New Orleans is also quietly making a move down the standings...we're only 3 games behind them in the loss column. Loss count as of right now:
7NOOK-28
8Lakers-30
9Kings-31
10Utah-31
Houston-33
And Minny's only got 32
If those teams on the outside get it together, there could be 6 or 7 (golden state) teams gunning for those final 2 spots. My money is on LA, then Sac, then Utah, New Orleans on the outside. NO is very young and they're going to have to play very well the rest of the way to hold on, which I don't think a team led by a rookie can do. LA and Kobe I think can overtake them, they're in the poll position right now, have proven they can win the big games, and just need to keep pace with the rest of the pack to get in. Sac should keep improving with Artest, easily grab that 7 or 8 if the other teams falter. Utah is also very dangerous, but they might not have the talent (or the heart, if their owner can believe) to keep up with Sac and LA. Houston is obviously a very good team, but they can't stumble at all if they want to get in- 2 of the 4 teams ahead of them will be out of reach if they do, which means no playoffs. And I just don't think they can do it, and get the help from the teams ahead. Minny and Golden State could put a huge run together, but even then, they need a lot of help- overtaking 3 teams just to get to the outside, 4 if they want to get in. That's a real mountain to climb this late in the season. Memphis might stumble, but I can't imagine them falling out of the playoffs. Too big a collapse at this point. So for the teams on the outside, this is gonna be real rough coming down to the wire. Like last year, a lot of big name players and teams are gonna be left out in the cold (Yao/TMac, KG, Baron/Richardson, AK/Boozer, Artest/Bibby, Kobe- somethings gotta give) At least Lebron's finally gonna get his ticket punched.
