The 2022 NBA regular season is almost in the books. But there is a lot to still decide when it comes to who makes the playoffs. Read on to find out the current state of play.
It is almost crunch time in the NBA. The regular season is drawing to a close and there is still a lot to be decided as far as the playoffs go. Although only Phoenix has actually booked a spot in the postseason, at the time of writing, there are a number of teams we can safely assume will be playing on after the middle of April.
We can also make a pretty good guess that Ja Morant of the Memphis Grizzlies is the frontrunner when it comes to the NBA’s most improved player. But picking out an eventual winner, or even the league’s MVP takes a little more work. Here’s how we think the playoffs will go at the moment.
Eastern Conference Certs
With the play-in tournament on everyone’s minds, there are a few teams that already look as though they will bypass that added problem and start off in the first round of the playoffs. The top of the East is incredibly close but both Miami and Milwaukee look set to make it as top seeds.
There really is a fight going on for the remaining first round playoff spots. The 76ers should be fine to make it that far but Chicago and Boston still have to put it in over the next few weeks to make sure that they don’t have to deal with the play-in tournament.
Battle in the East
If we assume that all the teams already mentioned make it to the first round of the playoffs it is immediately evident that a huge name in the NBA is missing. The Brooklyn Nets were one of the big favorites to go all the way this year but even a 60-point night from Kyrie Irving hasn’t confirmed the Nets won’t have to deal with the play-in tournament.
Although the Nets should be good for the first round, the Cavs, Raptors, Hawks, and Hornets will all be fighting to make it into the top six. One of those teams won’t make it and every game is crucial now. Washington and New York looked like they might make the playoffs earlier in the season but seem out of sorts now.
Western Conference Certs
The Suns should keep their season’s form going in the next few weeks to take the number one spot in the West. An injury to Chris Paul might make that a little more difficult than it would have been. But he should be back for the playoffs. Memphis and Golden State are the other two teams that you can just about guarantee will be in the first round.
The Grizzlies have looked very impressive this season, with the previously mentioned Morant the main catalyst for that. Whereas the Warriors have been able to rely on Curry, Thompson and Green for the first time in a while. Add a few very talented youngsters and the Dubs have to be considered to go deep into the playoffs.
Both the Clippers and the Lakers could miss out on the playoffs this year
Battle in the West
The scramble for the top six in the West looks just as interesting as the story in the East. The big news is that the Lakers could miss out altogether. It will be the play-in tournament at the very best for LeBron and company – and that could be the end of the road for the team.
Utah has the best chance of escaping the play-in tournament, but Dallas, Denver, and Minnesota will fight it out for the last two places before the cut-off. We’re going for the Clippers to join the Lakers in the play-in and for New Orleans to disappoint the likes of Portland and Sacramento.
Who Will be NBA Champs?
Although we have to say that Brooklyn could well be battling it out in the play-in tournament, they can still be considered a favorite for the finals. If Brooklyn does win, it will do it the hard way. But at the current time, we like one of Phoenix and Golden State to lift the trophy in the end – possibly the Suns if Chris Paul can stay injury-free.