Post by Miege22 on Jan 12, 2020 23:09:53 GMT -5
We're gonna start in the East, where things are a little clearer.
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Brooklyn Nets (12-0)
STATUS: Clinched the North division
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Orlando (5-7), Colorado (2-10), Las Vegas (0-12), Chicago (6-6)
BIG QUESTION(S): Who do the Nets want in the playoffs? And who will even play?
The Nets are going to get the 1 seed given their remaining games against Colorado and Las Vegas, and the win they've already got over Tampa Bay. With the Nets scheduled to play both Orlando and Chicago down the stretch, they have the ability (somewhat, given what Boston does) to dictate who they get in the first round of the playoffs. Does being unbeaten mean more? They've already won the last two titles, going undefeated and winning a third would blow the other two out of the water. Of course, that brings us to the second question: will they be healthy? Siakam is back after missing a few weeks, but Wendell Carter Jr. and Fred VanVleet are likely out the rest of the regular season, at least. They've also got Paul George and Clint Capela dealing with nagging injuries. They're deep enough that they can make up for one injury, maybe even two, but beyond that, it could be trouble.
2. Tampa Bay Bull Sharks (10-2)
STATUS: Clinched the Southeast division
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Atlanta (2-10), Toronto (4-8), Orlando (5-7), Colorado (2-10)
BIG QUESTION(S): Do they move the Vegas pick? And what's up with KAT?
For all the talk about how much better the West is, top to bottom, than the East (and it is), the East might actually have the two best teams in the whole league. Brooklyn has asserted themselves as the favorite, but Tampa Bay now has the 2nd best record in the league, and they've beaten all the Western Conference challengers they've faced (though, they didn't have either Seattle or Kansas City on the schedule). And they've won the last few match-ups without KAT... who has been out for almost a month with a mysterious knee sprain. He's been listed questionable the last few match-ups, but it's never seemed like he would seriously step on the floor. Tampa Bay may be winning without him, but to win it all, they will ABSOLUTELY need him.
3. Boston Celtics (7-5)
STATUS: They can actually jump up to 2nd if they finish tied with Tampa Bay given their win over the Bull Sharks
MAGIC NUMBER: 3
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Toronto (4-8), Orlando (5-7), Atlanta (2-10), Golden State (6-6)
BIG QUESTION(S): Do they even want to be here?
With Joel Embiid out for a while, the Celtics decided to sell what they could. They moved DeMar DeRozan and Alec Burks, two expirings, for Moe Wagner and a first round pick. They traded a third expiring, Willie Cauley-Stein, for Maxi Kleber. And they bought out Blake Griffin. Boston might still get in the playoffs, and they could even be the third seed given their remaining schedule, but it appears likely they are going to be a walkover.
4. Chicago Bulls (6-6)
STATUS: They can finish third at best
MAGIC NUMBER: 4
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Colorado (2-10), Washington (4-8), Toronto (4-8), Brooklyn (12-0)
BIG QUESTION(S): How high can they climb? And what happens to Andre Drummond?
The Bulls may have lost to the red hot Portland Trailblazers, but they are looking mighty dangerous after the mid-season additions of Jordan McRae and Isaiah Hartenstein. Part of the issue they ran into last year in the playoffs against Brooklyn were a few too many empty roster spots. That doesn't appear to be a problem this year, and they've got Mitchell-Drummond-Vuc-Russell as a core four. But what is going to happen Andre Drummond at the (real life) trade deadline? He's been dominant this year, and Chicago will likely need him to continue to play at that level to make a run. If he goes to a situation that curtails his usage, though, it could be an issue. However, if he does take a minor step back, it could open up more time for Christian Wood, so there's a silver lining to a potential trade.
5. Orlando Magic (5-7)
STATUS: Can finish as high as third
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Brooklyn (12-0), Boston (7-5), Tampa Bay (10-2), Toronto (4-8)
BIG QUESTION(S): Can they keep it up?
The Magic got a monster win over the Oklahoma City Thunder to keep their playoff hopes alive, and the last four games will go a long way toward determining if they can get in. Not only is that because they'll need help to get there, but they get three teams currently ahead of them in the standings. They'll probably have to find an upset against Brooklyn or Tampa Bay to get in, but they've been playing incredibly well lately.
6. Toronto Raptors (4-8)
STATUS: Technically, third is an option, but if they get in, it will likely be as the fourth seed
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Boston (7-5), Tampa Bay (10-2), Chicago (6-6), Orlando (5-7)
BIG QUESTION(S): Can they play spoiler?
It seems likely that last week's gut-wrenching loss to Memphis ended any realistic shot Toronto had at the postseason. However, they do have teams 2-5 left on their schedule. If they were able to pull off a miracle run and win all four, then there's a chance they'd get in. However, the fact that running the table against the teams above them wouldn't guarantee anything should give you an idea of just how much of a long shot it actually is. Instead, the Raptors should have a very big say in who finishes where. They can impact seeding between Boston and Chicago, and they could keep Orlando out of the playoffs or propel them into the bracket. Ultimately, though, the most likely outcome is they drop all four, and nothing really changes.
7. Washington Wizards (4-8)
STATUS: See Toronto
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Minnesota (8-4), Chicago (6-6), Cleveland (3-9), Utah (7-5)
BIG QUESTION(S): Will they bolster any contenders at the deadline?
Sure, while it is technically possible for Washington to make the playoffs, and they've won two in a row, it's hard to see them as a legitimate playoff threat. Had their match-ups earlier in the season against Boston and Toronto flipped their direction, we'd be looking at their game against Chicago as a virtual play-in. Alas, what's done is done, and now we look into the future. The Wizards have some decent contributors that will be available at the deadline, and they've already made their willingness to move pieces known. So who gets moved and to where are the big questions here.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (3-9)
STATUS: They'll be eliminated after Chicago beats Colorado this week
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Utah (7-5), Colorado (2-10), Washington (4-8), Atlanta (2-10)
BIG QUESTION(S): How much fun will this team be next year, eh?
We're cheating a little bit because there are no questions for eliminated teams... however, the Cavs aren't quite eliminated yet, so let's talk next year. Trae Young is a stud. Kevin Durant and John Wall will be back, and while it's likely they won't be their fantasy superstar selves off the bat, they'll still be productive. Richaun Holmes, De'Anthony Melton, Josh Okogie and Omari Spellman have all proven to be contributors. RJ Barrett is starting to show his promise. They'll have another top-10 pick. With the uncertainty surrounding Brooklyn and Boston next year, the Cavaliers are in a fantastic position to break through and make the playoffs next year. If they can find one more star, and they'll have the pieces to do it, they could be the favorite in the division. Start buying Cavs stock as soon as you can.
9. Atlanta Hawks (2-10)
STATUS: Eliminated
10. Colorado Swannies (2-10)
STATUS: Eliminated
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Kansas City Kings (10-2)
STATUS: Leading the Midwest by two games, they still have match-ups left against OKC and Minnesota
MAGIC NUMBER: 2
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Houston (4-8), Minnesota (8-4), OKC (8-4), Las Vegas (0-12)
BIG QUESTION(S): Will the front court hold up? Will DeMar prove to be worth a first round pick?
It's remarkable how fluid the regular season can prove to be. When the season kicked off, the Kings looked loaded at the PF/C spots with Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, Aron Baynes and Moe Wagner all playing better than expected. Since then, Baynes has tailed off. Wagner has been traded. And Love has been up and down as he deals with trade rumors. Suddenly, the front court looks a little shaky, and will likely get shakier if Love does indeed get moved. The Kings are all-in this year, and, even in a year in which the West is absolutely loaded, this looks like their best shot to finally finish the job. If they don't, that pick they traded for 6 weeks of DeMar DeRozan could look mighty juicy. It was likely a move the team had to make, though, given their weakness as small forward. It would have been extremely tough to go through the West with just Miles Bridges and Garrett Temple holding down that spot, and the additions of DeRozan and Alec Burks are undoubtedly huge for this team. If DeMar keeps playing like this, they should be the favorites to come out of the West.
2. Seattle Supersonics (9-3)
STATUS: Leading the Pacific by a game
MAGIC NUMBER: 3
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Golden State (6-6), Memphis (5-7), Houston (4-8), Portland (8-4)
BIG QUESTION(S): Will the wing rotation hold up?
With the loss of Jonathan Isaac and the disappearance of Danny Green, the one weakness this team appears to have is on the wings. For the purpose of this argument, we're going to treat James Harden as, functionally, a point guard since he has the ball in his hands at all times. That means Seattle will be looking to Robert Covington, Jeremy Lamb and Danny Green to hold down the small forward spot. Lamb will likely see his role reduced in the playoffs with the return of Victor Oladipo. Robert Covington has been really good, but there's a ceiling on what one can reasonably expect him to contribute. Typically, you would see the D-League player up in place of Isaac, but Kevin Porter Jr. is hurt right now as well. It might be nitpicking, but with the Kings making a move for the one gamechanging win on the market, every little thing can add up in a crowded playoff field.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (8-4)
STATUS: In third by virtue of their win over Minnesota
MAGIC NUMBER: 4
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Portland (8-4), Golden State (6-6), Kansas City (10-2), Houston (4-8)
BIG QUESTION(S): Will they have any centers left?
The Thunder are in a precarious position following a stunning loss to the Magic. If they lose two games, they are likely out of the playoffs given Utah's friendly closing schedule. And if they don't make the playoffs, they only have their centers to blame. Robert Williams has been on the shelf for weeks, and he will continue to be out with a hip issue. Kevon Looney came back briefly only to get hurt again, and it seems likely he won't be back any time soon. Jahlil Okafor has simply stopped playing. As great a season as Tristan Thompson has had, he can only do so much. Given their injury issues, a loss this week seems inevitable. They'd still own the tiebreaker over Utah, but a loss to Kansas City two weeks later would likely end things. If it does? OKC will be cursing the Bulls and Magic.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves (8-4)
STATUS: Currently in the field thanks to a one rebound win over Portland in week 8
MAGIC NUMBER: 4
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Washington (4-8), Kansas City (10-2), Las Vegas (0-12), Memphis (5-7)
BIG QUESTION(S): Do they have enough? And can they take care of business?
Much like the Thunder, the Wolves cannot be comfortable with their standing at the moment. Yes, they've won three in a row, and 6 of 7. AND they are currently in the field thanks to their incredible comeback win over Portland earlier this year. However, consider this: the Utah Jazz close the season with the friendliest schedule of any of the Western Conference playoff contenders, and the Portland Trailblazers have been the best team in the conference since their loss to Minnesota. To make matters worse for Minnesota, while they have the tiebreaker on Portland, they've lost to both Utah and OKC, which puts them at a disadvantage in a three-team tiebreaker scenario. What order they are rooting for will largely be determined by the Portland-OKC match-up this week, but, in the meantime, they've got to take care of business against the teams they should beat. That means they need to beat Washington, Las Vegas, and Memphis. The last piece of that puzzle could be the trickiest to figure out since Memphis will welcome back Oladipo. Minnesota has largely been piecing this together with duct tape and string because of the injuries to Brogdon and Nance. But, if they can get those two back, they just might do it.
5. Portland Trailblazers (8-4)
STATUS: 2nd in the Pacific
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: OKC (8-4), Houston (4-8), Memphis (5-7), Seattle (9-3)
BIG QUESTION(S): How will they be impacted by the real life deadline?
As we noted above, Portland has been far and away the best team in the West since their loss to Minnesota. They have been dominating teams in almost every category, and they show no signs of stopping. When you look at their team, though, there is some cause for concern. Hassan Whiteside, Kent Bazemore and Chris Paul are all guys that have seen their names come up in trade rumors. Beyond that, guys like Draymond Green, Carmelo Anthony, Kelly Oubre, John Collins and Kevin Huerter could all be impacted by the players that get moved to/from their real life teams. And that's before getting into the Kyrie butterfly effect on LeVert and Dinwiddie. Conventional wisdom suggests this team will be just fine though, and you know they'd love to win the West one last time before moving the Miami (pending league approval).
6. Utah Jazz (7-5)
STATUS: 3rd in the Pacific
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Cleveland (3-9), Atlanta (2-10), Golden State (6-6), Washington (4-8)
BIG QUESTION(S): Is this the end of an era?
You know, you wouldn't normally think that a team sitting two spots out of the playoffs with 4 games left, and coming off a three-game losing streak, would be sitting pretty... but that's kind of where we are with the Jazz. The only relevant tiebreaker they own is with Minnesota, which could prove problematic, but they are better positioned than any of the other western contenders to win out. But if they don't (or if they do and miss out on tiebreakers, which is possible), one has to wonder if this is the end of the great era of Utah basketball. This team has made the playoffs 10 straight years, the longest in league history, and they always seem to come back from the dead. OK, calling it the end of an era is a little extreme given their ownership and the presence of both Kemba Walker and Steven Adams, but it would still be jarring to look at the playoffs and not see Utah there.
7. Golden State Warriors (6-6)
STATUS: Not out of this thing just yet
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Seattle (9-3), OKC (8-4), Utah (7-5), Boston (7-5)
BIG QUESTION(S): Fight or flight?
The Warriors are technically still alive, though a win against Kansas City would have obviously been a huge boost to their chances. They've got three teams ahead of them up next, and winning all three would make their final regular season game against Boston extremely interesting. In fact, it would all but eliminate Utah from the playoff hunt. That said, there's just as good a chance that this team punts on the last four games and tries to get what they can. But should they? If Utah misses the playoffs, they'll have two lottery picks. They've got intriguing young players in Jaxson Hayes, NAW and Rui Hachimura. The vets on the team signed long-term are on team friendly deals, and Josh Richardson is a re-sign candidate. It might be in this team's best interest to keep anyone signed beyond this year and see how things play out next season. At they very least, we know they'll have pieces to move in trades, and if Portland does leave the West, a vacuum could open up. It'll be fascinating to watch.
8. Memphis Grizzlies (5-7)
STATUS: One loss away from the lotto
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Las Vegas (0-12), Seattle (9-3), Portland (8-4), Minnesota (8-4)
BIG QUESTION(S): Who do they upset?
It's been a really tough season for the Grizzlies. We knew it would be difficult out of the gate with injuries to Paul George and Victor Oladipo hindering them at the start of the season, but they just could never find a rhythm. Ayton was suspended, Beal missed games, hell, everyone missed games except Markelle Fultz it seems. But this team is still talented. Talented enough to pull an upset and ruin someone's playoff hopes. Obviously, Vegas is not a candidate, but Seattle, Portland and Minnesota are all potential victims. Will the Grizz be able to put together that championship performance we know they're capable of, and piss someone off? We'll see.
9. Houston Rockets (4-8)
STATUS: Eliminated
10. Las Vegas Gamblers (0-12)
STATUS: Eliminated
EASTERN CONFERENCE
1. Brooklyn Nets (12-0)
STATUS: Clinched the North division
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Orlando (5-7), Colorado (2-10), Las Vegas (0-12), Chicago (6-6)
BIG QUESTION(S): Who do the Nets want in the playoffs? And who will even play?
The Nets are going to get the 1 seed given their remaining games against Colorado and Las Vegas, and the win they've already got over Tampa Bay. With the Nets scheduled to play both Orlando and Chicago down the stretch, they have the ability (somewhat, given what Boston does) to dictate who they get in the first round of the playoffs. Does being unbeaten mean more? They've already won the last two titles, going undefeated and winning a third would blow the other two out of the water. Of course, that brings us to the second question: will they be healthy? Siakam is back after missing a few weeks, but Wendell Carter Jr. and Fred VanVleet are likely out the rest of the regular season, at least. They've also got Paul George and Clint Capela dealing with nagging injuries. They're deep enough that they can make up for one injury, maybe even two, but beyond that, it could be trouble.
2. Tampa Bay Bull Sharks (10-2)
STATUS: Clinched the Southeast division
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Atlanta (2-10), Toronto (4-8), Orlando (5-7), Colorado (2-10)
BIG QUESTION(S): Do they move the Vegas pick? And what's up with KAT?
For all the talk about how much better the West is, top to bottom, than the East (and it is), the East might actually have the two best teams in the whole league. Brooklyn has asserted themselves as the favorite, but Tampa Bay now has the 2nd best record in the league, and they've beaten all the Western Conference challengers they've faced (though, they didn't have either Seattle or Kansas City on the schedule). And they've won the last few match-ups without KAT... who has been out for almost a month with a mysterious knee sprain. He's been listed questionable the last few match-ups, but it's never seemed like he would seriously step on the floor. Tampa Bay may be winning without him, but to win it all, they will ABSOLUTELY need him.
3. Boston Celtics (7-5)
STATUS: They can actually jump up to 2nd if they finish tied with Tampa Bay given their win over the Bull Sharks
MAGIC NUMBER: 3
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Toronto (4-8), Orlando (5-7), Atlanta (2-10), Golden State (6-6)
BIG QUESTION(S): Do they even want to be here?
With Joel Embiid out for a while, the Celtics decided to sell what they could. They moved DeMar DeRozan and Alec Burks, two expirings, for Moe Wagner and a first round pick. They traded a third expiring, Willie Cauley-Stein, for Maxi Kleber. And they bought out Blake Griffin. Boston might still get in the playoffs, and they could even be the third seed given their remaining schedule, but it appears likely they are going to be a walkover.
4. Chicago Bulls (6-6)
STATUS: They can finish third at best
MAGIC NUMBER: 4
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Colorado (2-10), Washington (4-8), Toronto (4-8), Brooklyn (12-0)
BIG QUESTION(S): How high can they climb? And what happens to Andre Drummond?
The Bulls may have lost to the red hot Portland Trailblazers, but they are looking mighty dangerous after the mid-season additions of Jordan McRae and Isaiah Hartenstein. Part of the issue they ran into last year in the playoffs against Brooklyn were a few too many empty roster spots. That doesn't appear to be a problem this year, and they've got Mitchell-Drummond-Vuc-Russell as a core four. But what is going to happen Andre Drummond at the (real life) trade deadline? He's been dominant this year, and Chicago will likely need him to continue to play at that level to make a run. If he goes to a situation that curtails his usage, though, it could be an issue. However, if he does take a minor step back, it could open up more time for Christian Wood, so there's a silver lining to a potential trade.
5. Orlando Magic (5-7)
STATUS: Can finish as high as third
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Brooklyn (12-0), Boston (7-5), Tampa Bay (10-2), Toronto (4-8)
BIG QUESTION(S): Can they keep it up?
The Magic got a monster win over the Oklahoma City Thunder to keep their playoff hopes alive, and the last four games will go a long way toward determining if they can get in. Not only is that because they'll need help to get there, but they get three teams currently ahead of them in the standings. They'll probably have to find an upset against Brooklyn or Tampa Bay to get in, but they've been playing incredibly well lately.
6. Toronto Raptors (4-8)
STATUS: Technically, third is an option, but if they get in, it will likely be as the fourth seed
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Boston (7-5), Tampa Bay (10-2), Chicago (6-6), Orlando (5-7)
BIG QUESTION(S): Can they play spoiler?
It seems likely that last week's gut-wrenching loss to Memphis ended any realistic shot Toronto had at the postseason. However, they do have teams 2-5 left on their schedule. If they were able to pull off a miracle run and win all four, then there's a chance they'd get in. However, the fact that running the table against the teams above them wouldn't guarantee anything should give you an idea of just how much of a long shot it actually is. Instead, the Raptors should have a very big say in who finishes where. They can impact seeding between Boston and Chicago, and they could keep Orlando out of the playoffs or propel them into the bracket. Ultimately, though, the most likely outcome is they drop all four, and nothing really changes.
7. Washington Wizards (4-8)
STATUS: See Toronto
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Minnesota (8-4), Chicago (6-6), Cleveland (3-9), Utah (7-5)
BIG QUESTION(S): Will they bolster any contenders at the deadline?
Sure, while it is technically possible for Washington to make the playoffs, and they've won two in a row, it's hard to see them as a legitimate playoff threat. Had their match-ups earlier in the season against Boston and Toronto flipped their direction, we'd be looking at their game against Chicago as a virtual play-in. Alas, what's done is done, and now we look into the future. The Wizards have some decent contributors that will be available at the deadline, and they've already made their willingness to move pieces known. So who gets moved and to where are the big questions here.
8. Cleveland Cavaliers (3-9)
STATUS: They'll be eliminated after Chicago beats Colorado this week
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Utah (7-5), Colorado (2-10), Washington (4-8), Atlanta (2-10)
BIG QUESTION(S): How much fun will this team be next year, eh?
We're cheating a little bit because there are no questions for eliminated teams... however, the Cavs aren't quite eliminated yet, so let's talk next year. Trae Young is a stud. Kevin Durant and John Wall will be back, and while it's likely they won't be their fantasy superstar selves off the bat, they'll still be productive. Richaun Holmes, De'Anthony Melton, Josh Okogie and Omari Spellman have all proven to be contributors. RJ Barrett is starting to show his promise. They'll have another top-10 pick. With the uncertainty surrounding Brooklyn and Boston next year, the Cavaliers are in a fantastic position to break through and make the playoffs next year. If they can find one more star, and they'll have the pieces to do it, they could be the favorite in the division. Start buying Cavs stock as soon as you can.
9. Atlanta Hawks (2-10)
STATUS: Eliminated
10. Colorado Swannies (2-10)
STATUS: Eliminated
WESTERN CONFERENCE
1. Kansas City Kings (10-2)
STATUS: Leading the Midwest by two games, they still have match-ups left against OKC and Minnesota
MAGIC NUMBER: 2
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Houston (4-8), Minnesota (8-4), OKC (8-4), Las Vegas (0-12)
BIG QUESTION(S): Will the front court hold up? Will DeMar prove to be worth a first round pick?
It's remarkable how fluid the regular season can prove to be. When the season kicked off, the Kings looked loaded at the PF/C spots with Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge, Aron Baynes and Moe Wagner all playing better than expected. Since then, Baynes has tailed off. Wagner has been traded. And Love has been up and down as he deals with trade rumors. Suddenly, the front court looks a little shaky, and will likely get shakier if Love does indeed get moved. The Kings are all-in this year, and, even in a year in which the West is absolutely loaded, this looks like their best shot to finally finish the job. If they don't, that pick they traded for 6 weeks of DeMar DeRozan could look mighty juicy. It was likely a move the team had to make, though, given their weakness as small forward. It would have been extremely tough to go through the West with just Miles Bridges and Garrett Temple holding down that spot, and the additions of DeRozan and Alec Burks are undoubtedly huge for this team. If DeMar keeps playing like this, they should be the favorites to come out of the West.
2. Seattle Supersonics (9-3)
STATUS: Leading the Pacific by a game
MAGIC NUMBER: 3
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Golden State (6-6), Memphis (5-7), Houston (4-8), Portland (8-4)
BIG QUESTION(S): Will the wing rotation hold up?
With the loss of Jonathan Isaac and the disappearance of Danny Green, the one weakness this team appears to have is on the wings. For the purpose of this argument, we're going to treat James Harden as, functionally, a point guard since he has the ball in his hands at all times. That means Seattle will be looking to Robert Covington, Jeremy Lamb and Danny Green to hold down the small forward spot. Lamb will likely see his role reduced in the playoffs with the return of Victor Oladipo. Robert Covington has been really good, but there's a ceiling on what one can reasonably expect him to contribute. Typically, you would see the D-League player up in place of Isaac, but Kevin Porter Jr. is hurt right now as well. It might be nitpicking, but with the Kings making a move for the one gamechanging win on the market, every little thing can add up in a crowded playoff field.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder (8-4)
STATUS: In third by virtue of their win over Minnesota
MAGIC NUMBER: 4
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Portland (8-4), Golden State (6-6), Kansas City (10-2), Houston (4-8)
BIG QUESTION(S): Will they have any centers left?
The Thunder are in a precarious position following a stunning loss to the Magic. If they lose two games, they are likely out of the playoffs given Utah's friendly closing schedule. And if they don't make the playoffs, they only have their centers to blame. Robert Williams has been on the shelf for weeks, and he will continue to be out with a hip issue. Kevon Looney came back briefly only to get hurt again, and it seems likely he won't be back any time soon. Jahlil Okafor has simply stopped playing. As great a season as Tristan Thompson has had, he can only do so much. Given their injury issues, a loss this week seems inevitable. They'd still own the tiebreaker over Utah, but a loss to Kansas City two weeks later would likely end things. If it does? OKC will be cursing the Bulls and Magic.
4. Minnesota Timberwolves (8-4)
STATUS: Currently in the field thanks to a one rebound win over Portland in week 8
MAGIC NUMBER: 4
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Washington (4-8), Kansas City (10-2), Las Vegas (0-12), Memphis (5-7)
BIG QUESTION(S): Do they have enough? And can they take care of business?
Much like the Thunder, the Wolves cannot be comfortable with their standing at the moment. Yes, they've won three in a row, and 6 of 7. AND they are currently in the field thanks to their incredible comeback win over Portland earlier this year. However, consider this: the Utah Jazz close the season with the friendliest schedule of any of the Western Conference playoff contenders, and the Portland Trailblazers have been the best team in the conference since their loss to Minnesota. To make matters worse for Minnesota, while they have the tiebreaker on Portland, they've lost to both Utah and OKC, which puts them at a disadvantage in a three-team tiebreaker scenario. What order they are rooting for will largely be determined by the Portland-OKC match-up this week, but, in the meantime, they've got to take care of business against the teams they should beat. That means they need to beat Washington, Las Vegas, and Memphis. The last piece of that puzzle could be the trickiest to figure out since Memphis will welcome back Oladipo. Minnesota has largely been piecing this together with duct tape and string because of the injuries to Brogdon and Nance. But, if they can get those two back, they just might do it.
5. Portland Trailblazers (8-4)
STATUS: 2nd in the Pacific
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: OKC (8-4), Houston (4-8), Memphis (5-7), Seattle (9-3)
BIG QUESTION(S): How will they be impacted by the real life deadline?
As we noted above, Portland has been far and away the best team in the West since their loss to Minnesota. They have been dominating teams in almost every category, and they show no signs of stopping. When you look at their team, though, there is some cause for concern. Hassan Whiteside, Kent Bazemore and Chris Paul are all guys that have seen their names come up in trade rumors. Beyond that, guys like Draymond Green, Carmelo Anthony, Kelly Oubre, John Collins and Kevin Huerter could all be impacted by the players that get moved to/from their real life teams. And that's before getting into the Kyrie butterfly effect on LeVert and Dinwiddie. Conventional wisdom suggests this team will be just fine though, and you know they'd love to win the West one last time before moving the Miami (pending league approval).
6. Utah Jazz (7-5)
STATUS: 3rd in the Pacific
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Cleveland (3-9), Atlanta (2-10), Golden State (6-6), Washington (4-8)
BIG QUESTION(S): Is this the end of an era?
You know, you wouldn't normally think that a team sitting two spots out of the playoffs with 4 games left, and coming off a three-game losing streak, would be sitting pretty... but that's kind of where we are with the Jazz. The only relevant tiebreaker they own is with Minnesota, which could prove problematic, but they are better positioned than any of the other western contenders to win out. But if they don't (or if they do and miss out on tiebreakers, which is possible), one has to wonder if this is the end of the great era of Utah basketball. This team has made the playoffs 10 straight years, the longest in league history, and they always seem to come back from the dead. OK, calling it the end of an era is a little extreme given their ownership and the presence of both Kemba Walker and Steven Adams, but it would still be jarring to look at the playoffs and not see Utah there.
7. Golden State Warriors (6-6)
STATUS: Not out of this thing just yet
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Seattle (9-3), OKC (8-4), Utah (7-5), Boston (7-5)
BIG QUESTION(S): Fight or flight?
The Warriors are technically still alive, though a win against Kansas City would have obviously been a huge boost to their chances. They've got three teams ahead of them up next, and winning all three would make their final regular season game against Boston extremely interesting. In fact, it would all but eliminate Utah from the playoff hunt. That said, there's just as good a chance that this team punts on the last four games and tries to get what they can. But should they? If Utah misses the playoffs, they'll have two lottery picks. They've got intriguing young players in Jaxson Hayes, NAW and Rui Hachimura. The vets on the team signed long-term are on team friendly deals, and Josh Richardson is a re-sign candidate. It might be in this team's best interest to keep anyone signed beyond this year and see how things play out next season. At they very least, we know they'll have pieces to move in trades, and if Portland does leave the West, a vacuum could open up. It'll be fascinating to watch.
8. Memphis Grizzlies (5-7)
STATUS: One loss away from the lotto
MAGIC NUMBER: N/A
REMAINING SCHEDULE: Las Vegas (0-12), Seattle (9-3), Portland (8-4), Minnesota (8-4)
BIG QUESTION(S): Who do they upset?
It's been a really tough season for the Grizzlies. We knew it would be difficult out of the gate with injuries to Paul George and Victor Oladipo hindering them at the start of the season, but they just could never find a rhythm. Ayton was suspended, Beal missed games, hell, everyone missed games except Markelle Fultz it seems. But this team is still talented. Talented enough to pull an upset and ruin someone's playoff hopes. Obviously, Vegas is not a candidate, but Seattle, Portland and Minnesota are all potential victims. Will the Grizz be able to put together that championship performance we know they're capable of, and piss someone off? We'll see.
9. Houston Rockets (4-8)
STATUS: Eliminated
10. Las Vegas Gamblers (0-12)
STATUS: Eliminated