A Lakers loss tonight means the Lakers will be two games behind both Dallas and Portland. Both Dallas and Portland have the tiebreaker against the Lakers. So effectively the Lakers would be three games behind with three to play. The Lakers would need to win all three of their remaining games (doable) and Dallas or Portland would need to lose all three of their remaining games (Portland has the tougher schedule remaining).

I think Portland could beat the Jazz tomorrow - Lillard gives the Jazz fits. That would end the Lakers chances at the 6 seed. But if the Jazz lose, they'll really need the Suns to lose another game to keep the 1 seed.

And the Suns lose to the Warriors. We can lose to Portland, screw the Lakers, and still get the one seed.

That is great.

If the Jazz get the 1, I think I'd prefer they play the Lakers in the first round over the Warriors.

If the Jazz are going to win the West, it won't come easy.

Here's how I think it will end up:
1 - Jazz
2 - Suns
3 - Clips/Nuggs
4 - Clips/Nuggs
5 - Mavs
6 - Lakers
7 - Warriors (win play-in vs Blazers)
8 - Blazers (win play-in vs Grizz who beat Spurs)

It'll be interesting see if the Clips or Nuggs start tanking for the #4 spot. They can't fall to #5. While the Lakers could still move up to #5, it's unlikely. I do think they will move up to #6, but even if they stay #7 that's still the 2/3/6/7 side of the bracket (unless they lose the play-in to the Warriors and fall to #8, but I think that is also unlikely). So on one side there would likely be Jazz, Clips/Nuggs, Mavs, and Blazers (maybe Warriors). On the other would be Suns, Clips/Nuggs, Lakers, and Warroirs (maybe Blazers). I think the Clips/Nuggs would prefer the former to the latter. More importantly, finishing #4 is the most likely place to avoid Lakers in first round. The Nuggs and Blazers match up in their final regular season game, that will decide a lot.

There is an argument to be made whether it is better to face the Lakers sooner rather than later. They are banged up and they might not be as ready in the first round as the would be in the second round or WCF. I think the Clips would be more confident in this thinking than the Nuggs. Ultimately I pick the Clips for #3 and the Nuggs for #4.

This makes it vital for the Jazz to stay in #1 to increase their odds at going deep or (gasp) winning it all. They can now afford to possibly stumble against the Blazers tonight, but they must take the SonicThunder and Kings seriously (unless they beat both the Blazers and SonicThunder, then I hope to see a lot of Forrest, Oni, Brantley, Azubuike, Ilyasova, Hughs, and Thomas on Sunday).

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3rdGenAggie wrote: ↑

May 12th, 2021, 9:52 am

brownjeans wrote: ↑

May 12th, 2021, 9:49 am

If the Jazz get the 1, I think I'd prefer they play the Lakers in the first round over the Warriors.

If the Jazz are going to win the West, it won't come easy.

I can see that. Maybe it's just history talking, but I'm most concerned about the Lakers and Clippers (despite how things went against the Suns this year...I still think the Jazz are better over a 7 game series). I'd like to only see one of them in the playoffs if at all possible.

I'm more worried about the Clippers. While the Lakers can look great in one game every now and then, I'm really not convinced that they can win a series at this point.

Zaggie07 wrote: ↑

May 12th, 2021, 10:07 am

Here's how I think it will end up:
1 - Jazz
2 - Suns
3 - Clips/Nuggs
4 - Clips/Nuggs
5 - Mavs
6 - Lakers
7 - Warriors (win play-in vs Blazers)
8 - Blazers (win play-in vs Grizz who beat Spurs)

It'll be interesting see if the Clips or Nuggs start tanking for the #4 spot. They can't fall to #5. While the Lakers could still move up to #5, it's unlikely. I do think they will move up to #6, but even if they stay #7 that's still the 2/3/6/7 side of the bracket (unless they lose the play-in to the Warriors and fall to #8, but I think that is also unlikely). So on one side there would likely be Jazz, Clips/Nuggs, Mavs, and Blazers (maybe Warriors). On the other would be Suns, Clips/Nuggs, Lakers, and Warroirs (maybe Blazers). I think the Clips/Nuggs would prefer the former to the latter. More importantly, finishing #4 is the most likely place to avoid Lakers in first round. The Nuggs and Blazers match up in their final regular season game, that will decide a lot.

There is an argument to be made whether it is better to face the Lakers sooner rather than later. They are banged up and they might not be as ready in the first round as the would be in the second round or WCF. I think the Clips would be more confident in this thinking than the Nuggs. Ultimately I pick the Clips for #3 and the Nuggs for #4.

This makes it vital for the Jazz to stay in #1 to increase their odds at going deep or (gasp) winning it all. They can now afford to possibly stumble against the Blazers tonight, but they must take the SonicThunder and Kings seriously (unless they beat both the Blazers and SonicThunder, then I hope to see a lot of Forrest, Oni, Brantley, Azubuike, Ilyasova, Hughs, and Thomas on Sunday).

Blazers and Mavs need to win just one of their last three to ensure the Lakers aren't in the play-in games. The Blazers have the toughest schedule with the Jazz, Suns, and Nuggets. Whether their opponents are playing at full strength is going to matter.

If the Jazz can beat Portland tonight, it sets up nicely for what I see as the ideal seeding setup

1. Jazz
2. Suns
3. Clippers
4. Nuggets
5. Mavs
6. Lakers
7. Blazers
8. Warriors
9. Grizzlies
10. Spurs

Preferably the Warriors get the 7 seed by beating Portland in the play-in game and the Jazz face either the Blazers, Grizzlies, or Spurs. That said, while I think the Jazz would be pretty clear favorites over the Blazers or the Warriors, both teams have a very dynamic playoff performer that would scare me a bit.

If this happens, we will only have to face one of the Suns, Clippers, and Lakers, and not until the WCF. Perfect. I think the Jazz would be pretty clear favorites over anyone else.

Just as long as the Jazz stay away from the T-wolves in the postseason.

Going to the game tonight. Hope to see a W.

Well, one more win by Portland and Dallas, or one loss by the Lakers and the Lakers are in the play-in games - and the Lakers are currently tied with the Rockets in the third.

Jazz may need to win the last two to lock up the 1 seed now... but Portland could be the Suns - who knows.

brownjeans wrote: ↑

May 12th, 2021, 9:58 pm

Well, one more win by Portland and Dallas, or one loss by the Lakers and the Lakers are in the play-in games - and the Lakers are currently tied with the Rockets in the third.

Jazz may need to win the last two to lock up the 1 seed now... but Portland could be the Suns - who knows.

It seems the team is tired.

They look really tried, and I am sure they are. Without Conley and Mitchell, the main guys have to play a ton of minutes.

Mr. Sneelock wrote: ↑

May 12th, 2021, 10:17 pm

They look really tried, and I am sure they are. Without Conley and Mitchell, the main guys have to play a ton of minutes.

Seems someone like Joe ingles would be impacted the most.

Lakers held on to win. Was Davis held out for just rest?

brownjeans wrote:Lakers held on to win. Was Davis held out for just rest?

I think he tweaked his scrote mcgoat in the previous game


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QuackAttackAggie wrote: ↑

May 13th, 2021, 10:30 am

brownjeans wrote:Lakers held on to win. Was Davis held out for just rest?

I think he tweaked his scrote mcgoat in the previous game


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Ah, the ol' "Pinch and Roll" play.

Interesting situation set up for the Nuggets. If the Nuggets win their last two games, they have a chance to move to the no. 3 seed spot (if the Clippers lose one of their last two). However, if they beat the Blazers and the Lakers win out and the Clippers lose one a game, the Nuggets prize for being no. 3 will be playing the Lakers in the first round.

So will the Nuggets try to beat the Blazers and try to move to no. 3 knowing they'll have to play the Lakers, or will they try to stay at the 4?

Here's the next evil thing. The Nuggets could tank vs. Detroit, then win vs. Portland. That would ensure the Nuggets stay at 4 AND put the Lakers into 6 where they will play vs the Clippers in the first round.

That would be awesome if the Nuggets could do that.

Looks like the Clippers are going to tank into the 4 seed and the Nuggets are going to go for the 3 seed.

Sunday's Clips/ SonicThunder game is going to be a craptastic tank fest. The NBA should give them both a W.

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brownjeans wrote: ↑

May 14th, 2021, 7:58 pm

Looks like the Clippers are going to tank into the 4 seed and the Nuggets are going to go for the 3 seed.

Looks like the jazz have a real good chance of getting that 1 seed Sunday.

3rdGenAggie wrote: ↑

May 16th, 2021, 9:27 pm

3rd time ever as a 1 seed. Previous two times the Jazz made the finals.

So, do the Jazz get the Lakers or someone else? I'm curious to see if the Lakers try and get to the other side of the bracket from the Clippers or not. It would be risky as they'd have to lose one then win one.

So did the clippers get the 4 and Denver the 3?

Amazing game last night. It felt like the conference finals instead of a play in game. Lebron with another game winner in the final minute of a game. Nobody has more over the last decade. Good result for the Jazz. While trying to guard Curry for a 7 game series won't be fun, it is far more preferable than playing the Lakers which would be a pick em series.

I want to make fun of crybaby James for his antics after the foul from Draymond, but I would look like a fool. the dude had a triple double and the tough game winner.

Aggie formerly in Hawaii wrote: ↑

May 20th, 2021, 10:02 am

Amazing game last night. It felt like the conference finals instead of a play in game. Lebron with another game winner in the final minute of a game. Nobody has more over the last decade. Good result for the Jazz. While trying to guard Curry for a 7 game series won't be fun, it is far more preferable than playing the Lakers which would be a pick em series.

That game was a fantastic result for the nba.

I’m curious if the lakers beat the suns. Who wins the flopping battle between Paul and lebron will be fun.

Probably Lebron, he will be seeing three Chris Pauls out there and won't know which one to flop on.

NVAggie wrote: ↑

May 20th, 2021, 10:12 am

I want to make fun of crybaby James for his antics after the foul from Draymond, but I would look like a fool. the dude had a triple double and the tough game winner.

Yeah that was an Oscar worthy performance, but the guy comes through when it matters. Unfortunately flopping is just a general basketball problem. I am all for fining and suspending players who flop. It has gotten out of hand both in college and the pros.

As for the next round, I'd put money on the Lakers over the Suns.

This was a good result for the Jazz. The Warriors finished in 8th place largely because they just aren't very good. The Lakers finished in the 7th spot largely because of injuries and lack of depth. The Lakers are better at full strength than the Warriors. I feel like the Jazz should be able to take care of the Warriors over seven games. Steph is great, but the Jazz are much deeper and have WAY more fire power.

3rdGenAggie wrote: ↑

May 20th, 2021, 12:08 pm

For the Jazz to get to the finals, they'll very likely have to go through the Warriors, Clippers, then Lakers. Has there ever been a more difficult path?

Honestly, the Warriors aren't that good and shouldn't be a big problem. Steph Curry is unbelievable, but there is a serious drop off after that. Wiggins occasionally has big nights, but no Jazz fan should be scared of Andrew Wiggins.

As for toughest test to the finals, the 98 Jazz had a pretty tough stretch and passed it well. Beat the Rockets with their big 3 of Sir Charles, Hakeem the Dream and Clyde the Glyde, then beat the Spurs with Duncan and Robinson, then swept a Laker team that had 4 all stars on it. (The famous Nick Van Exel 1! 2! 3! Cancun! series)