The Wild Wild West

We all expected the Western Conference being the stronger conference this season in the NBA but I’m not sure if anyone expected it to be this competitive. There are 6 teams within 2 games of eachother with 2 game left to play in the regular season. The way the division looks at this moment follows:

1.Houston Rockets 64-16

2.Golden State Warriors 57-23

3.Portland Trail Blazers 48-32

4.Utah Jazz 46-33

5.New Orleans Pelicans 46-34

6.San Antonio Spurs 46-34

7.Oklahoma City Thunder 46-34

8.Minnesota Timberwolves 45-35

9.Denver Nuggets 45-35

The Houston Rockets have secured the number 1 seed and home court advantage in the playoffs. This could be a big factor if they were to meet the 2 seeded Golden State Warriors in the conference finals. The Rockets were projected to be a very strong team but not many thought they’d have a record better then the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors have had another solid season but not as good as many thought. Injuries have haunted them.

The Portland Trail Blazers have been such a good story this season. They have been the surprise team of the NBA. Their two guards, Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum have lead the way for them this season and the Blazers have created just enough separation from the 6 other teams to feel safe with their playoff chances.

Now here is where it gets crazy. 6 teams, 5 playoff spots, 2 games between them. It’s not so much who will get in but where they will be seeded. The 8 and 9 seeds at the moment, Minnesota Timberwolves and Denver Nuggets play each other for their last regular season game. The winner of that game will most likely claim the final playoff spot.

The rest of the teams, Jazz, Pelicans, Spurs, and Thunder all seem to be safe but their seed is still up in the air. The Spurs and Thunder were expected to be here, the Jazz and Pelicans (after they lost DeMarcus Cousins) not so much. The Spurs have made the playoffs for 20 straight seasons and that seemed to be in jeopardy a few games ago but they have won a few and reclaimed a playoff spot and seem likely to hold onto it and keep that playoff streak alive. Considering what has happened to the Spurs this season, being without Kawhi Leonard for most of the season they have had a pretty good year.

The Thunder had some high expectations entering the year. They picked up Paul George and Carmelo Anthony this offseason to play alongside reigning MVP, Russell Westbrook. They sit at the 7 seed but picked up a huge win against the Rockets last night that may have secured them a playoff spot. Their year has been a little bit of a disappointment so far but they could be a very hard out come playoff time because of all the starpower on their roster.

  The Pelicans have had a very eventful season. Beginning the year they had aspirations of competing for a playoff spot in the crowered Western Conference. When DeMarcus Cousins went down prior to the all star break with a torn achilles the Peclins were currently in the playoff picture but with such a huge lose Cousins is not many expected them to retain that playoff spot. Coming down to seasons end, to many’s surprise, the Pelicans are still in the playoffs and even more surprising seeded at 5, ahead of the Spurs, Thunder, and Timberwolves. Anthony Davis has carried New Orleans this season and put himself in the MVP conversation and reminded us all just how good he is.

The Utah Jazz. I don’t think anyone saw this coming. They lost Gordon Hayward this offseason, their best player by far so they were expected to take a step back this season. Last season they finished at the 5th seed and this season they currently are the 4 seed. That isn’t a step back at all. The Jazz play great defense and are lead by their rookie sensation, Donovan Mitchell. The Jazz could be a very hard team come playoff time because they do play such good defense so they cannot be taken lightly.

With just about two games left in the NBA season the race in the Western Conference playoffs could not be any closer. It is competitive and tight and just what we thought it would be but the teams in the race were unexpected. It will be very exciting what happens the next 2 games and see where the teams seed come the playoffs. The playoffs should be close and exciting like always and I am looking forward to watching them.