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NBA Stretch Run: This Season Promises More Turmoil Than Most

By Josh Cornelissen

Jan 22, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets 111-108. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 22, 2017; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Denver Nuggets forward Nikola Jokic (15) dribbles in the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves center Karl-Anthony Towns (32) at Target Center. The Minnesota Timberwolves beat the Denver Nuggets 111-108. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) and Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) fight for the loose ball during the overtime period at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Kings 117-116 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 5, 2016; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Mavericks forward Dirk Nowitzki (41) and Sacramento Kings forward DeMarcus Cousins (15) fight for the loose ball during the overtime period at the American Airlines Center. The Mavericks defeat the Kings 117-116 in double overtime. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /

The Western Conference Playoff Race

The Western Conference may have seven teams all but locks for the postseason, but the inability of an eighth team to seize control leaves nearly the entire conference alive.

While the team that eventually makes it will be served up on a platter for the Golden State Warriors, making the postseason gives teams playoff experience and increased revenue. It’s a goal these teams will be striving for, making the final months an exciting time.

The Portland Trail Blazers, Sacramento Kings, and New Orleans Pelicans are each within two wins of the eighth-place Denver Nuggets, while the Dallas Mavericks are only four wins back and are 6-3 over their last nine games after defeating the San Antonio Spurs Sunday night.

The Minnesota Timberwolves are just 3.5 games back and boast the best point differential of the group at minus-0.7. They are on a hot streak of their own, 7-3 over their last 10 games. This includes victories over the Houston Rockets, Los Angeles Clippers and Oklahoma City Thunder.

The best part of the jockeying in the West is how many star players are involved. Anthony Davis and DeMarcus Cousins are both All-Stars, while Nikola Jokic and Karl-Anthony Towns are playing at that level and should join that group officially before too long.

Dallas has Dirk Nowitzki, a 13-time NBA All-Star and former MVP.