2005 Storm Playoff Picture
eam W L GB Storm Conf 500+ H/A 500+ ----------------------------------------------------- Sacramento 24 8 - 1-1 16-4 11-8 0/2 1/1 Seattle 18 14 6.0 11-9 9-9 1/1 2/0 Houston 17 15 7.0 2-2 9-11 8-11 1/1 1/1 Phoenix 16 16 8.0 1-1 12-8 5-13 1/1 2/0 Los Angeles 16 16 8.0 2-2 11-9 9-11 0/2 1/1
[8/23 update at 10:00 p.m.]
The hot question today at the Sonics and Storm offices - and specifically at my cubicle - was what might happen if the Storm ended up in a four-way tie at 18-16 despite winning tonight. The league confirmed just before or during tonight's Storm game that, in that scenario, the Storm would still make the playoffs. As a result, tonight's win clinches a playoff spot. The Storm will finish ahead of either Houston or Los Angeles, depending on the results of the rest of the schedule.
Now, the big question becomes seeding. Following the Mercury's loss in Sacramento, the Storm is a win away from clinching home-court advantage in the first round. Neither Phoenix nor L.A. can get to 19 wins, while the Storm would win a tie-breaker with Houston if the Comets won 19. The next question for the Storm is seeding on the other half of the bracket. Both Houston and Phoenix control their destiny with regards to the three seed. Obviously, if the Comets win, they stay ahead, but the Mercury plays Houston and would win the tie-breaker with a win in that game. Los Angeles would also win the tie-breaker with Houston if they win Saturday in Houston, but the Mercury has the tie-breaker over L.A.
There's a potential scenario where the Storm could clinch home-court Thursday with a win, see Phoenix beat Houston and have the opportunity to pick their own first-round opponent. If the Mercury were to win at KeyArena Saturday, Phoenix would be the third seed. If L.A. loses Friday (in San Antonio), the alternative would be Houston as the third seed. If L.A. wins at San Antonio, the alternative would be the winner of Saturday's Comets-Sparks showdown.
