Playoff Race Update

[George O'Brien]

Friday evening was odd in the sense that every "favorite" in the West won:

Dallas is now 9-5 as they beat Portland which is now 6-6

Minnesota is now 7-5 as they beat Memphis which is now 5-8.

San Antonio is now 10-3 as they beat Denver which is now 6-6

Utah is now 8-5 as they beat Houston which is 6-8.

Sacramento is now 8-4 as they beat the Lakers which is 7-6

The Clippers are now 7-6 as they beat Golden State which is 3-9.

Seattle is now 12-2 as they beat the Nets.

 

[scotsman13]

the idea that houston would miss the playoffs if they were to start today really does put a smile on my face.

 

[TopGamer]

The Clippers are a favorite? I don't see them making the playoffs.

 

[scoutmasterdave]

I'm sure they were a favorite in that game against the Warriors...

 

[F-Dog]

The Western Conference is even tougher than predicted so far. It was supposed to be a 12-team race, which is ridiculous enough, but two of the teams that people ruled out (Seattle and the Clippers) now look like they're in the mix, and New Orleans is the only team that's fallen out of contention. That makes 13 teams in our Conference that would win the Atlantic Division going away.



I'm looking at Seattle as a team that the Suns have to get ahead of (if they possibly can). If both teams fall off a little--as most outside observers expect--they could easily wind up competing for the last playoff spot.

Even with their success so far, the Suns are only four games ahead of the 9th seed.

 

[George O'Brien]

The Western Conference is even tougher than predicted so far. It was supposed to be a 12-team race, which is ridiculous enough, but two of the teams that people ruled out (Seattle and the Clippers) now look like they're in the mix, and New Orleans is the only team that's fallen out of contention. That makes 13 teams in our Conference that would win the Atlantic Division going away.



I'm looking at Seattle as a team that the Suns have to get ahead of (if they possibly can). If both teams fall off a little--as most outside observers expect--they could easily wind up competing for the last playoff spot.

Even with their success so far, the Suns are only four games ahead of the 9th seed.

It's still early days, but the Clippers are tied with the Lakers and aren't even healthy. Go figure.

Houston and Memphis are two teams that running below expectations. The Grizzlies gave Hubie Brown health problems (stress) and Van Gundy is reportedly very concerned about the Rockets chemistry.

 

[TopGamer]

The Western Conference is even tougher than predicted so far. It was supposed to be a 12-team race, which is ridiculous enough, but two of the teams that people ruled out (Seattle and the Clippers) now look like they're in the mix, and New Orleans is the only team that's fallen out of contention. That makes 13 teams in our Conference that would win the Atlantic Division going away.



I'm looking at Seattle as a team that the Suns have to get ahead of (if they possibly can). If both teams fall off a little--as most outside observers expect--they could easily wind up competing for the last playoff spot.

Even with their success so far, the Suns are only four games ahead of the 9th seed.

All the sports analysts are saying we are legit, not the Sonics so I'm not worried. Of course we are only four games ahead of 9th seed when there have only been roughly 13-16 games played within the league. Even if we were perfect right now we couldn't clinch a playoff berth The Clippers are zero competition (knock on wood). They'll definitely beat there record last year because I doubt they'll have another 15 game losing streak again. They are only two games better than where they were this time last year. It's still too early too say much about anything. The best teams and the worse teams are still very close in some cases.

 

[zett]

Our Jan. schedule is brutal, After Feb 2nd game we will have a good Idea where we stand. I think injuries will rear there ugly heads by then, for most teams and ours. So hopefully we can win at that game, We our due for a win in that department. Bad luck can't last for ever!

 

[binkar]

WOW! Playoff race already george? We have played 13 games

 

[slinslin]

Houston won't make it.

Anyone else saw them against Denver tonight? Absolutely pathetic.

Yao Ming pulled his best Jake Tsakalidis impression. The guy consistantly brings down the ball before he tries to make a move and turns it over.

He is a good center but nothing special really. I take a healthy Marcus Camby over him every time. Camby owned Yao big time.

Glad we got the by far best player out of that draft class.