Where will the Blazers Finish in the West? (with Poll)

by LaoTzu on Mar 27, 2009 2:05 AM PDT

The Blazers have a pretty favorable schedule down the stretch. The important games are mostly at home.

Denver, ahead of us, is facing at least as easy a time. The Spurs, also.

That leaves Houston, N.O. and Utah, all with schedules of death.

And Dallas, who should not catch anybody unless the Jazz slump their way in.

The Blazers are in a great position to slide into 4th in the West. That is where I think they'll finish. Behind the Spurs and Nuggets, but with the important home court advantage in the first round.

If Denver slips, it could set up a huge last game of the regular season for the NW Division crown. With the Blazers at the Rose Garden, that would be sweet!

Poll

Where will the Blazers Finish in the West?

2nd (Somehow we pass the Spurs?)

5 votes

3rd (Winning the NW Division)

11 votes

4th (Winning the NW Division)

30 votes

4th (Behind Denver, but Home Court Rd 1)

19 votes

5th (No home court for us)

47 votes

6th

23 votes

7th

3 votes

8th (Hello L*kers -- Walton predicts Blazers sweep!)

2 votes

140 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 12 comments | 0 recs |

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Comments

61 wins should get us 1st place

by tominhawaii on Mar 27, 2009 4:01 AM PDT reply actions

6,7 or 8

because they will only win the clippers*memphs road games,and i really believe la will send them a messge at home.also don’t be suprised if denver wins the final game in pdx for the division title.

by fatty on Mar 27, 2009 5:35 AM PDT reply actions

They certainly will try.

But they may be in for a surprise, as I think Portland has that game circled.

hakkaa päälle !

by timg56 on Mar 27, 2009 7:52 AM PDT up reply actions

4th...

………………….. I be-lieeeeeve…. I be-lieeeeve… I know it’s silly, but I be-lieeeeeve…

Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...

by timbo on Mar 27, 2009 8:44 AM PDT reply actions

That said, if it's 8th vs. the Lakers -- BRING IT ON!!!

The only bad outcome is 9th.

Gotta avoid 9th…

Pontiff of the Pryz for Prez Posse...

by timbo on Mar 27, 2009 8:45 AM PDT up reply actions 1 recs

Destroying the Suns last night should help with that a little.

by RipCityRoyCity on Mar 27, 2009 10:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Picked 5th sadly

We need either Rockets or Denver to slip up, AND we need to lose 0 more whoops games to get into 4th. Possibly, but not probably.

That said, I think we can take Denver in a 7 game series, even on the road. Our guys should get used to the elevation issues by the end.

by Zaig on Mar 27, 2009 10:37 AM PDT reply actions

I agree there's a good chance of beating Denver on the road

But I don’t think it’s getting used to elevation issues in the end that does it.

Portland has twice been to the NBA finals (which is what the first round playoffs series this year will feel like to those of us who have been longing for a playoff as much as we used to long for the NBA title in the Drexler days)

Old Portland fans will remember that in BOTH of those NBA Finals series, Portland played without home court advantage, and in BOTH series took home court advantage back by winning one of the first two games on the road. It is MUCH easier to win early in the series on the road than late.

What unraveled both of those quests for the finals was failure to then win the games at home. I see Portland’s best chance in this year’s playoffs, if they don’t get homecourt, as stealing the first or second games of the series, then just holding serve at home. You’re not going to win a game seven on the road as a first time ever playoff team.

by blazer91 on Mar 27, 2009 10:57 AM PDT up reply actions

I was thinking

Lose 1-2, Win 3-4, carry our momentum back to Denver and win 5, then win 6 at home.

by Zaig on Mar 27, 2009 12:35 PM PDT up reply actions

I picked 3rd

because I’m a fan boy. – Elgin

Blazers win BDL 2 on 2 tournament!
Skeets: i’ll close it down now … congrats. you bastards

by 22baylor on Mar 27, 2009 11:35 AM PDT reply actions

after Denver's road trip

2 of 3 all against West contenders, our chances at catching them are very slim, considering their remaining games. If we want homecourt, we have to target Houston. We can lose to them and still back in if we lose only 1 other game and they somehow drop 4 the rest of the way, but I think that unlikely (their schedule isn’t nearly as bad as Utah’s or New Orleans).

In short, win in Houston and take care of our other business, and the 4 spot can be ours. Lose in Houston, then just try to fend off Utah and NO and hold the 5 spot.

How did you guys win that?
"We scored enough points. We scored 107, they scored 105.
-Nate McMillan Postgame, 3/4/2009

by douglast on Mar 27, 2009 8:32 PM PDT reply actions