Contenders and Pretenders: NBA Western Conference Playoff Probables

If you think the Eastern Conference has all the fun showdowns, you're dead wrong. The Western Conference is out to prove that they are running things, and they've got several teams looking to show you why.

Here's the rundown of the potential playoff hunters...

1) San Antonio Spurs (42-17)

The defending World Champions are sticking with their guns. While other teams are making massive moves to improve their playoff chances, the Spurs have been getting it done with their usual dynamic duo of Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili.

But don't take anything away from Tony Parker and Brent Barry. Parker is showing that being married to the ratings grabber of last year's NBA Finals isn't affecting his game, while Barry and Robert Horry show that age is truly nothing but a number.

The Spurs are riding their 10-game winning streak all the way down to the wire, and they have a showdown at the end of the month against the other hot team in the league, Houston. At least 14 games in San Antonio's future hold big playoff momentum, especially if they have to meet up with Denver or upset minded Golden State in May.

2) Los Angeles Lakers (43-18)

The Lakers have been up and down over the past few seasons, but one thing has been consistent: Kobe. Despite everything that has transpired around him over the last few years, Bryant has still been dominant, and it will be no surprise if he meets up with his old buddy in the playoffs. Since grabbing Pau Gasol, the Lakers have been hot.

The way this team is playing, the Spurs might want to watch their championship backs because the Lakers are coming. And with Andrew Bynum coming back stronger than ever, expect the Lakers and Phil Jackson to settle for nothing more than another NBA Championship.

The Lakers have the talent to do it; now they have to continue to capitalize on a good situation.

3) New Orleans Hornets (41-19)

The Hornets have been hot since their move from Charlotte to the Big Easy. Once called the laughing stock of the league, the Hornets are out for blood now that they have their team working on all cylinders.

The meshing of Chris Paul, Bonzi Wells, Tyson Chandler, and Peja Stojakovic has made things very interesting in the Western Conference. Add in the unsung hero known as Morris Peterson and the Hornets could be thinking about more than just a run to the playoffs. They could be thinking about a run to the Finals if everyone stays healthy.

Unfortunately, their first five games of the month are against potential postseason powerhouses.

4) Utah Jazz (40-22)

The Jazz have been flying under the radar practically all season. While the Lakers have been getting the attention, and the Rockets and Hornets have been making the noise, the Jazz have been doing what they do best: capitalizing on good situations.

With about a month and a half left in the season, the first leg of the month involves a Phoenix team on a downward spiral, a Nuggets team on the rise, and a Boston team with determination in their eyes. Whatever Jerry Sloan is doing in Salt Lake City, he should keep doing it.

However, does Utah want to play these Rockets and their unprecedented 16-game winning streak? Think Tom Brady will be watching the next two games Houston plays to see if they can tie his record?

I know. Bad similarity.

5) Houston Rockets (40-20)

Why are the Rockets seeded fifth instead of fourth? Who knows? Honestly, Houston is the hottest team in the NBA right now. The Rockets are riding their 16-game winning streak into Dallas to handle the Dirk-less Mavs.

Tracy McGrady has done well at picking up the slack in Yao Ming's absence. As for the missing center, Dikember Mutombo (age unknown) has stepped up in good fashion to resurrect his career as well.

For those who don't remember, it was Mutombo who helped the Denver Nuggets upset the heavily favored Seattle Supersonics many years ago. Don't be surprised if these Rockets are winning 20 games before they face San Antonio for complete Texas supremacy.

Houston just might be fourth-seeded which will work out in their favor to have home court advantage against Utah this time around.

6) Phoenix Suns (40-21)

A team that was a powerhouse before the All-Star break, the Phoenix Suns have yet to capitalize in the departure of Shawn Marion. Since grabbing Shaq from Miami, the Suns are downright terrible. They're still putting up some pretty gaudy numbers against their opponents, but they're still losing games.

And it doesn't get any easier from here. They got showdowns with San Antonio and Utah to start the month, and several pretenders and contenders down the stretch.

The Suns need to wake up and realize that the clock is officially ticking, and if they don't answer the call, they could find themselves getting swept in the first round of the playoffs by a hot Los Angeles team.

7) Dallas Mavericks (39-22)

The Mavericks have been falling while the other two Texas teams are continuing to rise. To make matters even worse for them, their lack of physical play is screwing them in more ways than one.

Thanks to his clothesline takedown, Dirk Nowitzki is sitting out their game against Houston, which is the bad news. The worse news is that the Rockets are on a 16-game winning streak.

If the Mavericks don't want to wind up playing New Orleans, the Lakers are looking to be the second Golden State team to send them packing in the first round of the playoffs.

8) Golden State Warriors (37-23)/Denver Nuggets (36-24)

The Warriors are on a slight tear, but they are looking to make yet another impact in the postseason. Baron Davis is showing why he was a natural leader with the Hornets, and has the Warriors eyeing another possible upset. However, their current seeding has them locking up with the Spurs which could be a good thing or a bad thing.

With 14 playoff contenders and a few playoff bubble busters on the horizon in the next month and a half, the Warriors need big plays from everybody to keep their postseason hopes alive. 

Denver has had some good games and some bad games. Still, they are in the thick of the playoff hunt. They are a game and a half out of the final spot, and they have two games coming up against the Warriors who have a stranglehold on the final spot. But this is what has made Denver dangerous going down the stretch, and that's what they need to do if they intend on making another postseason run.

Melo and AI have proven to be a force to be reckoned with in the second half, but that doesn't mean that they won't try to get things done in the first half, either. They have 15 games (the most of any playoff contender) against playoff contenders and big match-ups against Dallas, San Antonio, and the red hot Raptors.

Simple equation for Denver: Win the games that you shouldn't be losing, and try to dominate the ones against the powerhouses.

There may not be 10 teams fighting, but nine is just as good. Expect fireworks when these nine worlds collide in the final playoff stretch.