EASTERN CONFERENCE
1-Detroit Pistons. They've got this thing locked up....and have a three-game cushion for home court advantage in the entire playoffs.
2-Miami Heat. They have the Southeast division sown up...but are now in a dog fight with the Nets for the #2 seed. Don't worry Heat fans. You got 3 of your next 5 at home and play no one with a winning record.
3-New Jersey Nets. The Nets have the Atlantic Division locked up....which gets them a top-3 seed. Again, with Miami's cake sked, the Nets will most likely stay in this #3 spot.
4-Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavs have the #4 spot locked in.
5-Washington Wizards. If the Wiz was out West, they'd miss the playoffs with their 39-37 mark. But, in the East, you are a 5th place team. The Wiz just need a couple of wins to clinch. But it won't be easy. They have 4 of their last 6 on the road....and every game is against a team fighting for or already in the playoffs.
6-Milwaukee Bucks. How are they a playoff team? I've probably seen them play just once the entire season! They are at the top of the 4-team tussle to get one of the final 3 spots in the East. They are just a game-and-a-half from the 9th spot...so they need to get swinging. They do get the Hawks and Knicks coming up...but two against the Wiz and another one against the Pistons.
7-Indiana Pacers. Indiana is just a game up in this race.....but has won just 3 of 13 games. They don't play another playoff bound team the rest of the way, so I'll think they'll be okay.
8-Chicago Bulls. They just split with the Sixers in a home-and-homebattle for the 8th seed [they are technically tied]. The Bulls have Miami, Washington and New Jersey remaining....and a two day stay in Florida [at both Orlando and Miami]. This will be tough.
9-Philadelphia 76ers. Ah, but Philly has nearly the exact same sked as the Bulls. They have the Wiz, the Nets twice, and the same two-day Florida stay. It may come down to who can pull an upset off.
10-Orlando Magic. They still have a shot. They get the Hawks and Raptors at home.....and get the face the Pacers, Sixers and Bulls one last time [to end the season]. That game at San Antonio sticks out like a sore thumb, though.
11-Boston Celtics. They pretty much have to run the table to get in...and with a sked with the Nets twice, Cavs and Heat....it ain't happening.
MY PREDICITION: 1-Pistons, 2-Heat, 3-Nets, 4-Cavaliers, 5-Wizards, 6-Pacers, 7-Bucks, 8-Bulls. The top 4 are pretty much set in stone, with the Wizards sitting nice at #5. Despite their recent fall, the Pacers schedule is easier than anyone else around them. They'll move up. I think the Bucks will stay a playoff team. As for the Bulls-Sixers....they have essentially the same sked remaining. But, the Bulls are the hotter...errr less colder....team so I choose them.
No comments:
Post a Comment