final few games

["Caleb J. McArthur" <cmcarthu@umich.edu>]

Things have gotten very interesting.  The Celtics, one game up on
Vancouver, play their asses off the day before Vancouver is to play
Dallas, and they go out and beat Cleveland.  The CS know that Vancouver is
not going to let them pull even for the worst spot, so they give them a
little cushion so they can go out and play hard against Dallas.  It
worked.  Dallas lost and remains two wins ahead of Philly and one win
behind New Jersey.  Can Philly win 2 games?  They still ahve one left
against the Celtics.  Now the Celts might not want to set a record by
losing all division games, but let's say they tank it.  Who else can
Philly beat?  They have a game against New Jersey.  Problem is that if NJ
keeps losing, they might wind up tied with Dallas who still has a game
against Denver that they might win.  We have to hope that NJ beats
Milwaukee tomorrow giving them a 2 win cushion over Dallas and room to
lose to Philly.  Then we have to hope that Denver beats Dallas in the last
game of the season.

It is going to be tight, but we still have a shot at:


1.  Vancouver
2.  Boston
3.  San Antonio
4.  Denver
5.  Dallas
6.  Philly
7.  NJ
8.  Toronto
9   GS

That would give us a legit shot at two picks in the top three.  Note that
unless someone else comes out, the order of picks will probably be as
follows:

1.  Duncan
2.  Mercer
3.  Van Horn
4.  Foyle
5.  McGrady (could be our pick)
6.  Billups

I hope Battie comes out!

CJM