With the end of the NBA season just around the corner, the playoff picture is heating up. There are a good amount of playoff locks in each conference, and there's a good amount of teams we know aren't making it in. However, the last few seeds in the Western Conference are getting constantly jumbled around and nobody knows who will come out. The Lakers, Spurs, Timberwolves, Kings, and Clippers are in a free for all for the final two spots. Today, we will take a look at all the teams and decide who has the best chances of making it out.
Minnesota Timberwolves
Let's get this one out of the way. Although the Timberwolves sit in the ten spot and just defeated the Kings, they probably won't make it into the playoffs. Only one player on their team has been playing well, Karl Anthony Towns, and they are playing too many good teams down the stretch for them to win enough games.
Los Angeles Clippers
What the Clippers are doing is amazing. In each of the previous years, they have traded their leading scorer and maintained in the race for the playoffs. Currently, they sit in 7th and are ahead of all other competitors. If they can maintain their level of play, they should be playing into late April. They will have a few pivotal games coming up that will decide everything.
Sacramento Kings
The Kings are one of the biggest surprises of the season. They have two most improved player candidates(Buddy Hield and De'Aaron Fox) and will be here for years to come. They currently are 9th in the race. They also have one of the weakest remaining schedules remaining. If Harrison Barnes can find his footing in the Kings franchise they could make the playoffs.
Los Angeles Lakers
For the first time since 2006, LeBron James is not a guarantee to make the playoffs. His Lakers are sitting at a measly 11th place in the conference, and are 29-31. There have been many locker room issues and team chemistry problems after LeBron tried trading the whole team away. LeBron has showed little to none effort and left Bruno Caboclo wide open for a three to seal the game. They do have a bright spot, as Brandon Ingram has been playing great of late. It will come down to how the Lakers fix their jumbled issues, as they have more talent than anyone else.
San Antonio Spurs
For the first time since 1998, the San Antonio Spurs look like they aren't making the playoffs. After trading Kawhi Leonard, the Spurs haven't been the same. DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge are good, but aren't great. If the Spurs do make the playoffs, it will be behind the sheer coaching talent of Greg Popovich.
THE VERDICT - Los Angeles Lakers and San Antonio Spurs
Despite the Lakers struggles, they happen to have the greatest player of our generation, LeBron James. The Spurs are very talented and are a sure bet as long as Greg Popovich improves their defensive play.
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