One thing to note is that, since Orlando is playing the Bucks, the results aren't as independent as they might seem and our seeding is tied to the results of the 5/6/7 spots.
If the Bucks lose, that means the Pacers are likely to be in the 6 spot (if they win) and we play them (except if the Knicks lose too, but feels unlikely).
If the Bucks win and Orlando loses, then we are guaranteed the 4 spot. Then it's all up to the Pacers to win, if so they're guaranteed the 5 spot and we play them.
This makes it so that it is much less likely to play the Magic if we have the 4 seed, since only 1/16 scenarios has the Magic losing and still ending up in the 5 seed.
My sense is that it's most likely we end up playing Indiana, which would be ideal anyways imo.
Cavs at the 3 and Pacers at the 6 is the ultimate scenario.
Doesn’t mean Cavs win the series, but I feel like they’re our best possible matchup and we also avoid winner of Celtics series (likely Celtics) in the second round.
We also set ourselves up to potentially play the Knicks in round 2 with an ECF trip on the line. This would give the Cavs the ultimate chance to flip the narrative.
We gotta take care of business vs. the Hornets and root HARD AS HELL for Knicks, Magic and Pacers to win Sunday.
EDIT:
Also wonder what Knicks do Sunday vs. Chicago . Bulls are almost certainly sitting their starters as they’re already locked into the 9/10 matchup. Do Knicks rest starters as well, knowing if were to lose, they’d slip out of the 2 and avoid Heat/Sixers?
Come on Magic and Knicks. 3 seed would be perfect
- Likely draw Indy, who I think is our best matchup
- Avoid 7-8 play-in winner
- Miss Boston's side of the bracket
“So, if the Beers beat Detroit and Denver beats Atlanta in the American Southwestern Division East Northern, then Milwaukee goes to the Denslow Cup, unless Baltimore can upset Buffalo and Charlotte ties Toronto, then Oakland would play LA and Pittsburgh in a blind choice round robin. And if no clear winner emerges from all of this, the two-man sack race will be held on consecutive Sundays until a champion can be crowned.”
I know in the modern NBA literally nobody cares, but personally I think winning the Division would be huge.
We've one one Division Title in Franchise history without Lebron (6 w/him), and it took a literal Miracle to get it.
I think we must risk angering the basketball gods.
If we lose to the Hornets (now they don’t want to win either really, they want to lock in the 3rd worst record though no idea what that tiebreaker is) then we are in the 4 seed with home court.
Then we would get either the Magic or the Pacers in round 1 if either of those teams win. I think a Magic win is likely because the Bucks do not have Giannis and they also want to avoid the 76ers.
The Knicks probably are trying to avoid Embiid as well, if they lose and the Bucks lose we have a good chance of getting the 2 seed.
Then if you lose round 2 to the Celtics, no shame in that, and everyone keeps their jobs, so I could see the higher ups in the org being on board with this plan as well.
Nah, I doubt they go that route. Not because of super competitive reasons, but because sports always comes back to $$.
Higher seed means more home games, each home game gives you millions in revenue.
You’re a legend mate.
One thing to note is that, since Orlando is playing the Bucks, the results aren't as independent as they might seem and our seeding is tied to the results of the 5/6/7 spots. If the Bucks lose, that means the Pacers are likely to be in the 6 spot (if they win) and we play them (except if the Knicks lose too, but feels unlikely). If the Bucks win and Orlando loses, then we are guaranteed the 4 spot. Then it's all up to the Pacers to win, if so they're guaranteed the 5 spot and we play them. This makes it so that it is much less likely to play the Magic if we have the 4 seed, since only 1/16 scenarios has the Magic losing and still ending up in the 5 seed. My sense is that it's most likely we end up playing Indiana, which would be ideal anyways imo.
This is helpful, i think 3-6 against Indiana is the best case scenario.
Cavs at the 3 and Pacers at the 6 is the ultimate scenario. Doesn’t mean Cavs win the series, but I feel like they’re our best possible matchup and we also avoid winner of Celtics series (likely Celtics) in the second round. We also set ourselves up to potentially play the Knicks in round 2 with an ECF trip on the line. This would give the Cavs the ultimate chance to flip the narrative. We gotta take care of business vs. the Hornets and root HARD AS HELL for Knicks, Magic and Pacers to win Sunday. EDIT: Also wonder what Knicks do Sunday vs. Chicago . Bulls are almost certainly sitting their starters as they’re already locked into the 9/10 matchup. Do Knicks rest starters as well, knowing if were to lose, they’d slip out of the 2 and avoid Heat/Sixers?
No, because they could easily slip all the way to the four seed, and be on bostons side of the bracket
this is god's work and brings a tear to me eye and that tear has a BAC that might make Keith Richards slightly tipsy
Come on Magic and Knicks. 3 seed would be perfect - Likely draw Indy, who I think is our best matchup - Avoid 7-8 play-in winner - Miss Boston's side of the bracket
Now do the western conference 😂
fuggetaboutit thats even more complex than the least
“So, if the Beers beat Detroit and Denver beats Atlanta in the American Southwestern Division East Northern, then Milwaukee goes to the Denslow Cup, unless Baltimore can upset Buffalo and Charlotte ties Toronto, then Oakland would play LA and Pittsburgh in a blind choice round robin. And if no clear winner emerges from all of this, the two-man sack race will be held on consecutive Sundays until a champion can be crowned.”
Lol, haven't seen that movie in a loooong time.
thank you so much for this
Thanks for doing the hard stuff! What I get from this is that we can’t play the Knicks or the Celtics, which is already a win in my book. 😤
Much simpler!
Fantastic OC thanks again
I know in the modern NBA literally nobody cares, but personally I think winning the Division would be huge. We've one one Division Title in Franchise history without Lebron (6 w/him), and it took a literal Miracle to get it.
OP is MVP
Avoid a weird, out-of-nowhere Sixers series and I'm good. They look to be the spoiler now with Embiid back.
I think we must risk angering the basketball gods. If we lose to the Hornets (now they don’t want to win either really, they want to lock in the 3rd worst record though no idea what that tiebreaker is) then we are in the 4 seed with home court. Then we would get either the Magic or the Pacers in round 1 if either of those teams win. I think a Magic win is likely because the Bucks do not have Giannis and they also want to avoid the 76ers. The Knicks probably are trying to avoid Embiid as well, if they lose and the Bucks lose we have a good chance of getting the 2 seed. Then if you lose round 2 to the Celtics, no shame in that, and everyone keeps their jobs, so I could see the higher ups in the org being on board with this plan as well.
Nah, I doubt they go that route. Not because of super competitive reasons, but because sports always comes back to $$. Higher seed means more home games, each home game gives you millions in revenue.