Photo Credit: Sue Ogrocki/Associated Press
Insane Western Conference Playoff Race – 7 Teams Could End Up With The Exact Same Record
The playoff race in the Western Conference this year is unlike anything we’ve ever seen. With three or four regular season games remaining for most teams, one win or loss could dramatically change the season outcome for each team involved.
As of now, April 5th, seven teams are fighting for the five playoff spots that are still available. The Rockets, Warriors and Blazers have clinched their playoff berth, but the Jazz, Spurs, Thunder, Wolves, Pelicans, Nuggets and Clippers are battling for the 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th seed.
Graphic via ESPN
The most insane thing about this playoff race is that all seven teams could end up with the same record: 46-36. Reddit user TheGiantPotato explains how this situation could play out.
“The Jazz, Spurs, Thunder, Wolves, Pelicans, Nuggets and Clippers could all end up with the same record: 46-36.
How, you ask? Well…
The Jazz (45-33) need to lose to the Clippers, beat the Lakers, lose to the Warriors, and lose to the Blazers.
The Spurs (45-34) need to lose to the Blazers, beat the Kings, and lose to the Pelicans.
The Thunder (45-34) need to lose to the Rockets, lose to the Heat, and beat Memphis.
The Wolves (44-34) need to lose to the Nuggets, beat the Lakers, beat Memphis, and lose to the Nuggets.
The Pelicans (44-34) need to beat the Suns, lose to the Warriors, lose to the Clippers, and beat the Spurs.
The Nuggets (43-35) need to beat the Wolves, lose to the Clippers, beat the Blazers, and beat the Wolves.
The Clippers (42-36) need to beat the Jazz, beat the Nuggets, beat the Pelicans, and beat the Lakers.
If all this happens, then each team will be 46-36. In the event of a 7-way tie, the two teams with the lowest head-to-head record against the other teams will miss the playoffs. Each teams’ tie-breaker records are:
Wolves: 15-7
Jazz: 13-11
Nuggets: 11-11
Thunder: 11-11
Spurs: 10-12
Pelicans: 8-13
Clippers: 8-13This means the Pelicans and Clippers would miss the playoffs.”
The funny thing about this calculation, even though it’s somewhat unlikely, is that it could actually occur. For the past few seasons, the last couple of games for most teams had a ‘getting ready for the playoffs, mentally and physically’ kind of vibe. It basically was extended garbage time. This year, it will go down to the wire. Teams can’t miss a beat. One unlucky loss could mean the end of the season.
