Western Conference Playoffs Race: Sunday’s Loaded Schedule

The Trail Blazers continue their eight-game restart schedule with a matchup against the Celtics on Sunday. Due to Portland’s win over Memphis on Friday, the Blazers are within striking distance of the Grizzlies. In regards to the other teams pushing for the final postseason spot in the Western Conference, only the Pelicans played on Saturday.

Here is an updated look at the race for the final spot in the Western Conference.

First, these are the basics for this year’s playoffs race in regards to the teams poised to finish at No. 8 and No. 9 in the standings (via NBA dot com).

If the team with the eighth-best record in its conference is more than four games ahead of the team with the ninth-best record in the same conference, no play-in tournament will be necessary. The final playoff berth will simply go to the team with the eighth best record (regular-season games + seeding games).

But if the team with the eighth-best record in its conference is four games or fewer ahead of the team with the ninth-best record in the same conference, then we’ll have a battle for the final spot between those two teams.

The tournament will basically be a best-of-two series — where the No. 9 seed will have to win two head-to-head matchups to take over the No. 8 spot.

It is also worth noting that the tie breaker for teams on the fringe with identical records is win percentage.

Current Standings

• Grizzlies | 32-34 | Win %: .485
• Trail Blazers | 30-37 | Win %: .448
• Spurs | 28-36 | Win %: .438
• Kings | 28-37 | Win %: .431
• Pelicans | 28-38 | Win %: .424
• Suns | 27-39 | Win %: .409

Scenario if Playoffs Started Today: Grizzles (No. 8) face Blazers (No. 9) in play-in series.

Yesterday’s Results

• Clippers (W) defeat Pelicans (L) 126-103

Today’s Matchup

• Blazers face the Celtics | 12:30 pm PT | ABC
• Spurs face the Grizzlies | 1:00 pm PT | League Pass
• Kings face the Magic | 3:00 pm PT | NBATV
• Mavericks face the Suns | 6:00 pm PT | League Pass