The Wild West: The Intense Battle for the Western Conference Play-In Spot

The race for Western Conference play-in is DE-MO-NIAC. As of April 12, three days before the end of the regular season, three teams have exactly the same record in places 8, 9 and 10, and not just any teams. Before the Playoffs, things will be tough.

Three franchises ten games above even, three franchises that could miss the Playoffs, three franchises tied, three franchises in the same division. The way the end of the regular season unfolded could not be more conducive to suspense and increased heart tension among fans. We take stock of the calendars, tie-brakers and possible scenarios.

The ranking as of April 12, tie-tie-tie:

• 7 – Phoenix Suns (47 – 33)
• 8 – Sacramento Kings (45 – 35)
• 9 – Golden State Warriors (45 – 35)
• 10 – Los Angeles Lakers (45 – 35)

Play-in Tournament: Teams 7 and 8 compete for the seventh place ticket, while teams 9 and 10 meet for the right to hope for the Playoffs. Finally, the loser of the first match meets the winner of the second for the last ticket.

Update on the tie-breakers which decides the tied teams:

• Kings – Warriors: tied series (2-2). But Sacramento is well ahead thanks to victories in the division.
• Kings – Lakers: Sacramento wiped out the series (4-0).
• Warriors – Lakers: Golden State won the series (3-1).

Here are the NBA rules regarding tie-breakers with 2 or 3 tied teams.

Items are listed in order of priority. pic.twitter.com/97h1bTqytg

— TrashTalk (@TrashTalk_fr) May 12, 2021

The program for the last regular weekend:

Sacramento Kings :

• Suns reception
• Blazers reception

Bad news, and good news. A victory in the head-to-head against Phoenix could do a lot of good, especially since the Suns are only two games ahead and continue with the Wolves. But the Kings have the tie-breaker over the Warriors and the Lakers, and are the only ones still able to avoid the play-in.

Golden State Warriors :

• Pelicans reception
• Jazz Reception

No matter the scenarios, the Warriors will play the play-in. The hope of playing the game 7-8 still exists, but at least implies going 2/2 this weekend, in addition to a defeat for the Kings. Otherwise, a beautiful way of the cross awaits.

Los Angeles Lakers :

• Trip to the Grizzlies
• Travel to the Pelicans

Not having any tie-breaker, it would take a game from the Warriors AND a game from the Kings to allow LA to climb to 8th and avoid two rounds of play-in. Otherwise, you will have to go to coal.

The Play-In Tournament is currently made up entirely of Pacific Division teams with 2 games remaining 🚨

6 Pelicans 48-32
————————————
7 Suns 47-33
8 Kings 45-35
9 Warriors 45-35
10 Lakers 45-35 pic.twitter.com/bgVqZrUIMG

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) April 12, 2024

There is therefore a scenario in which the Lakers finish in tenth place with a record of… 47 victories for 35 defeats. The Western Conference responds to the law of the jungle, what cruelty.

2024-04-12 09:31:00
#fight #Kings #Lakers #Warriors