Down to the Wire

While only a few games remaining in this year, we are being treated to some of the most competitive basketball I have ever seen. While the Leastern conference rankings have been mostly solidified, the Bestern conference is still anyone's game. New Orleans is currently in the driver's seat with (my pick for) MVP CP3 playing absolutley unconscious, while only 3.5 games seperate first and sixth place. While any of these teams has a realistic shot of grabbing the first seed, it is difficult to tell who will well end up where.

The current standings are as follows:

Western	W	L	PCT	GB	CONF	DIV	HOME	ROAD	L 10	STREAK
New Orleans1x	54	22	0.711	0.0	32-14	10-5	29-10	25-12	9-1	W 5
San Antonio2x	53	24	0.688	1.5	30-17	10-6	32-6	21-18	9-1	W 1
L.A. Lakers3x	53	24	0.688	1.5	33-14	10-4	27-11	26-13	7-3	W 4
Utah4x	51	26	0.662	3.5	30-17	9-6	35-4	16-22	7-3	W 3
Houston5x	52	25	0.675	2.5	30-17	8-8	28-10	24-15	6-4	W 3
Phoenix6x	51	26	0.662	3.5	27-20	9-6	28-11	23-15	6-4	L 1
Dallas7	48	29	0.623	6.5	30-17	9-6	31-7	17-22	4-6	W 1
Denver8	46	31	0.597	8.5	27-20	10-5	31-8	15-23	6-4	L 2
Golden State	46	31	0.597	8.5	26-21	8-5	25-12	21-19	4-6	L 1

Equally as interesting, has been the "Race for 8th place". With three teams vying for two positions, one of the Mavericks, Nuggets and Warriors will have to settle for any early summer.
I think the Hornets will hold on to the top spot and after taking the L to Seattle last night, I have to say I think the Nuggs may be outtie. That said, I don't think the following games this week should be missed!!!


Tuesday, April 8
Utah @ New Orleans

Wednesday, April 9
Boston @ Washington (w/ Gilbert)
Phoenix @ San Antonio

Thursday, April 10
Denver @ Golden State (8th place implications!!!!)
Utah @ Dallas

Friday, April 11
Phoenix @ Houston
New Orleans @ LA Lakers (Game of the Week)

Saturday, April 12
Boston @ Atlanta (likely first round matchup)
Denver @ Utah

Sunday, April 13
San Antonio @ LA Lakers
Houston @ Denver
Toronto @ Detroit
Miami @ Cleveland


Just kidding about the last one, but it's funny how when that game was originally scheduled for primetime on one of the final Sundays of the year, the league thought it would be competitive and a "playoff atmosphere". This week will showcase the East trying to settle the 5-7 seeds between Phili, Washington and T.O., while the West is anyone's game.