Newest standings, factors, projections and extra (twelfth March 2023)

The NBA West playoff image remains to be unclear. Every staff has round 15 video games left to play within the 2022-23 season, but 13 out of 15 groups within the convention have an opportunity to make it to the playoffs.

The league’s play-in system permits groups with the Tenth-best document in every convention to make the playoffs. As a consequence of this, it should take not less than 10 extra video games to get a greater have a look at the playoff image.

This text will check out the newest standings within the Western Convention. We’ll additionally see which groups have one of the best probability to advance to the playoffs.


The West playoff image remains to be very unclear within the NBA

As of March 12, solely the Denver Nuggets have a transparent lead over their opponents. The Nuggets are at the moment 46-21, 5.5 video games forward of the Sacramento Kings and Memphis Grizzlies.

These three groups will in all probability end as the highest three seeds within the West. The Grizzlies have the second-easiest remaining schedule of the season, which ought to profit them. Nevertheless, they are going to be with out Ja Morant for not less than two extra video games.

Memphis and Sacramento will fight for the second seed in the West (Image via Getty Images)
Memphis and Sacramento will battle for the second seed within the West (Picture through Getty Photographs)

The Phoenix Suns, who at the moment occupy the fourth spot within the convention, are solely 3.5 video games forward of the highest play-in spot. In reality, the West playoff image is so difficult that 10 groups are inside solely 5 video games of one another.

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Solely the San Antonio Spurs and Houston Rockets have been eradicated from playoff competition up to now. Each different staff has an opportunity to make it to the postseason, which is why each single recreation counts.

The West playoff picture is very complicated (Image via Getty Images)
The West playoff image may be very difficult (Picture through Getty Photographs)

Listed below are the West standings as of March 12:

Place Workforce Document Video games behind
#1 Denver Nuggets 46-21
#2 Sacramento Kings 40-26 5.5
#3 Memphis Grizzlies 40-26 5.5
#4 Phoenix Suns 37-30 9
#5 LA Clippers 36-33 11
#6 Golden State Warriors 35-33 11.5
#7 Minnesota Timberwolves 34-34 12.5
#8 Dallas Mavericks 34-34 12.5
#9 LA Lakers 33-34 13
#10 Utah Jazz 33-35 13.5
#11 New Orleans Pelicans 32-35 14
#12 OKC Thunder 32-35 14
#13 Portland Path Blazers 31-36 15

The Nuggets have a transparent lead for the highest seed, whereas the Kings and Grizzlies will battle for the second seed. Nearly each different spot within the convention is up for grabs.


West playoff image projections

The Phoenix Suns have the second-toughest schedule by the top of the season and will fall out of the West playoff image. They are going to be with out Kevin Durant for a couple of extra weeks, so it will not be stunning in the event that they fall to the seventh or eighth spot.

The LA Clippers, then again, have one of many best schedules. That is additionally the case with the LA Lakers, who’ve the third-easiest remaining schedule. Regardless of lacking LeBron James, the Lakers will doubtless keep within the playoff image.

Anthony Davis has done a great job in LeBron's absence (Image via Getty Images)
Anthony Davis has completed an amazing job in LeBron’s absence (Picture through Getty Photographs)

The Utah Jazz, who’re at the moment within the remaining play-in spot, have the hardest schedule of the season. With 15 video games left to play, they are going to doubtless drop down within the standings. The Jazz could also be surpassed by the OKC Thunder or the New Orleans Pelicans.

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The play-in scenario within the West can be very attention-grabbing. Whereas it is exhausting to appropriately predict who will play within the event, we count on to see the Lakers, Minnesota Timberwolves, Golden State Warriors, and whichever staff surpassed the Jazz.

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