We’re coming hard around the last corner of the regular season now with approximately 15 games left to play and many teams still have it all on the line. Let’s have a look by conference on who’s trying to do what and why.
Eastern Conference
Pushing for Home Court
Milwaukee – Coming off a long winning streak that saw them catch and blow by the Celtics to gain the top spot in the East, the Bucks are rounding into playoff contention and will be a difficult opponent for any team in the league.
Philadelphia – 7-3 in their last 10 and riding a 5 games winning streak, it is imperative that the Embiid/Harden coupling show some results this year. So far both are healthy.
Boston – 6-4 in their 10 games, the Celtics have shown some wobbly wheels of late. But don’t be alarmed and don’t be misled. This team will be a playoff nightmare.
Cleveland – 5-5 in their last 10 games, Cleveland has enough in the tank to round out the top 4 in the East this year. This young team will be interesting to watch in the playoffs.
Chasing these teams are the falling from grace New Jersey Nets and the never quite good enough New York Knicks. Neither of these teams has what it takes to challenge for home court but both will likely make the playoffs.
Trying to get into the playoffs
Raptors – 5-5 in their last 10 games and riding a 3 game losing streak, I’m afraid the Raptors don’t really know what they want to be this year and as a result will probably not be one of the teams that makes the playoffs.
Miami – 4-6 in their last 10 games and getting Kyle Lowry back after a 15 game absence, Miami will make the playoffs but will they have enough to get out of the first round? A seasoned team, they would make a fun match for Cleveland in the first round.
Atlanta – 5-5 in their last 10 games, the Hawks seemed destined for the play-in tournament.
Chicago – 5-5 in their last 10 games, the Bulls are dropping out of sight no thanks to injuries.
Indiana – 6-4 in their last 10 games, will likely make the play-in tournament but flip a coin to see if they have what it takes to make it through to the real dance.
Washington -3-7 in their last 10 games, the playoffs are not in the cards for Washington this season.
All in for Wembanyama
Detroit. Detroit’s biggest threats come from the West where both Houston and San Antonio are neck and neck for the most ping pong balls. I’m picking San Antonio to bag the first overall pick in the draft, btw.
The other contenders, Orlando and Charlotte, have fallen off the pace and did not make the commitment to losing that Detroit has this season.
Western Conference
Pushing for Home Court
Denver – 6-4 in their last 10 games, Denver remains 5 games in front of the Kings and short of an epic collapse will finish first in the West.
Sacramento – Who saw the Kings in 2nd place this deep into the season? Nobody, that’s who. 8-2 in their last 10 games, Sacmo is intent on proving the doubters wrong.
Memphis – 6-4 in their last 10 games, the future looked bright beyond belief for the young Grizzlies until video of superstar Ja Morant wielding a gun in a club hit the internet.
Phoenix – 7-3 in their last 10 games, the Suns won’t get Kevin Durant into the lineup until the playoffs. That should provide a nasty surprise to whoever they play in the first round.
LA Clippers – 5-5 in their last 10 games and only 2 games behind Phoenix for the 4th spot, the Clippers need some success to show for their ‘all in’ on Kawhi and Paul.
Trying to get into the playoffs
In the West, no fewer than 8 teams are fighting for the last 3 playoff spots. 7 are within 2 points of each other. They include
Golden State – 6-4 in their last 10 games, the Warriors are currently without Steph Curry and Andrew Wiggins and will have to dig deep to stay ahead of the hounds on their heels.
Minnesota – 4-6 in their last 10 games, the Twolves are probably one of teams that won’t make the playoffs.
Dallas – 3-7 in their last 10 was not expected when they made the blockbuster trade for Kyrie Irving at the trade deadline. Still, somehow, I believe their 2 superstars will find a way to get to the playoffs. The question will be how big a mark will they leave?
Utah – 6-4 in their last 10 and with still an opportunity to make the playoffs but is that what Danny Ainge really had in mind for this year?
OKC – 5-5 in their last 10 and playing this season without their rookie big man Chet Holmgren, the Thunder must be thinking much like Utah: do we want the playoffs or the lottery?
Lakers – 7-3 in their last 10 games, it’s no secret the Lakers want to make the playoffs and make some noise while there.
New Orleans – 3-7 in their last 10 games, the Pels were the talk of the West until an injury to superstar Zion Williamson. SInce then they have dropped like a bad cell signal.
Portland – 3-7 in their last 10 games, Dame or no Dame, you can count the Blazers officially out of the playoffs.
All in for Wembanyama
As per the Eastern Conference above, Houston and San Antonio are hard up against it in the race to the bottom and a chance for a generational talent.
At this point it really does look like a fun race to the end of season. Which of the teams will make it to the playoffs and which ones will not? Let’s hope injuries don’t impact the outcome.