Early Game Thread - Favored NOP (-4.0) vs. SAS as both teams have seeding on the line

[ElNono]

Denver and Minnesota play each other on the final game of the season with a currently tied record, so they can't finish tied. OKC isn't going to lose at home to Memphis with so much on the line for seeding. The only way there is likely to be a three way tie is if Utah loses their remaining two games and the Spurs lose to New Orleans, in which case it would be a tie between Utah/SA/winner of Minny vs Denver.

Utah is also up big on GSW right now in the first, and GSW is pretty much sleepwalking through the end of the season.

I see it. It gets more complicated if OKC loses, but don't think that's happening.

[Robz4000]

So OKC is obviously going to beat Memphis at home to close the season, which means the Spurs are the #7 seed and start the playoffs in Golden State unless freezes over and they win a road game. At least they'll avoid Houston since the Spurs own the tiebreaker over both Minnesota and Denver.

If Denver wins tomorrow they get the 7th seed if the Spurs lose.

[baseline bum]

If Denver wins tomorrow they get the 7th seed if the Spurs lose.

I'm not sure now. Since a loss by the Spurs and a win by the Nuggets would give them identical 29-23 conference records, it would go to at least the fourth tiebreaker, which is record against other playoff teams in the conference. Denver has that fourth tiebreaker?

[ElNono]

This is a good chart:

The official seeding possibility breakdown from the NBA.

[DPG21920]

Golden State is vulnerable. I wouldn’t mind getting them.

[baseline bum]

If Denver wins tomorrow they get the 7th seed if the Spurs lose.

you're right: Denver's record vs the other WC playoff teams massacres the Spurs' record vs the other WC playoff teams, so they'd win the fourth tiebreaker. Spurs are getting the broom if they have to play Houston.

[Robz4000]

you're right: Denver's record vs the other WC playoff teams massacres the Spurs' record vs the other WC playoff teams, so they'd win the fourth tiebreaker. Spurs are getting the broom if they have to play Houston.

Which is why we all have to become Minny fans tomorrow.

[cd98]

How big a difference is Kawhi going to make in this game?

[ismael-robert]

Well warriors aint helping us. Tanking to jazz by 39 pts

[tbdog]

If Spurs win, where do we seed? Do we hold the tiebreaker on Blazers?

[Ice009]

Well warriors aint helping us. Tanking to jazz by 39 pts

I don't get it, don't they still have a chance at the 2nd best record overall against the Raptors? I thought they'd try and win out to tie records with the Raptors.

[Robz4000]

If Spurs win, where do we seed? Do we hold the tiebreaker on Blazers?

Yes, and they can get as high as 4th with help.

[tbdog]

Well jazz and blazers play each other. Which means one of them will have the same record. Who has the tie breaker?

[Keepin' it real]

This is a good chart:

Sweet, the way I see it playing out, the Spurs get the coveted 7th seed and face the Warriors!

[Texas_Ranger]

I don't get it, don't they still have a chance at the 2nd best record overall against the Raptors? I thought they'd try and win out to tie records with the Raptors.

Why would someone be worried about the Raptors. Those losers will probably be gone after the first round.

[Chinook]

Well jazz and blazers play each other. Which means one of them will have the same record. Who has the tie breaker?

Depends on OKC. If OKC loses, then Utah has the tie-break over SA, and the Spurs have it over Portland. In a three-way tie with OKC, the Spurs would get the short end of the stick in both scenarios.

[offset formation]

No way Pop tanks this game.

We have had some good success against these guys, just have trouble closing the deal. I'm hoping everyone is dialed in, LMA continues to have his way with AD and we pull away a victory. I'm gonna say Spurs by 9

Unfortunately, I think LA is hurting pretty bad right now. In fact, I'm sure that in a perfect world, he'd resting. He was hobbling out there yesterday. Pop pulled him with almost FIVE minutes left in the third to rest for the 4th. I saw Pop mouth something about getting him some extra breather.

But he's been our horse and I'm sure he's telling Pop he's gonna play.

All the more reason to piss on Kawhi. $19MM and your tendon is sore. At most, play a couple of series, at least be a distraction someone has to guard, then rest all summer, or show up and support your teammates if you're gonna baby it.

[jiggy_55]

Pelicans will win and Spurs will fall to 7th seed to face GSW in the first round

[jiggy_55]

Depends on OKC. If OKC loses, then Utah has the tie-break over SA, and the Spurs have it over Portland. In a three-way tie with OKC, the Spurs would get the short end of the stick in both scenarios.

OKC is not gonna lose to Memphis on the last day of the season

[szkorhetz]

Playing against a Curry-less GSW isn't the worst case scenario, TBH.

[Chinook]

OKC is not gonna lose to Memphis on the last day of the season

They shouldn't, but they're OKC. Memphis probably wants to lose at all costs; if that weren't an issue, I would actually expect the Grizz to win.

[Stabula]

Pop gets ejected in the third quarter with the Spurs down 20 and in the fourth quarter Manu attempts to will the Spurs to a W only to tear his achilles and visibly himself on the final play of his career.

[urunobili]

Golden State is vulnerable. I wouldn’t mind getting them.

[Brunodf]

Basically the only way to get HCA is if the Spurs and both MEM and UTAH win

[exstatic]

Interesting tidbit about tonight’s tip-off times. There are only two, league wide: 8 EST and 10:30 EST. I guess the league doesn’t want teams scoreboard watching and jockeying for position by dumping games they might need.