But muh 16 championships
I looked at the schedules this morning and it looks like the Clips have the toughest on paper. A lot will depend on if some of the top teams end up sitting players or not down the stretch.
But muh 16 championships
After a mini-meltdown in Houston (aided by a charge drawn by James Harden's beard), the Spurs got back on track in Boston with a thorough dismantling of the Celtics. LaMarcus was in rare form and continues to show why he is this team's MVP. He probably would've dropped another 50-spot if Pop didn't pull the plug on him with a minute and a half to go.
Either way, it was a much needed win to stop the bleeding after a two-game losing streak. Considering the way the Spurs have played on the road, I don't think anyone would have been surprised by going 1-2 through the MIA-HOU-BOS stretch...they just found a creative way of doing it.
Also, this is a little late, but it's still fun to say...
THE LOS ANGELES LAKERS HAVE BEEN ELIMINATED FROM PLAYOFF CONTENTION!!!
Lebron's playoff hopes didn't even make it into April. What a shame.
Upcoming games this week:
March 26th - SAS @ CHA - The Spurs will try to wrap up their three-game road trip against the Fiery Francophile and Friends. The Hornets are still scrapping for a playoff spot, and have won three straight including an impressive win over the Toronto Raptors. Interestingly enough, Parker was a DNP-CD in that contest, so it's hard to say how much he will line up against his old club. Spurs just need to stay focused and remember the gift they gave to Tony when he made his comeback to San Antonio. It is time to repay the favor.
March 28th - CLE @ SAS - In what will be known as Manu's Night, the Spurs actually have to play a basketball game before they enshrine the Argentinean legend in the rafters of the AT&T Center. Fortunately, the Cavaliers are pretty much hot garbage. Along with the Knicks and Suns, they are taking tanking to levels that would make Sam Hinkie blush. Still, the Spurs need to be careful not to look forward to the post-game ceremony and take care of business. A loss would certainly sully an evening which is supposed to be all about Ginobili.
March 31st - SAC @ SAS - In terms of Magic Numbers, this game has huge implications. If the Spurs can sweep the week, they can officially stamp their ticket into the playoffs. Despite their easier schedule, the Kings have only managed to go 4-6 over their last ten and their postseason hopes are definitely on life support. Hopefully, San Antonio can step on their throat and start focusing on playoff position.
The Spurs have gotten through all but one of their toughest remaining opponents. They now have the second easiest remaining schedule. Kind of sick that we're watching things like that to figure out whether they'll be 8,7, or 6.
6th is already out of the equation
Not true. Did you not notice that we were 6th in the 4 way tie scrum that happened a week or so ago? Long odds, but still on the table.
Technically it is still in place, but in reality there is almost zero chance. Also, that 4-way tie--break outcome would anyway change as Clips and Utah play each other in their last game. A 3 or 4-way tie where we end up 6th would mean we win at least 49 games, I guess.
But I am certainly not considering the odd resting of players etc...some results will be totally unpredictable but might end up evening out, so it might happen we make 6th but it is so remote....
My least favorite team, and one of the league's biggest self-promoters both sitting out the post season does bring a smile to my face.
I'm gonna go Chinook here, and point out that is not what you said earlier. I wouldn't have responded, had you qualified it as almost no chance.
Why, exactly? The Spurs are 1 loss back of OKC, tied in the W column, and the Spurs own the tiebreaker. With 8 games left. How is that out of the equation?
Not that I really give a rat about 6th seed over 8th seed. Frankly, if they just have to make the playoffs, I'd as soon they squeak in and get the highest pick possible. I haven't checked all the 4-way tiebreakers, but I don't see 6 being out of the question right now.
Spurs now at 43-31. If this holds, Spurs will finish the season at 50-32. But I assume Spurs will drop 1 or 2 of these gimmies, so more likely 48 or 49 wins. Barring a ridiculous skid.
there isn't a single lottery-bound team that has a road record as good as or better than the spurs this season
okc losing to Memphis
So the premise is that a team having played the equivalent of all 82+ games on the road would have a bad record....
Hmmmm
Do we go semantics here? Technically we can win the Finals. It is still out of the equation, basketballwise. Unless of course you wish one or two more injuries to Blazers players, then yes, we can still make 6th.
Happy if I'm wrong, anyway
Last edited by monty4329; 03-26-2019 at 03:13 AM.
Even winning the Finals is still possible. I consider it out of the equation though.
I'll be happy to eat crow nonetheless.
Last edited by monty4329; 03-26-2019 at 03:12 AM.
Spurs will be favored in all but one of their remaining games. HCA in round one isn’t out of reach, but Utah has a pretty light schedule.
I’d guess the standings end up as GSW-Den-Hou-Uta-Por-SA-LAC-OKC.
Houston (27 losses)
@ Mil
Den
Sac
@ Sac
@ LAC (BTB)
NYK
Phx
@ OKC
Own tiebreaker with Spurs, so +4.5
Portland (27 losses)
@ Chi
@ Atl
@ Det (BTB)
@ Mil
Mem
@ Den
Den
@ LAL
Sac (BTB)
Tied H2H but Spurs likely win tiebreaker on conference record (+2 in loss column), so need to make up four games somehow
Utah (30 losses)
LAL
Was
Cha
@ Phx
Sac
@ LAL
Den
@ LAC (BTB)
Own tiebreaker with Spurs, so +1.5
Los Angeles (30 losses)
@ Min
@ Mil
Cle
Mem (BTB)
Hou
LAL
@ GS
Uta
Tied H2H but Spurs likely win tiebreaker on conference record (+1 in loss column and have played more games)
San Antonio (31 losses)
@ Cha
Cle
Sac
Atl
@ Den (BTB, likely loss)
@ Was
@ Cle
Dal
Oklahoma City (31 losses)
Ind
Den
Dal
LAL
Det
@ Min
Hou
@ Mil (BTB, but likely will have 1 seed locked up)
Spurs won tiebreaker, so -0.5
I guess it is now...I would have been happy to eat crow though
I think 7 or 8 is most likely. Denver will likely be two, and I’d like that matchup just to face someone different for once. Our fate feels sealed whenever we square off with GSW being outmanned as we have these last 3 years.
So the will get beat by Houston instead of GS. Doesn't make any difference only the Spurs may miss their draft pick target by one or two spots.
Every playoff opponent in the west and the eastern champ would have to suffer key injuries for the Spurs to ring.
Props to Utah tbh...lost their star SF the year before last and still managed to win a playoff series....
No all-stars this year and they should still manage to finish in 5th or 6th, no excuses when Mitc was off to start the year and they've had some injury woes as well.....
They are lucky to have a great coach that still prioritizes defense and puts their guys in a position to win![]()
What a beautiful night celebrating Manu. Obviously, scraping by the Cavaliers isn't ideal...but it made the 4th quarter all that much more exciting, at least.
The crowd was hype and amazing throughout the game and ceremony...the hosts could barely even get their speeches in throughout all the cheers. One of the moments that was most illustrative of the impact of Manu, though....was when the Spurs honored him by playing the Argentine national anthem before the game, and seemingly half of the crowd was singing along. His influence spread far and wide.
Just seeing the Big 3 on the same court again gave me chills. We are all lucky to have witnessed true greatness in basketball.
A Spurs victory and a Kings loss means one more win and we are in.
alright spurs officially in
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