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West W L POR* (3) 48-32 UTA (4) 47-33 NOP (5) 46-34 SAS (6) 46-34 OKC (7) 46-34 MIN (8) 45-35 DEN (9) 45-35
Remaining games: Por - @Nuggets, Jazz Utah - Warriors, @Blazers SAS - Kings, @Pelicans OKC - @Heat, Griz NOP - @Clippers, Spurs Min - Griz, Nuggets Den - Blazers, @Wolves
Portland, currently 3 could lose out as the Nuggets need to win to get in and the Jazz will be fighting to steal the 3rd seed (the f*cking JAZZ!)
Utah should be able to beat the Warriors tomorrow who I believe will be resting players to get right for the post season. That leaves them with winning vs the Blazers to get the 3 seed (and they lead the season series with Portland, 2-1).
Spurs 'should' handle the kings which will secure their playoff spot as they hold the tie breaker with Minny (split the season with Den, so second tie breaker would kick in...division record). But if they slip to the kings, they are in trouble. Pels need that last game to not end up on the outside as they lose the tiebreaker to Denver. They still might be looking at a 7 or 8 seed with the split though.
Pelicans should beat the Clippers but that's not a gimme game. And they HAVE to beat the spurs. It's in their best interest to win both games as 2 L's would place them squarely outside the playoffs.
The Thunder only win a tie breaker with the Jazz (they split with the spurs) but they literally lost the season series to everyone else. They literally have to win out to not miss the playoffs. A tie with anyone but Utah could mean lottery for them. Saving grace is Heat are only jockeying for position which isn't AS important as playing for a spot so they may not go as hard. Griz should be a cakewalk.
Wolves won the season series with everyone but the Spurs and tied with Utah. None of the teams above them can really slip or Minny moves up. If everyone above them does well except the spurs and minny slips, they are out (so, Spurs lose out, Minny Splits, Den wins out...Wolves miss the playoffs...IF everyone else splits).
Nuggets are unfortunately in the worst spot. Outside looking in, lost season series to the team closest to them and playing two squads who HAVE to win. Portland can lose homecourt and fall to #6 (but no lower) with 2 losses. Wolves will need the game to make it in, especially if they slip to the Griz, and will need it for good seeding.
Next 3 days will be awesomely nuts!
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