Picks as of the games of April 4:MINNESOTA PICK (currently #2 slot in the lottery)
CHARLOTTE PICK (currently #16)
UTAH PICK (currently #24-27) now a 4-way tie
UTAH PICK (currently #24-27)
The Utah pick is Top 15 protected, so we'll be getting it this summer. However, I think its amazing that with only five games remaining, that pick can still vary between 19-29.
30. CLE 60-17 (L)
29. LAL 55-22 (L)
28. ORL 54-23 (W)
24-27. UTA 50-27
24-27. DAL 50-27
24-27. PHO 50-27
24-27. DEN 50-27
23. ATL 49-27 ... 0.5 games back
22. BOS 48-28 (W) ... 1.5 games back
21. OKC 48-28 (W) ... 1.5 games back
20. SAS 47-29 (W) ... 2.5 games back
19. POR 47-30 ... 3.0 games back
April 6, UTAH vs OKC
April 7, UTAH @ HOU
April 9, UTAH @ NOH
April 13 UTAH @ GSW
April 14 UTA vs PHO
UTA has two back-to-backs, and three games in four days. A 1-4 finish could slide them down to #19.
MIN remains locked in the #2 slot, and mercifully has just 5 games remaining until the end of the season..
Picks as of the games of April 4:MINNESOTA PICK (currently #2 slot in the lottery)
CHARLOTTE PICK (currently #16)
UTAH PICK (currently #24-27) now a 4-way tie
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MINNESOTA PICK (currently #2 slot in the lottery)
Our position is perhaps the easiest to predict, with large gaps on both sides of us. The current standings are as follows:
1. 11-66 NJN
2. 15-62 MIN .. 4 games back
3. 23-53 GSW/WAS/DET .. 12.5 games back
With seven games remaining, we seem destined for the #2 position. Our lottery odds stand at
1st pick 19.9%
2nd pick 18.8%
3rd pick 17.1%
4th pick 31.9%
5th pick 12.3%
CHARLOTTE PICK (currently #16)
18. MIA (43-34)
17. MIL (42-34)
16. CHA (40-36)
15. TOR (38-38)
14. MEM (39-37)
13. HOU (38-38)12. CHI (37-39)
As you know, the Bobcats pick is Top 12 protected this season. For the pick to not be conveyed, the Bobcats would have to fall out of the play-offs, and MEM and HOU would also have to pass them. With Chicago four games back with eight remaining, it appears impossible, but if the Bobcats slump, that's exactly what still has a chance of happening.
Note that if Bulls beat the Bobcats on the final night of the season in Charlotte, it will effectively be worth 1.5 games, because they will win tie-breaker rights. The Bobcats chaotic season actually has them losing the tie-breaker to every Eastern Conference rival, so if they tie with anyone for the 8th spot, the Bobcats miss the play-offs.
April 6, CHA vs ATL
April 7, CHA @ NOH
April 9, CHA @ HOU
April 10, CHA vs DET
April 12, CHA @ NJN
April 14, CHA vs CHI
The Bobcats are trying to cram 6 games into a 9-night span. Some of their competitors may be shutting down, but we can hope fatigue or tweaks will humble the Bobs. Note that they have two back-to-backs, and a stretch where they play four games in five days (leading off vs the Hawks).