Updating what has become a hectic race for the 8th seed in the NBA’s Western Conference between the Kings, Blazers, Pelicans, and Grizzlies.
The race for the eighth seed in the Western Conference playoff standings has been a hectic one during the post-all star break. With a respective six teams breathing down each other’s necks for one final playoff spot, it showcases to everyone that securing a playoff berth is hard to solidify in the Western Conference this season.
Being that the current 8th seeded placeholder Memphis Grizzlies are manning the final spot with a record of 32-32, it’s more than likely going be an above .500 record team claiming the final West playoff spot.
So, who are the likely candidates to get the 8th seed come Western Conference postseason play? Here are below the aforementioned competitors and the competition they’ll have to succumb across during the last month of the season.
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Memphis Grizzlies (32-32)
Remaining games: ORL, @POR, @UTA, @SAS, OKC, @MIL, NOP, @NOP, BOS, TOR, @TOR, NYK, DAL, @POR, @DEN, OKC, PHIL, @HOU
Analysis: The Grizzlies are currently four and a half games ahead of the Kings for the eighth spot in the West. While the cushion gives then a solid fall-back option for a potential slide,
Their remaining 18 games are a troubling set. Their three-game road trip after they complete a homestand versus Orlando could be the defining factor between separation or entanglement in the playoff chase.
Winnable games: ORL, NYK, NOP
Losable games: @MIL, @UTA, @DEN
Key games: @POR twice, @NOP twice.
Predicted Final Record: 42-40
Sacramento Kings (28-35)
Remaining games: TOR, NOP, BKN, DAL, @HOU, @NOP, @CLE, ATL, IND, SAS, LAC, LAL, CLE, @SAS, @MIN, @DEN, @LAL, GSW.
Analysis: The Sacramento Kings have 11 of their final 18 games at home but possess a not so flattering record at The Golden 1 Center (14-16) to further push this advantage to the wayside. The team has gone 7-2 since the all-star break and possesses an all-important four-game homestand that they could realistically go 3-1 in. That’ll be vital for their team’s playoff hopes considering Memphis is heading into their dog days of a road trip. The team above them is about to hit some major bumps in the road. It’s up to the Kings to take advantage.
Winnable games: CLE, ATL, NOP, SAS LAC
Losable games: LAL, DEN, LAC HOU.
Key games: TOR, NOP, BKN, DAL
Predicted final record: 38-44
Portland Trail Blazers (28-37)
Remaining Games: PHX, MEM, HOU, MIN, DAL, @MIN, @CHA, @DET, @BOS, @PHI, @BKN, UTA, MEM, CLE, DEN, @GSW, LAC
Analysis: The Portland Trail Blazers have the firepower to go on a late-season run to upstage the competition and obtain the final playoff spot. However, they’ve been madly inconsistent as a team, especially on the defensive end. The remainder of their six-game home stretch will, in essence, make and break their season.
Winnable games: PHX, MEM, HOU, MIN, CHA, BKN
Losable games: DEN, MEM, UTA, LAC, BOS, PHIL
Key Games: PHX, MEM, HOU, MEM, DAL
Final Record: 39-43
New Orleans Pelicans (27-36)
Remaining games: @MIN, @SAC, @UTA, @LAC, ATL, SAS, @MEM, SAS, MEM, NYK, @ORL, @ATL, @WAS, @SAS, CHA, PHX, PHI, WAS, @SAS
Analysis: Like the Blazers, The New Orleans Pelicans have been an inconsistent roller coaster all year long. While they feature an exciting brand of basketball via their up-tempo style, they’re proving to be a bit lack-luster on defense. Their four-game road trip presents an opportunity to close in on 30 wins. From there, anything could happen.
Winnable games: SAC, ATL, CHA, PHX, WAS, SAS, NYK
Losable games: MEM, SAS, UTA, LAC,
PHI,
Key games: MEM twice and SAS four times.