Let's get right to it...
Here's my take on the playoff hopefuls from the 7th seed through the 11th position in the Eastern Conference:
#7 Nets, 35-39
8 games remaining = 3 @ home/5 on the road.
5 games are against teams currently holding playoff positions = Bulls and Wizards (X2 games/each)
3 games against teams fighting for any real chance at a playoff berth = Knicks (X2 games) and Pacers
They have 3 sets of back-to-back games.
All remaining games are against EC teams.
Outlook: Nets need to win 6 of their remaining 8 games to secure the 7th seed and assure themselves a playoff berth. Ahtough they have faired well against EC teams (25-19), they haven't done as well on the road (14-22). The Nets chances of wrapping up the #7 seed improved w/both of the Wizards high scorers getting season-ending injuries. Add to the fact that they hold the season series against the Bulls, 2-0, I expect the Nets should hold on to their #7 seed. However, I'm not putting any money down on it! The Bulls' play has improved of late, and I'd never count out the Knicks! They can steal a game or two which would put the Nets on the ropes.
#8 Magic, 34-41
7 games remaining = 3 @ home, 4 on the road
3 games are against teams currently holding playoff positions = Pistons, Heat, Wizards
1 game against a team fighting for any real chance at a playoff berth = 76ers
3 games against teams out of the playoff hunt (1 WC/2 EC)
They have 2 sets of back-to-back games.
Outlook: Magic have the softer schedule. However, a slip-up or two could cost them! Remember, the Pacers are only 1.5 games back and they hold the tie-breaker by virtue of having a better conference record (currently 22-22 -vs- Magic 21-25). Magic need only to remain at least 2 wins ahead of the Pacers to secure the #8 seed.
#9 Pacers, 32-42
8 games remaining = 3 @ home/5 on the road.
3 games are against teams currently holding playoff positions = Heat, Nets, Wizards
2 games are against teams fighting for any real chance at a playoff berth = 76ers and Bobcats
3 are against teams outside the playoff picture
They have 3 sets of back-to-back games.
All remaining games are against EC teams.
Outlook: Pacers have been their own worst enemy for a playoff berth, but if ever there was a point in the season where they could redeem themselves, this is it! Their next 4 games are against teams with losing records - Bobcats, 76ers, Celtics and Bucks. Plus, they have the Hawks. Add to that the fact they they hold the season series lead against the Heat, 2-1 and they matchup very well against them AND the fact that the Wizards - the last team they face on the season - will be without their best two offensive weapons, the Pacers have a chance to move into the playoff picture because the truth is only the Nets and Heat pose a real threat to their playoff aspirations...unless, of course, you want to include the Pacers themselves being as I said...their own worst enemy.
#10 Knicks, 31-43
8 games remaining = 3 @ home/5 on the road.
5 games are against teams currently holding playoff positions = Pistons, Bulls, Nets (X2), Raptors
1 game is a team w/any real chance at a playoff berth = Bobcats
2 are against teams outside the playoff picture
They have 3 sets of back-to-back games.
6 of their remaining games are against EC teams.
1 is against a WC team (T-Wolves)
Outlook: The Knicks have their hands full. Not only do they have 5 road games, but they'll also face 5 playoff-bounds teams and 2 in the hunt. Of all the teams looking to get in or retain a playoff berth, the Knicks are the only team fighting upstream - HARD! But this is a fiesty bunch. They have a "never-say die/don't quite" attitude I wish my boyz (Pacers) had. They'll be scrappy 'til the end, and for the Knicks that means 'til the last shot whether they're ahead or behind. Keep a close watch on this team. They might surprise some folks.
#11 76ers, 30-44
8 games remaining = 5 @ home/3 on the road.
5 games are against teams currently holding playoff positions = Raptors (X2), Magic, Pistons and Cavs
1 game is against a team fighting for any real chance at a playoff berth = Pacers
2 are against teams outside the playoff picture
They have 3 sets of back-to-back games.
All remaining games are against EC teams.
Outlook: Of all the playoff hopefuls, the 76ers are probrably in the worst position by far. Not only do they have the worst road record of any of the playoff hopefuls (11-27), they also have the worse conference record of the playoff hopefuls (19-25) They get a break by playing 5 of their remaining 8 games at home, but all of their remaining games are against the East, and 5 are against strong playoff contenders. I don't see this team moving up the ranks at all.
Team outside the bubble to look out for: Bobcats!
(Note: Thread also posted at IndyStar/Pacers forum)
Here's my take on the playoff hopefuls from the 7th seed through the 11th position in the Eastern Conference:
#7 Nets, 35-39
8 games remaining = 3 @ home/5 on the road.
5 games are against teams currently holding playoff positions = Bulls and Wizards (X2 games/each)
3 games against teams fighting for any real chance at a playoff berth = Knicks (X2 games) and Pacers
They have 3 sets of back-to-back games.
All remaining games are against EC teams.
Outlook: Nets need to win 6 of their remaining 8 games to secure the 7th seed and assure themselves a playoff berth. Ahtough they have faired well against EC teams (25-19), they haven't done as well on the road (14-22). The Nets chances of wrapping up the #7 seed improved w/both of the Wizards high scorers getting season-ending injuries. Add to the fact that they hold the season series against the Bulls, 2-0, I expect the Nets should hold on to their #7 seed. However, I'm not putting any money down on it! The Bulls' play has improved of late, and I'd never count out the Knicks! They can steal a game or two which would put the Nets on the ropes.
#8 Magic, 34-41
7 games remaining = 3 @ home, 4 on the road
3 games are against teams currently holding playoff positions = Pistons, Heat, Wizards
1 game against a team fighting for any real chance at a playoff berth = 76ers
3 games against teams out of the playoff hunt (1 WC/2 EC)
They have 2 sets of back-to-back games.
Outlook: Magic have the softer schedule. However, a slip-up or two could cost them! Remember, the Pacers are only 1.5 games back and they hold the tie-breaker by virtue of having a better conference record (currently 22-22 -vs- Magic 21-25). Magic need only to remain at least 2 wins ahead of the Pacers to secure the #8 seed.
#9 Pacers, 32-42
8 games remaining = 3 @ home/5 on the road.
3 games are against teams currently holding playoff positions = Heat, Nets, Wizards
2 games are against teams fighting for any real chance at a playoff berth = 76ers and Bobcats
3 are against teams outside the playoff picture
They have 3 sets of back-to-back games.
All remaining games are against EC teams.
Outlook: Pacers have been their own worst enemy for a playoff berth, but if ever there was a point in the season where they could redeem themselves, this is it! Their next 4 games are against teams with losing records - Bobcats, 76ers, Celtics and Bucks. Plus, they have the Hawks. Add to that the fact they they hold the season series lead against the Heat, 2-1 and they matchup very well against them AND the fact that the Wizards - the last team they face on the season - will be without their best two offensive weapons, the Pacers have a chance to move into the playoff picture because the truth is only the Nets and Heat pose a real threat to their playoff aspirations...unless, of course, you want to include the Pacers themselves being as I said...their own worst enemy.
#10 Knicks, 31-43
8 games remaining = 3 @ home/5 on the road.
5 games are against teams currently holding playoff positions = Pistons, Bulls, Nets (X2), Raptors
1 game is a team w/any real chance at a playoff berth = Bobcats
2 are against teams outside the playoff picture
They have 3 sets of back-to-back games.
6 of their remaining games are against EC teams.
1 is against a WC team (T-Wolves)
Outlook: The Knicks have their hands full. Not only do they have 5 road games, but they'll also face 5 playoff-bounds teams and 2 in the hunt. Of all the teams looking to get in or retain a playoff berth, the Knicks are the only team fighting upstream - HARD! But this is a fiesty bunch. They have a "never-say die/don't quite" attitude I wish my boyz (Pacers) had. They'll be scrappy 'til the end, and for the Knicks that means 'til the last shot whether they're ahead or behind. Keep a close watch on this team. They might surprise some folks.
#11 76ers, 30-44
8 games remaining = 5 @ home/3 on the road.
5 games are against teams currently holding playoff positions = Raptors (X2), Magic, Pistons and Cavs
1 game is against a team fighting for any real chance at a playoff berth = Pacers
2 are against teams outside the playoff picture
They have 3 sets of back-to-back games.
All remaining games are against EC teams.
Outlook: Of all the playoff hopefuls, the 76ers are probrably in the worst position by far. Not only do they have the worst road record of any of the playoff hopefuls (11-27), they also have the worse conference record of the playoff hopefuls (19-25) They get a break by playing 5 of their remaining 8 games at home, but all of their remaining games are against the East, and 5 are against strong playoff contenders. I don't see this team moving up the ranks at all.
Team outside the bubble to look out for: Bobcats!
(Note: Thread also posted at IndyStar/Pacers forum)
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