It’s a critical game tonight for the Blazers — or maybe the most meaningless game of the season
Really, it all depends on what happens in Texas. The Trail Blazers meet the Nuggets tonight in the Rose Garden at 7:30. But San Antonio and New Orleans play at 5 o’clock.
Quite obviously, unless the early game goes into overtime, the Trail Blazers will know who won prior to the tip-off (or soon after) of their game. If San Antonio loses (honestly, I don’t see that happening but it could), Portland will be locked into the home court. The Denver game suddenly becomes meaningless to the Blazers in the overall scheme of things.
If I’m Nate McMillan and the game doesn’t mean anything in regard to homecourt advantage, I’d rest my key people — just as Miami and Atlanta did last night. Why take a chance of anyone getting hurt?
UPDATE: OK, I should have mentioned that if Houston loses, Portland could grab the third seed by winning the Denver game. Sorry, was too busy making my main point — the team’s fate could well be decided prior to the game, in which case, I’d rest players.
NBA, Trail Blazers | Dwight Jaynes | April 15, 2009
Denver Nuggets, Dwight Jaynes, Nate McMillan, NBA playoffs, Portland Trail Blazers
What if Houston loses at Dallas? Then the Blazers would be playing for the 3rd seed!
2) If Denver loses, Houston loses, Portland wins and San Antonio loses, then Denver finishes second, Portland finishes third, Houston finishes fourth, San Antonio finishes fifth and New Orleans finishes sixth. In this scenario, New Orleans (6) plays Portland (3). Portland gets home court advantage.
But if San Antonio wins and Houston loses…
4) If Denver loses, Houston loses, Portland wins and San Antonio wins, then Denver finishes second, San Antonio finishes third, Portland finishes fourth and Houston finishes fifth. In this scenario, Houston (5) plays Portland (4). Portland gets home court advantage.
I disagree with this post. If Denver rests key players, then I’d rest key players, otherwise I play to win.
I believe that if Ho loses also then Po can be 3rd seed playing NO and in opposite bracket from LA, which I think is worth playing for because LA is the road block in the west and it’d be nice to get them in the west finals.
I believe Po can beat any other team in a seven game series, even without home court, but I don’t see them beating LA in a series.
“I don’t see them beating LA in a series”
All things being equal, that’s how you would lay the odds, that L*A beats PDX. But funny things can happen in the playoffs. In ’91, after the L*kers got lucky and beat the Blazers, they went into the finals and Magic/Scott pulled their hammys = advantage Bulls. A key injury to Bryant, Gasol, etc could swing round 2 Portland’s way.
(Youneverknow…as Juaqin Andujar would say)
I sure hope that one of the most anticipated games of the year doesn’t turn into the Clippers vs Kings…
I usually think resting players and managing minutes is important but the Blazers have so much momentum right now, they should try and throttle the Thuggets.
Besides, it’s FAN APPRECIATION night. I hope they put on another awesome show.
Would someone help, What are those off-white colored wipe things that oden grabs Everytime there is a time out.