How Many Games will the Blazers Win? w/Poll

by LaoTzu on Mar 20, 2011 12:36 PM PDT

How many wins can the Blazers win to finish out the regular season? To help you in your deliberations, here's the schedule for the 13 games remaining:

Portland Trailblazers: Games Remaining in the 2010-2011 Regular Season
March	Opponent	Record	Last 10	Current Playoff Standing in the West
Sun 20	@ LA L@kers	49-20	9-1	2
Tue 22	vs Washington	16-51	1-9	n/a
Fri 25	vs San Antonio	56-13	7-3	1
Sun 27	@ Oklahoma City	46-23	9-1	4
Mon 28	@ San Antonio	56-13	7-3	1
Wed 30	@ New Orleans	40-31	5-5	7
April
Fri 01	vs Oklahoma City	46-23	9-1	4
Sun 03	vs Dallas	48-21	5-5	3
Tue 05	vs Golden State	30-39	4-6	12 (might be out of the race by then)
Thu 07	@ Utah	36-33	4-6	9
Fri 08	vs LA Leakers	49-20	9-1	2
Tue 12	vs Memphis	38-32	5-5	8
Wed 13	@ Golden State	30-39	4-6	12

The Blazers sit at 40-29, with 7 home games and 6 road games left. Their 3 back-to-backs include two to finish out the season.

The Blazers magic number to guarantee a spot in the playoffs is 10; only 9 if one of those wins is against Utah. Realistically, if they win seven of the remaining games, leaving the team at 47-35, it is difficult to see the team missing the playoffs.

But the Blazers remaining strength of schedule is NOT realistic. It's more like Unreal. Outside of Washington at home, every opponent resides in the tough Western Conference. Nine of the Blazers last 13 games are against Western Conference playoff teams (based on current position). And seven (yes, SEVEN) are against teams positioned for home court advantage in the playoffs. "The NBA," as they say, "where Amazing Happens!"

Look at the current opponent winning percentage for each game left. The Blazers strength of schedule coming down the stretch weighs in at a terrifying .677. That might be daunting if Gerald Wallace's steely demeanor and Barry White vocals weren't present to quell The Fear.

The Blazers have been playing great. This wild ride to the end of the season will test just how great these 2011-2012 Blazers can be.

Poll

Of the 13 Games left in the Regular Season, how many will the Blazers Win?

1 Finishing the season an even 41-41

0 votes

2 42-40: A winning season, I guess. Blech!

0 votes

3 43-39: Still blech!

1 votes

4 44-38 might not make it this year

3 votes

5 45-37: What Hollinger might project

2 votes

6 Good chance we'll make the playoffs at 46-36

12 votes

7 Equalling the home games left; Blazers finish 47-35

48 votes

8 With all of the injuries, very impressive!

35 votes

9 49-33: guaranteeing the playoffs if we beat Utah

29 votes

10 The Magic Number for the playoffs and a 50 win season!

29 votes

11 51-31: probable No. 5 seed, traveling to OKC or Dallas

5 votes

12 With the loss probably coming at Golden State

2 votes

13 Perfect! 53-29. Home Court and a NW Div Title possible

4 votes

170 votes | Poll has closed

Tweet Comment 11 comments | 2 recs |

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Comments

on paper we can win all of these.

It looks like the team is starting to gel again. If they can pull it all together, we have a good chance every night. I actually like this schedule. If we’re for real, we will go 10-3 and get our 50 win season. If we go 7-6 then I’d say a 1st round exit is likely. It’s been years since the L*kers have taken a season series against us. Look for the Blazers to take no prisoners tonight. Also, NO and OKC- we gotta win all those. OKC embarrassed us early in the season and we owe them. It’s a matter of pride, we cannot let them pass us by. I could see us letting one get away vs SA or Dallas, except that neither team has an answer for the L-Train. And Dallas has no dominance inside, so I don’t fear them. GS can probably steal 1. Just sayin, these are teams we need to even the score with for the most part. If the pundits are right, then Portland is now loaded for bear and can pose real matchup problems for most elite teams.

"She fell in love with the drummer, another and another"

by Cap'n Crash on Mar 20, 2011 1:18 PM PDT via mobile reply actions

I think 7 wins is easily within reach given how we're playing

8 is doable if they through in an extra win somewhere. Certainly, Dallas and SA must both fear us. And you’re right they basically don’t have anyone to guard LMA.

If we win tonight in la-la land, I could see closing it out with 9 or 10 wins.

Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM

by LaoTzu on Mar 20, 2011 2:57 PM PDT up reply actions

Rec for your table! Very nice.

by Natsthecat on Mar 20, 2011 1:19 PM PDT reply actions

Thanks, Nat

Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM

by LaoTzu on Mar 20, 2011 2:54 PM PDT up reply actions

53-29! Go Blazers!

I can’t bring myself to send out any negative waves, especially right before a game in L.A.

Who's that tromping across my bedge!

by Troll Blazer on Mar 20, 2011 1:55 PM PDT reply actions

Go Blazers!

Now all we need is the rest of the roster to get into "how can everybody help Nicco and Oden" mode. -- Oden Mad, Oden Smash! Sep 29, 2010 7:47 PM

by LaoTzu on Mar 20, 2011 2:58 PM PDT up reply actions

I'm guessing losses to Memphis, Nola, and one to GS.

There’s no way we win that last game. We’ll have most likely already been locked in to the playoffs, so Nate will rest some of the starters, and GS gives us fits. Not to mention, it’s on the second half of a home-and-away back to back, a night after playing Memphis, another team that gives us fits.

8 to 10 wins seems like a realistic scenario.

Phase 1: Collect underpants
Phase 2: ???
Phase 3: Profit!

by HailOden! on Mar 20, 2011 2:43 PM PDT reply actions