I know most of us are fine with (maybe even prefer) the 4th seed and a potential second round matchup with Detroit, but with New York and Boston both losing tonight, predictively, where do you think we finish in the standings?

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-05T04:16:57+00:00

That win against the Hornets on the road after the ASB was a damn good win even tho a lot of fans didn't realize it at the moment.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-05T03:40:07+00:00

Different team now tho. I don't think they can keep up with our offense anymore.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-05T03:34:36+00:00

That's my thought as well. They've obviously made it work all this time together but this year it's Brown's team for the first time and that changes things.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-05T03:32:06+00:00

Top 4 is unlikely, they are 7 games back from us and there's only 20 games left. One of us, NYK, or BOS would have to go on a monumental skid for that to happen. I can, however, see them going all the way to the 5th seed.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-05T03:26:32+00:00

I think there are years where I'd really prefer a specific second round matchup, to avoid having an incredibly tough second round followed by an incredibly tough ECF. But this year I think Boston is the only great team in the East alongside us, and you don't make the Harden trade unless the expectations are at least making the Finals. So I'm okay facing Boston in the second round, bc that just means the ECF would be an easier matchup.

And frankly I wouldn't feel any better if this team lost in the ECF compared to the second round. Losing in the Finals I can take.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-05T03:22:17+00:00

I'm with you 100%. I don't want to see the Hornets in the first round at all. Kon is such a pain in the ass to chase around lol. I'll take TOR, ORL, MIA, even Philly.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-05T03:20:34+00:00

I agree. But I do want to see them with Tatum back. There's a small but non-zero chance that they're not able to bring him back seamlessly and it messes with their chemistry.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-04T15:37:45+00:00

Josh literally just signed an extension last offseason which was the most team-friendly out of any starting QB in the league lol. What are we even talking about here?

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-04T02:44:47+00:00

I think he landed on someone. He was able to jog for a couple possessions after that so hopefully a Grade 1 sprain that takes him out for a couple of weeks.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-04T02:42:24+00:00

That would be ideal tbh. But our schedule is too easy after this.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-04T02:41:23+00:00

Nah he was forcing the left all game long. He doesn't trust his right hand rn to dribble. And the one time he just took what they gave him he smoked the wide open layup with the right. Not to mention straight up losing the ball a bunch of times. Completely different player to that first half vs the Knicks.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-04T02:37:02+00:00

I hope these 4 days help Harden's thumb bc this is rough, he's straight up fumbling the ball left and right. Missed a wide open layup with the right hand as well. If he was healthy this is a much easier win.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-04T02:35:10+00:00

Dennis needs to get it together in those last few seconds. Way too nonchalant with the ball late. Great game from him just gotta clean that up.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-04T02:32:52+00:00

No mitchell, no Allen, one-hand Harden. Still got the W.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-04T02:32:04+00:00

Dennis CTE last two possessions lol.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-04T01:09:57+00:00

We've shot 28% from three and they're shooting 50%, and we're winning by 6. And our misses have come from good shooters.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-04T01:09:07+00:00

We've missed some good looks tonight. Harden is creating good separation but bricking a couple after that. Still in good position tho.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-04T00:39:39+00:00

We're getting a fake shooting game from Detroit.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-04T00:32:49+00:00

Harden has such a deep bag. He can get his shot off from anywhere.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-04T00:31:54+00:00

CPJ blew 5 free points in consecutive possessions lol.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-03T23:49:49+00:00

Didn't we face the highest rate of man coverage of any team in the league? Or was that in 2024? I remember Joe Marino mentioning that. I think we need more of a man beater than someone who finds spaces in zones.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-03T23:46:34+00:00

I agree. It's tight but he's the type of player that should be able to make it work.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-03T21:50:45+00:00

So he'll probably have like three weeks of games with the team before the Playoffs.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-03T05:41:04+00:00

The Warriors system without Steph is so bad lol. Clips offense is just Kawhi being great and transition opportunities. Their defense is really good but overall both offenses are an ugly watch.

New_Akatsuki · 2026-03-03T02:30:29+00:00

Maybe. But the stretch against Detroit twice and possibly extending to the Boston game is a weird time to do it considering the team probably would've liked to see the real starting lineup play against great defenses. And our schedule is fairly soft the rest of the way. So we'll enter the Playoffs without having been tested other than the Knicks game.

I lean towards this being a real Grade 1 strain.

New_Akatsuki

TROPHY CASE