Playoff Race

[kucoach7]

We're down to the last sim of the season and quite a few playoff spots are still up for grabs and a lot of hopeful teams still in contention. To add to the intrigue, a lot of these teams match up in the final sim. In this piece we won't concern ourselves with the seed jockeying that will also go down with this sim but will focus on those teams and playoff spots on the fringe.

Eastern Conference
Seeds up for grabs: 5-8
Teams in contention: Bulls, Pacers, Raptors, Pistons, Cavs, Celtics, 76ers, Magic

Shoe Ins
Chicago Bulls
Remaining games: @Hornets, Warriors, @Pacers, Heat, Kings

The Bulls only have to win one game to clinch a playoff game and may not even have to do that if they own the tie breakers against the Cavs or Pistons (that is unknown, they do not own the tiebreaker with the Celtics). The problem is they may only get that one win because I don't think any of the teams they play will be resting.
Prediction: 2-3, final record 45-37

Indiana Pacers
Remaining games: Hornets, Bulls, Wizards, @Trailblazers

Pretty much the same story for the Pacers except that the Wizards may be resting. Considering the home game against the Hornets, home court advantage against the Bulls, and a winnable game in Portland, the Pacers should be in.
Prediction: 3-1, final record 46-36

On The Fence
Toronto Raptors
Remaining games: @Heat, Heat, @T-Wolves, Cavs, @Jazz

The Raptors playoff lives may well hinge on whether the Heat decide to rest players. Considering the Bulls are on their tails, I doubt it. They finish the season against two other teams fighting for their playoff lives
Prediction: 3-2, final record 43-39

Detroit Pistons
Remaining games: @Sonics, @Blazers, @Celtics, @Cavs

The Pistons get totally hosed to finish off the season, four road games against teams all trying to make the playoffs. This is bad news for a bad road team currently tied for the eight seed.
Prediction: 1-3, final record 40-42

Cleveland Cavaliers
Remaining games: @Warriors, @76ers, @ Raptors, Pistons

Wow, another tough row to hoe here. The good news here is that the game in Philidelphia is winnable
Prediction: 2-2, final record 41-41

Boston Celtics
Remaining games: Knicks, @76ers, Magic, Pistons, @Sonics

And here we have the opposite story. These are all winnable games. The schedule could very well decide the playoffs. On paper, they probably win all of these games but they'll probably cough one up.
Prediction: 4-1, final record 42-40

Long Shots
Philidelphia 76ers
Remaining games: Celtics, Cavs, @Magic, Hornets

While it is totally possible Balls' squad could win out with this schedule, they probably won't and they would need a whole lot of help. There is definitely a world where they end up with the same record as the current 8 seed Pistons but the other teams ahead of them will end their dreams.
Prediction: 1-3, final record 36-46

Orlando Magic
Remaining games: @Nuggets, @Celtics, 76ers, Knicks

Same story here, if the Nuggets rest and the Celtics choke, the Magic could win out, but even that wouldn't be enough.
Prediction: 2-2, final record 37-45

Final Seeding
5. Pacers
6. Bulls
7. Raptors
8. Celtics
Out: Pistons, Cavs, 76ers, Magic

[kucoach7]

Western Conference
Seeds up for grabs: 6-8
Teams in contention: Rockets, Blazers, Spurs, Jazz, Grizzlies, Sonics

Shoe Ins
None

On The Fence
Houston Rockets
Remaining games: Jazz, Blazers, @Mavs, @Knicks, Wizards

The Rockets have to win 3 games to clinch. As much as they've struggled without Horford, they have also dealt with a tough schedule. This set of games is not so rough. They should at least be able to win the final 3 (assuming the Wizards rest players).
Prediction: 3-2, final record 42-40

Portland Trailblazers
Remaining games: Lakers, @Rockets, Pistons, @Mavs, Pacers

The Blazers have to win 4 to clinch but could get away with winning fewer with some help. All five remaining games are winnable but not gimmes.
Prediction: 4-1, final record 42-40

San Antonio Spurs
Remaining games: Suns, @Mavs, @Lakers, Warriors, @Nuggets

The Spurs may be in trouble but I think the Nuggets will rest starters, which could help them out. They also match up well against the Suns so I think they'll be fine.
Prediction: 4-1, final record 41-41

Utah Jazz
Remaining games: @Rockets, @Bucks, Suns, @Nuggets, Raptors

As hot as the Jazz have been, it may end up being too little too late. They have 5 winnable games left but even if they win out and finish the season on an 11 game winning streak, that might not be enough
Prediction: 3-2, final record 39-43

VanMemphis Grizzlies
Remaining games: @Sonics, @Suns, Nuggets, @Clippers, @Hornets, @T-Wolves

Despite sitting only 2.5 games out and not a bad schedule, this feels like a long shot. Unfortunately for the Grizzlies, I don't think the Clipps or Suns are resting so they probably lose at least those games.
Prediction: 3-3, final record 37-45

Seattle Sonics
Remaining games: Grizzlies, Pistons, Heat, @Nets, Celtics

A lot of home games, but a lot of playoff fringe teams. They can hope for a miracle but this probably ain't happening.
Prediction: 3-2, final record 37-45

Long Shots
None

Final Seeding
6. Rockets
7. Blazers
8. Spurs
Out: Jazz, Grizzlies, Sonics

So, while the West looks entertaining on paper, I'm guessing not much shake up will happen with the final sim (knock on wood because we also know who plays for the Blazers and hates playing in the playoffs).

[NickMalone77]

Thank you Todd for your media contribution. Here's +5 for your article.