Intense Playoff Race: The Battle for Western Conference Seedings in 2023/24 Season

Over the last twenty years the competitiveness of Western Conference often required a very high number of victories to access the Playoffs: fifty victories were the necessary quota to reach eighth place in 2008 (Nuggets) and 2010 (Suns), while forty-eight successes were not enough to access the postseason in 2008 (Warriors) and in 2014 (Suns).

The 2023/24 season will be remembered as one of the most balanced seasons of recent years. With the exception of the fourth (Clippers) and fifth (Mavericks), all positions are yet to be determined. Timberwolves (currently first), Thunder (second) and Nuggets (third) are fighting for the top three seeds. Pelicans and Suns are competing for sixth place, the last one that guarantees direct access to the Playoffs. The fight for eighth, ninth and tenth position will be an all-Californian challenge (Lakers, Kings and Warriors).

The games that will decide the last three positions in the West will be those at the Golden 1 Center (Trail Blazers vs Kings), Chase Center (Jazz vs Warriors), Smoothie King Center (Lakers vs Pelicans) and – indirectly – Target Center (Suns vs Timberwolves) , all scheduled for 9.30pm Italian time. Below are the possible scenarios for the Buss family’s franchise.

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✔️ If the Lakers win against the Pelicans

I Los Angeles Lakers they are back in the running for eighth place, which guarantees a double chance at the Play-In with the possible second match to be played at the crypto.com Arena. However, the yellow and purple could still finish ninth or tenth.

Specifically, in the event of a victory for the Lakers, Kings and Warriors, the classic will remain unchanged with LA eighth, Sacramento ninth and Golden State tenth. Same thing in the case of the Lakers’ success and the Warriors’ defeat (regardless of the Kings’ result). The only different scenario would occur if the only one to lose was Sacramento, which would be overtaken by Golden State.

The good news for the Californians, therefore, is that to stay where they are, it will be enough to win in Louisiana, without waiting for favorable results from the other races. However, against the Pelicans it won’t be a picnic as the hosts are fighting with the Suns for direct access to the Playoffs.

❌ If the Pelicans win against the Lakers

In the event of Los Angeles’ defeat against New Orleans, the options are greater. The simplest – … and least probable – is that of a defeat of the Lakers, Kings and Warriors, which would leave the current ranking unchanged.

In the case of success of Sacramento and Golden State, both would overtake LA (tenth) with the team Sactown eighth and that of San Francisco ninth. If the only ones to win were the Warriors (eighth), the Lakers (ninth) would remain ahead of the Kings (tenth). Similarly in the case in which it is Sacramento (eighth) and win, with LA (ninth) ahead of Golden State (tenth).

The Lakers’ run is complicated by having lost the season series against the Kings (0-4) and Warriors (1-3), which jeopardizes their placement in cases of identical records to their opponents. A thrilling final day of the regular season, which can be followed live on League Pass, Sky Sport NBA and in streaming exceptionally open to all on SkySport.it.

Going into game number 82, seeds 6-10 in the West are still undetermined!

NOP & PHX each seek 6th spot.
LAL, SAC & GSW still alive for 8th.

Watch all five teams in action on the last day of the regular season at 3:30pm/et on ESPN and the NBA App. pic.twitter.com/QLE7H8CNxs

— NBA (@NBA) April 14, 2024

📅 Next Game

I Los Angeles Lakers they return to the field on Sunday 14 April (9.30pm 🇮🇹) to face the New Orleans Pelicans allo Smoothie King Center.

On the cover: LeBron James during the match between the Grizzlies and the Lakers on April 12, 2024 at the FedExForum in Memphis. (Justin Ford, Getty Images)

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2024-04-14 16:23:52
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