We Tank Tonight...

[NFGIII]

I'm not sure Mavs will try to win this game. The 2nd seed is nice but facing Portland (likely without Roy) instead of SA seems nicer.

If I were the Mavs I would want to play the Trailblazers at 1/2 strength rather than the Spurs at full. No brainer IMHO.

As I implied and HH37 stated earlier it is in the interest of all teams to get the best and most favorable matchup possible. To think otherwise is just insane or foolish. You never know what is going to happen come playoff time. Teams get hot and players get injured. Ebbs and flows of this sort are all part of the game so position your team accordingly, if possible. All you have to do is look what happened to the Mavs in '07 to understand this.

[Fpoonsie]

Hope this helps Fpoonsie: http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nba...ory?id=5087206

Thanks, bud.

Of course, as soon as I see that, here comes Bruno.

[Shank]

I'm not sure Mavs will try to win this game. The 2nd seed is nice but facing Portland (likely without Roy) instead of SA seems nicer.

But if the Mavs get past the first round matchup with the Blazers, they'd concede HCA in the 2nd to the Jazz (assuming the higher seeds win). Tricky.

[Fpoonsie]

it.

I'm goin. I'll be there w/ a Mav fan buddy of mine in section 3-0-somethin, nervous as .

[nowhereman523]

Mavs fans may be bags, but Rocket fan embarrasses the whole state every time he opens his mouth.

as a mavs fan, i concur

[Bruno]

But if the Mavs get past the first round matchup with the Blazers, they'd concede HCA in the 2nd to the Jazz (assuming the higher seeds win). Tricky.

Jazz series against Spurs should be more difficult than Mavs' one against Blazers. Jazz will have the HCA but they should be more tired. Spurs can also very well beat Jazz.

[jack0fspeed]

I predict both teams will play as if this were a playoff game.

[Budkin]

Spews are screwed no matter what. 1st round exit no matter who they play. They suck.

"Spews?" That doesn't even make sense... in any context. Bad try but failure.

[Dirkadirkastan]

Spurts, squirts, sperms.

[DPG21920]

That is what I was thinking. Even if the Mavs give up the 2nd seed, it is likely they will still have H.C. in the 2nd round. Spurs can beat the Jazz, although it will be tough.

I think the benefit of an easy first round is worth it, but I don't see Dallas giving up the 2nd seed on purpose.

[baseline bum]

I think this is a throw-away game. Portland isn't likely to lose to GS at home and you gotta like Phoenix to win and avoid the Lakers side' of the bracket, especially with Boozer out. It seems almost certain that the matchup is going to be Spurs/Mavs, and I'd rather not give them a chance to scout the Spurs close-up right before the series starts. On the flip-side, this game means something for Dallas, since it can lock up homecourt vs Utah in a possible second round matchup.

I knew Pop would consider it a throw-away game too.

[DPG21920]

Questionable move by Pop.

[Brazil]

I predict both teams will play as if this were a playoff game.

good call lol

[nkdlunch]

Pop ed up. Now Hill is done

[Spurs Brazil]

BEST NEWS OF THE NIGHT

Mason last regular season game in Spurs uniform

[SenorSpur]

BEST NEWS OF THE NIGHT

Mason last regular season game in Spurs uniform

Wow!

He is chucking up the 3's at a very poor percentage, isn't he?

[nkdlunch]

good call OP

props

[SenorSpur]

Also by losing they are assured to be picking ahead of Portland in the draft.

That was the hidden benefit that I kept in the back of my mind.