NBA Western Conference Playoff Seeding Predictions

In 2008 the West is indeed wild. With only 8 ½ games separating the 1^st place team and the 9^th place team, things could turn really ugly for some unlucky team.

1. New Orleans Hornets (54-22) - It seems strange to see New Orleans at #1. Yet here they are with only 6 to play. The big games they have left are April 8^th at home vs. the Utah Jazz and on the road April 11^th vs. the L.A. Lakers. Currently the Hornets have won 5 straight and 9 out of their last 10. With a two game lead on San Antonio in the loss column they should out last the surging Spurs.

2. Los Angeles Lakers (52-24) - The Lakers are only one game back of the Spurs and have an easier road to the number 2 spot. They play Sacramento twice, Portland, and the Clippers, along with games at home versus New Orleans and San Antonio. They should be able to win at least four of those games. Which should be enough to hold off the defending champion Spurs.

3. San Antonio Spurs (53-24) - The Spurs have been doing what they always do. They lay in waiting till the end of March and then turn it on. Sure enough here come the Spurs. Also winners of 9 of their last 10. The Spurs do have 3 tough games in their final six. They play Phoenix and Utah at home and the Lakers on the road. The Spurs will have to win at least four of their final six games to secure the number two spot.

4. Utah Jazz (51-26) - The Jazz are in a great position and probably the only unmovable team in the west. They have a 4 ½ game lead in their division over the Denver Nuggets and are virtually guaranteed at worst the 4 slot out west.

5. Houston Rockets (51-25) - The Southwest division is really though this year. The Rockets are only 3 games back of the conference leader and they are still only third in their division. The Rockets seeding will come down to if they can beat the Suns, April 11^th, at home. If so, they should be able to lock up the 5^th seed.

6. Phoenix Suns (51-26) - The suns could be the biggest upward movers in the west. If the Lakers falter the Suns could leap frog the rest of the competition into the number two slot or they could flounder and still finish 6^th.

7. Dallas Mavericks (48-29) - The Mavs have probably done enough to ensure they end up with the 7^th seed. A few games ago they were in a dead heat with the Nuggets and Warriors for the 7-8-9 spots. A few good wins and 2 games left against a hapless Seattle team, the Mavericks should be in. They also play the Hornets and the Jazz. That should stop them from making a serious run at the 5 or 6 spot.

8. Golden State Warriors (46-31) - Currently Denver has a ½ game lead over the Warriors. The challenge for Denver is there next four games come on the road where they are 15-22. The matchup should come down to an April 10^th game between the two teams at Golden State. What a comeback for a team that was left for dead earlier in the year after losing their first 6 games and looking lost as a franchise.