Bench the Starters (to rest up for the playoffs)
The top three teams in the Eastern Conference standings have not changed. Miami, Detroit and Boston (surprisingly) have held down the top spot in their divisions.
Boston is the only one of those three teams that has yet to clinch a playoff spot. They need to finish the season strong to hold off Allen Iverson and the pesky 76ers. Miami should be more concerned about getting Shaq healthy for the playoffs. They need a productive Shaq to help open their jump shooters and Dwayne Wade. Detroit has been playing well of late, and is looking like the early favorite to face Miami in the Conference finals.
San Antonio, Phoenix, and Seattle have stayed atop the Western Conference standings, but San Antonio and Phoenix are battling for the best record in the West.
San Antonio has struggled with Tim Dunacan hurt, and will need him healthy to play at their best. The Phoenix Suns are still lighting up the scoreboard with their fast-paced offense. It will be interesting to see anyone can create a scheme to slow them down. Seattle has fallen off with the other two teams. They have been playing poor of late, and they have four tough games to close out the schedule. Key players like Antonio Daniels need some time to heal their injuries if Seattle wants to make it deep in the playoffs. Dallas has been playing well after a poor March record, but whether Dirk Nowitzki can lead Dallas back to the conference finals is questionable.
Playing to the Buzzer
Outside of Miami and Detroit, the Eastern Conference seeds could change dramatically in a few games.
Only 3.5 games separate Boston (third currently) and New Jersey (ninth). Indiana and Washington currently are seeded fourth and fifth, which would be the most desirable positions.
The sixth seed will get to have a favorable match up against Boston or Philadelphia, and the fifth seed will likely face Chicago, the fourth seed, which lacks postseason experience from its young roster.
Cleveland has been sliding lately, and will probably settle for just making the playoffs in Lebron’s second year. Philadelphia’s schedule is easier than New Jersey’s, greeting lottery-destined teams like Milwaukee and Atlanta. Philadelphia still has a chance to get the third seed, and will play hard until the end. The Vince Carter trade was a positive for the team, but it will not be enough to get them into the postseason. Orlando still has an outside shot, but their chances declined when Grant Hill was lost for the season.
Sacramento, Houston, and Denver have all guaranteed themselves a spot. Sacramento has always been a force in the playoffs, but with the trading of Chris Webber, the Kings are very vulnerable this year.
Houston took a blow when they lost Juwan Howard for the rest of the season due to a viral infection. Yao Ming is going to have to step up his game along with Tracy McGrady if Houston plans to beat a top team.
Denver has been on a tear during the past two months, posting a 22-3 record in their last 25 games. George Karl has really got the team playing well, and if they face Seattle team, they could pull the upset.
Memphis is doing just enough to hold down the last spot in the West. The Minnesota Timberwolves would need to pull their own little “miracle on court” to surpass the Grizzlies.
Bench the Starters (and let the backups play)
Toronto never really had a chance after they traded Vince Carter. New York is well, New York. Milwaukee desperately needs to find players to build around Michael Redd. Charlotte did well for an expansion team, and will be happy to pick up hopefully another impact player in the first round of the draft. Atlanta looks to pick up some more talent too in the draft and free agency, as they work with their young players.
No one fell faster and farther than the Los Angeles Lakers. Do you remember the last time that the Clippers actually finished ahead of the Lakers?
Golden State also has some nice younger players that should benefit from developing another season. Portland is a train wreck. Utah started off strong, but finished weak. They’ll be looking to compete next year with a healthy roster. New Orleans, after making the playoffs last year in the Eastern Conference, realized how much they suck in the Western Conference. They get the honor of finishing last in the West, and will ponder what to do with Baron Davis and their future.
