Blazers Among Teams Chasing Grizzlies for No. 8 Seed in West

The Portland Trail Blazers are on the outside looking in at the NBA Playoff picture. Portland currently sits four games behind the Memphis Grizzlies for the eighth and final playoff spot — they aren’t the only team chasing Memphis either, as the Spurs and Pelicans aren’t too far behind. Let’s take a look at the current standings and remaining strength of schedule for the playoff hopefuls as they barrel down the home stretch of the regular season:

No. 8 Seed: Memphis Grizzlies

• Current record: 28-26
• Games left: 28
• Remaining strength of schedule: 1st (as in, they have the hardest remaining schedule in the league; their upcoming opponents have a combined .554 winning percentage)
• Notable upcoming games: Bucks, Lakers (x2), Raptors (x2) / Hawks (x2), Knicks, Kings (x2)

No. 9: Portland Trail Blazers

• Current record: 25-31
• Games back of No. 8 seed: 4
• Games left: 26
• Remaining strength of schedule: 25th (in other words, the sixth-easiest remaining schedule; their upcoming opponents have a combined .467 winning percentage)
• Notable upcoming games: Celtics (x2), Nuggets, Clippers / Warriors, Cavs, Hawks

No. 10: San Antonio Spurs

• Current record: 23-31
• Games back of No. 8 seed: 5
• Games left: 28
• Remaining strength of schedule: 20th (their upcoming opponents have a combined .488 winning percentage)
• Notable upcoming games: Nuggets (x2), Jazz (x3), Rockets / Warriors (x2), Cavs, Wolves (x2)

No. 11: New Orleans Pelicans

• Current record: 23-32
• Games back of No. 8 seed: 5.5
• Games left: 27
• Remaining strength of schedule: 30th (easiest schedule remaining; their upcoming opponents have a combined .449 winning percentage)
• Notable upcoming games: Lakers (x2), Clippers, Jazz / Warriors, Cavs, Hawks (x2)

Nos. 12-15

• 12. Phoenix Suns (6.5 GB of No. 8)
• 13. Sacramento Kings (7 GB of No. 8)
• 14. Minnesota Timberwolves (11.5 GB of No. 8)
• 15. Golden State Warriors (see you next year!)

How do you think the West’s eighth seed will shake out? Let us know in the comments!

*All strength of schedule information courtesy of Tankathon.