Team Tank 2022-23

[DanSchwartzgan]

I'm going to the game tonight.  Back when I bought the tickets, I thought this might be a meaningful game.  Little did I suspect that I'd be rooting for a loss.  I'm still convinced we are in a stealth-tank.  I realize we can still mathematically pass OKC (they hold the tie-breaker, so winning enough to tie them is the worst possible outcome).  Fortunately, I think OKC will do what it takes to hold onto the last play-in spot.  Here is how I see the Tankathon possibilities for Dallas:

1. Tie for 10th with Chicago (so at risk of both the coin flip or the lottery going against us and putting us at 11th).
2. Sole possession of 10th finishing ahead of Chicago (so at about a 20% risk of being leaped in the lottery).
3. Tie for 9th with Utah (coin flip for 9th/10th and then subject to being leaped if 10th)
4. Sole possession of 9th (highly unlikely at this point).

I suspect Dallas will screw the pooch and win one more game to get to 38-44.  Number 2 above is still in play as long as they lose to Chicago giving them 39 wins.  But, winning even one game will likely take numbers 3 and 4 out of play.  If we get to 38 wins, Utah would have to take 2 of 3 to finish the season against OKC, Denver and LAL just to tie.  I suspect we end up 10th pre-lottery which is tough because we have to wait six weeks to find out if we get screwed or not