Playoff Predictions

by vizzle07 on Mar 10, 2010 12:01 PM MST

I've probably got way too much time on my hands, but I looked through the remaining schedules for teams in playoff positions in the Western Conference. I created this graphic so that I could see it all at once:

via i267.photobucket.com

click here to enlarge

A few things jumped out to me. First, the Mavs have by far the easiest remaining schedule. They have the fewest road games, and only 2 road games vs. playoff teams. And with the way they've been playing lately, I don't see anyone catching them. Another thing that stands out is that LA only has 6 home games remaining. They've been struggling lately (would have been a 4 game losing streak if not for a Kobe buzzer beater last night). I'm just saying, the Mavs are only 3 games back in the loss column, so there's a possibility that LA might drop to the 2 seed.

OKC could make some noise. They have the most games remaining, and

We've got our work cut out for us, but I am optimistic that we can overtake Denver. They have two more games vs. playoff teams than we do, and they also have an extra road game vs. a playoff team. But then, if LA does drop to the 2 seed, I'd rather stay at number 4!

In Monday's DB, Basketball John invited us to predict how the Jazz will finish the season. I enjoyed reading your predictions, so I thought we could take it one step further. Predict the playoff seeds and regular season records for the Western Conference playoff contenders.

My Predictions:

1 LA Lakers (59-23)
2 Dallas Mavericks (58-24)
3 Utah Jazz (57-25)
4 Denver Nuggets (56-26)
5 Phoenix Suns (53-29)
6 OKC Thunder (52-30)
7 Portland Trail Blazers (50-32)
8 San Antonio Spurs (49-33)

My predictions are a combination of what I think will happen, and what I hope will happen. I'm probably a little too optimistic, but I think this scenario gives the Jazz a great shot at a long playoff run. Call me crazy, but the only team on this list that I'd be truly afraid of in a 7 game series (especially if we had home court advantage) is LA (Denver is a close second though...). And if the seeds lined up like this, LA would face San Antonio and (most likely) Denver in the first two rounds. That could really make things interesting.

So, how do you think the playoff teams in the West will finish? What are your predictions for seeding?

All comments are the opinion of the commenter and not necessarily that of SLC Dunk or SB Nation.

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Comments

I hate to say it

But the 3rd seed will be difficult. Denver has to play poorly during this run of 20 games, because Dallas’s schedule is just too easy – they won’t lose that many and have probably locked up the 2 seed.

So, Denver is who we have to watch… and ourselves. The Jazz can’t slump either.

by mcjazzman32 on Mar 10, 2010 5:54 PM MST reply actions

That seeding is a dream scenario. I like it.

But the thing that might be more likely is if LA fell to the 2nd seed and played a very difficult series with Portland who is a team they struggle against. And if the Jazz stayed in the 4th spot, then they could draw Phoenix or OKC in the first round and Dallas in the 2nd round, who I actually think is the Jazz’s best case scenario second round opponent.

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Mar 11, 2010 1:06 AM MST reply actions

In your scenario you have the Jazz finishing the season 14-3 from here on out and that is very, very optimistic.

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Mar 11, 2010 1:07 AM MST up reply actions

hey clark

looks like you and I are the less optimistic folks on here. did you see my fanpost predicting the last 20 games (that we go 12-8)? would love to hear how you see the last 20 (well now 18) playing out.

The Jazz sure looked good in the 2nd quarter last night against the Pistons. But again, they looked very pedestrian in the other 3 quarters. And that was a very mediocre Piston team.

by moneyman memo on Mar 11, 2010 6:37 AM MST up reply actions

Yeah, i did see that we were pessimistic. But this is how I see it (how I saw it two games ago).

I don’t always go game by game, but I saw us going 2-2 on this current 4 game win streak. I am afraid I will still be correct. They have 8 home games and I think they lose to either OKC, Phoenix, or Boston and one other inexplicable home loss. Six and two.

I see them losing @LA, @ Phoenix, and lose one inexplicable game @ one of the other 6 places. But I just feel like 13-7 will be there record in the last 20.

The more you try to erase me, the more that I appear.

by clarkpojo on Mar 11, 2010 6:58 AM MST up reply actions