Western Conference Playoffs Race: Blazers Gain A Spot After Spurs Slip

The Grizzlies’ losing streak extended to three games following Monday’s 109-99 loss to the Pelicans. Outside of that matchup between Western Conference postseason hopefuls, the Spurs proved mortal in a last-minute loss to the Sixers. Here is a look at how the Trail Blazers sit in the current NBA Playoffs picture following Monday’s results.

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 | 32-36 | Win %: .471
• Blazers | 30-38 | Win %: .441
• Spurs | 29-37 | Win %: .439
• Pelicans | 29-38 | Win%: .433
• Kings | 28-38 | Win%: .424
• Suns | 28-39 | Win%: .418

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

Yesterday’s Results

• Pelicans (W) defeat Grizzlies (L) 109-99
• Sixers (W) defeat Spurs (L) 132-130

Today’s Matchups

• Mavericks face the Kings | 11:30 am PT | League Pass
• Suns face the Clippers | 1:00 pm PT | NBATV
• Rockets face the Blazers | 6:00 pm PT | TNT