NBA: 10 Thoughts As The Stretch Run Begins

Feb 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Golden State Warriors won 119-108. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 27, 2017; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Golden State Warriors forward Kevin Durant (35) in action against the Philadelphia 76ers at Wells Fargo Center. The Golden State Warriors won 119-108. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
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Jan 9, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) high fives guard Reggie Jackson (1) after scoring during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2016; Auburn Hills, MI, USA; Detroit Pistons center Andre Drummond (0) high fives guard Reggie Jackson (1) after scoring during the second quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at The Palace of Auburn Hills. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports

Race for 8!

Now that we figured out seeds 2-7, lets figure out who will get the right to get swept by the Cavs and Warriors. In the East it I will take Detroit. Miami is only a game behind, and Milwaukee and Charlotte are close behind as well. Lets eliminate those two, as both are playing terrible now.

Detroit has disappointed this year(more on them later), but they are starting to figure it out. It will be close, but they should hold on over Miami.

In the West, I like Denver. Nikola Jokic is playing out of his mind now, Gary Harris is really playing well, and they are getting steady contributions from Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari. More importantly none of the teams behind them are playing consistently enough to catch the Nuggets.