Post by kmatrixg on Nov 26, 2010 1:34:00 GMT -5
Eastern Conference Playoff Race
Three teams in the East are currently separated by just 21/2 games. The Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets are set to engage in a hunger driven playoff race for the final 2 spots, and this article will judge, and predict who gets those 2 spots come seasons end.
7. Detroit Pistons 35-34: GB --
Remaining Schedule: (13 Games)
Strength of Schedule: (.492)
The Pistons have just 13 games remaining, compared Charlotte and Boston's 16. By record, the Pistons have the easiest schedule, playing just 7 playoff teams in the span. I expect them to take advantage of this cupcake schedule, while winning most of the games they are supposed to, and squeezing in a couple wins against teams they're not supposed to beat. Detroit still has the most talented of the 3 teams, barring any trades at the deadline.
Notable Games:
vs. Nets6th East (35-32)
vs. HornetsT8th East (31-35)
vs. Magic3rd East (35-29)
vs. CelticsT8th East (31-35)
T8. Bostons Celtics 31-35: GB 2.5
Remaining Schedule: (16 Games)
Strength of Schedule: (.483)
The Celtics will be tested in the final 20 days of the season, playing 10 of their 16 remaining against playoff teams. Not only do they have a 5 game road trip in this span, they also play 7 crucial games against in conference teams fighting for playoff spots, and of those 7, 6 are played in succession toward the latter end of the sim.
Notable Games:
vs. Nets6th East (35-32)
vs. Nets -- --
vs. HornetsT8th East (31-35)
vs. Wizards5th East (35-31)
vs. Pistons7th East (35-34)
vs. Hornets -- --
T8. Charlotte Hornets 31-35: GB 2.5
Remaining Schedule: (16 Games)
Strength of Schedule: (.506)
Charlotte faces the toughest schedule, though the number may be skewed due to 3 games against the Grizzlies, Timberwolves, and Hawks. Regardless, they face a tough schedule, with 12 of their 16 games against playoff opponents. Of those 12 games, 7 are against in conference teams all within 5 games of the Hornets. Needless to say, the Hornets need to be near perfect in order to come out with the 8th spot with the toughest remaining schedule of the 3 teams ahead of them.
Notable Games:
vs. Pistons7th East (35-34)
vs. CelticsT8th East (31-35)
vs. Nets6th East (35-32)
vs. Bucks4th East (35-30)
vs. Celtics -- --
vs. Bucks -- --
vs. Wizards5th East (35-31)
With only one sim left, these three teams need to focus on trades, lineups and their game plans to get as many wins as possible. It will be a very tight race, however, I see the Pistons staying at 7, with Charlotte overtaking the Celtics at the 8th spot. the Celtics are too inexperienced to win some of those crucial games against key opponents, while the Hornets have the veteran experience of Damon Stoudamire and Elton Brand, and the talent of Caron Butler and Jason Terry.
W-L Predictions Remaining Schedule:
Detroit (7th in East)
Sim: (6-7)
Season: (41-41)
Charlotte (8th in East)
Sim: (6-10)
Season: (37-45)
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Boston (9th in East)
Sim: (4-12)
Season: (35-47)
Three teams in the East are currently separated by just 21/2 games. The Detroit Pistons, Boston Celtics and Charlotte Hornets are set to engage in a hunger driven playoff race for the final 2 spots, and this article will judge, and predict who gets those 2 spots come seasons end.
7. Detroit Pistons 35-34: GB --
Remaining Schedule: (13 Games)
Strength of Schedule: (.492)
The Pistons have just 13 games remaining, compared Charlotte and Boston's 16. By record, the Pistons have the easiest schedule, playing just 7 playoff teams in the span. I expect them to take advantage of this cupcake schedule, while winning most of the games they are supposed to, and squeezing in a couple wins against teams they're not supposed to beat. Detroit still has the most talented of the 3 teams, barring any trades at the deadline.
Notable Games:
vs. Nets6th East (35-32)
vs. HornetsT8th East (31-35)
vs. Magic3rd East (35-29)
vs. CelticsT8th East (31-35)
T8. Bostons Celtics 31-35: GB 2.5
Remaining Schedule: (16 Games)
Strength of Schedule: (.483)
The Celtics will be tested in the final 20 days of the season, playing 10 of their 16 remaining against playoff teams. Not only do they have a 5 game road trip in this span, they also play 7 crucial games against in conference teams fighting for playoff spots, and of those 7, 6 are played in succession toward the latter end of the sim.
Notable Games:
vs. Nets6th East (35-32)
vs. Nets -- --
vs. HornetsT8th East (31-35)
vs. Wizards5th East (35-31)
vs. Pistons7th East (35-34)
vs. Hornets -- --
T8. Charlotte Hornets 31-35: GB 2.5
Remaining Schedule: (16 Games)
Strength of Schedule: (.506)
Charlotte faces the toughest schedule, though the number may be skewed due to 3 games against the Grizzlies, Timberwolves, and Hawks. Regardless, they face a tough schedule, with 12 of their 16 games against playoff opponents. Of those 12 games, 7 are against in conference teams all within 5 games of the Hornets. Needless to say, the Hornets need to be near perfect in order to come out with the 8th spot with the toughest remaining schedule of the 3 teams ahead of them.
Notable Games:
vs. Pistons7th East (35-34)
vs. CelticsT8th East (31-35)
vs. Nets6th East (35-32)
vs. Bucks4th East (35-30)
vs. Celtics -- --
vs. Bucks -- --
vs. Wizards5th East (35-31)
With only one sim left, these three teams need to focus on trades, lineups and their game plans to get as many wins as possible. It will be a very tight race, however, I see the Pistons staying at 7, with Charlotte overtaking the Celtics at the 8th spot. the Celtics are too inexperienced to win some of those crucial games against key opponents, while the Hornets have the veteran experience of Damon Stoudamire and Elton Brand, and the talent of Caron Butler and Jason Terry.
W-L Predictions Remaining Schedule:
Detroit (7th in East)
Sim: (6-7)
Season: (41-41)
Charlotte (8th in East)
Sim: (6-10)
Season: (37-45)
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Boston (9th in East)
Sim: (4-12)
Season: (35-47)
