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Here are my predictions for how the NBA playoff picture will look come the end of the season.
Eastern Conference:
1. Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James and his Cavs will hold off their current 3.0 game lead over the Raptors until the end of the season.
2. Toronto Raptors: I don’t think the Raptors will be able to catch up to the Cavs, so they’ll solidify the 2nd seed.
3. Boston Celtics: Boston is 5-5 in their last ten games, but I think they’ll bounce back from their temporary skid and get up to the third seed.
4. Miami Heat: Miami has a very easy schedule for the rest of the season, so they can easily get 4th in the East.
5. Atlanta Hawks: Atlanta has won nine of their last ten games with only a 15 point loss to Washington on the 21st. But, with a tough schedule ahead with Cleveland and Toronto both twice, I see them dropping a few spots into the 5th seed.
6. Charlotte Hornets: This was a tough one. They have easy matchups here one out with the exception of Toronto and Cleveland. I just don’t think they’ll be enough to get higher than 6th.
7. Detroit Pistons: Detroit has been rolling recently despite Saturday’s game vs Atlanta. I think they’ll carry the positive momentum and edge out the Pacers for 7th.
8. Indiana Pacers: The Pacers have a very 50-50 schedule with some good and some bad teams. I don’t think they’ll get the 7th seed, but I also don’t think they’ll fall out of the playoffs.
Western Conference:
1. Golden State Warriors: What even needs to be said? Golden State will be the number 1 seed.
2. San Antonio Spurs: The Spurs are a great team, but I don’t think they have the ability to gain 4.5 games on the rolling Warriors.
3. Oklahoma City Thunder: OKC has played well recently and gone 8-2 in their last 10. Also, MVP candidate Russell Westbrook has proved why the Thunder are the 3rd seed.
4. Los Angeles Clippers: The Clippers recently clinched a playoff spot. I have them playing Memphis is the seeming annual first round matchup between the Clippers and the Grizz.
5. Memphis Grizzlies: The Grizzlies are 5 games behind 4th but 3.5 ahead of 6th. I think they will definitely get the 5th seed.
6. Utah Jazz: This is a risky pick. They are on an 8-2 run in their last 10 and are coming off a nearly 50 point victory over the Lakers. I see them overtaking Portland for 6th.
7. Portland Trail Blazers: The Blazers are recovering from a bad start of March. They have a difficult schedule ahead of them. I can see them falling behind Utah into 7th.
8. Houston Rockets: Houston’s next three games are against playoff teams, but end the year with bottom-of-the-barrel teams like the T-Wolves and Lakers. They won’t get the 7th seed unless they recover from going 1-4 in their last 5.
-Tyler Ohmann
SportsPress 