Phoenix Suns center Channing Frye tries to defend Kenneth Faried during the first quarter of the game at the Pepsi Center. The Suns and the Nuggets are fighting for a top-8 spot in the Western Conference. Ron Chenoy-US PRESSWIRE

It is the home stretch for the shortened 2012 season and like usual there is a traffic jam in the Western Conference, with five teams vying for the final three playoff spots.

*HOUSTON         32-25 (overall)  20-8 (at home)  12-17 (on road) 21-19 (in conference)
*DALLAS             31-26                     20-10                     11-16                     21-20
*DENVER          31-26                     17-12                     14-14                     16-24
PHOENIX            30-27                     17-11                     13-16                     20-19
UTAH                   30-28                     21-8                        9-20                        20-21

Houston, Dallas and Denver currently occupy the final three spots in the West, but that could easily change as 2 1/2 games separates the five squads. And each teams has a moderately difficult schedule, which makes the playoff seedings very hard to predict.

HOUSTON ROCKETS (more…)

March 30, 2012; Charlotte, NC, USA; Denver Nuggets center JaVale McGee (34) goes to the basket and dunks the ball as he is defended by Charlotte Bobcats center Bismack Biyombo (0) during the game at Time Warner Cable Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Sharpe-US PRESSWIRE

When the Denver Nuggets acquired JaVale McGee in a trade that sent veteran big man Nene to Washington it was a chance for the Nuggets to give the 7-foot center a trial period before they decide to offer him a long-term contract this summer.

McGee has a lot of attributes that make him an ideal keeper. He just turned 24, has a 7-6 wingspan and is one of the most athletic big man in the NBA. That alone is a big reason for the young big man to get a multi-year deal. In the right state of mind, McGee is an imposing force on the defensive side of the ball and in his short time in Denver it is apparent that he has an ability to be a game-changer on defense. He is second in the NBA in blocked shots, averaging 2.38 blocks a contest and during his seven games with the Nuggets he has blocked 19 shots. (more…)