quote:
You don't think Portland can win at least 2 games against the Clippers?
No, especially with Meyers Leonard out, and Fake returning, unless the Clippers implode.
The last few years, Portland would be outside looking in, but after the 4th seed, none of these teams are that good, and there is a significant dropoff from 4 to 5.
The only influence 5-8 will have on these playoffs is through injury or drawing a fight/suspension in an elimination game that carries over to the next series. That is why even though Memphis has the worst roster, if I was a team in the top 4, I would prefer the other teams.