but Cleveland will likely run the table (@ Mil, BOS, @ Bos, DET b2b, WAS). Not sure how tiebreaker rules work for NBA Finals but given split of season series, would prefer Spurs win out and don't leave it to chance.

[will_spurs]

The most important game right now for the Spurs is Memphis vs New Orleans.

Why? First of all because we'd obviously be tied with Memphis in the loss column, but also because they would have a worse divisional record than us (always assuming we win out, or everything is moot). And that'd mean we own the tiebreaker against them. In the event of a tie at the end of season we'd win our division and be seeded 2nd.

We should all root for the Pelicans come Wednesday!

[SASdynasty!]

The most important game right now for the Spurs is Memphis vs New Orleans.

Why? First of all because we'd obviously be tied with Memphis in the loss column, but also because they would have a worse divisional record than us (always assuming we win out, or everything is moot). And that'd mean we own the tiebreaker against them. In the event of a tie at the end of season we'd win our division and be seeded 2nd.

We should all root for the Pelicans come Wednesday!

Yep, that's a big game in terms of seeding. Here's some more:

Head to head tiebreakers:

SAS vs HOU - 1-1 (2 games remaining)
SAS vs MEM - 2-2 (tied)
SAS vs POR - 1-3 (POR won)
SAS vs LAC - 2-2 (tied)

HOU vs MEM - 2-2 (tied)
HOU vs POR - 1-2 (POR won)
HOU vs LAC - 2-2 (tied)
MEM vs POR - 4-0 (MEM won)
MEM vs LAC - 2-1 (1 game remaining)
LAC vs POR - 3-1 (LAC won)

Division Records:

SAS: 6-7
HOU: 7-6
MEM: 8-7

Conference Records:

SAS: 28-19
HOU: 31-17
MEM: 33-15
POR: 30-17
LAC: 33-15

So basically if the Spurs don't win both games against Houston, they pretty much lose every tiebreaker. If they split those games, they couldn't win the tiebreaker over Houston or Memphis, even if they won their last divisional game against New Orleans. That would put them at 8-8, which would be the worst Houston or Memphis could finish at that point and then we lose the all the Conference tiebreakers.

[Obstructed_View]

I dont think it's a letdown as much as it is Spurs lacking killer instinct. SA has, for an extended period of time, played with their opponents at the opponents level. Until lately, I have not seen SA so aggressive and keyed in. Get on the court and handle your business then go home. Easy. No one can beat SA the way they are playing now. keep the intensity and confidence up

That's a pretty good characterization. It's also a very long season, so just happens sometimes. The Spurs have had third-quarter issues in past years, which made it seem familiar when they struggled with it recently. It also seemed like they would drop a game right after ESPN had three shows talking about their repeat chances.

Overall I agree with you: When they're focused and play their game, I don't think anyone can beat them in a series. It took Kyrie Irving hitting almost literally everything he put in the air to win that game in overtime. Doubtful anyone shoots that hot four out of seven.

[apalisoc_9]

its hard for me to see Memphis lose 2 games in a row at home.

[SpursFan86]

Blazers losing by 16 at the half to Brooklyn