Race for Eighth in the West

4/11 Race for Eighth in the West

                                   

            Never before have we seen this type of season for the NBA’s Western Conference.  It has been full of blockbuster trades and a remarkably even regular season race.  This shows how strong the western conference will be heading into the playoffs.  What is also astounding is that there are only two teams in the top eight that have not yet won fifty games.  There is still enough time for these teams to accomplish this.  The first six teams are locked in with either playoff berths or division titles with four regular season games to go. 

            However there is a close race between the last two teams trying to make it into the playoffs.  You have got Denver and Golden State, separated by one game, as Denver has pulled into the final spot with each team having three games left to go.  However, Golden State is the team I expect to make it into the final playoff spot.  In their last three games they play Los Angeles (Clippers), Phoenix, and Seattle.  Golden State needs to win their last three games assuming Denver wins their last three games.  Golden State got really lucky with these remaining games as they could easily beat LA and Seattle.  Phoenix will present problems for Golden State. Phoenix will be tenacious in trying to win their remaining games so that they can move up a seed or two in the west.  A factor to watch out for, which will be working against this Golden State team, is their stamina heading into the playoffs.  If they do make it into the final playoff spot, look for a very tired and worn out team in the Warriors.  They will have been working hard just to make it into the eighth spot in the west.

As for the Denver Nuggets, they are going to have a very difficult time making it into the final spot in the west because of their shaky defensive play.  Although the Nuggets have a tremendous duo in Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson, as well as a powerful inside game, their defense is not up to par.  This team could be a playoff team if they would only stop hurting themselves by not playing well defensively. Getting this team to play solid defense night in and night out is a major flaw for the Nuggets.

Not only is the Nuggets lack of a strong defense going to keep them out of the playoffs this year, but their remaining schedule could seriously damage their chances of being playoff bound.  In their last three games Denver plays Utah, Houston, and Memphis.  Utah and Houston are regular playoff teams in the NBA and they are both part of the top five seeds in the Western Conference.  It is just so hard for me to envision Denver beating the very solid Utah Jazz who are led by talented point guard, Deron Williams.  It is also hard for me to picture Denver beating Houston one of the most, if not the most, tightly knit team in the Western Conference.  At one point they won 22 straight games in a row despite losing their star center, Yao Ming.  Houston is a team built on teamwork and is led by one of the better offensive players in the league, Tracy McGrady.  However, Denver could very well beat the Memphis Grizzlies as they have not had a great season.  The Nuggets will not win enough of these remaining games though to make it into the playoffs.  I’m sorry Denver, but it seems you will be watching the playoffs at home. Start gearing up for next year.