Re: Playoff race

["Cecil Wright" <cecil@hfx.eastlink.ca>]

Hi Alex,

I am reluctant to post this for fear of being eaten alive by some so called
"realistic fans" but I think the Pistons can be had.  They have a very
difficult schedule ahead beginning tonight.

@Seattle                                   vs Charlotte
@Portland                                 vs Phoenix
@Sacramento                            vs Boston
@LAC                                      vs Miami
@New Jersey                            vs Indy
@Toronto                                  vs Chicago
@Charlotte
@Cleveland
@Minnesota
@Philly
@New York

That is not a picnic.  And the Pistons are the same team who almost allowed
us to come back from a 20+ point deficit recently.  They are not the most
sound defensive team in the league for sure.  I can see them losing 10 of
those games which excludes the fact that they have also lost at NJ,
Cleveland and Charlotte.  That could be a possible 13 losses against 4 wins.
If that happens and we merely win 8 of 16, we're in.  Our record would be
38-44 and Detroit would be 37-45.  Stranger things have happened.

Cecil

----- Original Message -----
From: Alex Wang <awang@mit.edu>
To: <celtics@igtc.com>
Sent: Monday, March 20, 2000 5:22 PM
Subject: Playoff race


> Despite Antoine's recent heroics, he did not get Player of the Week even
> though Peter May (!!!!) was promoting him. He was one of the candidates
> though. Jalen Rose beat him out with a very strong week, even though I
> would argue that Antoine probably did more to carry his team. I think
> that if he continues his incredible play, he won't be overlooked again.
>
> Onto the playoff race. Entering tonight's games, Boston is even with
> both Milwaukee and Orlando in the loss column, and one game ahead of
> New Jersey. Detroit is probably out of reach, four games ahead in the
> loss column, and having the tie-breaker advantage.
>
> The first tie-breaker for playoffs is head-to-head record. We've already
> won the tie-breaker against New Jersey so we are effectively two games
> ahead of them right now. So far, we've split with Orlando and Milwaukee,
> with one game left against Milwaukee and two against Orlando. Obviously
> the remaining games against these two teams are vital, impacting both
> the W-L record but also the tie-breakers. If Boston ends up splitting
> the season series with Orlando and finishes in a two-way tie, the
> next tie-breaker will be conference record; right now Boston's is
> the best at 19-21, followed by Orlando (19-22) and Milwaukee (19-23).
> In the event of a three-way tie, the first tie-breaker is head-to-head
> record. Right now Milwaukee would win that against Orlando and Boston,
> with a 3-1 record ahead of Boston (2-2) and Orlando (1-3).
>
> More possible factors: Milwaukee has 7 home games and 8 away games left.
> Orlando has 10 home games and 5 away games. We have 8 home and 8 away.
> Milwaukee has some weak teams on their schedule - Clippers, Golden State,
> Chicago twice, Washington twice - as well as some very tough ones -
> Indiana, Miami, Portland. Orlando has few pushovers other than Chicago
> tonight, and some tough teams - Miami twice, San Antonio.
>
> Alex
>