Predicting the Western Conference Playoff Seeds
Teams have roughly 16 games remaining before the 2024 NBA Playoffs. I will be using the team’s remaining strength of schedule from powerrankingsguru.com. Given the strength of the schedule for the remaining teams, here are my predictions on the Western Conference seeding and play-in games:
Image by FOX Sports
#1: Denver Nuggets
With the offensive powerhouse of guard Jamal Murray and potential MVP center Nikola Jokic, it’s a good bet to have the Denver Nuggets winning in almost every game they play. The defending champions have the 25th most difficult remaining strength of schedule, as they play teams such as the young and inexperienced San Antonio Spurs three times and the injured Memphis Grizzlies twice. With the Minnesota Timberwolves missing Karl Anthony-Towns until the playoffs and the Oklahoma City Thunder having a difficult schedule down the stretch, it’s a perfect storm for the Nuggets to capture the 1 seed.
Image by Forbes
#2: Oklahoma City Thunder
Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is undoubtedly having an MVP-caliber season. The young pieces around him including forward Jalen Williams, center Chet Holmgren, and guard Josh Giddey should be great depth for the Thunder down their final stretch of games. The reason I give the Nuggets the nod over them right now is the strength of schedule, as the Thunder have the 10th most difficult remaining schedule.
Image by CBS Sports
#3: Minnesota Timberwolves
Minnesota Timberwolves forward Karl Anthony-Towns suffered a meniscus injury a couple of weeks ago that will sideline him indefinitely. He should be back sometime before or during the playoffs, however, the Timberwolves will be without the sharpshooting big man until the playoffs begin. The Timberwolves will rely heavily on guard Anthony Edwards to provide offense as they have the 18th most difficult remaining schedule. With everything above said, they should find a way to remain at the top of the Western Conference.
#4: Los Angeles Clippers
Superstars Kawhi Leonard, Paul George, and James Harden have provided much of the offense for the Clippers this season. However, the Clippers are also one of the best defensive teams in the NBA, which leads many to think they can be legit title contenders. They have the 10th most difficult schedule remaining but are still three games ahead of the New Orleans Pelicans, who are in fifth at the moment.
#5: Phoenix Suns
Yes, yes, I know. They have one of the most difficult schedules remaining at the 3rd toughest. However, they are a game and a half behind the Pelicans for 5th place currently without guard Devin Booker for the last week. We have seen some of the signs of when guard Bradley Beal, forward Kevin Durant, and Booker all play together. It’s something not many teams would be thrilled to face in the first round.
#6: Sacramento Kings
The 6th and 7th seeds are kind of a coin flip for me. The two teams are opposites in styles of play, as the Kings are much more offensively focused while the Pelicans are much more defensively focused. The reason I give the Kings the edge here is they have a slightly easier remaining schedule, ranking 11th in the NBA.
Pre Play-in teams:
#7: New Orleans Pelicans
#8: Dallas Mavericks
#9: Golden State Warriors
#10: Los Angeles Lakers
Seeding predictions after Play-in games:
#7: Dallas Mavericks
When guard Luka Doncic and guard Kyrie Irving play on the floor at the same time it’s a nightmare for any team defensively. They also had one of the best trade deadlines in the Western Conference, adding much-needed defensive strength with forward PJ Washington and center Daniel Gafford. They also have one of the easiest remaining schedules in the NBA, ranking 26th. This should allow them to play the Pelicans in the first Western Conference Play-in game, in which I will take the talented guard duo of Doncic and Irving.
#8: Los Angeles Lakers
The Los Angeles Lakers will go on to beat the Golden State Warriors at home to move on in the Play-in tournament. This sets the stage for Lakers vs Pelicans for the 8th seed. The trio of forward LeBron James, forward Anthony Davis, and guard D’Angelo Russell gives teams troubles come playoff time. The Pelicans are no exception and will be eliminated from the playoffs due to their lack of stardom.
