NBA Western Conference Playoff seedings hanging in balance over 4 games

The games played tomorrow can have a deep impact on the playoff seeding in the West. Here’s a look at the four games which can have a impact on the final eight teams to come out of the West:

Phoenix Suns vs LA Lakers

The Lakers are now 24-28 and are rapidly slipping out of the playoff race. The last time these two teams met, the Lakers lost to the Suns 92-86 in Steve Nash‘s return to Phoenix. Nash had a poor showing in that game with only 11 points and 2 assists. This time around though, the Lakers have won 7 of their last 10 games and should make easy work of the worst team in the Western Conference. The Suns are at the very bottom with a 17-35 record. Ironically, there are four teams in the Eastern Conference which have a worse record than the Suns. The West has long been a lot more competitive than the East in the last decade. Right now though, the Lakers need to knock out Portland (25-26) and Houston (28-25) to make it into the playoffs. If they can’t beat a team like Phoenix, their chances of making it to the post-season look grim. This match will be played in LA and the Suns are the second-worst in the NBA at playing on the road, with a 5-22 record.

Houston Rockets vs Golden State Warriors

This is the part of the season where each win or loss can directly affect which teams make it to the post-season and which ones fizzle out. The Rockets and the Warriors are both contending for the playoffs. The Rockets are 28-25 and Warriors are 30-21. Although the Warriors have the better record, they are in something of a slump right now. They have lost four games in five nights now. But coach Marc Jackson insists that there is no need to panic. He said: “We’re fine. There’s no panic. We lost another game. We didn’t play well, we made mistakes, we did not put together 48 minutes of basketball, but there’s going to be no panic. We’re going to regroup and be preparing for the next one.”

OKC Thunder vs Utah Jazz

Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook are always nightmares for teams to go up against. This Utah team has problems of its own to deal with though, as the trade deadline approaches. Rumours have been circulating that they will look to move Al Jefferson or Paul Millsap. The trade deadline is on 21 February and that’s something which will be on the minds of the Jazz players as they face the second best team in the NBA. Utah has a record of 28-24 right now, and the Thunder are 39-12 and have won their last 4 games by at least 21 points. They are on a roll and the Jazz happen to be the next victims in line.

Portland Trailblazers vs Miami Heat

The Heat stand at 34-14 and have now won five consecutive games by a margin of 11.6 points. They are the best team in the East and they have the best player in the NBA on their squad. LeBron James is putting together a stretch for the ages, shooting 71.4% over the last five games while scoring at least 30 points in each.

“Don’t take it for granted,” Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said. “He’s making greatness look easy.”

Miami will be playing this one at home, where they are 22-3 this season. They have gone 11-1 vs Western Conference teams on their own court. The Blazers are now 25-26 and have lost three straight games while allowing opponents to score 111 points on an average in those three contests. LeBron is not the only one the Blazers have to worry about, as Wade has been averaging 27 points per game over the last three contests. One consolation is that they have LaMarcus Aldridge, an athletic big man who can stretch the floor for the Blazers. This won’t be a walk in the park for Miami, even though they will probably win this one.