Crazy fight for the playoff in the West
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - APRIL 21: Damian Lillard #0 talks with CJ McCollum #3 of the Portland Trail Blazers during a game against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Round One Game Three of the 2019 NBA Playoffs on April 21, 2019 at Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. The Trail Blazers defeated the Thunder 111-98. (Photo by Wesley Hitt/Getty Images)
Nine days ago, after more than four months without an NBA game, the 2019-2020 season restarted. In the Eastern Conference, the top eight teams can be sure of their presence in the playoff, but in the West, the situation is different. At the moment, Memphis Grizzlies are in eighth place as they won only one of their five games. Meanwhile, Portland Trail Blazers, San Antonio Spurs, New Orleans Pelicans, Phoenix Suns, and Sacramento Kings are all fighting to get into the postseason.
At the moment, Blazers seem to be the favorite team to fight against the Grizzlies for the eighth spot. They won three of their last four games, as they have a solid team with players such as Damian Lillard, CJ McCollum, Carmelo Anthony, or Jusuf Nurkic. In the meantime, Phoenix Suns are the surprise of the restart. Led by Devin Booker and Ricky Rubio, the team from Arizona managed to win four games and is the only undefeated team so far.
The San Antonio Spurs started very well, winning their first two games, but then they lost two matches. Gregg Popovich’s experience will be crucial in the next three games, where Spurs can get their ticket to the playoffs. Finally, the New Orleans Pelicans and the Sacramento Kings have small chances of getting into the playoffs. The Pelicans lost three games since the restart, while the Kings were defeated four times.
There is a lot of uncertainty, but what is sure is that we will have a crazy fight in the next week, and this is only a small preview to the playoffs.
*photo: Wesley Hitt/Getty Images
