2023 NBA Western Conference Potential Betting Playoff Match-Ups

Only three calendar days remain on the 2022-23 NBA regular season docket. Still, plenty of things are yet to be decided, with nearly every team having two games left, particularly in the Western Conference. 

Denver has clinched the top seed in the Western Conference. The Memphis Grizzlies, Sacramento Kings, and Phoenix Suns are the only other teams to secure a playoff berth. 

The Los Angeles Clippers and Golden State sit in the fifth and sixth spots in the conference, respectively, with a 42-38 record. The Los Angeles Lakers and New Orleans Pelicans are in the seventh and eighth spots at 41-39. The Minnesota Timberwolves are one game back in ninth, while Oklahoma City Thunder leads the Dallas Mavericks for the final play-in spot by one-half game.

Check updated NBA Western Conference odds along with analysis and free picks.

2023 NBA Western Conference Potential Betting Playoff Match-Ups

Play-In Tournament: April 11-14, 2023
Playoffs Start: Saturday, April 15, 2023
NBA Finals: June 1 – June 18

Play-In Tourney Contenders

The race for the Western Conference’s play-in spots is the tightest since the league expanded the tourney to four teams three years ago. Looking at the schedule, Dallas is in a better position than Oklahoma City to grab the 10th spot, as the Mavericks have two games left, and Thunder have won. The Mavs close the season with home games against the Chicago Bulls and San Antonio Spurs. 

The eighth spot could come down to the final game of the regular season between the Pelicans and Timberwolves in Minnesota. 

No. 1 Denver Nuggets vs. No. 8 Minnesota Timberwolves

First-Round Projected Matchups
Denver has been the West’s best team all season, earning the conference’s top seed for the first time. By winning their final two games, the Nuggets would match its best record since 2012-13. 

Minnesota has struggled most of the season, but the Timberwolves should get out of the play-in tournament to earn consecutive playoff berths since the early 2000s. 

This series projects to be outstanding. The Nuggets and Wolves split their four-game series, with each team winning both games at home.

No. 2 Memphis Grizzlies vs. No. 7 Golden State Warriors

First-Round Projected Matchups
Memphis holds a two-game lead over Sacramento for the No. 2 seed. The Grizzlies, owners of the NBA’s best home record, close the regular season with road matchups against Milwaukee and Oklahoma City.  

Golden State has been a vastly different team on the road than at home. The Warriors finish the regular season at Sacramento and Portland. If the Warriors have to go the play-in route, they should earn the seventh seed. 

This projected series is a rematch from last year’s conference semifinals, where the Warriors upset the Grizzlies.  

No. 3 Sacramento Kings vs. No. 6 Los Angeles Lakers

First-Round Projected Matchups
Sacramento is enjoying its most successful season in 17 years. The Kings need to win their final two games and have the Grizzlies lose theirs to earn the No. 2 seed. 

Los Angeles doesn’t have the easiest path to the sixth seed. But the Lakers have been playing well down the stretch. Their Friday opponent, the Suns, has nothing to play for. They face the Jazz at home on Sunday.

Expect a fun and close series here.

No. 4 Phoenix Suns vs. No. 5 Los Angeles Clippers

First-Round Projected Matchups
Phoenix clinched the fourth seed with their victory over the Nuggets Thursday night. The Suns are 8-0 with Kevin Durant in the lineup. 

Injuries throughout the season have hampered Los Angeles, although they have the inside track on the fifth seed. 

This projected series could be very entertaining and competitive if Paul George is healthy. 

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