NBA Playoff Update (Western Conference)

Here is the Western Conference Playoff picture so far.

#1 Los Angeles Lakers vs. #8 Utah Jazz (1-0 Lakers)

The Lakers got out to a 22 point lead at halftime of game 1, but the Jazz made a spiritied comeback and had it down to single digits in the 4th quarter before ultimately losing by 13. Lakers are the favorites to win the NBA Championship but this series is going to be much closer than people think. I think both teams hold serve at home and the Lakers take this one in 7.

#2 Denver Nuggets vs #7 New Orleans Hornets (1-0 Nuggets)

The Nuggets drilled the Hornets in game 1 but this series is far from over. Chris Paul and David West will both play much better throughout the series. This series features two very even teams despite the difference in seeding and the play of JR Smith off the bench for Denver could be the deciding factor in this series. I like the Nuggets in 7.

#3 San Antonio Spurs vs. #6 Dallas Mavericks (1-1)

The Spurs came back after their disastrous game 1 performance and looked like a completely different team. Obviously the loss of Ginobli hurts them, but they showed in game 2 that they aren't going to go down in this series without a fight. The Mavericks and Spurs have both been inconsistent at times this year but both teams are very talented and I expect this to be a hard fought series. Mavericks in 6

#4 Portland Trailblazers vs. #5 Houston Rockets

The Rockets blasted the Trailblazers in game 1, and believe me that was no mirage. The Rockets are a more talented, savvy, veteran-led team and I expect them to have no problem with the young Blazers. I'm taking the Rockets in 5

Who will get the 8th seed out west?

In the Western Conference, everyone is trying to avoid the 8th seed and first round matchup against the Lakers. As a Jazz fan, this is especially important to me because I think the Jazz could beat anyone with the exception of the Lakers. Let's take a look at the 3 teams fighting it out not to get the 8 seed

Standings

6. New Orleans 49-31

7. Dallas 48-32

8. Utah 47-33

*The Jazz have the tiebreaker over both teams and New Orleans has the tiebreaker over Dallas

Here is the remaining schedule

Utah

vs. LA Clippers

@ LA Lakers

Dallas

vs. Minnesota

vs. Houston

New Orleans

@ Houston

@ San Antonio

This should be an interesting finish to the season. The Jazz should beat the Clippers and the Mavericks should beat Minnesota. The one team that many people do not realize is involved in this race is the Cleveland Cavaliers. If the Cavaliers win tonight, the Lakers will have no reason to play their starters because the Cavs would have clinched home court advantage for the entire NBA playoffs. This would obviously be a huge plus for the Jazz when they play @LA the last game of the year. If the Jazz can win the last 2 games, all they will need is the Mavericks to lose to the Rockets or New Orleans to lose to Houston and San Antonio. Even though seeding doesn't normally matter, any of these 3 teams can win a first round series, as long as they don't have to play the Lakers.