NBA: The potential long-term impact of the 2018 Western Conference playoff race

OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 25: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts during their game against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on January 25, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JANUARY 25: Karl-Anthony Towns #32 of the Minnesota Timberwolves reacts during their game against the Golden State Warriors at ORACLE Arena on January 25, 2018 in Oakland, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images) /
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As the NBA regular season winds down, we take a closer look at the potential long-term impact of this year’s Western Conference playoff race

As the NBA regular season winds down, the playoff race in the Western Conference is heating up. There are currently eight teams competing for the final six spots and it could not be closer. The 3rd and 10th seeds are only separated by four games.

At this point, it’s almost impossible to tell which teams will be in and out of the playoffs, even with only a handful of games remaining in the 2017-18 NBA regular season.

The results of this furious race for the postseason could have a lasting impact on the two teams who are left on the outside looking in. With that in mind, we take a look at the potential long-term impact this year’s Western Conference playoff race could have for each team.