NBA Playoffs Best Chance – Western Conference
NBA Playoffs Best Chance – The Contenders
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets have played well of late, their win last night against Minnesota helped them in their goal of getting the first seed in the West. They have the best chance to advance to the Finals as long as Jamal Murray stays healthy.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Wolves are an interesting team. They have the number one defense in the league. Karl Anthony Towns is said to be coming back. They should be a tough out in the playoffs. Their biggest problem is they lack playoff experience so I would consider them a team that has a shot but not a great one.
Oklahoma City Thunder
Any team with Shai Gilgeous Alexander is dangerous. Jalen Williams is a pretty good second player to have. OKC will only get better over the next few years. The problem the Thunder have is their lack of size and if they match up against a big team it could be a problem. They also are newcomers to the playoffs and like the Wolves it’s always difficult the first time.
Might need a little luck
Los Angeles Clippers
The Clippers are an interesting team. They are not necessarily the team with the best chance to win as evidenced by their streakiness over the year. What gives them a chance is they have three talented players on the downside of their careers with a decent supporting cast. If the three catch fire they have a punchers chance to win the West .
Dallas Mavericks
The Mavericks are the toughest team to figure out. They have played well of late. A healthy Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving are outstanding players and they have decent complementary players. They also can defend. The Mavs are a long shot that cannot be counted out.
Phoenix Suns
Who knows what to expect when it comes to the Suns. They are playing better but every time they look like they can go somewhere in the playoffs they have a bad game like Sunday against New Orleans.
Happy to be here
New Orleans Pelicans
The Pelicans are the definition of unpredictable. Without Brandon Ingram who has been injured they will have trouble getting out of the first round of the playoffs.
Sacramento Kings
With Malik Monk injured it’s De’Aaron Fox and Domantas Sabonis and not much else. It will be surprising if the Kings get past the play in game.
Surprisingly dangerous
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are quite dangerous. They have played well since the All Star Break and any team with LeBron James is difficult to count out. If things stay the way they are now either the Lakers or the Warriors will be eliminated when they meet in the play-in.
Golden State Warriors
Ditto what was written about the Lakers only substitute Stephen Curry for LeBron.
Random Thoughts
- It’s always difficult to pick against the Miami Heat but after looking at their last few games, losses to Philadelphia, Indiana and Dallas it doesn’t look good.
- The New York Knicks are interesting I think Tom Thibodeau is a very coach. His teams play hard every night. However I think Thibs leaves his players in even when a game is out of reach and leaves players in for over forty minutes. Check out the minutes Josh Hart and Miles McBride have been playing over the last few weeks. This sometimes has a negative effect on a team and is one of the reasons the Knicks have struggled at times.
