Dallas and OKC

[ajballer4]

Well as of right now New Orleans is the 6... Do you think they would rather go New Orleans/LA or Denver/SA?

I'm assuming Portland will regain the 6 seed. They have Utah, LA, Memphis, Golden State.

New Orleans has PHX, Utah, Memphis, Dallas

But since New Orleans has the tiebreaker, you may be right, New Orleans might stay 6.

[DPG21920]

Do the Spurs rest if they clinch tonight?

[HarlemHeat37]

Do the Spurs rest if they clinch tonight?

I would rest Ginobili and McDyess..

[DesignatedT]

If you are going to rest those guys you might as well rest Duncan also. He has looked rejuvenated as of late but was also seen limping noticeable during the Houston and Atlanta game. No way that ankle is 100% right now.

[Mugen]

Do the Spurs rest if they clinch tonight?

I'd rest them after the Utah game.

10+ days is too much especially if we end up having to play MEM or POR in the first round.

[DesignatedT]

After the Utah game seems like the right move. Still gives them a full week off before playoffs begin.

[TE]

OKC is an interesting team and while they did address one weakness by grabbing Perkins (size and low post defense), they still have another glaring weakness and thats scoring easy points in a playoffs situation especially in the low post. They seem like a team thats going to struggle to score in the playoffs and will be forced into taking too many low-% jumpers. And as great as Durant is, he's one-dimensional with the ball since his court vision and passing isn't up to par.

I've watched a fair share amount of OKC games this year and there is one generalization that I can make: If OKC plays their tempo, they're really hard to stop. If they play defense like they're capable of playing, they have the athletes on the floor to score in bunches on fast break. IMO, Jeff Green was a liability because he fell in that tweener role. He could play multiple positions but on a team that is in a conference with other teams who have big men as an integral part of the rotation, Green was a liability. Now that Perkins and Mohammed have been added they can give fits to any frontline in the West. I wouldn't want to play a team with that added dimension. I do however think the Spurs would come out of that series in 6, but it would be a grind.


So I guess it's a toss up for me.

[Strategic]

I want to eliminate the Mavs. It's always nice to see that sorry ass look on Cuban's face. Now if the Gaylords starting show their faces for the Thunder's beat down then that would make me feel warm and fuzzy also.

[DesignatedT]

Also, for those who know.. What is the tie-breaker between the Spurs and Bulls if we both end up tied?

[DPG21920]

I can't believe no isn't cemented into the 8th spot

[crc21209]

Also, for those who know.. What is the tie-breaker between the Spurs and Bulls if we both end up tied?

Coin-toss if they end up meeting in the Finals....

[ajballer4]

I can't believe no isn't cemented into the 8th spot

Same thought. Everytime I count them out, they get right back in the thick of things

[ginobilized]

I'd like to see the Lakers go through Portland and OKC
while the Spurs get New Orleans and Dallas
That's a favorable setup for success
It will be an interesting week for sure

[crc21209]

I can't believe no isn't cemented into the 8th spot

Somehow, someway I still think they'll end up 8th. They play Phoenix on Friday and @ Memphis on Sunday so hopefully they lose those 2 games....

[DPG21920]

Also, I don't think anyone is saying Dallas or Okc would be easy, but it's a talent thing and okc is more dangerous. I'd rather play the Mavs but either is going to be tough.

[DesignatedT]

Coin-toss if they end up meeting in the Finals....

That's what I thought, Thanks.

[crc21209]

Also, I don't think anyone is saying Dallas or Okc would be easy, but it's a talent thing and okc is more dangerous. I'd rather play the Mavs but either is going to be tough.

+1. The Thunder are really a "wild-card" team at this point, and who knows...could get hot in a series. The Mavericks are just one of those damn teams that will always give the Spurs fits as long as they have Dirk, so it's really a coin-toss. Just let the chips fall where they may I guess...

[ChuckD]

This is Dallas' was of "catching the Spurs." they want to play them but they know they can't beat the Lakers. No surprises.

They won't get the chance. I think Denver takes them out. I think if they hold on, Portland takes them out. They are the weakest and most vulnerable team in the top half.

The plus is that if OKC bumps up, LA gets a REAL tough second round match up. The Thunder gave LA more than they bargained for last year, and that was without a post defender and rebounder. They have Perkins now.

[crc21209]

They won't get the chance. I think Denver takes them out. I think if they hold on, Portland takes them out. They are the weakest and most vulnerable team in the top half.

The plus is that if OKC bumps up, LA gets a REAL tough second round match up. The Thunder gave LA more than they bargained for last year, and that was without a post defender and rebounder. They have Perkins now.

That front line of Perkins, Ibaka, Nazr, and even Nick Collison could really bother the Lakers....

[DesignatedT]

That front line of Perkins, Ibaka, Nazr, and even Nick Collison could really bother the Lakers....

Yeah, I don't think there is any question that OKC would be a tougher matchup for LA.

[kaji157]

I think this is not the real Dallas, they seem tobe tanking for some games ago, since it was suspected that the lakers are tanking to get OKC. Now they are in position to decide, and i belive Dallas will prefer to meet us more than the lakers, because against the lakers their only advantage would be Dirk, while against us they have Dirk and size.

Most likely Dallas looses a few more so they can stay under OKC. OKC and Dallas are one game away while Denver is 4 games away from OKC so there is really no risk for Dallas to do it.

[FvckMavs]

OKC has a better defender Sefolosha to put on Kobe, while Kobe will on the turtle head all night.

[crc21209]

The Mavericks are just too damn weak mentally to win a series against the Lakers. Could they win a game or two? Sure. But four? No way. OKC already showed last year that they arent scared of the Lakers.....

[TD 21]

For the Spurs, it doesn't matter to me, I don't see either matchup being tougher than the other..

However, I hope the Lakers play OKC, so I'm hoping they can move up to 3rd, although I doubt it will happen..

Exactly.

I will say though, that even though the Mavs were due for a slide (not just in the sense that any team is; I felt all along they were playing above their heads), I do think they'd prefer to slide to four at this point. They're not going to have home court in the second round either way and they, like everyone else, would more than likely prefer to face the Spurs than the Lakers.

[Sean Cagney]

Exactly.

I will say though, that even though the Mavs were due for a slide (not just in the sense that any team is; I felt all along they were playing above their heads), I do think they'd prefer to slide to four at this point. They're not going to have home court in the second round either way and they, like everyone else, would more than likely prefer to face the Spurs than the Lakers.

YES, but how the is Denver easy for them in round one? They play them VERY WELL! VERY WELL! If they get them they are in for more than they bargained IMO!