Bucks take 8th spot (aka MJ's last game April 16th)

[Andrew]

With the victory over Raptors, the Bucks have made it impossible for the Wizards to take the 8th spot. Even if the Wiz win their final 3 games and the Bucks lose their final two, Milwaukee would win the tiebreaker. That means that the Wizards' April 16th game against Philadelphia will be Michael Jordan's last. Jordan has said he wil play out the season even if the Wiz are eliminated, so hopefully he has some good outings in his final 3 games.

As far as the Bucks go, it's a good recovery after another season similar to last year (in the top 8, only to falter in March), and something that might convince GP to at least consider sticking around next season. They'll likely face Detroit in the first round. I'd say the Pistons should win that series, Wallace, limited Wallace or no Wallace.

[emadhn15]

mann,,, jerome william's dunk at the buzzer should have counted, the refrees took away the wizards playoff hopes!!

[Clinton]

No, Jerome's dunk shouldn't have counted because it was after the buzzer.

[Rens]

It was late... but daaaaaamn the Bucks are bad... Dan needs to get the hell out of there... they almost got beat by the Raptors' scrubs...

Thank god JYD and Alvin kept the greater good in sight and missed free throws and layups

[Matthew]

Greater good? Do you mean tanking games to increase their odd's at a high pick? That's debateable whether thats for the better of the franchise.

[Rens]

When you're down in the standings the way the Raptors are, and there's a "battle" between three teams over the 3, 4, 5 worst seedings a loss isn't something you really want.

[mp3]

well i was hoping that the knicks wouls sneak in, oh well.......... anyway these are my predictions for the first round

Milwaukee v Detroit = Detroit
New Jersey v Orlando = New Jersey
Philadelphia v Boston = Boston
Indiana v New Orleans = Indiana

San Antonio v Phoenix = San Antonio
Sacramento v Utah = Sacramento
Dallas v Portland = Dallas
Minnesota v LA.Lakers = LA.Lakers

[Steve04]

well i was hoping that the knicks wouls sneak in, oh well.......... anyway these are my predictions for the first round

Milwaukee v Detroit = Detroit
Agreed, Milwaukee cannot play defense.

New Jersey v Orlando = New Jersey
Agreed, Orlando cannot play defense but will be closer than above

Philadelphia v Boston = Boston
Now, come on?? Boston has a stagnant offense where there are hardly any cutters and all they do is shoot jump shots, it was painful to watch last Thursday night, they will not and cannot win in the playoffs with that offense even if they upset Philly, which they will not because Philly is peaking at the right time without Coleman or Van Horn. Philly will win round 1 4-1 or 4-2.

Indiana v New Orleans = Indiana
I don't know, I think New Orleans is underrated and could steal one here due to NO's superior coaching.

San Antonio v Phoenix = San Antonio
Sacramento v Utah = Sacramento
Dallas v Portland = Dallas
Minnesota v LA.Lakers = LA.Lakers
Agree on all 4

[Matthew]

When you're down in the standings the way the Raptors are, and there's a "battle" between three teams over the 3, 4, 5 worst seedings a loss isn't something you really want.

But remember basketball is a mental thing. If a team gets in the habbit of not caring and tanking games, it can be difficult to turn "switch" and have the confidence to go out there and get back the swager winning teams have. A good first round pick will help dont get me wrong, but if it means fucking a teams confidence or morale i dont think its worth it. How many lottery picks have cleveland and the Clippers had of late?

[Brave Sir Rubin]

yay....i love matchups

Mil vs. Det...well Benji won't play, and Zelly ain't got his rithem going on yet...so i'll take Milwauklee, playing pretty well in general...plus a G combo of Payton and Cassel, together with a tall SF (Kukoc/Thomas) could easily beat the Benjiless (centerless, reboundless, blockless, d-less) Pistons......if Benji would have been playing it would have been a guaranteed Detroit wib..

NJ vs Orlando....Believe it or not...i pick Orlando...NJ are a strong team, but Orlando, theoreticly are much stronger...Orlando has an always consistant scorer in T-Mac, a consistant DD man in Gooden....while NJ doesn't have any one that can guarantee 20+ every game...or anyone that can guarantee 10+ rebs every game....Plus Orlando has MUCH better hooters...and although KIdd will school Vaught/Armstrong...it won't be enough to win (unless Deke suddenly starts playing the way he played 4 years ago...)

Philly Vs. Bos....I truly hope that the standings change and these two don't have to face each other...but if they do, Boston defenatly has the offensive edge, but being very incconsistant lately Pierce/ WAlker won't produce the necessary numbers...Ivy will score a shiteload against the bad Boston D...and philly will easily win...

Indy vs. NO...This should be the most interesting match up...both teams pretty equaly matched...yet this all depands on Baron, Reggie, Jerrmaine, and the MVP...Baron and Masjh have to put up great numbers...but if Reggie starts scoring, Jermaine continues to play the way he does...and Tinsley manages to actually keep the ball in his hands...the Pacers should win...

West is pretty self explanator...

Spurs
Kings
Mavs
Lakers

these teams are just so much stronger than their rivals...the only team that shouldn't be close to sweeping here is Dallas, playing bad lately...plus Portland are a pretty good team (whenever they can play together)

well..these are my predictions...