They start in a few weeks, can't wait, with the way the West is...it's going to be a great one. If they start today, it'd be...
1) Lakers
2) Dallas - 5 GB
3) Utah - 5.5 GB
4) PHX - 6.5 GB
5) Denver - 6.5 GB
6) OKC - 9 GB
7) Portland - 9 GB
8) SA - 9 1/2 GB
- Lakers and Spurs - 1/8
- Dallas and Portland - 2/7
- Utah and OKC - 3/6
- Phoenix and Denver - 4/5
Of course with the 4 games separating 2 through 8, those are going to switch around probably, but I honestly can't say what I think it would shake out as with any amount of certainty ...even with that amount of games left, it's hard.
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LA is going to stay at the top and SA(8), Portland(7th) and OKC(6) are just 1/2 game apart...but I really think SA will end up with in that last spot, only because of a terrible schedule - (@LAL, @Phoenix, @Dallas and @Denver, home against Orlando too) and players just not 100% going into these final games.
So I say the Lakers and San Antonio for the 1/8 series is what we'll get.
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Now to the 2/7 match-up, that one is harder. I think Dallas may end up with the 2 spot, but Utah is 1/2 game back and both of their remaining schedules are about the same. But I give it to Dallas because of Dirk. Now for the 7th spot, a toss-up between OKC and Portland. Looking at their schedule..
- OKC has a TOUGH schedule remaining against playoff teams - (@Orlando, @Dallas, @Utah and @ Portland..then home games against Denver and Phoenix)
- Whereas Portlands games against the playoff teams isn't the easiest, but easier - (@Denver and @LAL, then home against Phoenix and Dallas)
I wanted to give the 6th spot to OKC because Durant is just dominating, but I'm going to give it to Portland, knocking them down to the 7th. So I have a Mavericks and Portland match-up for the 2/7 series.
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Now for the 3/6 match-up, since I have OKC staying at the 6th, it's on to trying to straighten out that 3,4 and 5 mess that's separated by one game. Looking at their schedules... -
- Utah - only 3 of the remaining are 7 are playoff teams, with two of those being at home(OKC, PHX)
- PHX and Denver have equally difficult schedules
It's just a guess based on SOS, so I will go with Utah getting the 3rd. Leaving us with Utah facing off with OKC for the 3/6 series.
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Now for the last one, the 4/5 match-up, which really shouldn't be that hard considering PHX and Denver are all that's left. These two teams are tied at 6.5 games back, with their schedules being about the same
- Denver playing 5 playoff teams out of their last 7(Home against Portland, LAL and SA, and two @OKC AND @Phoenix)
- PHX playing 5 playoff teams(@MIL, @OKC and @Utah, then SA and Denver at [b]home[b])
If it indeed comes down to these two teams, home-court will probably decided the outcome. Phoenix who is 29-9 at home so far and Denver who is 30-6, I don't see either team fairing too well without home-court. It's a toss-up, but I'll give it to Denver simply because their home-court dominance and their remaining games that stay in Denver except for two, one of them being @ PHX which could is very crucial and the Suns could take that 4th spot...
...but for now Phoenix at Denver for the 4/5 series.
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Now these could change all up and completely **** what I just worked on, ah well, but I think that's how it's going to shake out in the West - but not the least bit certain, just going be remaining schedules basically. There's going to be some great, meaningful games the next few weeks, esp. with the 3 through 6 teams, excited!
But what do you all think?
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