StraightWagers

that was a satisfying win, now I know how the man works a lil better

That's funny SQ...I'm an avg, but more than funny, white guy. When my organization had their DEI talks they went around the room and asked if someone played you who'd it be and I said without hesitation Denzel. The whole room skipped a beat and I've owned that company ever since. 

Have to look what's not there.

these teams are playing chess when others are playing checkers

good luck @queens anything can happen but this is not a playoff preview for these teams imo, this is an understanding bt/w GMs and coaches to get in best position...sort of like a gentleman's agreement to possibly get Ws a home series in 1st round

Lakers 3 seed currently, 46 wins, win tiebreaker vs Nuggs, 7 remaining games: Warriors/Pels/@OKC/@OKC/@Mavs/Rockets/@Blazers

Nuggets 4 seed currently, 46 wins, lose tiebreaker to Lakers, 5 games remaining: @Warriors/Pacers/@Kings/Grizz/@Hou

So the fight for 3 seed is here. Let's pretend Nuggs go at best 4-1 to get to 50 wins. Then for Lakers to maintain 3 seed and avoid OKC until Finals, then they'd have to go 4-3 as they win the tiebreaker over Nuggs. They'll beat Pels tomorrow and probably split in OKC as OKC will jockey teams for seeding. That means they have to win 2 of last 3, and that is worst case scenario as if Nuggs go 3-2 the Lakes lock up 3 seed. So, Lakers can afford a loss tonight...and why would they purposefully do that?

Warriors 5 seed currently, 44 wins, win tiebreaker vs Wolves (44 wins) & Grizz (44 wins) and lose tiebreaker to Clips (44 wins), 7 games remaining: @Lakers/Nuggs/Rockets/@Phx/Spurs/@Blazers/Clips

If Lakes win tonight, they may spoil the opp of getting a Nuggs/Ws 4/5 match-up as Grizz/Clips/Wolves have an easier sched coming down the stretch. 

I believe that GMs, coaches and owners know all this and try to position accordingly. I'd be shocked if Lakers win tonight, not broke, but surprised. This game will tell a lot on my theory beginning this thread b/c if Ws lose that directly places a possible 3/6 Lakes/Ws match-up which in my mind will not happen in any universe.

117-111 Warriors

Warriors -2.5 +123

over 116.5 2nd half Grizz/Heat parlay to Warriors ML +260 these TNT early games this time of year tend to blow up 2nd and I'm heavy on Ws tonight

This is a unique situation I think in that Lakers would LOVE to stay in 3 spot and get Nuggs and Warriors in that 4/5 bracket. Think about it, that would mean Lakers could avoid Nuggs and Warriors altogether or at least avoid 2 of OKC, Ws and Nuggs.

so for that to happen, Lakers only have to win 4 of last 7 to remain tied w Nuggs if (and that’s a big if) Nuggs finish the season with 4 wins. Warriors don’t have that wiggle room. To remain in the 4/5 they kinda have to win 3 or 4 games coming down the stretch and they have a tough schedule.

long story short, Lakers have room to drop this game tonight and beat Pels tomorrow and really it benefits them long run as it goes towards avoiding OKC until Finals and eliminating Ws and/or Nuggs in the process

Warriors -1.5 +105

To remain in 3 spot Lakes just have to match wins rest of way w Nuggs. I wonder if they drop the game tonight v Warriors and save energy for trouncing Pels manana? Lakes have 7 games left Nuggs 5 i think Lakes go 5-2 and Nuggs 4-3

And just like that, Lakers are in 3 seed…now I will continue to wager so that they avoid a possible Warriors match up 1st round 

I also feel OKC will strategically drop a few games coming down the stretch to help position teams in the 2-6 seeds so they essentially can pick who they face in the 4/5 and more importantly who they won’t and push to the 2/7 3/6 bracket

this is  all setting up a OKC/Lakers Western Finals imo

nice to see you, hope all is well

yeah, you know me by now Mr. B....I'm a sucker for a top tier team having a misstep or 2 coming down the stretch sir...plus an OKC -12.5 line at home really feels like -4 to me for some reason

Knicks/Cavs under 231

Spurs +10 and ML +340

Pistons +13 and ML +550

Good luke Dukes

No Dukes respectfully. You’d get a great ratings 1st round then lose darlings Lakes or Warriors for the rest of the playoffs right off the bat. No way imo. Thanks though I appreciate your take I really do. Best is to have a Lakes v OKC Finals and only way to do that is the way I described. Die gas pumper.

OKC faces Det/Hou/Lakers/Lakers/Suns/Jazz/Pels so essentially control who finishes 2-4 in the West which is nuts. That's crazy like controlling a yo-yo. I bet they let Hou win at Hou on Friday as that would benefit them the most. They want Lakers and Warriors in the 2/7 or 3/6 bracket as much as Lakers want to be in that bracket and avoid OKC until Finals. OKC does not want Ws or Lakes in 4/5, neither does the League.

Now with Lakers approaching and securing 3 seed I think there's another opportunity as OKC can determine who they face coming down the stretch. I'd ask if I was Thunder and had to face a possible 4/5 winner who would that be or more importantly, who would I want in the 2/7 3/6 bracket to duke it out and face later? If you even go back 1 year when Celtics were on top of the world they tanked to Hawks twice and Knicks and if you dig deep that helped determine seeding and who they didn't face.

My point is, I bet OKC loses 2 or 3 out of next 5 SU for seeding match-ups and that's big +++ dog $$. 

Plus, my guy Scott Foster hasn't refereed a game in a month and he's on ice until these pivotal match-ups.

Theory once again is that Lakers grab 3 seed AND avoid 1st round match-up against Warriors so work backwards from there.

thanks Satch, I get by w a lil help from my friends....wine is fine but malt liquor does it quicker

meanwhile I haven't seen that many double-digit favs as tomorrow in a long time, gotta find out what's up w that

@satchbro based on my ill gotten gains last night in an epic sweeper of a call where no one but good ol SW was on the case, I have to defend against losing this bet and working at the gas station (pending my application would be accepted) this line makes no sense no me but would certainly help my Lakers 3 seed, here's what I got. These mutha f'ers have t'd off on Nuggs and Nuggs can't defend a ruffie attack.

Wolves TT under 114.5

he do he do