I hope all the Americans are having great Thanksgiving weekends and everyone else is enjoying whatever they've got going on.
We had a bunch of close calls yesterday, but ultimately it was only @POTUS who got burned by the perpetually disappointing Clippers. That makes two people (also @gnilma) on the edge of elimination as we head into the final round of Group Play.
Here's the slate for the final round, 11/28, before we enter the playoffs:
- Bulls (0-3) @ Celtics (2-1)
- Raptors (1-2) @ Nets (2-1)
- Hawks (1-2) @ Cavs (2-1)
- Bucks (3-0) @ Heat (2-1)
- Hornets (1-2) @ Knicks (2-1)
- Thunder (1-2) @ Timberwolves (2-1)
- Rockets (2-1) @ Mavericks (1-2)
- Warriors (2-1) @ Kings (3-0)
As I look at the standings, only the Pacers and Lakers have clinched playoff spots. However, the pathetic Pistons, Wizards, Raptors, Bulls, Jazz, Blazers, Grizzlies, Nuggets, Mavericks, Clippers, Thunder, and Spurs have all been eliminated.
Victory Pot
19,008 sats and rising!
I'll go out on a limb and take the Celtics and feel good about it assuming they are going to win but not advance due to either Nets winning or point differential.
Ugh
At least we advance without a a strike, but now the Celtics are clearly the best team left and they're surely going to burn us at some point.
Do you know how the playoffs work. Do they crossover or stay in east and west? If they stay, then I guess it is Bucks v.s Knicks and Pacers v.s Celtics.
They stay in their conferences. That's how they can be sure that the games will fit into the regular season schedule.
Ok. Are all the QFinal games the same day?
No. They're on consecutive days: 12/4 and 12/5.
I was hoping I only had to select one team in the QF. Haha.
It seems the Celtics is the only obvious pick. Don't see a clear winner in the rest of the remaining games. I'm leaning towards the Celtics too, but still considering if I should save them for their potential making it to playoffs through point differential or regular season record. Think a bit more on it before making my pick.
I think they will have a tough path to making the playoffs. They have lost to the Magic so as far as I can tell the only way they can win the group is by 3 way tie between Magic, Celtics and Nets at which point it goes to point differential which they currently trail the magic by 22 and Nets by 8. So they have to win this game by 23, have the nets win by 14 or less to win the group on tiebreaker.
If the nets lose they would still alive potentially for one of the wildcards as a 2nd place finisher but again the point differential is probably going to cost them.
They have a path but they need some help and to win this game by a lot.
Thanks for the awesome analysis. Definitely helped me make up my mind and jump on the Celtics train.
Great analysis!
Celtics
Three for Boston
Mavericks
If I didn't still have Boston, that's who I was going to take.
Knicks
Nice to have them available still
Tough slate of games.
I was looking at Dallas, but you sold me on Boston.
Precisely my plan. Drag as many down with me as possible. Haha
What's more likely?
I would say Boston losing. Even if they were up by 50, I don't think they are so desperate to make the playoffs that they keep their starters in the game.
Maybe not, but there's a schedule element that I haven't heard anyone bring up as part of the incentive for trying to win the tournament.
The remaining NBA schedule isn't actually fixed, because of the uncertainty around who faces off during the playoff rounds. Getting into the playoffs means facing more tough teams now and potentially having an easier schedule later in the season. That might be worth pushing to get in.
Knicks
Nice pick
Do you have the teams I've used handy by any chance?
Indiana, Dallas, Atlanta, Milwaukee, Phoenix, Golden State
Ah thank you very much
In light of @grayruby's dissertation, I'm going to take the Celtics, too.