Are the Spurs locked for an NBA finals appearance this year

[Kiddlovesnets]

I remember it was a debate whether the Spurs or the Mavs would make it to the finals, and we used to project a 7 games series between the two. Now that the Mavs seem to be falling apart with Dirk and Butler's injury, the Spurs are the only team for consideration. Are they the safe pick for making NBA finals now? If not, who may be giving them the toughest challenge?

[Nash-tastic]

I remember it was a debate whether the Spurs or the Mavs would make it to the finals, and we used to project a 7 games series between the two. Now that the Mavs seem to be falling apart with Dirk and Butler's injury, the Spurs are the only team for consideration. Are they the safe pick for making NBA finals now? If not, who may be giving them the toughest challenge?

Hmmm... Lakers?

[Lebron23]

They still need to beat the Lakers in a best of 7 series.

[Clutch]

Hmmm... Lakers?

this

Don't ever underestimate a heart of the champion

[thomaspynchon]

No. They haven't beat a single good team this season on the road. The only tough back to back they faced (NYK-BOS) they lost, despite Boston missing its best player. The Mavs and lakers are better teams, the Spurs have just had a season of incredible luck so far (they have basically faced every team when it was missing key players)

They will lose to the Lakers or Mavs in a series.

[davidenk0]

They'll be out in the second round.

[thomaspynchon]

They'll be out in the second round.

I could see the Thunder running them out of the building, assuming Spurs keep the 1 seed. Mavs will beat them if its the 2-3 matchup. I expect the Spurs to lose a lot of games now that their schedule is catching up with them.

[Wuxia]

No. They haven't beat a single good team this season on the road. The only tough back to back they faced (NYK-BOS) they lost, despite Boston missing its best player. The Mavs and lakers are better teams, the Spurs have just had a season of incredible luck so far (they have basically faced every team when it was missing key players)

They will lose to the Lakers or Mavs in a series.

Thunders, Jazz, Hornets, Denver? or do those dont count?

[Kiddlovesnets]

Seems that the Spurs are still underrated as ever, even when they keep setting new team records.

[Wuxia]

The lakers have actually done worst against good teams so far, but since they are the champs they get a free pass i guess.

[thomaspynchon]

Thunders, Jazz, Hornets, Denver? or do those dont count?

Denver missing billups, a weak hornets team. only the thunder and jazz wins are good. they have lost on the road to boston and orlando at home to dallas...they are only really winning due to injuries to the opposition, as well as a relative lack of back to backs. I expect them to lose a lot of games in february.

[Wuxia]

Denver missing billups, a weak hornets team. only the thunder and jazz wins are good. they have lost on the road to boston and orlando at home to dallas...they are only really winning due to injuries to the opposition, as well as a relative lack of back to backs. I expect them to lose a lot of games in february.

now that your retarded statement is exposed, name some teams who have more quality wins with their opponent at full strengths.

[thomaspynchon]

now that your retarded statement is exposed, name some teams who have more quality wins with their opponent at full strengths.

mavs have won vs Miami 2x
orlando on the road
boston at full strength
beat spurs in san antonio
thunder twice in OKC'
2-0 vs the jazz
atlanta in atlanta

[Clutch]

mavs have won vs Miami 2x
orlando on the road
boston at full strength
beat spurs in san antonio
thunder twice in OKC'
2-0 vs the jazz
atlanta in atlanta

Wuxia got owned

[Wuxia]

mavs have won vs Miami 2x
orlando on the road
boston at full strength
beat spurs in san antonio
thunder twice in OKC'
2-0 vs the jazz
atlanta in atlanta

i could say that they played a magics team fresh off a 12 player trade, or they beat boston without perkins or shaq, miami without haslem+miller? so home victory counts as well now? see how it works?