However, the five teams are separated by just 4.5 games and there is a ton of room for movement in the final stretch of the year. The playoff picture in the Western Conference is essentially decided as the 3-8 seeds all hold a commanding lead over the rest of the conference and holding better than a 99% playoff chance. Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Utah Jazz, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, Los Angeles Clippers While not being as strong on paper, the Denver Nuggets have put together an incredible season behind the play of Nikola Jokic en route to what will almost certainly be a top two seed in the western conference. Playing in the tougher western conference, they face stiffer competition on a nightly basis and frankly are so good they occasionally take games off during the regular season. (Projections and chances courtesy of FiveThirtyEight’s CARMELO Projection) Already Clinchedĭespite having a record that is inferior to the top teams in the east, there is no denying that the Golden State Warriors are the best team in the NBA. Updated Western Conference NBA Playoff Chances Memphis Grizzlies over 6.? another look ? /gNQC0YjH4J Chicago Bulls (4-2) Western Conference, first roundġ. Related: Top 2022 NBA free agents NBA Playoffs bracket predictions: Matchups and winners Eastern Conference, first round Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sportsġ. However, the Deandre Ayton situation is something worth monitoring. The same thing can be said about a Suns squad that won a league-best 64 regular-season games in 2021-22. Speaking of wildcards, the Memphis Grizzlies took Golden State to six games in the Western Conference semifinals despite Ja Morant missing the final three games to injury. Paul George is healthy after playing a mere 31 game. Kawhi Leonard returns after missing the entire 2021-22 season to injury. The biggest wildcard out west will be the Los Angeles Clippers. Dallas also just added star big man Christian Wood to the mix in a trade. Luka Doncic was brilliant for the Mavericks in the playoffs. In no way does this mean other teams out wet are just going to mail it in. James Wiseman will join youngsters in Jonathan Kuminga and Moses Moody to give Golden State a ton of upside. The big three will run it back in 2022-23. The Warriors will be overwhelming favorites to repeat as Western Conference champs and earn their seventh NBA Finals appearance in nine season. Related: Highest-paid NBA players Western Conference NBA Playoff predictions and seeds Paul Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports However, the Ben Simmons situation deserves a ton of focus in the Big Apple. With Irving and Kevin Durant aboard, the Nets can’t be discounted. It looks like they’re going to lock Kyrie Irving up on a long-term deal after some major drama this past season. With all of that said, the Brooklyn Nets might be the biggest wildcard back east. Philadelphia is also said to be going big-game hunting to find another star behind Harden and reigning NBA MVP finalist Joel Embiid. The expectation is that James Harden will re-sign in free agency. We’re also wondering what 76ers front office head Daryl Morey has planned. 50 Best NBA players of 2022: Stephen Curry leads the charge after brilliant season
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |