2008 NBA Western Conference Playoff Seeding Predictions

Welcome to the wild-wild west, also known as the 2008 western conference playoffs race....with only two weeks left in the season only two teams have clichéd playoffs spots in the western conference --- yes you heard that right: ONLY TWO TEAMS!!! From 1-6 only two and a half games separate 1^st place from 6^th and that doesn't look to change anytime soon...this is where we separate the men from the stat boys --- because all the probability went out the window a long time ago.

Current Western Conference Playoff Seeding:

1.New Orleans Hornets 53-22.
2.San Antonio Spurs 52-24.
3.LA Lakers 52-24.
4.Utah 51-26.
5.Phoenix Suns 51-25.
6.Houston 51-25.
7.Dallas 47-29.
8.Denver 46-29.

Outside looking in:
9. Golden State 46-30

5 games remaining: Utah.
6 games remaining: SA, LAL, PHX, HOU, DAL, and Golden State.
7 games remaining: NO, and Denver.

1. New Orleans Hornets.
2. San Antonio Spurs.
3. Los Angles Lakers.


Key Games:

April 11th: Lakers versus Hornets.
April 13th: Lakers verus Spurs.

My Prediction: The Hornets will slip down to 2^nd place in the western conference - because their schedule is the hardest down the stretch out of the three. I expect them to lose two games and possibly 3 games out of the next seven. The Spurs will move down to 3^rd...but won't do enough to surpass the Hornets The Los Angles Lakers will go 6-0 in their final 6 games of the regular season - reclaiming the 1^st seed in the western conference. Pau Gasol's recent return has sparked this team the same way it did when they acquired him in February when the team went an astounding 13-2 on the road - despite having to play nine games straight on the road.

4.Utah Jazz
5.Phoenix Suns
6.Houston Rockets

I expect these teams to stay right where they are...Utah is guaranteed that 4^th seed because they will win their division...and a division winner is guaranteed at least a top 4^th seed. Phoenix should stay ahead of Houston and maintain the 5^th seed. I see Houston maintaining the 6^th seed.

7.Dallas 47-29
8.Denver 46-29

Outside looking in:
9. Golden State 46-30

I see Dallas moving down to the 8^th seed. Denver should move up to the 7^th seed. Golden State will miss the playoffs.