The end of the NBA regular season is just a few days away, but the playoff race in the Western Conference remains extremely tight. Just a half game separates the No 5 seed and the No 8 seed with only a handful of games left to play.
The LA Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans are vying for those valuable seedings, and the latter three will all be in action as they resume their race to avoid the play-in tournament.
Read on below as SBOTOP previews the six most meaningful games in the NBA’s jam-packed upcoming schedule.
Minnesota Timberwolves @ Brooklyn Nets
The Timberwolves have picked the wrong time to go on a three-game losing skid. They suffered a historic defeat to the short-handed Blazers, which saw them fall 1.5 games back of the Lakers and Pelicans in the standings.
The Wolves will likely be in the 9-10 game in the play-in tournament, but they need to get back to winning ways quickly to stand any chance of reaching the playoffs.
They will have their work cut out for them in Brooklyn as they take on the streaking Nets, who have won three games in a row and are on the cusp of clinching the No 6 seed in the East. Mikal Bridges has been in magnificent form of late, averaging nearly 36 points in his last six games.
Boston Celtics @ Philadelphia 76ers
The Celtics and Sixers appear to be safely locked into the No 2 and No 3 seeds in the East, but they will nevertheless be eager to get one over their fierce rivals.
The Sixers will especially be keen to gain some positive momentum after losing four of their last six games, including a 117-104 loss to the Milwaukee Bucks last time out. MVP favourite Joel Embiid was outdueled by Giannis Antetokounmpo, while James Harden had a quiet game with just 11 points, 6 assists and 5 turnovers.
But the Sixers’ NBA 2023 betting odds of beating Boston – and avoiding a humiliating season sweep – will be boosted by the absence of Robert Williams III. Jaylen Brown is also questionable with a back injury.
With Brown potentially out, Jayson Tatum will have to take on a much bigger role in the offence. The reigning All-Star MVP is averaging 35 points on 60 per cent shooting over his last five games to lead Boston to a 4-1 record during that time.
Atlanta Hawks @ Chicago Bulls
The Hawks are close to locking in a play-in spot in the East. They are coming off a dramatic 132-130 overtime win over the struggling Dallas Mavericks, pushing their record to 5-5 in their last 10 games.
De’Andre Hunter, who has missed the last two games with a knee injury, is set to sit out once again. Meanwhile, star point guard Trae Young is questionable due to a non-Covid illness.
Young’s absence will be a huge blow as they take on the charging Chicago Bulls, who have picked up back-to-back blowout wins over the Hornets and Grizzlies.
The due of DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine combined for 67 points against the Grizz as they continued their late-season surge.
Oklahoma City Thunder @ Golden State Warriors
Despite losing three of their last four games, the Thunder are still in the final West play-in spot, one game ahead of the struggling Mavs.
OKC suffered a 128-118 home defeat to the Phoenix Suns despite 39 points from Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who continues to put up incredible scoring numbers. SGA is averaging over 33 points per game over the last month and is up to fourth in the league at 31.5 points per game.
Gilgeous-Alexander will be looking to produce more NBA 2023 highlights when the Thunder travel to Golden State to face the Warriors. The defending champions lost 112-110 last time out to the Nuggets, who were missing superstar Nikola Jokic.
Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson both had off-nights shooting as they combined to go just 17-of-56 from the field and 7-of-30 on 3-pointers.
Sacramento Kings @ New Orleans Pelicans
After back-to-back blowout wins over the Blazers, the Kings suffered a shock 142-134 defeat in overtime to the lowly Spurs. De’Aaron Fox had 28 points in a losing effort, while Domantas Sabonis added 26 points, 8 rebounds, and 6 assists.
That defeat has significantly hurt the Kings’ chances of overtaking the Grizzlies for the No 2 seed in the West. They remain two games back with just four games left.
And the Kings will be in for another tough battle as they take on the New Orleans Pelicans, who have gone on a late-season surge.
New Orleans have gone 7-1 in their last eight games, with two big wins over the Clippers, as they’ve gone from play-in hopeful to potential top-six seed.
Brandon Ingram has powered the Pelicans’ impressive run. The 25-year-old forward is averaging 29.5 points, 6 rebounds, and 8 assists over his last 10 games.
Los Angeles Lakers @ Utah Jazz
The Lakers are suddenly looking quite dangerous. They have gone 6-1 in their last seven games and have risen to seventh in the West standings.
The return of LeBron James has been a huge boost, but it’s been Anthony Davis’ inspired play that’s lifted the Lakers. Davis dropped 40 points in the Lakers’ win over the Rockets and is averaging 30 points and 12 rebounds over his last nine games.
The Lakers now have their sights set on a potential top-five seed in the West when they take on the Jazz. Although, they could be without LeBron James, who is questionable with a foot injury. But even without James, the Lakers might still be able to handle the Jazz, who have lost six of their last seven games.
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