Race to the Playoffs – The Final 10 Days

[mantypas/CavsCzar]

Good evening, and what an absolute season we are having. The pace has been fierce, but the competition has been even fiercer somehow. The Hawks are killing everyone but there are some really fun playoff races that’ll come down to the wire, both to get into the dance and general seeding purposes. Thought it would be a fun article to analyze the teams under the most pressure to win big in the final ten days. Let’s begin

Hopeful Atlantic Division Champs –
Orlando Magic (52-23) vs. New York Knicks (51-23)
Half a game of separation

Magic Remaining Schedule
111 – Vs. Cavaliers
112 Vs. Jazz
113 - @Heat
116 – Vs. Bulls
117 – @Raptors
118 – Vs. Clippers
119 – Vs. 76ers

Knicks Remaining Schedule
112 – Vs. Cavaliers
114 - @Mavericks
115 - @Warriors
116- Vs. Pistons
117 – Vs. Nets
118 – Vs. Lakers
119 - @Pistons
120 - @Raptors

Two incredible teams. More home games for the Magic, slightly easier schedule for the Knicks, I’ll give it to the Magic.

Hopeful Midwest Champions
Vancouver Grizzlies (48-26) vs. Utah Jazz (45-28)
2.5 Games back

Grizzlies Remaining Schedule
111- @Jazz
112 – Vs. Lakes
114 – Vs. Heat
116- @Nuggets
117 – @Hornets
118 – @ Kings
119 - @Rockets
120 – Vs. Suns

Jazz Remaining Schedule
111 - Vs. Grizzles
112 - @Magic
113 – Vs. Trailblazers
114 - @Bucks
115 - @Bulls
117 – Vs. Spurs
118 – @Cavaliers
119 - @Twolves
120 – Vs. Pacers
Both teams have pretty tough schedules littered with road games. With the 2.5 game lead and a home game in their head2head matchup, I don’t think the Grizzlies are going to give it away unless they lose to two of three of the tankers. Fun day 111 game to set the tone.

Eastern Playoff Hopefuls
Indiana Pacers (38-36 – current 7), Milwaukee Bucks (40-38 -current 8), Cleveland Cavaliers (38-37 – current 9), Washington Bullets (38-37 – current 10)
Everyone is separated by less than half a game.

Pacers Remaining Schedule
111 - @Warriors
112- @Clippers
114 – Vs. Kings
116 – Vs. Trailblazers
117 – Vs. Bullets
118 – Vs. Heat
119 - @Suns
120 - @Jazz

Bucks Remaining Schedule
111 - @Hawks
114 – Vs. Jazz
116 - @Hornets
117 – Vs. Lakers

Cavaliers Remaining Schedule
111 - @Magic
112 - @Knicks
114 - @Rockets
115 - @Celtics
116 – Vs. Raptors
118 – Vs. Jazz
120 - @Kings

Bullets Remaining Schedule
111 – Vs Spurs
112 – Vs. Hornets
114 - @Nets
115 - @Hornets
117 - @Pacers
118 - @76ers
119 - @Raptors

Really important Pacers Bullets game on day 117. Cavs and Bullets have the most road heavy finals, but everyone has a really tough schedule. It’s going to be very tough for the Bucks to win without their best player, Spida. I think the Pacers and the Bullets face the most non-playoff teams and will advance to the playoffs, but you better bet the Bucks and the Cavs are going to fight to the final day to make it.

Western Playoff Hopefuls
Seattle Supersonics (38-38), San Antonio Spurs (37-37), Minnesota Timberwolves (37-37)
Even!

Supersonics Remaining Schedule
112 - @Timberwolves
113 - @Rockets
114 – Vs. Clippers
117 – Vs. Kings
119 – Vs. Heat
120 – Vs. Clippers

Spurs Remaining Schedule
111 - @Bullets
112 - @Mavericks
113 – Vs Nuggets
114 – Vs Nuggets
115 - @76ers
117 - @Jazz
119 - @Trailblazers
120 – Vs. Trailblazers

Timberwolves Remaining Schedule
111 - @Lakers
112 – Vs. Supersonics
113 - @Lakers
114 - @Pistons
115 - @Hawks
116 - @Clippers
119 – Vs. Jazz
120 – Vs. Warriors

Sonicks get the most home games and games against tankers. Jimmy Butler missing the day 112 matchup for the Timberwolves is pretty brutal. I’ll give it to the Supersonics.

BONUS ROUND - THE LOSERZZZ
Heat, Mavericks, Nets, Rockets
Not going to go fully analyzing schedules for the tankers, but I will say the Heat only have 2 home games, where every other team has more home games then road games, so I’m chalking it up to the Heat being the worst record holder this year.

Well that’s all I got folks, good luck to everyone for the rest of the season.

[Merv]

Thought about writing this exact article. Well done Michael!

[jwoo]

Raptors clippers tank-off erasure

[mantypas/CavsCzar]

Raptors clippers tank-off erasure

Really big one I missed due to tiredness was Suns vs. Grizz for the 1 seed out west, one game within each other (suns on top). What’s the odds difference between fifth best odds and sixth best odds?

[Jordo]

Nick said he was so embarrassed to be tied with a tanking team that he'd trade me Brunson

[SoNicks]

Nick said he was so embarrassed to be tied with a tanking team that he'd trade me Brunson

Jordo said he’d trade his puppy Ellie straight up for Brunson!

[Merv]

Nick said he was so embarrassed to be tied with a tanking team that he'd trade me Brunson

Jordo said he’d trade his puppy Ellie straight up for Brunson!

What a steal for you!

[SoNicks]

Nick said he was so embarrassed to be tied with a tanking team that he'd trade me Brunson

Jordo said he’d trade his puppy Ellie straight up for Brunson!

What a steal for you!

I honestly am thinking about doing it! She’s adorable

[mantypas/CavsCzar]

Nick said he was so embarrassed to be tied with a tanking team that he'd trade me Brunson

Jordo said he’d trade his puppy Ellie straight up for Brunson!

What a steal for you!

Ellie may be cute and loaded with potential, but gosh darn does she have the TS% of Brunson???

[SoNicks]

Jordo said he’d trade his puppy Ellie straight up for Brunson!

What a steal for you!

Ellie may be cute and loaded with potential, but gosh darn does she have the TS% of Brunson???

SLN titles got nothing on the love of a loyal puppy