Run TMC
Years ago

NBA Playoff Race

A couple of interesting situations are developing in the NBA playoff race.

In the East it looks like Atlanta, Indiana and New Jersey will fight it out for the final spot (although Chicago could technically still make it). Whoever does get that spot will end up playing the Celtics in the first round - with nothing to lose and a heap of pressure on the Celtics it would be a good chance to snatch a game or two and put the pressure right on. For the teams that do miss out here at least there's a lottery pick (and an outside chance to steal a high pick).

In the West Dallas are a real chance of missing the playoffs now. With Dirk out for at least another couple of games Kidd may end up missing the playoffs altogether let alone be a "contender" (funny thing is New Jersey might still make it!). Denver and Golden State are the other two teams that could be the unlucky team to miss out (probably with a 50 win season - the first time this has ever happened AFAIK).

Personally I think Dallas will miss out in the West and Atlanta will stitch up the final East spot but get swept buy the Celtics in the first round.

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Mantis  
Years ago

The other wierd thing with the playoff races this year is to do with the Draft. A 50-win (or close to it) team will miss the playoffs and be in the lottery, and will therefore pick ahead of at least 5 teams with worse records, at least one of which (maybe more) will have a losing record. In fact at this point, three teams with better records would pick before the first playoff team picks. In fact the 8th seed in the East is a booby prize this year, you get a losing record, a first-round matchup with the Celtics, and drop in the draft from 11th, with a slight chance to move up in the lottery, down to 15th and locked in.

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