NBA Playoff Predictions: Who'll Make It in the Western Conference
The Western Conference is tight, as has become the standard this time of year with the playoffs approaching. It's a brutal battle for an extension of the season.
The top four teams—San Antonio, Dallas Mavericks, Los Angeles Lakers and Oklahoma City Thunder—look like safe bets to make the playoffs. But teams five-through-eight have some scores to settle before the regular season is out.
Here is what each team needs to do to make the playoffs.
7. Houston Rockets: 30-31
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They'll Get Into The Playoffs If: They can turn back the hands of time, use some kind of Harry Potter spell to keep Yao Ming healthy and then carry on. Houston needs the production of its injured 7'6" center. The Rockets do get two games against the Clippers and the Kings and one against the Nets and Timberwolves.
They'll Be Watching If: Let's face it, they'll be watching. San Antonio is on the remaining schedule twice, along with Dallas, Miami and Boston. It's an uphill battle for Houston.
6. Utah Jazz: 32-29
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They'll Get Into The Playoffs If: The recent culture change pays off like the Jazz front office hopes it does. It's clear that Utah was desperate for a shock to the system when it traded away Deron Williams. Devin Harris will need to play outstanding basketball to get this sliding team back on track.
They'll Be Watching If: They don't get things figured out fast. Utah is in the Northwest division, maybe the toughest in the NBA. Denver is on the schedule twice the rest of the way with Portland and Oklahoma City once each.
Losing seven of their last eight doesn't instill a lot of confidence.
5. Phoenix Suns: 31-27
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They'll Get Into The Playoffs If: They can survive on the road. Phoenix is 14-14 on the road this season and has to play 13 away games in its final 28. The Suns needs to survive that brutal run—especially five straight road games starting April 3.
They'll Be Watching If: They can't show up in the big games. Phoenix has to play the top-four teams in the West seven times. There are also games with Denver, one Chicago and one with Boston.
The Suns might want to check out what new items La-Z-Boy is offering.
4. Memphis Grizzlies: 33-28
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They'll Get Into The Playoffs If: They take advantage of their home schedule. Memphis gets 13 home games from now until the end of the season and can use them to solidify its positions. Those home games include two against the Clippers, one against the Warriors, Kings and Timberwolves. Eat up, Grizzlies.
They'll Be Watching If: Zach Randolph goes down with injury. Randolph has been destroying the opponent, averaging 20.2 points and 13.1 games per game. As long as Randolph is fueling the Grizzlies, they'll make the playoffs.
3. Portland Trailblazers: 33-26
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They'll Get Into The Playoffs If: Phoenix and Utah keep the pressure off. There shouldn't be too much standing in the way of Portland with Brandon Roy back from injury and Gerald Wallace joining the fray. This team has done remarkably well to stay above .500 with its rash of injuries and now is reaping the benefits as it comes together for the home stretch.
They'll Be Watching If: They let their upcoming Eastern road swing disrupt them. With consecutive games hosting Charlotte, then at Orlando, at Miami, at Charlotte, at Atlanta and home against Dallas starting March 5, Portland has to keep it together. Even if that stretch doesn't go well, the Trailblazers will have time to recover.
2. Denver Nuggets: 35-26
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They'll Get Into The Playoffs If: They develop chemistry as expected. The Nuggets are 2-1 with its new-look lineup after the Carmelo Anthony trade—although one of those wins was over a trade-depleted Boston team. Raymond Felton, Danilo Galinari and Wilson Chandler have worked out so far, but the team needs to continue growing as a cohesive unit.
They'll Be Watching If: They can't get on the same page on the road. When playing in Denver, the Nuggets will be fine. They get great crowds off of which they can feed. But Denver has two games at Utah left, including the season finale. Miami, Dallas, Orlando, Oklahoma City and the Lakers all host the Nuggets.
1. New Orleans Hornets: 35-26
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They'll Get Into The Playoffs If: They get their groove back. New Orleans has lost 10 of its last 14 games. That's not a great omen for a team that doesn't have a playoff spot locked up. Surely, Chris Paul and David West will get the team turned around in time.
They'll Be Watching If: The wheels come off. The schedule isn't all too imposing the rest of the way. Cleveland, Toronto and Sacramento are all on it. There will be some tough games against the Lakers and Mavericks, among others, but the Hornets should find their way into the postseason.
