Sir Charles in Charge
Fansided

2018 NBA Western Conference Playoff Race: 8 teams fighting for 6 spots

DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 24: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts after scoring against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 24, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
DALLAS, TX - JANUARY 24: James Harden #13 of the Houston Rockets reacts after scoring against the Dallas Mavericks at American Airlines Center on January 24, 2018 in Dallas, Texas. 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 Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

With just a handful of games remaining in the regular season, we update the NBA’s Western Conference playoff race which is as unpredictable as ever

The NBA’s Western Conference playoff race has narrowed down to eight teams fighting for the final six spots.

The top-seeded Houston Rockets lead the 2 seed Golden State Warriors by 3.5 games. Golden State is currently dealing with injuries to three of their four All-Stars and it’s because of that they’ve prioritized getting healthy over chasing the Rockets for the top spot.

After those two, the next eight teams are separated by 6.5 games. The Oklahoma City Thunder sit currently in 4th, but teams seeded 5th through 7th are all tied in the standings (in the loss column).

More from Sir Charles In Charge

After the 8th seeded Wolves is the LA Clippers and Denver Nuggets, who are both two games back of the final playoff spot.

Let’s breakdown the battle for spots 3-8 in the Western Conference playoff race.

3. Portland Trail Blazers (44-26)

GB: –

Games Remaining: 12

vs. Teams Over .500: 9

Homes Games: 5

4. Oklahoma City Thunder (43-29)

GB: 2.0

Games Remaining: 10

vs. Teams Over .500: 9

Home Games: 5

5. San Antonio Spurs (41-30)

GB: 3.5

Games Remaining: 11

vs. Teams Over .500: 9

Home Games: 6

6.  Utah Jazz (40-30)

GB: 4.0

Games Remaining: 12

vs. Teams Over .500: 7

Home games: 6

7. New Orleans Pelicans (40-30)

GB: 4.0

Games Remaining: 12

vs. Team Over .500: 8

Home Games: 7

8. Minnesota Timberwolves (40-31)

GB: 4.5

Games Remaining: 11

vs. Teams Over .500: 5

Home Games: 7

9. LA Clippers (37-32)

GB (of 8th): 2.0

Games Remaining: 13

vs. Teams Over .500: 11

Home Games: 6

10. Denver Nuggets (38-33)

GB (of 8th): 2.0

Games Remaining: 11

vs. Teams Over .500: 10

Home Games: 4

Outlook:

Unless one of the West’s top 8 teams really falls apart down the stretch, it’s hard to see the Clippers or Nuggets making their way into the playoffs. The Clippers and Nuggets have tough schedules to finish the season as both play at least 10 games vs. teams above .500.

The real battle will be between teams seeded 5-8. Both the Spurs and Wolves are missing an All-Star and both are expected to return at some point. The Spurs could get Kawhi Leonard back sometime in the next week. The Jazz have been solid for awhile now and seem highly likely to be in contention for home court in the first round.

Must Read: 2018 NBA Mock Draft 3.0: Cavs take a big risk; Trae Young jumps into the top 5

The Thunder have a tough finish as 9 of their final 10 games come against teams above .500 so there is a chance they could slip but not enough to put them at risk of missing the playoffs.