Sure it does. GSW is rooting hard for lakes to make the clips/rox game meaningful to the Rox. GSW want the Rox to feel that the lakes are breathing down their necks and they will be with a W vs. okc. And we need to root for okc so that Rox will clinch the 2 spot and rest their main guys vs. us on Thursday. What am I missing?

If Clips take care of business vs SAS on Tuesday night, I’d be looking at that Milwaukee vs Minnesota game as a potential opportunity. If Minny loses, we’d be clear of them by 1 game (though they have a tiebreak advantage against us).

LAL v OKC has no real impact any longer after that LAL win yesterday. However, if LAL implodes a bit and loses 3 of 4 we could sneak by. LAL’s success is depending on the role players hitting shots so their performance game to game could have a wide variance. I don’t expect Memphis to lose to Charlotte, and I think they’ll probably get into a good rhythm to face Minnesota later in the week.

Clips just gotta keep winning.

We’ll see what response OKC has on Tuesday, but you can be physical with that team, stretch them out and beat them off the bounce.

The Clippers moved up to the #5 seed for now. Remaining schedule for LAC is not easy: B2B at home vs SAS/HOU, and then 2 road games @SAC (where they’re tough and just beat CLE) and on Sunday @GSW to close the season. I still have the Clips running the table to finish at 50-32, 49-33 at worst, 48-34 if the bottom falls out a bit or Lue starts doing funky things.

Houston all but clinched the #2 seed. The Lakers have probably earned the #3 seed with their beatdown of OKC. They play @OKC, @DAL, HOU, @POR. I’d expect the Lakers to go at least 2-2, if not 3-1, and finish at 51-31.

GSW has a fairly easy schedule before the final game, @PHX, SAS, @POR. I expect they’ll win all 3 games, but LAC has the tiebreaker, and even if LAC drops a game before the final one, they’ll have a chance to overtake them with a win in SF next Sunday. I’m not a believer in GSW b/c I don’t think Jimmy is capable of carrying that team for stretches. It’s all on Steph. I think the Warriors will finish at 49-33.

Denver is reeling. The Murray injury is a problem and that bench/supporting cast can’t defend at all. Jokic has to do too much. They have 3 games left: @SAC, MEM, @HOU. None of those is easy. I think they will drop at least 1, if not 2 games. I think they finish at 48-34 (or 49-33).

Memphis has @CHA, Min, @DEN, DAL. They’ve gotten a couple of good wins under their belt w/their new coach. I don’t see them sweeping their last 4 games, but a 2-2 or even 3-1 record is not out of the question. My guess is they finish at 48-34.

Minnesota faces @MIL, @MEM, Bklyn, Utah. They struggled to get a win vs Philly, but Ant has played really well over the last month as a closer. Still, I can see them dropping 1 game. Milwaukee has won 4 in a row and is playing for playoff positioning. I think they’d rather play NYK than Indiana in Round 1 and have an interest in winning at home. Memphis might be a tougher out under their new coach and they have bodies to match up with Minnesota (they are 2-0 vs Minn this year). I think Minnesota goes 3-1 over their last 4 games and finishes at 49-33.

My initial read would be: 1. OKC, 2. HOU, 3. LAL, 4. LAC, 5. GSW, 6. MINN, 7. MEM, 8. DEN, 9. SAC. 10. DAL.

OKC plays MEM in the 1 v 8 match up
HOU plays DEN in the 2 v 7
LAL plays MINN in the 3 v 6
LAC plays GSW in the 4 v 5

Now, a bad scenario for the Clips would be playing Minnesota in that 4 v 5 matchup as the 5 seed. Dealing with Ant and that length would be a real challenge.

Playing the Lakers in the 3 v 6 matchup would be high drama and nerve wracking for Clipper fans, because LAL has a legit title contender case.

That said, I think the close of this season is telling us a lot about where the teams are. If the Clips close strong, then teams will fear the Clips more than the Clips fear them. My only concerns about the postseason are health and Ty Lue. The roster can absolutely do this.