Southwest

61-21, lost in conference finals. G Dejounte Murray (3.4 ppg), G Danny Green (7.3), F Kawhi Leonard (25.5), F LaMarcus Aldridge (17.3), C Pau Gasol (12.4). C Dewayne Dedmon, F David G Jonathon Simmons. The Spurs are essentially the same team that won the Southwest last season. A 21st straight postseason appearance is almost a given, and it’s easy to see them contending for a sixth NBA championship, even with Tony Parker missing the first six weeks (quadriceps). Carter. playoffs.

55-27,

lost

43-39,

in

lost

conference

in

first Lee,

semifinals.

G Chris Paul (18.1 ppg, Clippers), G James Harden (29.1), F Ryan Anderson (13.6), F Trevor Ariza (11.7), C Clint Capela (12.6).

G Patrick Beverley, G Lou Williams, F Montrezl Harrell, F Sam Dekker, F Kyle Wiltjer.

After the Spurs eliminated them in the second round, the Rockets made a bold move by trading for Paul to give them another All-Star to play with Harden. The defense should be better after also adding forward P.J. Tucker to a unit that traded Beverley.

round

of

G Mike Conley (20.5 G Wayne Selden Jr. (5.1), F Chandler Parsons F JaMychal Green (8.9), C Marc Gasol (19.5). F Zach Randolph, G Tony Allen, G/F Vince

ppg), (6.2),

The Grizzlies’ streak of seven straight playoff appearances could end. The West is even more competitive, and they need Parsons to be healthy and shooting at his best to complement Conley and Gasol.

34-48, missed playoffs.

G Jrue Holiday (15.4 ppg), G E’Twaun Moore (9.6), F Dante Cunningham (6.6), F Anthony Davis (28.0), C DeMarcus Cousins (24.4).

F Donatas Motiejunas, G Tim Frazier. If Davis and Cousins mesh well, if Holiday improves as a scorer, and most importantly, if the Pelicans don’t have much more bad luck with injuries, they could contend for a playoff spot. After two sub-.500 seasons, there will be urgency to do so. Otherwise, the regime of general manager Dell Demps and coach Alvin Gentry could end and Cousins could walk in free agency.

33-49, missed playoffs.

G Dennis Smith Jr. (rookie), G Yogi Ferrell (11.3 ppg), G Wesley Matthews (13.5), F Harrison Barnes (19.2), C Dirk Nowitzki (14.2).

None. The Mavericks will have to overachieve to avoid missing the playoffs for a second straight season. They need a big contribution from center Nerlens Noel, who will come off the bench because of the way the roster is constructed. Barnes’ continuing development as a go-to scorer can help make things more enjoyable for Nowitzki, who joins Kobe Bryant as the only players with 20 seasons for one franchise.