2024 NBA Season

[Japinat]

4 losses in a row and Jazz is officially out of the play-in picture now. Mavericks have 2 games left, against Bulls and Spurs. Bulls guaranteed their 10th place so it's very possible for Mavs to win both games. Thunder have only one game left and they'll play with Grizzlies. Normally it'd be a though game but we probably see big rotation before play-off so Thunder may win this one. Last place for play-in will be determined in last games literally. I'm okay with both teams, either Thunder or Mavs for play-in but I don't think they'll get a spot in play-off.

If the Thunders will defeat the Grizzlies on their last game, the Mavs will still remain at the 11th spot which means they can't qualify for the play-in but even if the Thunders will get defeated here and the Mavs will just win one game out of the two remaining, they are still out of the picture because the Thunders have already defeated the Mavs this season with a 2-1 standing. So, even if they'll get a tie in the 10th spot, it belongs to the Thunder.

[wheelz1200]

On this page, no one is talking about the Brooklyn Nets and Miami Heat, both of which have two games remaining this season. They're battling for the 6th seed, and the loser will be in the play-in tournament.

Which of these two teams you guys think will claim the 6th seed in their conference? I'll go with Brooklyn Nets since I choose that Nets will be the Champion this season. lol

Nets are essentially up 2 games on them since they own the tie breaker against them.  In the two games it will just take 1 Nets win OR one Miami loss to let the Nets secure the 6 hole.  If I had to bet I'd be all in on Nets winning the sixth spot.  But anything can and will happen. 

[Captain Corporate]

Kyrie Irving is a weird player. I mean can you argue that he is not better than the PG they had before his trade? Spencer Dinwiddie if I am not wrong, isn' Kyrie better than him? It should be easily clear that he is better than him right? That seems like a clear choice, and yet ever since the trade Mavs has been terrible and I mean like not even remotely close to what it used to be levels of terrible. I still can't understand how terrible of a teammate and person you have to be in order to be a better player and still have a worse result. That is something that rarely ever happens, a team getting a better player but being worse, and Mavs will have a hard time recovering from this move.

[wheelz1200]

Kyrie Irving is a weird player. I mean can you argue that he is not better than the PG they had before his trade? Spencer Dinwiddie if I am not wrong, isn' Kyrie better than him? It should be easily clear that he is better than him right? That seems like a clear choice, and yet ever since the trade Mavs has been terrible and I mean like not even remotely close to what it used to be levels of terrible. I still can't understand how terrible of a teammate and person you have to be in order to be a better player and still have a worse result. That is something that rarely ever happens, a team getting a better player but being worse, and Mavs will have a hard time recovering from this move.

Subtraction by addition.  Kyrie is worlds better than Spencer Dinwiddie but basketball is a team sport.  It's cases like this that show you can't just add players that are better than others.  Otherwise being a scout or a GM would be a mindless job and anyone can do it.  Takes a special talent to put a team together.  Sure helps to get talent but talent had to be surrounded by the right players.

Jordan had the Steve Kerrs and Dennis Rodmans on his team that played their part, made a championship team.  Too many alphas and you start getting issues.

[blockman]

A bummer that Zion has been ruled out for the play-in tournament and likely the start of the playoffs. I’m not sure his body will ever allow him to stay healthy all season and be ready for the playoffs. That was always the concern with his size and strength. How long before they just sit him all season so he can make a playoff run?

Well, he's been really playing well over this season but that's one thing to be concerned about and it came out again.
Just as the other stars that hoping to get some good shape when the playoffs gets in, we have no idea if he'll be healthy over all of these matches that's about to come.

This is becoming an annual thing.

Yeah, even if he performs well and after his contract expires. This could lead him to have lesser $$$ in offer.

[dwyane36]

A bummer that Zion has been ruled out for the play-in tournament and likely the start of the playoffs. I’m not sure his body will ever allow him to stay healthy all season and be ready for the playoffs. That was always the concern with his size and strength. How long before they just sit him all season so he can make a playoff run? This is becoming an annual thing.

As strange as it may sound, Zion's strength is his weakness. As far as I know, he weighs 284 lbs, and that's obviously too much stress on his knees since the NBA has a very tight schedule of games during the regular season. By the way, Zion has never played all 82 games in any season in his career.
I mean, if Zion wants a long and successful career in the NBA, he should reduce his weight to at least 220-240 lbs. That would make him less injury prone.

[EFS]

If we're talking about injuries, Portland Trail Blazers is the unluckiest team. If they didn't have so many injuries, they would've made the play-offs easily. When we think about ideal rosters, they were the 7th or 8th best team in the West. If we make a squad with injured players only, they would be in play-in zone. More than half the team is injured, the Portland curse is at work again.

[LogitechMouse]

The Eastern Conference standings is set already.



I guess there might be some changes on this one in the 8th-10th seed, but the top 6 seeds are in tact and will not change anymore. With the loss of the Heat against the Wizards, and Nets winning against the Magic, that sealed which team will be the 6th and 7th seed between the two. As for the 8th-10th seed, I guess that will not change anymore regardless of what will happen isn't it?

Many are still waiting for the results in the West, and because it's that tight, it's still hard to know which teams will enter the playoffs, and the play-ins.

[Dave1]

^^ Yes, it's all set, some of the teams in the East like the Bucks have rested their players in tonight games and obviously, they've lost big against the Grizzlies who still field Ja Morant.

Celtics though have won against the Raptors, solidifying their second spot in the East. While the Sixers have to go to OT to win against the Hawks without Joel Embiid and James Harden.

For the West, still log jam, another bad night for the Mavs, they took a good lead in the first 2 quarters, but the Bulls take the 3rd and the 4th. Mavs down 3 with 9 seconds to go.

[btc_angela]

Warriors on the road against the Kings, we all know that the Warriors is not a road team, but without Sabonis, Fox and Huerter, the Warrior should win because they want to stay on their current position and doesn't want to go to the play-in.

But the Kings are holding, and they are just down by 5 in the first half.

Los Angeles Lakers vs the Phoenix Suns is still live, Suns with a slight 3 point advantage.

[EFS]

While the Sixers have to go to OT to win against the Hawks without Joel Embiid and James Harden.

Not only those two, Sixers rest all their starting five plus Melton but still won against Hawks. Pathetic lost for Atlanta. That shows how deep Sixers roster is as I previously said here several times. You don't have Embiid and Harden, that's okay. You don't have Tucker, Harris, Maxey, Melton, that's okay. You can still win with Niang, McDaniels, House, Milton, Harrell, Springer and Reed. Even McClung played and contributed to the score. They shot %50.
Heat looked better against Sixers. Hawks will have hard times against Heat in play-in game. It looks like the season will end early for Trae Young.

[danherbias07]

For the West, still log jam, another bad night for the Mavs, they took a good lead in the first 2 quarters, but the Bulls take the 3rd and the 4th. Mavs down 3 with 9 seconds to go.

Yeah, Western Conference is still hanging because the Clippers and the Warriors are tied at 5th and 6th spots. This will determine who will battle the Suns and the Kings.

In case someone is asking what will happen if a tiebreaker is needed, here is the information to save you time researching.

TIEBREAKER BASIS FOR TWO-WAY TIES:

(-) Tie breaker not needed (better overall winning percentage)
(1) Head-to-head won-lost percentage
(2) Division leader wins tie from team not leading a division
(3) Division won-lost percentage for teams in the same division
(4) Conference won-lost percentage
(5) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, own conference
(6) W-L Percentage vs. Playoff teams, other conference
(7) Net Points, all games

Credits to NBA here is the link.
Head-to-head status of Clippers and Warriors, in case they ended up in a tie.

As you can see, it's still a tie at 2-2.

So we go to the division leader.


Credits to the same link above.
Both Clippers and Warriors are in the same Division which is the Pacific and the Clippers are in a 2-win lead. So even if the Warriors defeated the Kings now they will just end up at 7-9 in their division. The Clippers will remain at number 5 unless they are defeated in one of their last 2 games so that the Warriors will win at the first rule which is winning percentage.

[AHOYBRAUSE]

My guess is that Dallas will make it easy for OKC and already lose the first of their last 2 remaining games against the Bulls.

They are so inconsistent, this would not be a surprise. And even if they win they still have to beat San Antonio in their last game as well. I know the Spurs are a terrible team but wouldn't it be funny if they actually have a chance for the playins and all they have to do is beating the Spurs in the Texas derby and they lose against a team of bench warmers and young guys. That would be hilarious.

It's a forgettable season for Dallas and they have to face the facts that they totally messed up their roster yet again.

Now Kyrie is reported to "test the market", yet sources say he just does this to squeeze out every penny out of the Mavs. He could get up to 272 million for 5 years whil from any other teams he could "only" get 201 million for 4 years.

I don't understand why team would pay this guy who has some mental issues, is super disloyal and in the past years has always been a trouble maker, that much money. After 1 year it would be considered "the worst contract in the league" , just like John Wall, Russell Westbrock and others.

I like quoting myself when I am right.  

Kind of unexpected that Dalles blew it's small chance to reach the playins in their first of 2 games already, and that at home.

Mavs missed some players as well but Chicago without their 2 best scorers ( Lavine and DeRozan) and Dallas led by 13 at halftime and they still managed to lose the game, that is some real achievement right there.

You can lose games, but such an important one and eating a 4:23 run in the 4th quarter is just weak, from +11 to -8. This team does not belong in the post season and Luka should think about leaving the sinking ship.

He has been winning all his life and now being stuck in this situation must be horrible for him.

[TravelMug]

^^ First time though that Luka might be having doubts with the Mavs now or even thinking why the hell they got Kyrie for nothing at the end of their regular game. It seems that they have this game already, however, they might be looking for next season already as Luka didn't play that much in this game.

For the Kings vs GSW, this could be a preview of the first round playoff series.

And as usual, Warriors living on their 3rd quarter run and now leading double digits entering the 4th.

[Yogee]

It's hard to think how the Mavs lost that one against the Bulls. They still had a good lead in the early fourth quarter but they can't protect it which was a shame. It's hard to close out games when majority of the team's efforts are spent on offense I guess?

Warriors already had a sizeable lead against the Kings. A good statement or impression to make ahead of the playoffs.

[Reid]

It's hard to think how the Mavs lost that one against the Bulls. They still had a good lead in the early fourth quarter but they can't protect it which was a shame. It's hard to close out games when majority of the team's efforts are spent on offense I guess?

Warriors already had a sizeable lead against the Kings. A good statement or impression to make ahead of the playoffs.

Kyrie Irving did not play. Foot injury is written in the reports. And the final play without stars is like they already waved the white flag. Wasted opportunity for the Mavericks. They did great in the first half of the season but ended with so many problems in their roster. They should've just let Brunson stayed with them and offered a better deal. Dinwiddie and DFS were also a waste giving them away in the Nets for Kyrie. Mavs is focused with Doncic, he just need roleplayers, not another star. Next year, will be another problem for them on who will really be their leader.

[Oasisman]

It's hard to think how the Mavs lost that one against the Bulls. They still had a good lead in the early fourth quarter but they can't protect it which was a shame. It's hard to close out games when majority of the team's efforts are spent on offense I guess?

Warriors already had a sizeable lead against the Kings. A good statement or impression to make ahead of the playoffs.

I was not expecting the Dallas to make it to the play-in after the series of losses they had from the last 10 games. They just lost momentum and enthusiasm pursuing a playoff spot. Not sure what happened with their roster (not a fan of the team though), but I guess they'll be rebuilding again next season. Also not sure if we see Kyrie in the same uniform next year.
Not good to see any team with Kyrie on is always struggling lol.

[carlisle1]

^^ First time though that Luka might be having doubts with the Mavs now or even thinking why the hell they got Kyrie for nothing at the end of their regular game. It seems that they have this game already, however, they might be looking for next season already as Luka didn't play that much in this game.

For the Kings vs GSW, this could be a preview of the first round playoff series.

And as usual, Warriors living on their 3rd quarter run and now leading double digits entering the 4th.

Yup, that might be a good preview for the Warriors and if I heard it right, they might also activate Wiggins to help them
in the playoff a very good two-way player who can help them a lot.

Chances that with the full force Warriors they might take the Kings or whoever might be the one that will face them coming these playoffs.

Too soon and we really can't conclude as there's always surprises ahead when teams are playing the game.

[boltz]

Ok , after last night , I do hate Irving and this guy has managed to broke Mavs team in just a few games after his arrival.  He has no passion to play basket anymore and even if he had , the way he thinks about life in general , won't be any help for his teammates or the team that is playing on.

I so upset on this guy to simply destroying a season of Mavs and man , I do hope they will trade him tonight or simply make him a free agent and leave Dallas tonight man as no one wants him there anymore. My boy Luka has such a great season and a hard working one and proved a lot this year.

[danherbias07]

Ok , after last night , I do hate Irving and this guy has managed to broke Mavs team in just a few games after his arrival.  He has no passion to play basket anymore and even if he had , the way he thinks about life in general , won't be any help for his teammates or the team that is playing on.

I so upset on this guy to simply destroying a season of Mavs and man , I do hope they will trade him tonight or simply make him a free agent and leave Dallas tonight man as no one wants him there anymore. My boy Luka has such a great season and a hard working one just for a guy like Irving to come and tell them stories about flat earth society and what other crap he thinks about.

I understand the frustration bro. As a Mavericks fan, or should I say a Luka Doncic fan I am also frustrated about how things ended up in this season. I was very hopeful they will be in a safe spot in the Western Conference and would battle the Warriors again in the first round or end up in the Conference Finals but it had been a rough road for Luka especially when the trade happened.
Brunson, Finney-Smith, and Dinwiddie, these guys are what made Luka better because they are real roleplayers that are surrounding the star to look pretty. Now, I don't see that anymore. No great smiles from Luka even if they are losing as long as it ended with a competitive game. He doesn't enjoy the game anymore which makes it sad.
Mavs will be better, but I doubt that Irving will be the one to make it happen.