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NBA: 5 Teams That Look To Make Playoff Push

By Colby Giacubeno

Dec 21, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo (9) dribbles as Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) defends during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 21, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Sacramento Kings guard Rajon Rondo (9) dribbles as Washington Wizards guard John Wall (2) defends during the first half at Verizon Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /
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As we enter the last quarter of the NBA regular season, who are the teams that will make to look a final playoff push?

Feb 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) watches on during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 4, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Houston Rockets guard James Harden (13) watches on during the game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Resort Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /

People often make the mistake of assuming the NBA season is at the halfway point when the All-Star break hits when in actuality, the majority of teams have just 30 games or less left to play.

That being said, there is still time for teams who have struggled to make a final push for a playoff seed, but time isn’t on their side. This season, there are clear-cut title contenders. First and foremost the Golden State Warriors, who are on pace to break the all-time record of 72-10 in the regular season. They are the hands down favorite to walk into the Finals and raise the championship trophy without much adversity along the way if they can keep up their level of play. The Warriors headed into the all-star break with an astounding 48-4 record.

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The next group of teams that are expected to give the Warriors the biggest challenge include the San Antonio Spurs, the Oklahoma City Thunder, and the Cleveland Cavaliers. As crazy as it sounds, the Spurs have a chance to capture 70 wins–currently 45-8– along with Golden State. The Thunder will always be in the conversation for a championship as long as they have their two juggernauts in Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook healthy. As for the Cavaliers, they have this guy named LeBron James who happens to get to the championship regularly in the East, and this season will be no different.

As for the rest of the league, the teams outside the ones named above, are in two different situations — to make the playoffs and see how far they can go before meeting one of the top teams or putting themselves in the best possible position for a high draft pick.

There were a handful of teams that were projected to have much better years than they are having so far, but on the other hand, there are a few that have played better than expected and put themselves in a position to make a playoff appearance.

Let’s take a look at five teams that will look to make a playoff push as we approach the last quarter of the regular season.

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