The rest of the west: What's at stake for possible Nuggets playoff opponents
By Ben Handler
The final day of the NBA regular season is upon us and there is still much to be decided. I broke down the race for the top three spots between the Nuggets, Thunder, and Timberwolves earlier, but as you look lower down the standings, there’s even more on the line.
Clippers vs Mavericks is set
The four vs five matchup is one of the only things that’s actually settled across the NBA, as the Clippers have locked up the four seed and the Mavericks have clinched the five seed. Those two teams are set to face off in yet another first-round playoff series.
Suns and Pelicans fighting for the 6 seed
But beyond that, things get nuts. There is still a battle for the sixth seed and final non-play-in spot. Currently, the Pelicans hold onto that spot. If they win against the Lakers, they’ll clinch the sixth seed and avoid the play-in.
They’ll also keep the sixth seed if the Suns lose to the Timberwolves. The only way they can fall to seventh is if they lose AND the Suns win. Any other outcome will mean the Pelicans get the sixth seed and the Suns get the seventh seed.
8, 9, and 10 up for grabs
The eight, nine, and ten spots are all totally up for grabs between three teams; the Lakers, Kings, and Warriors. The Lakers face the Pelicans on Sunday, the Kings face the Blazers, and the Warriors will face the Jazz. Here are the possible scenarios and how they’d finish:
Warriors win, Kings win, Lakers win
8. Lakers
9. Kings
10. Warriors
Warriors win, Kings win, Lakers lose
8. Kings
9. Warriors
10. Lakers
Warriors win, Kings lose, Lakers win
8. Lakers
9. Warriors
10. Kings
Warriors win, Kings lose, Lakers lose
8. Warriors
9. Lakers
10. Kings
Warriors lose, Kings win, Lakers win
8. Lakers
9. Kings
10. Warriors
Warriors lose, Kings win, Lakers lose
8. Kings
9. Lakers
10. Warriors
Warriors lose, Kings lose, Lakers win
8. Lakers
9. Kings
10. Warriors
Warriors lose, Kings lose, Lakers lose
8. Lakers
9. Kings
10. Warriors
As you can see, there is still a ton to play for on Sunday, and we have very little clarity. This should be an epic day of NBA action and by late afternoon we will finally know who’s in, who’s out, and what are the matchups.