A closer look at the West Playoff Race

Jazz

Mon@Minnesota Wed:@Memphis

Best Seed Possible: 8th

Worst: Miss Playoffs

Every Game is an absolute must win for the Jazz. They have to win at least one to be able to make the playoffs. But that would only work if the Lakers lose both of their games.

@Minnesota predicting this game as a Win for the Jazz. However this game will be extremely tough giving that playing the same team twice in a short period of time makes it harder to win both games. If they can’t win here however they don’t deserve to be in the Playoffs and most likely won’t be.

@Memphis Whether this game means anything to the Grizzlies will depend upon the game they have against the Clippers on Saturday. If they Win this game they will have an outside shot at getting the 3rd seed. Despite this the Grizzlies are very good at home and the Jazz are terrible on the road. I’m predicting a Loss especially if the Grizzlies have an interest in winning the game.

Predicition: 1-1 Miss Playoffs

Lakers

Sun:Spurs,Wed: Rockets

Best Seed Possible: 6th

Worst: Miss Playoffs

Both Games are also a must win for the Lakers. Their Playoff Spot will not likely be secured until the final game of the regular season. Rockets would not be a must win only if they beat the Spurs and the Jazz lose to Minnesota.

Vs Spurs: With the recent injury to Kobe; the strategic incentive for the Spurs to win this game increases immensely. Even with an outside shot to make get the 1st seed, the opportunity to play an Kobe-less Lakers Squad is much more preferable to playing Spurs killer Harden and the Young, Athletic Rockets or the, always-able-to-catch-fire-from-3, GSW. I’m Predicting that despite their best efforts for the Lakers to Lose this game.

Vs Rockets: With Houston owning the tie-breaker with GSW; the Rockets will most likely be playing for the 6th seed. Houston should be playing their starters making this a tough game at home. If Warriors win out the Rockets will have to take this game to secure 6th seed. Still I Predict the Lakers win in always dramatic fashion immediately following the Jazz/Memphis Game.

Prediction: 1-1 8th seed

Houston

Sun:Kings, Mon:@Phoenix, Wed:@Lakers

Best Seed Possible: 6th

Worst: 8th

The Rockets will be looking for the 6th seed in order to avoid a 1st round match-up between the Thunder or the Spurs.

Vs Kings: This game is very winnable against the lowly Kings. Expect the Rockets to play all out to secure the win and not let this become a trap game.

@Sun: The same can be said for this game. This should be an easily secured victory and the Rockets will go for the kill to increase their likelihood of securing the 6th seed.

@Lakers: If the Warriors beat the Spurs this game could hinge on whether they get the 6th or 7th seed. However they could lose this game and still get 6th if the Warriors lose either of their games. I’m predicting a loss simply because of the Lakers desperation and playing on their home floor. Also possibly refs (just saying).

Prediction: 2-1 7th seed

Golden State

Mon:Spurs, Wed:@Portland

Best Seed Possible: 6th

Worst: 8th

Both remaining games are important to the Warriors but the 1st game means far more than the 2nd.

Vs Spurs: if the Warriors are to lose this game they are almost certain to get the 7th seed and face the Spurs in the first round. Their desired seed is certainly the 6th. With the Spurs on a back 2 back and the Warriors playing at home; this game is very winnable. Also if Spurs lose to the Lakers they will be uninterested in the outcome of this game. Expecting a close game but the Warriors pull it out in the end.

@Portland: If they lose vs the Spurs this game will be meaningless for them as most likely the Rockets will secure the 6th seed. Either way the Blazers are on a 10 game losing streak. I’m predicting a win regardless.

Prediction: 2-0 6th seed

Memphis

Sat: Clips, Mon:@Dallas, Wed:Jazz

Best: 3rd

Worst: 5th

The Clippers game is the most important game and a win gives them an outside shot at the 3rd seed.

Vs Clips: This game will determine if the Grizzlies have a chance at the 3rd seed. However the Nuggets have an incredibly easy schedule and own the tiebreaker; If this game is won then the Grizzlies will have a much easier time securing home court vs Clips. Still need to win 1 of last 2 games to secure it.

@Dallas: Prediction Win.

Jazz: Predicting that the Grizzlies play spoilers to the Jazz playoff hopes even though the Jazz will have everything hinging on this game. The grizzlies match up well against the the Jazz and are a good team at home.

Prediction: 3-0 5th seed (Home Court)

Clippers

Sat:@Memphis, Tue:Portland, Wed:@Sacramento

Best: 3rd

Worst: 4th (but no home court)

The Clippers face a similar situation as Memphis. The 1st game matters as it gives the Clippers a shot at home court in the 1st round. They have an outside shot at the 3rd seed as well.

@Memphis: This game could go either way but I’m predicting the Grizzlies win on their home floor.

VsPortland: If they lose against Memphis. They have to win this game and against the kings for a chance at home court.

@Sacramento: Win

Prediction: I think they win their last 2 games but Grizzlies win all 3 so. 2-1 4th seed(but no home court)

Denver

Sun:Portland, Mon:@Bucks, Wed:Phoenix

Best: 3rd

Worst: 5th

The Nuggets have a very easy schedule ahead. They need to not let any become a trap game or could end up losing the 3rd seed.

Prediction: Win all 3 and secure 3rd seed

San Antonio

Sun:@Lakers, Mon:@Golden State, Wed:Timberwolves

Best: 1st

Worst: 2nd

The 1st game is the most important game and will determine if the Spurs try to win the other 2.

@Lakers: Win see Lakers. This win gives them a shot at the 1 seed.

@Golden State: Loss from back 2 back. Even if it’s a win Thunder Schedule will make games irrelevant.

@Timberwolves: Won’t matter at all. Pop will probably play starters sparse minutes to keep them fresh

Prediction: 2-1, 2nd seed.

Thunder

Mon:Sacramento, Wed:Bucks

Best: 1st

Worst: 2nd

The Thunder would very much like to secure the 1st seed and have home court throughout the West as well as face the Kobe-less Lakers.

Vs Sac: Easy win

Vs Bucks: With the Spurs losing to Golden State on Monday: the Game becomes irrelevant.

Prediction: 2-0 1st seed

tl;dr Seedings in the West stay the same despite ability to change dramatically

Big Games:

Sat: Clips@Grizzlies

Sun: Spurs@Lakers

Mon: Jazz@twolves, Spurs@GSW

Wed: Jazz@Mem,Rockets@Lakers

edit: Grammar, Big Games, and East won't change seeding either

edit 2 for fun: Most unlikely Playoff Seeding. 1) Sa 2) OKC 3)Clips 4)Mem 5)Den 6) Rockets 7) GSW 8) Jazz