With 10 games to go, here's a look at the standings in the Eastern Conference:
So, how will the Sixers finish? Who will they play in the first round? Let's take a gander:
Cleveland's remaining schedule: @ Detroit, vs. Philadelphia, @ Charlotte, vs. Chicago, vs. Orlando, vs. New Jersey, @ Chicago, vs. Miami, @ Philadelphia, vs. Detroit
Best record: 47-35 (wins vs. Philly, Charlotte, Chicago x2, NJ, Miami and Detroit)
Worst record: 43-39 (wins vs. Chicago, Charlotte, Miami)
Probable: 45-37
Thoughts: Eventually, you have to believe LeBron is going to realize home court is at stake and he'll turn it on. The only problem is that he's had it turned on pretty much the entire year, the team surrounding him is just horrible.
Washington's remaining schedule: @ Sacramento, @ LAL, @ Utah, vs. Milwaukee, vs. Miami, @ Chicago, vs. Boston, @ Detroit, vs. Philadelphia, vs. Indiana, @ Orlando.
Best record: 43-39 (wins vs. Sacramento, Milwaukee, Miami, Chicago, Philly and Indiana)
Worst record: 40-42 (wins vs. Milwuakee, Miami, Indiana)
Probable: 42-40
Thoughts: The Wizards have proven they can beat anyone on any given night. They can also lose to anyone. I think the key to the rest of their season is going to be Gilbert Arenas's return. Honestly, I think they'd be better off if Arenas just sat out the rest of the season. They've done a good job of getting along without him and I think his gunning will hurt them in some of the tougher games left on their schedule, especially as he tries to knock the rust off.
Toronto's remaining schedule: vs. New York, vs. New Orleans, @ Charlotte, @ Atlanta, vs. Charlotte, @ New Jersey, vs. Milwaukee, vs. New Jersey, @ Detroit, vs. Miami, @ Chicago.
Best record: 44-38 (wins vs. New York, Charlotte x2, Atlanta, New Jersey, Milwaukee, Miami, Chicago)
Worst record: 41-41 (wins vs. New York, Charlotte, Milwaukee, New Jersey, Miami)
Probable: 42-40
Thoughts: Toronto has the easiest remaining schedule, by far, of all the teams fighting for spots 4-7. Of course, they've also been playing the worst basketball of the group. If they can pull it together, they could challenge for the #4 seed, it wouldn't surprise me. For some reason, though, I think the collapse is going to continue and they'll finish in 7th.
And finally, the Sixers...
Remaining Schedule:- 3/28 - vs. Phoenix
- 3/30 - @ Cleveland
- 4/1 - @ New Jersey
- 4/4 - @ Atlanta
- 4/5 - vs. Atlanta
- 4/9 - vs. Detroit
- 4/11 - vs. Indiana
- 4/12 - @ Washington
- 4/14 - vs. Cleveland
- 4/16 - @ Charlotte
Best record: 45-37 (wins over Cleveland x2, New Jersey, Atlanta x2, Indiana, Charlotte, Detroit)
Worst record: 41-41 (wins over New Jersey, Atlanta, Indiana, Charlotte)
Probable: 43-39
Thoughts: The Atlanta home-and-home may turn out to be the biggest two-game stretch of the year. Not because Atlanta has any prayer of catching the Sixers, but because it's a tall order to sweep a home-and-home, back-to-back, against a team that's fighting for a playoff spot and the Sixers have had trouble with Atlanta in the past.
There are a couple of things the Sixers have going for them, though. Since February 5th, the Sixers are 10-0 in games decided by 5 points or less. Their fourth-quarter defense gives them a huge advantage over just about every team they'll face from here on out. It's become a matter of keeping it close through three, then shutting them down in the fourth for the win. That's a winning formula, that's a playoff formula.
My prediction? I don't know. Every time I've set a bar for the Sixers over the past month they've jumped right over it. At this point, I'm saying they finish 44-38, with the fifth seed. Cleveland finishes 4th, Toronto 6th, Washington 7th. But check back with me after the game, because if the Sixers can beat the Suns tonight, it's definitely time to redo the math.
Where do you think the Sixers will finish?
If we split with Cleveland, we have the tiebreaker with them. Tiebreaker is up for grabs in our last meeting with Wash. Both worth mentioning I think.
My worry. Toronto beat Detroit last night. Bosh is back. They seem to be letting Ford start. That can't be permanent, playoff resting? Toronto did collapse when Bosh wasn't there. Maybe they will return to form?
Tonight has to be the toughest of the games left. Phoenix off 2 straight losses?
I predict 45 wins, if I could predict 44 1/2 I would. I think they win tonight and beat the cavs twice. Last 2 losses come to DET, ATL or @NJ.
Detroit may rest there starters. Charlotte may be in tank mode. Hawks have no pick and nothing to lose. Dangerous spoilers.
Tiebreakers are important, you're right. Toronto has a 3-1 edge on us, so they get it. Have to finish a full game ahead of them. Cleveland and Washington will be decided over the next 10, as you said.
I think an 8-2 finish w/ two wins over cleveland gets us the #4 seed. It's going to be fun.
I think they'll finish 7-3. Phoenix is trying to forget the game against the Celts, Lebron will win one for the Cavs and Detroit will get into semi-playoff gear. Game @Washington is going to be awesome, I think they'll beat them and end up with the 5th seed.