NBA Playoffs: Predicting West standings and compelling close races

NBA Playoffs: Predicting the play-in tier of the Western Conference

7. Memphis Grizzlies (31-29)

The Memphis Grizzlies are a team without an ounce of quit in them. After battling their way to a berth in the inaugural play-in last season against the Portland Trail Blazers, they’ve shown a similar amount of fight this season as well. Even though they’ve had injury problems in perpetuity going back to last season, the Grizzlies remain a playoff-level team to be reckoned with.

8. San Antonio Spurs (31-29)

The San Antonio Spurs missed the NBA playoffs for the first time in decades last season, but it looks like this season they’re trying to start a new streak of playoff success. (Does a play-in berth count as making the playoffs? Do you have to actually qualify for a first-round playoff series? Probably.) Add DeMar DeRozan to the list of veteran players quietly having an outstanding year, and we may yet have another playoff season for head coach Gregg Popovich.

9. Golden State Warriors (31-30)

If any player has ever deserved a spot in the NBA playoffs, regardless of his surrounding cast, it’s Steph Curry in 2020-21. He’s put together a top-three season in his career at the age of 33, and for a player like Curry, that’s a feat to be sure. Curry is just a tick behind Bradley Beal for the NBA’s scoring lead at 31.3 points per game, and all of this with the highest usage in his career at 33.8 percent and his third-best true shooting percentage at 66.1 percent.

10. Portland Trail Blazers (33-28)

The Portland Trail Blazers really don’t seem to want to be here anymore. Maybe this condensed season has been too much for them, or maybe Damian Lillard is wearing down from the heavy load that’s been thrust upon him. Regardless, the Blazers were expected to thrive after CJ McCollum and Jusuf Nurkic returned from their respective injuries, but instead, they’ve faltered and lost nine of their last 11 games.