Thanks, I suppose that makes sense (from a league/rule perspective). 2-6 are so close right now, a strong finish to the year could drastically change the playoff match ups.
2014-15 5(x) Champion San Antonio Spurs - Title Defense Thread.
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Last: 9 yr ago by rms007
The playoffs in the west are going to be interesting. It will be difficult to win it without home court but the way the Spurs are playing and with their veteran leadership I think they could do it. I know the Warriors were at a slight disadvantage with the back to back but the Spurs came to play. I like the way it is looking right now.
What is kind of funny about that rule change is that I bet Portland would rather be a six seed and go through 2/7 3/6 than see Golden State in rd 2. So what is in place to help Portland may be a negative for them.
I might be overly confident but Memphis and Golden State are the only 2 teams that make me nervous. Portland is missing Matthews. Houston is just Harden which is easier to scheme in a 7 game set than single game regular season match ups. And the clippers never seem to put it all together.
Ehh I'm just not sure. I think Golden State and Houston would be the two toughest matchups for the Spurs in a seven game series but it's hard to say. Well know a lot more about that potential matchup with Houston after this week. Beverely being out definitely helps us a ton though. The way Harden is playing is pretty scary though. We definitely have the defenders to match up but if the officials put Kawhi/Danny in foul trouble that does not bode well for us and Harden gets more calls then anyone in the league statistically speaking.
I just don't think Memphis can win 4 games against us. Ever since we have acquired Kawhi Leonard, Memphis just seems to match up terribly with us. There advantage inside just doesn't exist anymore with TD/Tiago/Baynes/Boris and Leonard cleaning up the glass behind them.
Los Angeles is a little tricky. DeAndre and Blake would be a handful and they can get hot from three. Good coach as well so I think I would even prefer Memphis to LA at this point.
Portland would be a cakewalk IMO and the easiest matchup for the Spurs but then that means a second round series with GS which I would rather avoid tbh.
Dallas gives us trouble but getting the 2 and drawing them probably ends up being the best road for the Spurs. Dallas doesn't look nearly as dangerous as last season.
I just don't think Memphis can win 4 games against us. Ever since we have acquired Kawhi Leonard, Memphis just seems to match up terribly with us. There advantage inside just doesn't exist anymore with TD/Tiago/Baynes/Boris and Leonard cleaning up the glass behind them.
Los Angeles is a little tricky. DeAndre and Blake would be a handful and they can get hot from three. Good coach as well so I think I would even prefer Memphis to LA at this point.
Portland would be a cakewalk IMO and the easiest matchup for the Spurs but then that means a second round series with GS which I would rather avoid tbh.
Dallas gives us trouble but getting the 2 and drawing them probably ends up being the best road for the Spurs. Dallas doesn't look nearly as dangerous as last season.
The claw.
Assuming the playoff teams are as follows, in no order:
GSW
LAC
Houston
Memphis
Portland
SA
Dallas
OKC
My preferred round 1 opponent would be: Portland, then Memphis or OKC, then Dallas, then Houston or LAC, and finally GS. I'm with Sher, Houston (aka Harden) concerns me, but LAC's athleticism inside + Doc Rivers concerns me almost as much, if not more. Playing Portland means playing GS in the 2nd round, but I don't know how nervous I am with them. Curry is amazing, but, we have length to deal with both Curry and Thompson, and I don't know if Kerr can match up with Pop just yet. I know last night they were more fatigued than us, so I'm trying to not let it cloud my judgement.
Memphis doesn't concern me in a 7 game series. They are tough inside, but as long as Tiago is 90+%, I like our chances. OKC if healthy would be further down my list, but I don't see how Westbrook can carry that team in a 7 game series against us. It doesn't matter though, since they'll be playing, and losing to, GS.
This should be a fun playoffs in the West though. Unless all of the teams are too battered to make it interesting, I think we'll see quite a few 6-7 game series this year. Honestly, some of the match ups in the East interest me too. Not as many, but I'm enjoying watching Cleveland play, and hopefully I get to see more of Atlanta.
GSW
LAC
Houston
Memphis
Portland
SA
Dallas
OKC
My preferred round 1 opponent would be: Portland, then Memphis or OKC, then Dallas, then Houston or LAC, and finally GS. I'm with Sher, Houston (aka Harden) concerns me, but LAC's athleticism inside + Doc Rivers concerns me almost as much, if not more. Playing Portland means playing GS in the 2nd round, but I don't know how nervous I am with them. Curry is amazing, but, we have length to deal with both Curry and Thompson, and I don't know if Kerr can match up with Pop just yet. I know last night they were more fatigued than us, so I'm trying to not let it cloud my judgement.
Memphis doesn't concern me in a 7 game series. They are tough inside, but as long as Tiago is 90+%, I like our chances. OKC if healthy would be further down my list, but I don't see how Westbrook can carry that team in a 7 game series against us. It doesn't matter though, since they'll be playing, and losing to, GS.
This should be a fun playoffs in the West though. Unless all of the teams are too battered to make it interesting, I think we'll see quite a few 6-7 game series this year. Honestly, some of the match ups in the East interest me too. Not as many, but I'm enjoying watching Cleveland play, and hopefully I get to see more of Atlanta.
I think Harden is a great player, but he's not transcendent enough to put a team on his back and win a series against a team like the Spurs.
He could beat OKC or Portland more or less by himself, but not a playoff-tested team.
I agree that LAC is probably the worst early-round matchup. I'll be a little surprised if OKC even makes the playoffs at this point.
He could beat OKC or Portland more or less by himself, but not a playoff-tested team.
I agree that LAC is probably the worst early-round matchup. I'll be a little surprised if OKC even makes the playoffs at this point.
I'll have a much better idea of how much Houston worries me after this week. Right now I'd put them right behind the Warriors and the teams I want the least.
I pretty much agree. I think Portland would be the easiest matchup but as of right now I feel like I would rather be in the 2/3 6/7 side of the bracket. I know we looked good against GS last night but playing them in a 7 games series would be extremely tough especially with a possible game 7 on their floor which is an insane home-court advantage as everyone is aware.
I think the best case scenario would be something like this:
1.GS
2.SA/LAC
3.SA/LAC
4.Portland
5.Houston
6.Memphis
7.Dallas
8.OKC
HOU/LAC can be interchangeable after we know more about how we match up with Houston later this week.
I think the best case scenario would be something like this:
1.GS
2.SA/LAC
3.SA/LAC
4.Portland
5.Houston
6.Memphis
7.Dallas
8.OKC
HOU/LAC can be interchangeable after we know more about how we match up with Houston later this week.
Remaining Schedules:
Rockets: (53-24)
@Spurs
Spurs
Pelicans
@Hornets
Jazz
Grizzlies: (52-25)
Pelicans
@Jazz
@Clippers
@Warriors
Pacers
Clippers: (52-26)
Lakers
Grizzlies
Nuggets
@Suns
Blazers: (50-26) (Can't drop past 4)
@Nets
Wolves
@Warriors
Jazz
@Thunder
@Mavs
Spurs: (51-26)
@Thunder
Rockets
@Rockets
Suns
Pelicans
Rockets: (53-24)
@Spurs
Spurs
Pelicans
@Hornets
Jazz
Grizzlies: (52-25)
Pelicans
@Jazz
@Clippers
@Warriors
Pacers
Clippers: (52-26)
Lakers
Grizzlies
Nuggets
@Suns
Blazers: (50-26) (Can't drop past 4)
@Nets
Wolves
@Warriors
Jazz
@Thunder
@Mavs
Spurs: (51-26)
@Thunder
Rockets
@Rockets
Suns
Pelicans
I think the next two games (back-to-back) will be the make it/break it games as far as seeding. If we win both, we finish strong and get to #3. If we lose one, I think we settle for 6th.
Houston won't drop to 5. Other than the Spurs, they have the Pelicans, Hornets and Jazz. The Pelicans have played them well, but I don't see them losing 3-4 games there. For us, best case scenario would be for them to lose both to us, then lose to the hopefully surging Pelicans. But I think the Rockets probably beat us in the first game (second night of a back to back, they have 3 days rest), then we beat them in the second game.
Clippers will likely go 4-0 or 3-1.
Grizzlies aren't playing well and I think they go 2-3 to close out.
Blazers don't matter b/c they are guaranteed 4 seed.
So Rockets close out going 3-2 for a 56-26 record.
Spurs finish 4-1 for a 55-27 record.
Grizzlies stumble into the playoffs while going 2-3 for a 54-28 record.
Clippers finish 4-0 for a 56-26 record.
Blazers get 4th seed.
Rockets: (53-24)
@Spurs W
Spurs L
Pelicans L
@Hornets W
Jazz W
Grizzlies: (52-25)
Pelicans L
@Jazz W
@Clippers L
@Warriors L
Pacers W
Clippers: (52-26)
Lakers W
Grizzlies W
Nuggets W
@Suns W
Spurs: (51-26)
@Thunder W
Rockets L
@Rockets W
Suns W
Pelicans W or rest starters L
So
1. GSW
2. Rockets/Clippers
3. Rockets/Clippers
4. Blazers
5. Spurs
6. Grizzlies
7. Mavs
8. OKC/Pelicans
Spurs could swap 5/6 by resting everyone in the last game of the season against the Pelicans. That could cause the Pellies to make the playoffs and the Thunder to miss out.
Clippers will likely go 4-0 or 3-1.
Grizzlies aren't playing well and I think they go 2-3 to close out.
Blazers don't matter b/c they are guaranteed 4 seed.
So Rockets close out going 3-2 for a 56-26 record.
Spurs finish 4-1 for a 55-27 record.
Grizzlies stumble into the playoffs while going 2-3 for a 54-28 record.
Clippers finish 4-0 for a 56-26 record.
Blazers get 4th seed.
Rockets: (53-24)
@Spurs W
Spurs L
Pelicans L
@Hornets W
Jazz W
Grizzlies: (52-25)
Pelicans L
@Jazz W
@Clippers L
@Warriors L
Pacers W
Clippers: (52-26)
Lakers W
Grizzlies W
Nuggets W
@Suns W
Spurs: (51-26)
@Thunder W
Rockets L
@Rockets W
Suns W
Pelicans W or rest starters L
So
1. GSW
2. Rockets/Clippers
3. Rockets/Clippers
4. Blazers
5. Spurs
6. Grizzlies
7. Mavs
8. OKC/Pelicans
Spurs could swap 5/6 by resting everyone in the last game of the season against the Pelicans. That could cause the Pellies to make the playoffs and the Thunder to miss out.
quote:
Spurs could swap 5/6 by resting everyone in the last game of the season against the Pelicans. That could cause the Pellies to make the playoffs and the Thunder to miss out.
I think you can expect as the Spurs to perform as well as Pop wants them to perform on the back end of a back to back. We've been beating teams so easily lately that even though its a back to back, most of the players are coming into the game only having played 20-25 minutes the night before.
I am certainly hoping the Thunder make the playoffs because I think Westbrook can really take a lot out more out of the Warriors than the Pelicans can.
I am certainly hoping the Thunder make the playoffs because I think Westbrook can really take a lot out more out of the Warriors than the Pelicans can.
quote:quote:
Spurs could swap 5/6 by resting everyone in the last game of the season against the Pelicans. That could cause the Pellies to make the playoffs and the Thunder to miss out.
Even though we have the Pellies pick this year, I would love to see this. It would be yet another middle finger to the league from Pop
quote:quote:
Spurs could swap 5/6 by resting everyone in the last game of the season against the Pelicans. That could cause the Pellies to make the playoffs and the Thunder to miss out.
quote:It could just go so many different ways still.. Especially if there becomes a three way tie. The tie-breaker situation under that scenario becomes extremely cloudy.
So
1. GSW
2. Rockets/Clippers
3. Rockets/Clippers
4. Blazers
5. Spurs
6. Grizzlies
7. Mavs
8. OKC/Pelicans
Spurs could swap 5/6 by resting everyone in the last game of the season against the Pelicans. That could cause the Pellies to make the playoffs and the Thunder to miss out.
All I know is, Portland will NOT be looking forward to a Rd 1 match-up vs. Los Spurs if it works out that way. We absolutely steamrolled those guys last year. Even though we didn't sweep them, it was one of the more lop-sided series I've seen in a long time. It would probably stand out more if we hadn't put the same type of beat down on the Heat in the Finals!
Yeah. I don't see Portland being able to hang with any of their potential opponents tbh.
quote:I salivate at the prospect of a POR matchup in rd 1.
All I know is, Portland will NOT be looking forward to a Rd 1 match-up vs. Los Spurs if it works out that way. We absolutely steamrolled those guys last year. Even though we didn't sweep them, it was one of the more lop-sided series I've seen in a long time. It would probably stand out more if we hadn't put the same type of beat down on the Heat in the Finals!
The Spurs home win streak against the Golden State Warriors is at 32 games.
quote:
The Spurs home win streak against the Golden State Warriors is at 32 games.
quote:All the news out lets are running with that number, but they're omitting that that's only our regular season win streak. They beat us at home once during the 2013 playoffs (the game after they somehow choked away a 16 point lead in the final 4 minutes of regulation). Still an impressive figure, but not quite as impressive.
The Spurs home win streak against the Golden State Warriors is at 32 games.
This game, tho. Holy ****.
It's insane how there's only 5 games left and spots 2-6 are still wide open.
quote:
It's insane how there's only 5 games left and spots 2-6 are still wide open.
Well, technically, the 4th seed is locked...
8th seed could go two ways, too.
Yep, both good points. Man I hope we crush OKC's playoff hopes tonight.
Y'all wouldn't rather have OKC push the Warriors instead of the Pelicans. I see OKC atleast battling. Pelicans I see a 4 game blowout.
Honestly I just have an intense dislike of Westbrook. I want to be the team that crushes their dreams.
I'd rather play OKC. Easier to root against Westbrook than the Brow. That and I don't think OKC wins more than one game
I dunno. It all depends on which Westbrook shows up to the playoffs. Right now he hasn't been looking too great. But I agree, a decent OKC is more likely to push GSW rather than the Pelicans.
Neither of those teams are taking Golden State past 5 games, so it really doesn't matter. And Golden State will probably win at least 3 games in the series by double digits.
Golden State won't be tested until round 2. Period.
Golden State won't be tested until round 2. Period.
Are the Spurs going to rest anyone tonight?
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