This NBA season is shaping as much as be the very best West playoff race we’ve seen in a very long time.
The West has historically been the higher convention and the competitors has been extraordinarily intense consequently. What we’re now within the remaining week of the common season, although, would possibly prime something we’ve ever seen.
As of Monday morning, the Denver Nuggets sit fourth at 47-32. Behind them are the Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Memphis Grizzlies all tied at 46-32. That’s half-a-game separating fourth by way of eighth, with every of these groups nonetheless eligible for a 50-win season.
We haven’t talked about the Los Angeles Lakers in third, they usually’re just one.5 video games up on Denver at 48-30.
In keeping with NBA knowledge, that is the primary time since 1983-84 that groups ranked 4-8 in a convention are inside a half-game of one another 78-plus video games right into a season.
That is additionally simply the second time since 1983-84 that groups ranked 3-8 in a convention are inside two video games of one another this late into the season. The earlier event was 2017-18.
That 12 months, the Portland Path Blazers completed third with a 49-33 file. The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Utah Jazz,and New Orleans Pelicans completed fourth, fifth, and sixth, respectively, with a 48-34 file. They have been adopted by the San Antonio Spurs and Timberwolves in seventh and eighth at 47-35, after which the Nuggets at 46-36.
However how will all of it play out this 12 months?
That’s what we’re going to check out:
Lakers Gained’t Have It Straightforward
At first look, one would suppose the Lakers are secure. Their subsequent three video games, although, current arguably the hardest remaining schedule, particularly.
First up are a Thunder staff they simply smacked by 27 in Oklahoma Metropolis. You may guess the West’s prime seed shall be on the lookout for payback and it’s extraordinarily uncommon for a street staff to take each ends of a two-game set in opposition to the identical staff.
Then, on the second evening of a back-to-back, Luka Doncic will make his first return to Dallas since getting traded. How will the emotion of the evening play out? We’ve seen Doncic use bulletin board materials to nice impact earlier than, however that is an especially distinctive circumstance. Oh, and Anthony Davis being wholesome makes the Mavericks harder to deal with.
The Houston Rockets have picked up consecutive spectacular victories in opposition to the Thunder and Warriors, they usually’ll be on the lookout for revenge themselves after the Lakers defeated them on Mar. 31.
If these three contests don’t go proper, their remaining sport of the season in opposition to the Portland Path Blazers might be a must-win scenario to keep away from the Play-In Match.
With three of their remaining 4 video games approaching the street, the disparity between the Lakers’ dwelling (30-10) and street file (18-20) is value noting as effectively.
Prediction: Lakers end 2-2 to finish the season 50-32.
Nuggets Have Motive To Fear
This staff was as excessive because the second seed and held home-court benefit for many of the season. Now, with Jamal Murray having missed 5 straight video games, it might all collapse.
Losers of 4 straight, every of the Nuggets’ three remaining video games current a reliable problem. They need to win a minimum of one of many remaining three, however something greater than that may take a commendable effort.
Nikola Jokic has achieved nothing however impress throughout one other MVP-worthy marketing campaign, however accidents and depth might have Denver sink all the best way to eighth come April 13.
After all of the backwards and forwards within the MVP debate between Jokic and Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, don’t rule out a battle between their groups within the first spherical.
Prediction: Nuggets end 1-2 to finish the season 48-34.
Clippers’ Time To Peak
The Clippers have received 4 straight and 14 of their final 17 video games. Kawhi Leonard simply received West Participant Of The Week. Daily, this staff is wanting like an opponent nobody needs to see within the first spherical.
With San Antonio and Houston as a part of a back-to-back set, anticipate Leonard to take a seat a really winnable Spurs sport however be accessible in opposition to the Rockets. The Sacramento Kings current one other winnable sport at full energy however the Warriors on the ultimate day of the season needs to be a doozy.
The truth is, don’t be shocked if each groups are tied record-wise heading into that conflict with large ramifications standings-wise.
Prediction: Clippers end 3-1 to finish the season 49-33.
Warriors Will Fancy Homecourt Benefit
The Warriors have been completely great for the reason that acquisition of Jimmy Butler. They’re 21-6 since Feb. 8, together with 20-3 when each Butler and Stephen Curry play.
The Phoenix Suns are good at dwelling, however nonetheless with out Kevin Durant. The one actually troublesome sport on faucet comes in opposition to the Clippers to complete the season. They’ll have home-court benefit for that (and the Clippers are solely 18-21 on the street), so don’t be shocked if the Warriors run the desk to shut out right here.
Prediction: Warriors end 4-0 to complete the season 50-32.
Wolves Have 50-Win Season In Sight, Too
Minnesota has the best schedule remaining of all these groups. The Milwaukee Bucks, as we all know, are with out Damian Lillard. The Grizzlies have been in a gentle slide for a pair months now. These video games in opposition to playoff-bound golf equipment are adopted by the tanking Brooklyn Nets and Utah Jazz.
A staff which entered March 32-29 is now on the verge of fifty wins. What an unimaginable turnaround down the stretch right here.
Prediction: Wolves end 4-0 to complete the season 50-32.
Grizzlies’ Mettle Will Be Examined
The Grizzlies haven’t felt proper for awhile, and the firing of head coach Taylor Jenkins suggests they’re able to regroup and are available again contemporary for 2025-26.
After a 35-16 begin, Memphis has gone 11-17. The teaching change has achieved little to alleviate its troubles. Beating a tanking Charlotte Hornets staff needs to be simple sufficient however the three following video games shall be a critical check of how a lot fireplace is de facto within the stomach.
Prediction: Grizzlies end 1-3 to complete the season 47-35. Eighth seed.
Remaining Tally
Based mostly on these predictions, we’ve acquired:
Third seed: Lakers (50-32). Gained season-series with Warriors, tied season-series with Wolves. Gained division.
Fourth seed: Warriors (50-32). Gained season-series with Wolves.
Fifth seed: Wolves (50-32)
Sixth seed: Clippers (49-33)
Seventh seed: Nuggets (48-34)
Eighth seed: Grizzlies (47-35)
A showdown between Kawhi Leonard and LeBron James within the first spherical? Sure, please. Let’s not overlook the historical past of Doncic going up in opposition to the Clippers as effectively.
