NBA Teams Chasing a Playoff Spot
NBA teams are looking for that eight seed and final playoff berth in the east and west conferences.
The NBA all star break is when some teams start to play better and find their chemistry.
The Eastern Conference has five teams all within two games of each other for the 7 and 8 spots of a playoff field. Chicago, Detroit, Milwaukee, Charlotte and Miami are all below 500 winning percentage but any team can move ahead after the break.
Losing streaks continued for some teams while the Miami Heat won 12 in a row to move back into contention. Who will come out of the pack depends on schedule, injuries or turmoil. Teams like the Chicago Bulls and NY Knicks have a lot of player discourse and dysfunctional management.
Early season losses and poor chemistry is probably too much to overcome. However, some bottom teams like the Philadelphia 76ers` and the NY Knicks can still salvage that eight seed with a strong run to season end. Philadelphia have been winning more games while Knicks are slumping on and off the court. The fiasco at Madison Square Garden involving retired Knick favorite Charles Oakley and the court security team was an embarrassment and poor display of a once proud organization.
The Western Conference is a tight race for the eight and final spot.
There are five teams looking to move up and secure the final spot. It will be a close race with certain teams showing promise against the top teams.
The Denver Nuggets appear to be in a good position currently holding the eight seed. Their recent big win over the Warriors was a strong display of talent and playing together. Their 3-point shooting tied an NBA record at 24 for 40 shots. Their first half record was 16 threes.
They can shoot the three and score inside down low. This combination makes them the favorite for the eight spot and trouble for other playoff teams. Defense has been their weakness but scoring is there strength. The win over the Warriors was 132 to 110 as the bench was a pivotal factor.
Portland and Dallas are on the edge looking to knock off Denver. Portland is not consistent and has not made a move yet if they can. The talent of D Lillard and CJ McCollum is one of the best combinations in the league but the team needs a winning streak to compete.
The Dallas Mavericks have gotten their team back on track after a slow early season start with injuries and losses. They made their run to move into contention and need help to get past Denver and Portland. The last two weeks of the season will determine who gets that rare eight seed.
One extra win or loss could be the difference between two or three teams to make the playoffs. The home court advantage will be a big factor and fatigue will hamper some key players. The last few weeks of the schedule will help or hinder teams competing for that last playoff spot. Those teams with more home games has a clear advantage over those who play that extra game on the road.
Whoever makes the Western Conference eight seed will be in a tough spot playing the number one seed who most likely will be the Warriors. Then the real competition begins.
