Rockets: Will likely face the Spurs in the first round

[ambchang]

In the Western Conference, the #1, 4, and 7 seeds are pretty much locked up. Either OKC or the Pelicans will get #8, which means that Memphis (53-25), Houston (53-25), LAC (53-26) and the Spurs (53-26) are fighting for the #2, 3, 5, and 6 seeds.

The remaining schedules are (with predictions):
MEM:UTA (W), LAC (L), GSW(should be L, but GSW may rest and turn this into a W), IND(W)
HOU: SAS(TBD), NOL(L), CHO(W), UTA(W)
LAC: Mem (W), DEN (W), and PHO(W)
SAS: HOU(TBD), PHO(W), NOL(W, but may lose if the Spurs decide to rest)

So in all likelihood, the season ending records will be:
MEM: 55-27
HOU: 56-26 or 55-27
LAC: 56-26
SAS: 56-26 or 55-27

Face it, everybody wants to play the Blazers.

The Clippers were 2-2 against the Spurs this year, but has a better west record, so LAC holds the tie breaker.
The Clippers were 2-2 against the Rockets, and only need on more WC win to clinch the tiebreaker, so they are likely going to have the tiebreaker anyways.

Which means that LAC will get the #2 seed.

If HOU wins Friday, they will then get the #3 seed, meaning they will fight the #6 seed, which will be Spurs as MEM holds the tie breaker over the Spurs. But if they lose, they will get the #6 seed as MEM also holds the tiebreaker over them, which means that they will face the #3 seed, which will be the Spurs.

Of course, this will all change if LAC lose a game, and will change drastically if MEM beats LAC, but all in all, Friday's game will likely determine the homecourt for the Spurs-Rockets series.

Meanwhile, Memphis will come out winners.

[Robz4000]

If the Spurs win the division they get the #2 seed, so they'd play Dallas.

[scanry]

If the Spurs win the division they get the #2 seed, so they'd play Dallas.

What if the Clippers win out?

[RsxPiimp]

It's a sweep. Dwert 0-8 against Timmy

[Robz4000]

What if the Clippers win out?

Division winner would be the first tiebreaker, which the Spurs would be.

[ambchang]

Oh darn it, forgot about division winners.

Thanks Robz4000

In that case, Houston would actually be BETTER off losing on Friday, because it's better facing off the LAC than the Spurs in the first round.

[SPM]

Clippers winning out seems likely. They need Houston to lose one more game I believe.

[Robz4000]

Clippers/Rockets would be a fun first round match up imo. Just wish they'd meet in the 4/5 slot so the winner would face the Dubs.

[scanry]

Division winner would be the first tiebreaker, which the Spurs would be.

What if the they meet in the WCSF or WCF, would the division winner still have home court?

[hater]

assuming ALL teams "take care of business in the other games" we have the following:

2 MEM 56-25
3 HOU 56-25
5 LAC 55-26
6 SAS 55-26


now the scenarios:
Most likely: HOU and LAC win
2 HOU 57-25
3 LAC 56-26
5 MEM 56-26
6 SAS 55-27

SAS @ LAC playoffs


2nd most likely: SAS and LAC win
2 MEM 56-26
3 LAC 56-26
5 SAS 56-26
6 HOU 56-26

POR @ SAS playoffs


3rd most likely: HOU and MEM win
2 MEM 57-25
3 HOU 57-25
5 LAC 55-27
6 SAS 55-27

SAS @ HOU playoffs


4th most likely: SAS and MEM win
2 MEM 57-25
3 SAS 56-26
5 HOU 56-26
6 LAC 55-27

HOU @ SAS playoffs



so are HOU vs SAS series very likely? yes and no.


I'm gonna go ahead and say Spurs are probably playing the Clippers in round 1.

[urunobili]

I think the Clippers, the Grizzlies or the Rocklets are getting out of the west regardless... only to Lose to LeBron in the Finals...

[Buddy Mignon]

No way the Spurs beat Dallas.