How Portland controls its own destiny for Number Two or Three Seed

by blazer91 on Apr 2, 2009 9:24 AM PDT

This is hinted at in my ongoing updated taking care of business post, but in the ultimate "taking care of business" theme, here it is in black and white for those who don't like to read a lot:

IF UTAH WINS TONIGHT, THE BLAZERS CONTROL THEIR OWN DESTINY FOR HOMECOURT IN AT LEAST THE FIRST ROUND, AND PROBABLY FIRST TWO ROUNDS

IN WINNING OUT, PORTLAND WOULD PASS DENVER, SAN ANTONIO AND HOUSTON AND FINISH NO WORSE THAN THIRD IN THE WEST

If Denver loses to Utah, Denver would have the same number of losses as Portland, as do Houston and New Orleans currently. If Portland beats Denver and Houston, they move into the rear view mirror. While San Antonio has one less loss than Portland right now, if Portland wins this week's game, San Antonio and Portland would have the same number of losses (27) and Portland would hold the tiebreaker.

ONLY NEW ORLEANS TRULY CONTROLS DESTINY FOR NUMBER TWO INTHE WEST RIGHT NOW

So, the only way Portland wins out and doesn't get a two seed is if New Orleans also wins out, and in so doing knocks Houston and San Antonio back another game, thus winning their division. In that circumstance, New Orleans wins the tiebreaker with Portland and finishes in the 2 seed, while Portland still gets the three seed by virtue of its division win and tiebreakers with San Antonio and Houston.

IF NEW ORLEANS DROPS A GAME, PORTLAND IS IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT FOR NUMBER TWO SEED IN THE WEST

New Orleans has a brutal finish, with seven games against contenders (see my other post). If they drop any one of those, no one can stop the Blazers from taking the two seed but the Blazers themselves. As stated in my other posts, I prefer the 3 seed if Dallas sits at 7, since it keeps us away from Dallas until at least the second round. But, if New Orleans drops a game, we are in the driver's seat for the 2 seed.

TONIGHT WE ARE JAZZ FANS

But, in either case, we need the Jazz to win to put Portland into the enviable position of controlling its destiny for either the 2 or 3 seed. So, tonight we are all JAZZ FANS!!!

Tomorrow, we hate them again, at least until they are of use to us.

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the chances of us (or any other team for that matter) winning out are very low

Let’s just say that Houston and SA games coming up (and possibly the finale vs. Denver) will be big games.

by jksnake99 on Apr 2, 2009 9:28 AM PDT reply actions

yaeh, but it sure makes tonight important anyway.

even if that’s because it’s likely EVERYONE drops a game somewhere, we need Denver to lose an “unexpected” game, and tonight is the most likely remaining spot for it.

Kermit on the inbounds play, inbounds....BATES at the horn, HE SCORES!! HE SCORES!!!! And they are all over Billy Ray Bates! My, oh my!!!

by blazer91 on Apr 2, 2009 9:29 AM PDT up reply actions

because if Denver loses tonight

then everyone drops a game somewhere, we’re still in the same spot I just said, unless our “drop” is to San Antonio.

Kermit on the inbounds play, inbounds....BATES at the horn, HE SCORES!! HE SCORES!!!! And they are all over Billy Ray Bates! My, oh my!!!

by blazer91 on Apr 2, 2009 9:30 AM PDT up reply actions

every game is big, for sure

by jksnake99 on Apr 2, 2009 9:32 AM PDT up reply actions

Thank you

i like the big pre school font. my brain cells have dimished considerably

Sophia

Though patience be a tired mare, yet she will plod. - William Shakespeare

Roses are red
violets in bloom
Sophia’s in love
with Nicholas Batum
-Bow4Meow

by BlazerFan1 on Apr 2, 2009 10:06 AM PDT reply actions 2 recs

This post...

Needs 3-D pop ups… I didn’t quite get the message…

"Now, you take a bobcat or a Jayhawk. You know they'll run if you give 'em the chance. But when one don't run, why, you shoot him and shoot him quick. Raef's my dog, Pa. I've gotta do what's right..." Old Yeller (1957)

by RoyGoesTheDynamite on Apr 2, 2009 12:17 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm sensing sarcasm.

Kermit on the inbounds play, inbounds....BATES at the horn, HE SCORES!! HE SCORES!!!! And they are all over Billy Ray Bates! My, oh my!!!

by blazer91 on Apr 2, 2009 1:15 PM PDT up reply actions

No sarcasm at all

You have actually killed off some of Sophia’s brain cells. That’s assault brotha.

by Zaig on Apr 2, 2009 1:53 PM PDT up reply actions

According to Nate, every game is big

But I guess this post is actually proof of that.

If you can't laugh at yourself, everyone else probably is already.

by cafe_civet on Apr 2, 2009 10:44 AM PDT reply actions

Hmm

I doubt very much any team wins out from this point on. The stakes are too high for everyone. I also think you aren’t giving enough respect to San Antonio or Denver, because from where I sit those two teams are going 2 and 3 easily. Portland has a very good shot at 4th overall if they can win in Houston or San Antonio. One game at a time though.

by koyote on Apr 2, 2009 5:33 PM PDT reply actions

Giving Denver and San Antonio ALL their due

but if we win out and beat both of them (and Denver loses tonight) no matter how good they are, they will still be BEHIND Portland. Not saying it WILL happen, just that it could. Blazers control their own destiny for the 2 seed as soon as Denver and NO each lose again, NO MATTER WHAT ANYONE ELSE DOES.

Kermit on the inbounds play, inbounds....BATES at the horn, HE SCORES!! HE SCORES!!!! And they are all over Billy Ray Bates! My, oh my!!!

by blazer91 on Apr 2, 2009 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions