What to expect as playoffs approach
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The NBA’s Western Conference standings are a jumbled mess.
Not much is determined, especially when it comes to seeding. Denver, Memphis, Sacramento and Phoenix should finish 1-2-3-4, but after that, who knows?
Places 5-10 are up for grabs between eight teams (Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State, Los Angeles Lakers, New Orleans, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Dallas and Utah).
The consistent inconsistency – or is it the inconsistent consistency? – of those teams makes it impossible to forecast what will happen in the final week of the NBA’s regular season. Almost assuredly, tiebreakers will play a role with difficult schedules remaining for several teams in the postseason chase.
The top six teams in each conference make the playoffs, and teams 7-10 play for the final two playoff spots in the play-in game format.
Let’s take a look at where the West headed into Monday’s games:
Contents
1. Denver (52-26)
The Nuggets don’t have the top seed wrapped up, and they don’t have an easy schedule to finish the season. But they should hold off Memphis. Regardless, this is all about Denver’s ability to reach the NBA Finals with two-time MVP Nikola Jokic.
Remaining games: at Houston, at Phoenix, at Utah, vs. Sacramento
2. Memphis (49-29, three games back)
With the Grizzlies’ schedule, it will be difficult to catch Denver for the top seed, and given their schedule, they’ll have to win games to keep Sacramento from stealing the No. 2 seed.
Remaining games: vs. Portland, at New Orleans, at Milwaukee, at Oklahoma City Thunder
3. Sacramento (47-31, five games back)
The Kings are the feel-good story of the NBA, headed for their first playoff appearance since losing in the first round in 2006. Another team with a tough schedule to conclude the regular season, the Kings have a chance at the two seed.
Remaining games: at New Orleans, at Dallas, vs. Golden State, at Denver
4. Phoenix (43-35, nine…
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