Utah VS Phoenix: 8th Seed War

[NovU]

Since we rarely see threads being created these days...

Which team do you think is going to make it and why?

And just for fun sake, who wants to make a bet? I am betting on the Suns, and the loser will have to address a winner as a "Sir" or "Master" for a month, for at least 10 times. Not gonna be Lamrock about it and bail out on the bet.

[Andrew]

As luck would have it, they play each other one more time before the regular season is over, which could make all the difference. That'd likely be a fun one to watch.

The Jazz probably have the easier schedule with their last three at home, the other two games coming against the Howard-less Magic and the sub .500 Blazers. The Suns have the Nuggets at home tomorrow in a winnable game and if the Spurs elect to rest their stars in the season finale, they could take that one. With or without a win over the Jazz in their second to last game they hold the tiebreaker, but with the Spurs battling the Thunder for first place I'd suggest they'll need to win the next two to ensure that there is a tie.

I think I'll have to go with the Suns, too. They've really turned it around in the second half of the season, they're finishing strong and they have the tiebreaker so all they need to do is keep pace with the Jazz.

[atlwarrior]

I prefer to see Steve Nash and the Suns in there. But Utah deserves that spot more and would probably be a better matchup for San Antonio or OKC.

[Lamrock]

Yeah I paid my dues with interest on my bet. Utah is getting the 8 seed. Easier schedule and their showdown vs the suns is in Utah. Go Nash and the suns though.

[Stress Fracture]

Well, if ever a 3-way tie between the Rockets, Suns, and the Jazz happens, who owns the tie-breaker?

[NovU]

The Suns and Jazz both hold the tie-breaker over the Rockets. To put it simple, the Rockets need to win all three remaining games and the other two shouldn't win more than one game each.

[Martti.]

I hope the Jazz make it. The Suns have Denver and San Antonio on their schedule, Utah has Blazers and Magic, both at home.

[NovU]

I like how the poll is rolling. Maybe I should close it and leave it as is.

But Utah deserves that spot more and would probably be a better matchup for San Antonio or OKC.

I actually agree that Jazz are likely to have more under sleeve due to their youth when it comes to playoffs.

[Cleveland wins]

I say Utah makes that spot, but i sure hope Steve Nash would make the playoffs this year in one of his last few seasons he has in the league.

[shadowgrin]

Not gonna be Lamrock about it and bail out on the bet.

As a not so serious betting person, a bet is between the parties involved and people outside of that doesn't need to be a dick about it.

[cavs4872]

Would've really loved to see the Rockets in, but am hoping for the Suns out of those two. They aren't that bad. They have a good bench and Gortat has made them a lot better.

Will Grant Hill be back for the playoffs if they make it?

[NovU]

My offer on the bet has expired as the Jazz solely took over the lead. Is still very interesting though.

Not gonna be Lamrock about it and bail out on the bet.

As a not so serious betting person, a bet is between the parties involved and people outside of that doesn't need to be a dick about it.

Good point, if I was ever dick about it and offended Lamrock, I apologize. But I think he's cool with it as he probably knew it was just a joke with no intention of any disrespect.

[Andrew]

Yeah, it's looking like I picked the wrong horse in this one. Should've gone with Canada, I guess.

If they do pick up the win over the Jazz, they're still in it and it all comes down to the final game of the season. If the Thunder are willing to sacrifice the top seed - or find themselves out of the running on the final day of the season - then they could still get in on a tiebreaker, assuming of course the Jazz beat the Blazers at home in their finale. It's not impossible, but a tough spot to be in to say the least.

[Bulls#1]

I Guess Utah Will Make It As They Have More Talent than the others just look at it I mean yes phoenix has steve nash and others but like Frye I don't think so.

[Andrew]

Houston is officially out of the picture.

[jettdaking!]

Phoenix please, they haven't been in the playoffs for quite a while, and Utah isn't really a team with deep talent (but they had really great wins, like the one against Miami)

[koberulz]

The Suns were in the playoffs two years ago.

[jettdaking!]

not streaky enough

[Andrew]

The Suns aren't much deeper and both teams are even as far as a playoff drought is concerned - just one season - with the same number of postseason appearances in the last ten years. Neither really deserves to get in more than the other based on anything else, at the end of the day whichever of them can get the job done and put themselves in a position to qualify at the end of the regular season deserves that spot.

[NovU]

I am actually surprised both got this far. The Rockets had pretty solid grip on that spot untill recent losing streak of 6 or something.

[Andrew]

That's what a small slide will do when there's not much in it, especially in a shortened season.

[Stress Fracture]

I am actually surprised both got this far. The Rockets had pretty solid grip on that spot untill recent losing streak of 6 or something.

Fuck that 6 game losing streak.

[Andrew]

With the Spurs locking up the top seed, chances are they'll rest their stars for their last game, giving Phoenix a shot at getting in one the tiebreaker...so long as they beat the Jazz today.

[NovU]

Seems like whole lot of teams went into a maintenance mode. Only watchable game for me today is Utah vs Phoenix, despite the Heat playing.

[deihatein]

Utah is in the playoffs