As promised, the battle for the last few spots in the Western Conference playoffs is really heating up.
Most teams have about 10 or 11 games left, so it’s looking like Dallas, Golden State and Denver are vying for the last two spots in the West. The Nuggets have won four straight and are 7-3 in their last 10. Meanwhile, the Mavs are 6-4 in their last 10, but figure to struggle without their star, who is expected to miss the next two weeks. Dallas and Golden State play twice next week and the Mavs also have to play the Lakers in L.A. The remaining six games feature road games against Phoenix and Portland, as well as home games against Utah and New Orleans. Denver and Golden State clash tomorrow night.
The Suns seem to be above the fray, but they are only three games ahead of the Mavs in the loss column, so if they drop a couple of games, they could find themselves in a precarious position next week. They are wrapping up an Eastern Conference road trip this weekend before a key home-and-home against the Nuggets on Monday and Tuesday.
