This is how the playoff race is shaping up in the "Wild West"

Avoiding the play-in, securing home-court advantage in the first round, and not facing the Thunder in hypothetical Western Conference semifinals. This is what will be at stake in the last four/five games for the six teams involved in this exciting battle. We break down in detail everything that can be expected.

Maximum equality and top-level performance characterize a Western Conference with multiple notable candidates challenging the dominance of the Oklahoma City Thunder. While the Houston Rockets almost have the second spot secured, everything is tightly contested between the third and eighth positions, with the potential to completely alter the landscape. The Los Angeles Lakers, Denver Nuggets, Golden State Warriors, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, and Memphis Grizzlies will push to secure the best possible starting position for the playoffs.

Although the Los Angeles Lakers currently hold the third place, they also face the toughest remaining schedule among all NBA teams until the end of the season. The Lakers have five games left, including two against the Thunder and one against the Rockets. Perhaps they could benefit from these teams having nothing to play for.

The Denver Nuggets also have four demanding games ahead, being half a game behind the Lakers and half a game ahead of a Golden State Warriors team on a hot streak. The Bay Area team has five games remaining, two against non-contending opponents, one against a struggling Suns, and the last one against the Clippers, a direct rival.

- Lakers have the toughest remaining schedule among all involved teams, and Timberwolves have the most favorable.

There is currently a three-way tie between Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, and Memphis Grizzlies, ensuring excitement until the end. The Grizzlies will face the Wolves in a matchup that could significantly impact the final standings, with the Wolves having a more favorable schedule. The rising trend of the Clippers contrasts with the crisis in performance, results, and identity faced by the Grizzlies.

Finishing in the third position in the Western Conference seems crucial to avoid a potential match-up with the Thunder. The gap between the fourth and fifth place will be narrower, with home-court advantage being the pivotal factor to fight for, while falling into the play-in could be detrimental. Nevertheless, finishing seventh might not be seen as all bad news by some teams, as they would play the decisive game at home and, if they win, would face the Rockets, who inspire less confidence in the playoffs due to their lack of experience.

However, the team that loses that game and still secures the last playoff spot is aware of how unrealistic it would be to eliminate the Thunder. In conclusion, an impressive week is ahead in the Western Conference, where the positions that several strong championship contenders present in the final postseason battle will be determined. Lakers, Warriors, Clippers, and Timberwolves show better competitive prospects than the Nuggets and, especially, the Grizzlies.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Así está la lucha por los playoffs en el "salvaje Oeste"