George O'Brien
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It is a cliche that the playoffs are often dominated by teams that are hot rather than teams with the best overall records. If that is the case, there could be a few surprising upsets in the playoffs this year.
Going into todays games, three teams had identical records: San Antonio, Sacramento and the Lakers, Just below them, Memphis and Dallas were tied.
San Antonio won and Sacramento beat the Lakers; but both Memphis and Dallas lost.
The once red hot Lakers have now lost three of their last four. They have dropped out of first in the Pacific Division and are now the fourth seed in the playoffs. The play only two more games, at home against Golden State and on the road against the Trailblazers.
Sacramento has not been doing much better. Prior to today's win, the Kings had lost 6 of their previous 9 games. Their final two games are on the road including a game on Monday against the Nuggets in Denver and then on Wednesday at Golden State.
By contrast, the Spurs have won 8 in a row and are only a game behind the Timberwolves. The Spurs are in 3rd place. Both teams have potentially challenging games:
--- Wolves play Utah at home on Monday and Memphis on the road on Wednesday.
--- Spurs play in Portland on Monday and at home against Denver on Wednesday
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Dallas is another team that was very hot, winning 6 in a row, before losing their last two games to two non-playoff teams: Seattle and Golden State. It does not get any easier this week as they host Memphis on Tuesday and then finish the season in Houston on Wednesday.
Memphis has been struggling lately due to injuries, losing four of their last five. In addition to their key game in Dallas on Tuesday, they finish the season hosting the first place Timberwolves on Wednesday.
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The race to see who gets blown out by the Timberwolves in the first round is very tight.
Denver: Hosts Sacramento on Monday and goes to San Antonio on Wednesday
Utah: Go to Minnesota on Monday and host Phoenix on Wednesday
Portland: Host San Antonio on Monday and the Lakers on Wednesday
(Portland has to win both games and both Denver and Utah lose both games to get into the playoffs).
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The last three days of the season could materially change the first round match ups, so the recent slumps could be very important.
Going into todays games, three teams had identical records: San Antonio, Sacramento and the Lakers, Just below them, Memphis and Dallas were tied.
San Antonio won and Sacramento beat the Lakers; but both Memphis and Dallas lost.
The once red hot Lakers have now lost three of their last four. They have dropped out of first in the Pacific Division and are now the fourth seed in the playoffs. The play only two more games, at home against Golden State and on the road against the Trailblazers.
Sacramento has not been doing much better. Prior to today's win, the Kings had lost 6 of their previous 9 games. Their final two games are on the road including a game on Monday against the Nuggets in Denver and then on Wednesday at Golden State.
By contrast, the Spurs have won 8 in a row and are only a game behind the Timberwolves. The Spurs are in 3rd place. Both teams have potentially challenging games:
--- Wolves play Utah at home on Monday and Memphis on the road on Wednesday.
--- Spurs play in Portland on Monday and at home against Denver on Wednesday
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Dallas is another team that was very hot, winning 6 in a row, before losing their last two games to two non-playoff teams: Seattle and Golden State. It does not get any easier this week as they host Memphis on Tuesday and then finish the season in Houston on Wednesday.
Memphis has been struggling lately due to injuries, losing four of their last five. In addition to their key game in Dallas on Tuesday, they finish the season hosting the first place Timberwolves on Wednesday.
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The race to see who gets blown out by the Timberwolves in the first round is very tight.
Denver: Hosts Sacramento on Monday and goes to San Antonio on Wednesday
Utah: Go to Minnesota on Monday and host Phoenix on Wednesday
Portland: Host San Antonio on Monday and the Lakers on Wednesday
(Portland has to win both games and both Denver and Utah lose both games to get into the playoffs).
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The last three days of the season could materially change the first round match ups, so the recent slumps could be very important.
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