If the playoffs started today (2016 Edition)

Teams 3 through 10 are within 6 games of each other, and throughout the season, every one has been prone to streaks of great winning play, and streaks of bad losing play.  The Celtics are the most consistent, have good health, and great coaching, so are most likely to stay at 3.

If Bosh is gone for the year, that has to hurt Miami in the long run.  Joe Johnson may help some, but I can't imagine they'll stay as consistent relying on Whiteside rather than Bosh.  The losing period should come at some point.

The Hawks have been fighting inconsistency, and definitely don't have the same mojo as last year.  Plus Horford and Teague being on the trading block may affect their chemistry.

The Pacers have gone from being one of the toughest teams on the inside, to being easy to take advantage of.  It seems like its either George or nothing for the most part.  They're in the mix, but I think we'll overtake them too.

The Bulls have their injury issues to deal with, and they don't have the toughness and defense like they did with Thibs.  I could see them falling out of the playoffs.

The Pistons have new pieces to mix in, but I think they can get on a run and get back in the playoffs, but they have to get it together before it gets too late.

Washington is playing better, but they have a tough fight to even get to .500 in the first place, then have to try to fight off the lower seeds.

I actually feel pretty good about the Hornets getting up to the 4th or 5th seed, depending on their own consistency.

At this point, if Charlotte stays healthy and Kemba doesn't hit a prolonged slump, I expect that it'll wind up being Detroit and Chicago battling for the last spot in the playoffs and Charlotte winds up somewhere in that 4-7 range. The goal should be to finish at least 6th, as Toronto probably isn't losing in the first round this year, even though a Cs-Hornets first-round series probably means I need to not be around here for several weeks. 

I'd much rather be the 7 seed and face Toronto than be the 6 and face Boston 

I actually feel pretty good about the Hornets getting up to the 4th or 5th seed, depending on their own consistency.

Anything that prolongs meeting Cleveland is ok by me.

This becomes a problem

I'd much rather be the 7 seed and face Toronto than be the 6 and face Boston

When I scan ahead we have a cornucopia of sub-500 opponents.  Not that we can take them lightly, even the PHX and PHI games are ones we can lose if we aren't serious.  But I like our stretch run, only nine teams above .500 (today) out of 24 opponents (11 road games).  MIA with 23 remaining faces 10 .500+, and 13 road games.  ATL with 22 remaining plays 13 over .500, 11 road games.  IND with 23 remaining, plays 11 over .500, 11 road games.  (tried counting these a couple of times and think this is close but not 100% confident I am reporting it right -- bottom line, we are on the nicer side of this if I am close to correct)

It's not like I am discounting DET and WAS but I like our chances to move up a step or at least stay playoff eligible if we just play to our ability.  And I also wonder if 8th is really the safe place to sit to avoid CLE, I don't think we match up with them well still but they don't seem to be "as" worrisome to the rest of the East as they once were.

From NBA.com:

"The Charlotte Hornets are in the middle of that seven-team pack with a record of 30-28. They’ve been one of the league’s five most improved teams despite injuries to Al Jefferson and Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, as well as what has been the league’s fifth toughest schedule (toughest amongst those East teams in spots 4-10).

Kidd-Gilchrist isn’t coming back and Jefferson has yet to make much of an impact upon returning from a 23-game absence, but the Hornets’ schedule is about to provide some relief. Charlotte has the league’s easiest remaining schedule, with 15 of their final 24 games against teams under .500 and eight of those 15 against the six teams who rank in the bottom 10 in both offensive and defensive efficiency."

http://hangtime.blog...dule-breakdown/

I think Hornets match up better against Toronto than Boston. Something about Boston. They shouldn't win but they do against the Hornets while we've handled the Raptors to a point. They're a big challenge too with the rim protector and great back court.

I'm not sure if this has been posted here or in another thread, but Toronto owns the tiebreaker with Cleveland and is currently 2.5 games back.

5th seed is probably best case scenario.with the heat also have a pretty favorable schedule the rest of the way I don't see us jumping above them. Match up with the heat in the first round and I truly like our chances against them. But anything other than 8th seed is workable.

4th is totally in play with 23 games left and only 3 back in the win column. Miami has the edge but their injury margin of error is razor thin.

4th is totally in play with 23 games left and only 3 back in the win column. Miami has the edge but their injury margin of error is razor thin.

aaaand right on cue

I'd bet on Miami keeping the 4 but rocking JJ, Wade, and Deng 30+ minutes each with Amare starting feels dicey. The last 2 games 'Spo only went 8 deep.

I'd bet on Miami keeping the 4 but rocking JJ, Wade, and Deng 30+ minutes each with Amare starting feels dicey. The last 2 games 'Spo only went 8 deep.

I hadn't thought about the AARP angle but that's a good point.  I was more thinking of the sprint to the end (of careers).

Would think that fourth and hca is preferred.

MIami beat a NY team who has won 3 of their last 17. And Chicago sans Butler, Mirotic, Noah, a hurt Gibson, and Rose playing for the first time in 10 days.

They have the Suns and Philly (twice) on deck, then 8 games that include 5 roadies ( Milwaukee, Chicago, Toronto, San Antonio, New Orleans) and home games vs Cleveland and Charlotte. We'll know what's up with Miami by March 23.

Well of course sir it's preferred. Just don't see it happening. If they stay healthy (big if) I just don't see the Hornets catching them.

So right now, WAS is poised to overtake CHI for ninth spot. If IND holds on and DET loses (and they are trailing) that gives us some soft cushion, one full game out of fifth, two games or of fourth (tiebreaker yet to be decided with MIA correct?). With no MKG, I am very impressed.

Just came here to post that tonight's games are breaking favorably for Charlotte's playoff seeding. They're beginning to set themselves up nicely to be in a mid-seed and possibly take a first-round series. If they can avoid Cleveland in the second round who knows what would happen. 

So right now, WAS is poised to overtake CHI for ninth spot. If IND holds on and DET loses (and they are trailing) that gives us some soft cushion, one full game out of fifth, two games or of fourth (tiebreaker yet to be decided with MIA correct?). With no MKG, I am very impressed.

Even if we beat Miami to tie for season series the next tiebreaker is division. They are 8-4 and we are 5-7. They play us and Orlando 3 times. So they'll more than likely have tie breaker over us even if we do beat them