Because the NBA season reaches its last stretch, each staff within the league is making an attempt to solidify their playoff spot, however there are matchups they’d want to keep away from. For at the least one staff within the playoffs, there’s all the time a squad that may strike concern into even essentially the most proficient franchises.
Basketball-Reference’s playoff chance report determines the 16 groups which have a superb probability to make the playoffs. Primarily based on the report, listed below are some nightmare matchups that groups would favor to keep away from.
Japanese Convention
Within the Japanese Convention of the NBA, there are a number of groups that stand out as sturdy contenders, however there are some nightmare matchups that they hope to keep away from. On the prime of the convention, the Milwaukee Bucks sit in first place, however they are going to be cautious of enjoying the Philadelphia 76ers, who’ve triggered them hassle this season.
Within the 4 video games the groups have performed, Philly has come away with two victories. The Boston Celtics are one other staff to be careful for as they’ve defeated Milwaukee 3 times this season. The Cleveland Cavaliers may even pose a problem for the Bucks as they’ve break up the season sequence with them, profitable two video games and dropping two video games.
The fourth staff within the East, the Philadelphia 76ers, have struggled in opposition to the Celtics this season, dropping all three video games they’ve performed in opposition to them.
Regardless of Joel Embiid’s dominant performances, the Celtics’ sturdy protection has managed to maintain the 76ers at bay. General, these groups might want to deliver their A-game in the event that they wish to come out on prime within the Japanese Convention playoffs.
Western Convention
The Denver Nuggets are starting to distance themselves from the remainder of the pack within the Western Convention, with a seven-and-a-half-game lead over the No. 2-seeded Memphis Grizzlies. Nonetheless, ought to the Nuggets face the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns within the playoffs, they are going to face some severe challenges.
Even with the Nuggets’ 30-4 house document, they aren’t protected from the Mavericks, who’ve taken two of the 4 video games between the groups this season. Luka Dončić’s 37-point effort was sufficient to defeat the Nuggets at house, and there’s no obvious reply to Dončić’s offense within the Nuggets’ roster.
As for the Suns, they’ve a wholesome Kevin Durant on their staff now, and their 0-2 document in opposition to the Nuggets, with a internet ranking of minus-15.2, exhibits that the Nuggets are a formidable opponent.
The Memphis Grizzlies and Sacramento Kings are struggling to maintain up with the Nuggets, with their poor season document and internet ranking in opposition to the Golden State Warriors and the Phoenix Suns, respectively.
The Grizzlies have solely received one in all their final six conferences in opposition to the Warriors and have misplaced each video games in opposition to the Suns this season, whereas the Kings have a shaky protection that ranks twenty eighth general because the starting of February, and it might not be capable of match up in opposition to the Suns’ offense.
Because the playoffs strategy, the Denver Nuggets will undoubtedly be the staff to look at as they dominate the Western Convention because the No. 1 seed.