NBA: How each non-LA playoff team can win the Western Conference

How each non-LA playoff team can win the Western Conference in the NBA playoffs. 

With the playoffs less than one month away, there is some mystery and excitement as to who will win the tough Western Conference. While many experts have their own opinions, there seems to be a general consensus that this race will come down to a battle between the two LA teams – The Clippers and Lakers.

The Clippers, who are currently third in the West standings, have been playing at a high level for the past month with Paul George, Kawhi Leonard, and their incredibly deep roster. They seem to be ramping up just in time for the playoffs.

Meanwhile, the Lakers currently sit at 5th in the West but are preparing to be back at full strength with the return of LeBron and AD. Those two and their defense alone makes them the odds on favorite to represent the West.

These two teams have been picked to be on a collision course for the Western Conference Finals since before the season even began, with many national talking heads only considering those two teams as “legit” title contenders.

However, the West is much deeper than those national guys make it seem. There are at least seven teams with real chances to win the West Conference, and I’m not even including the Golden State Warriors. The other “non-LA” contenders each have more than a decent shot to reach the NBA Finals, but they’ll need some things to go right for them.

Let’s take a look at what each team must have happen if they want a chance to represent the West.