Eastern conference

loopymitch

loopymitch

All-Star
I've been trying very hard to follow the PO race in the East as most of my favorite teams are there, except Kings of course but I am so confused! The way they've been playing lately I'm beginning to wonder if the bottom teams even want to make it. The Wizs are currently 5th but have no x (according to nba.com), Pacers/Bucks are 6th/7th respectively but they have their x.:confused: I'm still trying to figure that one out. Am I missing something here?
4 teams will probably make it with under .500 records and that just blows my mind. I know the East sucks for the most part but this is just ridiculous. ESPN were trying to figure it out and they couldn't even do it with their "professors":rolleyes:
 
Pacers have 2 games left and they have a winning record against 76ers. SO worst case scenario is that 76ers and Pacers are tied for 8th in which case Pacers would go through based on their winning record. They can't finish worse than 8th. Same/similar goes for Bucks.
 
loopymitch said:
The Wizs are currently 5th but have no x (according to nba.com), Pacers/Bucks are 6th/7th respectively but they have their x.:confused: I'm still trying to figure that one out. Am I missing something here?
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Washington still has 3 games to lose and Philly has tie-breaker on them. I'm not sure about multiple teams' tie-breaker and don't want to lose time calculating the possibilities. :)
 
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Chicago Sun-Times - The Chicago Bulls need one more win from their remaining three games to clinch their second consecutive playoff berth, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting.

The biggest challenge left is a tough two-game road trip against the Miami Heat today in a nationally televised game and the surging Orlando Magic on Monday night.

The 76ers are chasing the Bulls in the Eastern Conference standings, but the Bulls (38-41) are following the Sixers into Florida. Philadelphia lost at Miami on Friday night and at Orlando on Saturday night.

''I don't know why this is so, but it seems like Orlando always seems to benefit with a team playing Miami before they come there,'' coach Scott Skiles said before the Bulls departed. ''We've got to go down there. We face [Shaquille O'Neal] and [Dwyane] Wade [with the Heat], and we're going there to win.''
The Bulls finish the regular season against the Raptors in Chicago.
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http://www.suntimes.com/output/bulls/cst-spt-bullnt161.html

And hopefully that win comes today at Heat
icon_smile.gif
. Bulls have played Heat well the last 3-4 times, and are on a roll right now with confidence. Heat might be limiting minutes and resting guys too.
 
Indeed, and people said the East were supposed to be better than the west this season. Ton of things changed that.

Still have more entertaining teams though, IMO, just not as quality.

Big win for the bulls today, heat knew they lost the game at the half :).
Bulls are officially in the playoffs, and are not limited to just the 8th seed. Luol Deng had a great game on his b-day of 26 pts (12-17 FGs) and 6 boards.
 
And this is just one of the problems with the stupid three division set-up.
 
vj9999 said:
I wish Orlando could make the playoffs. They deserve it the most :)
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I completely agree. They have been playing the hardest, and they have over-achieved with the roster they currently have. Dwight is a beast. 28 points and 26 boards yesterday.
 
Can't wait until the Magic get the band back together in October?

They certainly developed terrific harmony in their shortlived playoff push.

Then why is DeShawn Stevenson -- one of the starters -- thinking about leaving the group?

You know why.

It's nothing personal -- just business.

Although he wants to be part of the Magic's upbeat future, Stevenson told the Sentinel he also wants a better contract and might have to exercise his option to play elsewhere next season.

Stevenson can become a free agent this summer by opting out of his three-year, $8.2-million deal that expires after the 2006-07 season.

He's gambling there's more money and years to be had on the open market. He will make $3 million next season with the Magic if he stays.

"I'm looking to take care of my family even more," Stevenson said. "I'm not saying I don't have the money now, but, you know, just being even more secure . . . because anything can happen next year with a three-year deal."

Magic Assistant General Manager Otis Smith has spoken with Stevenson's agent, Rob Pelinka, about Stevenson's possible venture into free agency.

"It wouldn't surprise me, but we look at DeShawn as being a big part of our team," Smith said.

"If he did opt out, it would be something he'd have to weigh himself: 'How much do I like it here? Or I am chasing a pot of gold that may or may not be there?' "

Stevenson gives the Magic's lineup something unique: A hard-nosed shooting guard who doesn't demand the ball, who plays a part similar to Spurs defensive stopper Bruce Bowen.

Note: Bowen makes a similar salary.

Stevenson's loss would be a setback -- at least this is what DeShawn is literally banking on.

Stevenson might be hearing footsteps.

The Magic have said they'd like to add a more conventional shooting guard, be it through free agency, trades or the draft.

They would prefer one who can come off screens and be a consistent mid-range to long-range threat, perhaps another veteran or a young player such as Duke guard J.J. Redick.

The club could also move small forward Grant Hill -- a healthy Hill, that is -- to shooting guard and bring Stevenson off the bench. Hedo Turkoglu would remain the starter at small forward.

Stevenson can hit the jumper, and was shooting 46 percent as of Monday while averaging 11.1 points and 3.0 rebounds. But most of his points come on athletic drives to the basket, and he seldom attempts 3-pointers.
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http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-magiccon1806apr18,0,3766865.column?coll=orl-magic


I think he should stay with the Magic, he's proven to be a good fit there. Has improved nicely on both ends of the floor, and would keep chemistry going also. I've come to like him.

I bet they try and go after a Rasual Butler or Jamal Crawford. Butler's a UFA.
 
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hoopsfan said:
Anyone notice that only 4 teams in the Eastern Conf. have winning records??
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that's why the pistons have the best record. it's got nothing to do with them being a great team. in the west, they've have 40% fewer games v. east teams and 67% more games v. the west teams. on the other hand, their record is worse against the east teams.
 
Press Release - The New Jersey Nets have signed guard Derrick Zimmerman and center John Thomas for the remainder of the season, Nets President Rod Thorn announced today.

The 6-3 Zimmerman was the NBA Development League Defensive Player of the Year in 2005-06, playing for the Austin Torros. He played in 44 games, averaging 8.3 ppg and 6.4 apg. Zimmerman previously played for the Nets during the 2005 preseason.

The 6-9 Thomas has played on five NBA teams (Boston, Toronto, Minnesota, Memphis and Atlanta) in his five-year NBA career. He holds NBA averages of 2.7 ppg 2.0 rpg in 207 career games. This season, Thomas appeared in three games for the Memphis Grizzlies and 11 games for the Atlanta Hawks .
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http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/40080/20060418/nets_sign_zimmerman_and_thomas_for_season/ (this is the link)

Should be some extra useful bodies on the bench.. Zimmerman's an okay player, good defender, has experience. Thomas is a wide banger.
 
Bucks/Pistons - Pistons in 5 games. Sweep a good possibility, but think the Bucks offense and depth could get them some kind of a win.

Bulls/Heat - Bulls are gonna give the Heat a tough series, indeed. Would love an upset, but ultimately see the Heat being a bit too much. Heat in 5-6 games.

Pacers/Nets - This should be a close, good series with the history and make-up of these two. Even if Artest/Reggie are gone. I'm undecided on who wins, but it'll go 6-7 games, indeed.

Wizards/Cavs - This'll definitely be a fun, interesting series. LeBron's post-season debut, and Larry Hughes going up against his old team. Not quite sure who takes it, but goes 6 games.
 
Kings113 said:
Bucks/Pistons - Pistons in 5 games. Sweep a good possibility, but think the Bucks offense and depth could get them some kind of a win.

Bulls/Heat - Bulls are gonna give the Heat a tough series, indeed. Would love an upset, but ultimately see the Heat being a bit too much. Heat in 5-6 games.

Pacers/Nets - This should be a close, good series with the history and make-up of these two. Even if Artest/Reggie are gone. I'm undecided on who wins, but it'll go 6-7 games, indeed.

Wizards/Cavs - This'll definitely be a fun, interesting series. LeBron's post-season debut, and Larry Hughes going up against his old team. Not quite sure who takes it, but goes 6 games.
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i think, unless the nets have really lost all their momentum of a week or so earlier, they should sweep the pacers. yes, the pacers used to be that eastern team that no matter what their record was and usually it was above or about 50 wins, you should worry about matching up with them. but this year, i think not. they are completely disfunctional, playing as if they are waiting for something to happen (probably, for stephen jackson to let go).

as for wizards/cavs. i am not sure. if hughes can become the player he was last year, i would say cavs. but somehow i think that this might result in an upset; after all, this is lebron's first playoff series. and no, i do not think he deserves to be the mvp; it is a shame that he will get it. of course, it can always get worse and kobe can get the mvp (berk! -puking sound-).
 
I just feel the Pacers are gonna be ready for the playoffs, despite their struggles over the last 2 weeks. Would be surprised if they got swept, that would really say they need to fix with their roster a bunch.
 
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