Oh no, the Kings basically have to go on a big run after the murder's row let's up next week. Can't count on anybody leaving the door open below about 40 wins at best. So we were always talking here about maybe a 13-6 closing rush or some such. Because our schedule gets very soft its remotely feasible, but coming so late I don't know if this team is still going to have the pep for it with a dying coaching staff.
Going to have to win 7 of 10 or some such, see the goalline, kick it into another gear, and make it a close finish. That's the only realistic scenario. Not waiting for multiple teams to fall apart and end up at 36 wins. We've got to hit 40 to have a real shot. I'd be happy just to be in a position to have 37 wins with 4 to play, and see if the team could see the finish line and make a sprint for it.
I can do that with our incredibly weak closing schedule, but its a narrow window now. This is how it breaks out:
OKC
@DAL
@MEM
@SAS
@NOH
CLE
------------------
End of tough stretch. Absolute bare minimum have to go 2-4, probably New Orelans and Memphis. We would be in deep trouble, but still able to barely recover. Be 26-37 with 19 to go. Need 14-5 to get to 40-42. Its near death,but remotely possible. If we could go 3-3 over the next 6 (maybe add Dal, or surprise one of these teams at home, 13-6 is more doable.
Anyway IF we are playing well. Which likely only happens if we have had some stay alive success above, then its possible we could go 4-0 on this stretch:
ORL
UTH
@LAL
NOH
which would leave us at 30-37 or 31-36 and still remotely kicking.
Then you hit the road and absolutely have to split, but really would like to maybe surprise DET or CHI and go 3-1:
@DET
@NYK
@
Chi
@MIN
If you went 2-2 there you could be 32-39 (near death) or 33-38 (still close). If you went 3-1 you could be as close as 34-37, and that begins to maybe keep the guys involved with the possibility. Its getting too complex, so let's take the middle option and say we went 2-2, and are at 33-38.
So then you go home, and no matter where you sit there is no more losing to teams, good or bad, at home. You need both these:
PHX
DAL
so 35-38
then a critical double count game. If we have done so well, one with obvious meaning. But let's say we drop it.
@POR
35-39 and no more margin for error.
2 winnable home games:
WSH
MIA
37-39
we just won @DEN, gotta do it again, then 2 gotta have them home games including revenge against POR
@DEN
POR
MIN
If you pulled that off -- hello -- you are suddenly 40-39 with 3 to go without having had to pull a single miracle hero win against a top team. Just taking care of business.
Then let's call this a loss, although if we are close enough to be playing hard, and they are already set as a #2 seed, maybe just maybe we can take it:
OKC
Anyway, call it a loss, be at 40-40 and then close with 2 on the road, including a season ender that could even be for #8:
@PHX
@HOU
You look through all that, and its there. But it requires this team, which has almost never responded as it should all year long, to start getting up and taking care of business. A couple of more loose losses, and its effectively impossible.
When is time to turn this thread into a draft discussion?
