04-05-2023, 07:24 AM
(04-05-2023, 07:08 AM)OutsiderFan Wrote: The Kings clinched the Pacific Division by winning in New Orleans. The Wolves clinched at least play-in with win in Brooklyn. The Nuggets' weird loss at Houston left the door open for the Grizzlies to steal the #1 seed. The Kings and Suns are both locked into their playoff seeding, but they play teams who are contesting their own play-in/off destiny still. If I'm the Kings and Suns I don't play my stars these last few games.
(Possible seed, confirmed or most likely seed)
Nuggets: @Suns, Jazz, Kings (1, 2)
Grizzlies: Pelicans, @Bucks, Thunder (1, 2)
Kings: @Mavericks, Warriors, @Nuggets (3)
Suns: Nuggets, @Lakers, Clippers (4)
Clippers: Lakers, Blazers, @Suns (5, 6, 7, 8)
Warriors: @Kings, @Blazers (5, 6, 7, 8)
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Lakers: @Clippers, Suns, Jazz (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Pelicans: Grizzlies, Knicks, @Wolves (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
Wolves: @Spurs, Pelicans (5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Thunder: @Jazz, @Grizzlies (10)
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Mavericks: Kings, Bulls, Spurs (9, 10)
Jazz: Thunder, Nuggets, @Lakers (10)
Winner of Lakers-Clippers tonight will move into 5th, loser will drop to 7th, putting W's in 6th.
Warriors can control their own destiny by defeating the Kings and Blazers on the road. I feel pretty good about the Blazers...regardless of whether they try for a last gasp season ending victory at home, or they play mainly their bench.
Which leads to the Kings. Interesting rivalry. W's have a 2-1 season lead over the Kings with all games decided by less than 10 points. Warriors have won six of eight, coming after a stretch in which they lost six of eight. The Kings have three games remaining, two on the road. If I were them, I'd rest the starters, but we'll see.
Audaces fortuna iuvat