USA TODAY International Edition
Ranking the six contenders for the No. 8 seed in West
The NBA will showcase its best impression of the NCAA tournament bubble once its season resumes Thursday, with a six- team battle for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference.
The league will have eight games and a potential play- in tournament to determine the eighth seed in both the East and the West. If the ninth- place team in either conference finishes within four games of eighth, the teams would face off in a play- in scenario.
While the East will see the Wizards trying to catch the Magic and the Nets for a potential play- in, the NBA is poised to give fans a wild, wild West.
As the seven teams at the top of the West playoff picture treat the eight games as more of a tuneup and chance to better their seeding line, most of the suspense figures to happen near the bottom of the bracket. Because of the four- month hiatus and teams closer to full strength ( or the opposite, without key players), it’s very likely the playoff picture will be shaken up.
USA TODAY Sports ranks the contenders for that final seed in the West, with their current record and place in the West standings in parenthesis:
1. Pelicans ( 28- 36, 10th)
The Pelicans are 3 1⁄ games behind 2 the Grizzlies for the No. 8 seed, so they’ll have work to do to get within four games and force an 8- 9 play- in. Before the season postponement, New Orleans was starting to find its identity and won eight of 13 behind rookie highlight- reel machine Zion Williamson. Brandon Ingram is an All- Star who can carry a team, and Lonzo Ball’s playmaking make this squad scary. JJ Redick is also back from injury to give this team a veteran presence.
2. Trail Blazers ( 29- 37, ninth)
Damian Lillard’s ability to take over will always make the Blazers dangerous, and the team should be healthier after four months off. Jusuf Nurkic and Zach Collins are expected to be back from injury to bolster the frontcourt. With Carmelo Anthony an X- factor, there’s a chance for Portland to benefit from the layoff and maybe do more than just reach the playoffs.
3. Grizzlies ( 32- 33, eighth)
Ja Morant was having a breakout rookie season, averaging 17.6 points and 6.9 assists per game. The return of Jaren Jackson Jr. from injury gives Morant a much- needed sidekick to help the Grizzlies in their attempt to fend off the other challengers and hold their four- game lead over the No. 9 seed.
4. Spurs ( 27- 36, 12th)
A Gregg Popovich- coached team should never be counted out. The narrative of a downturn for the franchise could be changed with a late playoff push. DeMar DeRozan will have to be on his A- game with LaMarcus Aldridge out, but Orlando could be the exact environment for this group to come into its own just in time.
5. Kings ( 28- 36, 11th)
Aiding the Kings’ pursuit to potentially catch playoff teams is a favorable schedule. Still, there’s little playoff experience in their young nucleus of De’Aaron Fox and Buddy Hield, so it’s difficult to imagine coach Luke Walton piloting SacTown into the playoffs this year. The return of Marvin Bagley III from injury could be just the right shot in the arm. The Kings play the Pelicans twice in the final eight games, so winning those will be a must.
6. Suns ( 26- 39, 13th)
On paper, the Suns have a playoff roster spearheaded by Devin Booker and Deandre Ayton. But Phoenix’s position, in 13th place and 2 games back of the No. 9 spot, makes it a fairly large hole to dig out of. Still, a barrage of Booker’s long- range bombs could spur a big push.