Open Thread: The Spurs loss changes the playoff standings…again

Seventeen days and counting

Yesterday

So, if you read The Thread yesterday, the entire piece hinged on the Spurs beating the Bucks. That’s all right, keyboards have backspace keys for a reason. Today is Monday, March 26, and here’s where we stand. The Spurs are in 6th place.

After losing to the Milwaukee Bucks Sunday afternoon by three, the Spurs traded places again with the New Orleans Pelicans. Just like the Spurs had a night before, the Pelicans moved back up into the 5th seed without leaving the comfort of their own couches.

Oh, the Clippers beat the Toronto Raptors. Yawn. We’ll see if that matters in two weeks.

More significantly, an hour after the Spurs packed up in Milwaukee, the Portland Trailblazers tipped off against the Thunder in Oklahoma City. This might’ve been the most relevant of games due to the proximity of both teams’ current standing. But determining which opponent a Spurs fan should root for is relative to where you want to see the Silver & Black when the dust settles on the finalized Western Conference playoff standings. Well, either way, the Trailblazers upset the Thunder at home and added a bit of space between the 3rd and 4th seed for the time being.

Meanwhile, another hour-and-a-half later in Oakland, the Warriors hosted the Utah Jazz. As mentioned, this game didn’t make any dents in the Spurs immediate future, but with so many teams vying for a playoff spot, best to keep the Jazz further away.

That said, the Jazz commanded the game so efficiently that it can only be enjoyed to see the ironic sulphide state the Warriors were in. The Jazz tie the 7th seed Timberwolves maintaining the 8th spot for now. What should be noted is that these same Jazz could meet a still-injured Warriors in the first round. It’d be great to be over the Dubs so quickly. Ah, well, one can dream.

Golden State holds the 2nd seed with little hope of slipping. As mentioned, the outcome didn’t move the needle, Spurs end the day in the as the 6th seed.

Today

Today, the Denver Nuggets take their game to Philadelphia. Can the 76ers do the Spurs another solid and vanquish The Joker and his crew the way they did the Timberwolves on Saturday night? Hey, rooting for Brett Brown’s team doesn’t alter the Spurs future— it feels good and it’s the right thing to do. Plus, a Denver loss gives the Spurs a three game lead over the Nuggets.

The Timberwolves are hosting the Memphis Grizzlies tonight as well. Memphis is out of the playoff picture entirely. The Timberwolves are a game behind the Spurs. I’m cheering on Memphis for a road win, but I’m not putting money where my mouth is.

Either way, the Spurs will stay put for 24 more hours until they meet the Wizards in Washington tomorrow night. Order your dinner early, this one starts at 6:00 p.m. CST.

For continued conference standings and how other teams affect the Spurs, check The Thread daily.

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Source: Pounding The Rock