The western conference standings are like a gridlocked four-way intersection in a major city in North America. Predicting the outcome is like being the policeman at a busy intersection, directing which car is to move first to avoid an accident. The 51-24 Denver Nuggets appear to be a lock for the best record in the conference, while the Grizzlies appear to be the second seed with a 47-27 record and 3.5 games behind. The third place are considered this season’s Cinderella team, the Sacramento Kings, who will end the longest playoff drought-16 years- with one more win. However, the 4th place to 11th place teams are separated by only 3.5 games with a maximum of 7 games to play. In this article, we break down who will grab the playoff positions as the regular season winds down.
1.Locking down the 4-6 seeds
The Phoenix Suns are currently fourth in the standings with a 40-35 record, and I believe they will remain the fourth seed. After enduring a recent three-game skid, the team has responded with back-to-back victories against the 76ers and Jazz. The Suns also will benefit from the return of Kevin Durant, who missed the last ten games due to a freakish ankle injury during warmups. The Suns face the Nuggets twice, Timberwolves, Thunder, Spurs, Lakers, and Clippers in their next seven games. I predict a 5-2 record from that schedule. At the number 5 seed, I have the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors have endured a rollercoaster season, but the reigning champions appear to be gathering momentum at the right time. The team has won 4 of their last five games, and should win 4 of their next five games facing the Nuggets and Kings matchups being their toughest matchup on paper. However, those teams might be resting players at that point, and it will give them at least a win and loss from those games. The suprise team that will jump up the standings to number six are the Minnesota Timberwolves. The Timberwolves have quietly won the last four games, and the acquisition of veteran Mike Conley at the deadline has improved this squad since the trade deadline. I have them winning possibly 4 of the next six games against the Trailblazers, Nets, Spurs, and Pelicans.
2. Hosting the Play-in Games at the 7-8 Seeds
In the seventh spot, I have the Lakers sneaking into the home advantage spot in the play-in tournament. The Lakers were on a three-game winning streak prior to the terrible loss to the Bulls on Sunday. However, I am picking them to avenge that loss tonight on the road, beating the Timberwolves, Rockets, and Jazz on the road. Then, they could finish 2-1 beating the Clippers or the Suns and beating the Jazz in the finale. Whether they get the seventh spot will depend on whether they can beat the Clippers in a matchup next Wednesday. I am picking the Lakers to end a 10-game losing streak against their neighbors. It means I have the Clippers as the eighth seed in the tournament, and it looks improbable at this point because they are currently the fourth seed in the standings. However, the Clippers have one of the most difficult schedules in the league in facing the Grizzlies twice, the Pelicans, and the Suns on the road. The only matchup that looks favorable is against the Trailblazers, and the team is without Paul George, who will likely return at the start of the playoffs.
3. Road Warriors at the 9-10 Seeds
I am predicting that the Thunder will climb to the number 9 spot because I think their schedule is much easier than the two other contenders for the play-in tournament. The Thunder play the Pistons, Pacers, and Jazz in three of the five upcoming games and face the Grizzlies in the finale, who will likely be resting their star players. The Thunder has laid a good foundation by making it to the playoffs and has a true rising superstar in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The return of Chet Holmgren will make this team a serious contender next year. The final spot will come down to the Mavericks and the Pelicans. Both teams have difficult schedules to finish the season, but I am picking the Pelicans to get the nod because they have a one-game lead over Dallas. I can’t trust the Mavericks’ defense to grind out a close contest. It is a shame that playoffs will start without the offensive maestros in Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, but I don’t see a lot of wins facing the Sixers, Heat, Hawks, Kings, and Bulls.