[NBA] Unofficial Discussion Thread

[dwyane36]

The Rockets will not steal that 10th spot from the Warriors. 100% sure.
That's coming from a Warriors fan. 

Both the Warriors and the Rockets have a tough opponent a few hours from now. The Warriors will face Mavericks who are now on a winning streak. The Rockets will face the Timberwolves who are fighting for the top seed as well. The Rockets are only 12-24 on the road so I think I'll take the Timberwolves to win on this one. As for the Warriors-Mavericks, TBH it's hard to predict because the Warriors are 18-19 on their home while the Mavericks are 23-14 on the road. I might go with the Mavericks with this one maybe because there's a chance that both Thompson and Kuminga will not play.

Well, the Rockets expectedly lost to the Wolves, while the Warriors unexpectedly beat the Mavs. I think the last two games were crucial for the Rockets, and now they have almost no chance to dislodge the Warriors from the 10th spot in the standings, as there are only 7 games left until the end of the regular season.

[Baofeng]

I didn't know Embiid already returned to the Sixers line up, I guess just in time for the play-in. He had a decent game against the Thunders.

~ but i would put my money on the Timberwolves vs Rockets on tomorrow's game.

Are you betting on handicap? ML @1.34 is unattractive to me. I don't know if they could cover the spread (-8.50) @2.0 because the game could be closer that most of us thinks.

Since KAT and Sengun are still out, I think the player that will have a big impact in the game is Rudy Gobert. My bet is on him scoring 20+ points (the current odds is 4.09).

I have the Timberwolves -5.5 @1.87 since the game already started when i bet and right now the Rockets is leading by seven points, hope the Wolves would come back as the game progress.

Gobert is not known to score that much but that odds of 4.09 is really attractive so good luck on your bet.

I'm disappointed with Gobert's score but they were able to cover your bet. I thought he'll be able to score easily because he'll be the focal point of attack for this game but he only managed 12 points.

Yep, Joel Embiid suddenly play and it messed up my bet as I put money on OKC not knowing that Joel is going to play. And then my underdog New York Knicks fell short. They were down from the first quarter, but then they make a comeback and tie the score 92-92 and I thought that this is a great comeback and they have a great chance to win.

But they got tired chasing the lead by the Heat and then Rozier waxes hot. So the Knicks is on a losing streak right now.

As for the Rockets vs Warriors, yeah, Rockets chances are getting thinner by the day and I doubt that they can dislodge the Warriors at the 10th place.

[bisdak40]

Well, the Rockets expectedly lost to the Wolves, while the Warriors unexpectedly beat the Mavs. I think the last two games were crucial for the Rockets, and now they have almost no chance to dislodge the Warriors from the 10th spot in the standings, as there are only 7 games left until the end of the regular season.

That's for sure, the Warriors will nail the 10th spot in the West but unfortunately for them though is that their first game in the play-in is against the Lakers who have their numbers last season, i mean the Warrior's small ball will not work against the bigger Lakers, just my two cent though.

[LogitechMouse]

Well, the Rockets expectedly lost to the Wolves, while the Warriors unexpectedly beat the Mavs. I think the last two games were crucial for the Rockets, and now they have almost no chance to dislodge the Warriors from the 10th spot in the standings, as there are only 7 games left until the end of the regular season.

That's for sure, the Warriors will nail the 10th spot in the West but unfortunately for them though is that their first game in the play-in is against the Lakers who have their numbers last season, i mean the Warrior's small ball will not work against the bigger Lakers, just my two cent though.

With 3 games separating both the Warriors and the Rockets, I guess that increases the chances of Warriors securing that 10th spot. As for them stealing the 9th spot? I don't think they can against the Lakers who are on a winning streak as well.

If both the Lakers and Warriors will face on the play-in tournament (which I think they will), I also don't want to believe that small ball will not work, but I'm thinking of a scenario that it might work. Green will defend AD which I believe he can while Lebron will be defended by Wiggins. Small ball will work only if Wiggins will be the same Wiggins that we saw 2 years ago when they won the title. He's a very good defender back then and he limit's Tatum on that series. If we will see the same Wiggins 2 years ago against Lebron, I also believe he can limit his points as well.

Anyway, they can still opt not to go small. They still have Jackson-Davis, Saric and Looney as their bigs that can defend the paint. What the Warriors need in order for them to win against the Lakers is to limit them in going to the free throw line.

[Jating]

Well, the Rockets expectedly lost to the Wolves, while the Warriors unexpectedly beat the Mavs. I think the last two games were crucial for the Rockets, and now they have almost no chance to dislodge the Warriors from the 10th spot in the standings, as there are only 7 games left until the end of the regular season.

That's for sure, the Warriors will nail the 10th spot in the West but unfortunately for them though is that their first game in the play-in is against the Lakers who have their numbers last season, i mean the Warrior's small ball will not work against the bigger Lakers, just my two cent though.

With 3 games separating both the Warriors and the Rockets, I guess that increases the chances of Warriors securing that 10th spot. As for them stealing the 9th spot? I don't think they can against the Lakers who are on a winning streak as well.

If both the Lakers and Warriors will face on the play-in tournament (which I think they will), I also don't want to believe that small ball will not work, but I'm thinking of a scenario that it might work. Green will defend AD which I believe he can while Lebron will be defended by Wiggins. Small ball will work only if Wiggins will be the same Wiggins that we saw 2 years ago when they won the title. He's a very good defender back then and he limit's Tatum on that series. If we will see the same Wiggins 2 years ago against Lebron, I also believe he can limit his points as well.

We did some glimpse of Wiggins the last game, when he guarded Luka and give him a hard time to score. And who would forget his dunk against Luka when he took his soul, but the referee killed everything when he call a offensive foul on Wiggins. But the problem is that the Lakers has to many weapons now, they have DLo, Austin Reaves and Rui so it's not only AD and Lebron that they have to contend with and this will give problems to the Warriors if they face on the first round. Let's enjoy first the game of the Warriors vs Rockets, maybe Houston will proved something tomorrow night when they face each other.

[Zed0X]

~
What the Warriors need in order for them to win against the Lakers is to limit them in going to the free throw line.

So that means they have to rely on the referees not blowing their whistle I don't think this approach is going to be effective against Lebron and AD because these two are too good inside. Other than that, James is also vocal in calling out refs for not giving them enough foul calls.

[dwyane36]

With 3 games separating both the Warriors and the Rockets, I guess that increases the chances of Warriors securing that 10th spot. As for them stealing the 9th spot? I don't think they can against the Lakers who are on a winning streak as well.

If both the Lakers and Warriors will face on the play-in tournament (which I think they will), I also don't want to believe that small ball will not work, but I'm thinking of a scenario that it might work. Green will defend AD which I believe he can while Lebron will be defended by Wiggins. Small ball will work only if Wiggins will be the same Wiggins that we saw 2 years ago when they won the title. He's a very good defender back then and he limit's Tatum on that series. If we will see the same Wiggins 2 years ago against Lebron, I also believe he can limit his points as well.

Anyway, they can still opt not to go small. They still have Jackson-Davis, Saric and Looney as their bigs that can defend the paint. What the Warriors need in order for them to win against the Lakers is to limit them in going to the free throw line.

It's worth noting that the win percentage difference between the Lakers and teams like the Kings, Pelicans, and Suns is quite small. I mean, if the Lakers win their remaining regular season games, they could well move up 1-2 spots in the standings. In other words, there is still a chance that the Lakers and Warriors may not face each other in the play-in tournament.

[Baofeng]

With 3 games separating both the Warriors and the Rockets, I guess that increases the chances of Warriors securing that 10th spot. As for them stealing the 9th spot? I don't think they can against the Lakers who are on a winning streak as well.

If both the Lakers and Warriors will face on the play-in tournament (which I think they will), I also don't want to believe that small ball will not work, but I'm thinking of a scenario that it might work. Green will defend AD which I believe he can while Lebron will be defended by Wiggins. Small ball will work only if Wiggins will be the same Wiggins that we saw 2 years ago when they won the title. He's a very good defender back then and he limit's Tatum on that series. If we will see the same Wiggins 2 years ago against Lebron, I also believe he can limit his points as well.

Anyway, they can still opt not to go small. They still have Jackson-Davis, Saric and Looney as their bigs that can defend the paint. What the Warriors need in order for them to win against the Lakers is to limit them in going to the free throw line.

It's worth noting that the win percentage difference between the Lakers and teams like the Kings, Pelicans, and Suns is quite small. I mean, if the Lakers win their remaining regular season games, they could well move up 1-2 spots in the standings. In other words, there is still a chance that the Lakers and Warriors may not face each other in the play-in tournament.

And with that, it boils down as well to the last remaining games for this teams on the top as who's who in the playoffs and what will be the bracket. In a game 7 series, it's important to have the home court advantage and so this is what this teams are playing.

However, a first round match-up between the Lakers and the Warriors are going to be very interesting. Lebron again vs Steph Curry, and somewhat it will bring the best out of this two team and probably it's one of the most watch 1st round matches this playoff.

[bisdak40]

It's worth noting that the win percentage difference between the Lakers and teams like the Kings, Pelicans, and Suns is quite small. I mean, if the Lakers win their remaining regular season games, they could well move up 1-2 spots in the standings. In other words, there is still a chance that the Lakers and Warriors may not face each other in the play-in tournament.

That is also the scenario i'm looking into, the Kings has a game tomorrow against the Boston Celtics and a lose by the Kings would mean a tie on the standings with the Lakers and if latter will win at least 4 of its remaining games, most likely they will have the 8th spot and a game against the Warriors is unlike in the first round.

[dwyane36]

And with that, it boils down as well to the last remaining games for this teams on the top as who's who in the playoffs and what will be the bracket. In a game 7 series, it's important to have the home court advantage and so this is what this teams are playing.

However, a first round match-up between the Lakers and the Warriors are going to be very interesting. Lebron again vs Steph Curry, and somewhat it will bring the best out of this two team and probably it's one of the most watch 1st round matches this playoff.

The Lakers and Warriors are likely to face each other in the play-in tournament instead of the playoffs. I mean, the play-in tournament and the first round of the playoffs are slightly different postseason events. And I don't think home-court advantage matters much in the play-in tournament because the teams only face each other once.

[Zed0X]

~
a lose by the Kings would mean a tie on the standings with the Lakers and if latter will win at least 4 of its remaining games, most likely they will have the 8th spot

From what I know, that's not going to happen if the Kings also wins the same number of games because they lead their head to head record. In case they end up tied in the standings at the end of the regular season, the Kings will still hold the 8th spot.

[Baofeng]

And with that, it boils down as well to the last remaining games for this teams on the top as who's who in the playoffs and what will be the bracket. In a game 7 series, it's important to have the home court advantage and so this is what this teams are playing.

However, a first round match-up between the Lakers and the Warriors are going to be very interesting. Lebron again vs Steph Curry, and somewhat it will bring the best out of this two team and probably it's one of the most watch 1st round matches this playoff.

The Lakers and Warriors are likely to face each other in the play-in tournament instead of the playoffs. I mean, the play-in tournament and the first round of the playoffs are slightly different postseason events. And I don't think home-court advantage matters much in the play-in tournament because the teams only face each other once.

But still though, that's why it is called home court advantage because teams are playing comfortably and with their fans behind them. And specially in a must win situation, and not a series, it's better to play in front of your fans than away.

So for me, it is still a big factor and we have seen teams in the top 5 with a winning percentage at home.

Lakers - 27-12
Warriors - 19-19

[Zed0X]

Who made a bet on the Suns winning by double digits against the Wolves? How about the Pacers over Thunders by the same margin? Some of the games I didn't expect to end that way.

Anyway, best game was the Mavs vs. the Warriors. It's as close as it could get. Warriors could have done it with 4.5 seconds to go but I thought the CP3's inbound pass to Curry contributed to the loss.

[Jating]

Who made a bet on the Suns winning by double digits against the Wolves? How about the Pacers over Thunders by the same margin? Some of the games I didn't expect to end that way.

Anyway, best game was the Mavs vs. the Warriors. It's as close as it could get. Warriors could have done it with 4.5 seconds to go but I thought the CP3's inbound pass to Curry contributed to the loss.

Too bad for the Warriors to lost that game, I thought that they are going to win because Luka is not playing. And still this is a very important game to them. So a lot of unexpected results, Suns as you have said, winning double digits against one of the best team in the West? Mad ending on the Celtics vs Kings game, and then Raptors winnings against the Bucks. Milwaukee now on a 3 game losing streak, although they are in the second spot in the East, you don't want to end the regular season in a bad note. And with the Mavs win and even if the Phoenix Suns win as well, the Mavs bolted out and now in the 5th position.

[dwyane36]

Too bad for the Warriors to lost that game, I thought that they are going to win because Luka is not playing. And still this is a very important game to them.

It's no big deal for the Warriors that they lost this time because their win percentage is still higher than the Rockets', which means they are still in 10th spot in the standings.
Meanwhile, the Kings aren't doing so well, as they lost to the Celtics and now have the same win percentage as the Lakers. If the Lakers beat the Cavs tonight, they will dislodge the Kings from the 8th spot in the standings.