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Playoff Positioning

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Chicago about to lose to OKC.
 
True, but I want that 2nd seed secured ASAP so that we can rest players later on before the playoffs, and right now Raps are still a threat to our 2nd seed.
Eh we not to concerned about us getting the 2 seed. Our schedule is relatively easy the rest of the way. I am concerned about the Raptors getting the 3 seed though. That team is all sorts of dysfunctional, and just 2-9 over the last 11. They need all the wins they can get lol.
 
The other East "contenders" (not Atlanta and Cleveland) continuing to dive bomb in the standings. Hilarious.
 
Don't look now, but the Wizards, improbably, are right back in the thick of it for the 3 seed. If Toronto loses tonight, they'll only be a game back of the Raptors.
 
The April 5th game at home versus is now pretty much a must win for Chicago.

Bulls currently 3 behind in loss column. If the Cavs win, that means the Bulls are 4 down PLUS down the tiebreaker. The Cavs would have to go 9-5 at absolute worst, for the Bulls to catch us. More likely they'd need the Cavs to go something like 7-7 to win the division.
 
Cavs won, Bulls lost and Raps about to lose against Portland (at home).

:cool::cool::cool:
 
Will be interesting to see how the 3rd, 4th, 5th seed plays out and if the Pacers can catch the Bucks. Great having a few game lead now so Love can get plenty of rest before the playoffs.
 
I'll be dipped in $h!t - we are 3 games in front of both the Bulls and Raps! Roll my crap in crumbs!
 
my nightmare scenario is the Pacers make the 7th and the Bulls the 3rd seed (we stay at #2) and unfortunately that's looking like a legit scenario right now (the Bulls and Raptors are tied and looking at the schedule it's gonna be tough for Indy to catch the Bucks). we would have to go through Indiana and Chicago in the first 2 rounds and then Atlanta in the ECF.
meanwhile Atlanta would have a cakewalk to the ECF with their toughest opponent being Toronto (/Washington) in round 2 (round 1 would probably be over after 4-5 games).

in a perfect world Indy falls to #8 (probably unrealistic) and Chicago stays at #4, then Atlanta would have to go through that meatgrinder (i really like how Chicago matches up with Atlanta, as a Cavs fan that's the matchup i want to see happening)
 
my nightmare scenario is the Pacers make the 7th and the Bulls the 3rd seed (we stay at #2) and unfortunately that's looking like a legit scenario right now (the Bulls and Raptors are tied and looking at the schedule it's gonna be tough for Indy to catch the Bucks). we would have to go through Indiana and Chicago in the first 2 rounds and then Atlanta in the ECF.
meanwhile Atlanta would have a cakewalk to the ECF with their toughest opponent being Toronto (/Washington) in round 2 (round 1 would probably be over after 4-5 games).

in a perfect world Indy falls to #8 (probably unrealistic) and Chicago stays at #4, then Atlanta would have to go through that meatgrinder (i really like how Chicago matches up with Atlanta, as a Cavs fan that's the matchup i want to see happening)

I have to second this sentiment. But on second thought, I think "screw it!". I'm confident we have the ability to beat anyone and while at this point we'd all take an easy route to the Finals (I just want to win, I don't necessarily care how we get there), playing in some very challenging matchups might go a long way in strengthening this team's resolve, preventing complacency and actually putting us in a better position to make a significant run at the championship come June.
 
I honestly think the Pacers will get 6th seed and Bucks 7th or possibly 8th. They have a brutal schedule coming up!

@ New Orleans
vs San Antonio
@ Brooklyn
vs Cleveland
vs Miami
vs Pacers
vs Golden State
@ Atlanta
vs Chicago

I see them going 2-7. Maybe worse...
 
Cavs hold a full 3 game lead over the third and fourth seeds.

At this point, it's better to root for Charlotte to win and Indiana to lose (for those of you who don't want to see them in the first round). They are a half game up on the Hornets and are 2.5 back of the Bucks.

I'd rather the Pacers take the Hawks to six or seven in the first round than the Cavs, personally.
 
Cavs really should lock up the 2nd seed. They aren't tested for shit in postseason and really do need the home court for the first 2 rounds at the very least. That way, we can approach a team like the Hawks the right way, even without home court.

In 2007, people may not remember, but it was the first year the top 4 teams in each conference were granted home court. Dallas' previous year of beating the Spurs despite being the fourth seed convinced the league to change up home court advantage to reward teams with better records but no divisional championships. Hell, we also had the 3rd best record that year (better than the Nets) but were forced to play the best team in the conference (Detroit) in the 2nd round (otherwise would've played the eventual champion, the Heat). In 2007, we managed to have the 2nd seed with virtually the same conditions as the year before.

But still, with or without home court, you need to play basketball worthy of champions once you make it far enough. The Spurs have proven that time and time again. Against Cinderella teams (1999/Knicks, 2007/Cavs) and near-championship level teams (2005/Pistons). They lost in 2013, but the Heat couldn't beat them without perfect execution. The Heat themselves were exposed big time against the Mavs the first year. Going back to 2010, the Celtics proved to be clicking at the right time, nearly upsetting the Lakers in seven games (without Perkins during the critical stretch). The greatest examples of teams made of champions but not the home court team in the conference finals/NBA finals were the 1995 Rockets (6th seed), 1993 Bulls (beat 1st seed Knicks/Suns), and 1969 Celtics (4th seed).

And look, we can get the 2nd seed, but it doesn't mean we're shoo-ins for the first 2 rounds, either. If we don't get the lucky bounce and face a team clicking at the right time (like the Pacers), we need to demonstrate we're for real. "Beat the best to be the best." Teams will always look their best against top notch competition. Take their best punch and roll with it. If you can't beat a hot team, you don't deserve to be champs anyways. The Spurs weren't ready in 2011, neither the Lakers. We all know the Mavericks' story in 2007. And the Heats top record meant nothing against the Knicks 1998-2000. We've been fortunate with only losing Andy for most of the season, but luck will catch up to us sooner than later, in health or performance.
 
Cavs really should lock up the 2nd seed. They aren't tested for shit in postseason and really do need the home court for the first 2 rounds at the very least. That way, we can approach a team like the Hawks the right way, even without home court..

At this point, the most advantageous thing that can happen is for Toronto to get their shit together and keep Chicago in the 4 spot.

Having to only play one of Atlanta or Chicago would be a massive boost to our finals chances. The scenario where we have to go through Chicago and Atlanta gets a little scary.
 

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