NBA.com playoff picture

Eastern Conference

(1)ATLANTA vs (8)Boston
(Atlanta leads 2-1)

(2)CLEVELAND(1H) vs (7)MIAMI
(Miami leads 1-2)

(3)CHICAGO(1A) vs (6)MILWAUKEE
(Chicago leads 3-1)

(4)TORONTO vs (5)WASHINGTON
(Toronto leads 3-0)

Western Conference

(1)GOLDEN STATE vs (8)OKLAHOMA CITY
(Golden State 3-1)

(2)MEMPHIS vs (7)DALLAS
(Memphis 3-1)

(3)HOUSTON (1H/1A)(6)SAN ANTONIO
(Series tied 1-1)

(4)PORTLAND(1H) vs (5)LA CLIPPERS
(L.A. Clippers lead 1-2)

There are around 7 games left for teams and some seeds hang in the balance

Eastern Conference

6 Milwaukee 36 - 38 0.486 6-8 25-19 21-15 15-23 20 2 (2 - 0) 6 (3 - 3) 0 0.464
7 Miami 34 - 39 0.466 4-10 22-22 18-18 16-21 21.5 4 (3 - 1) 5 (2 - 3) 0 0.464
8 Boston 33 - 41 0.446 10-4 21-23 18-19 15-22 23 4 (2 - 2) 4 (2 - 2) 0 0.527
9 Brooklyn 32 - 40 0.444 8-6 19-24 14-20 18-20 23 6 (5 - 1) 4 (2 - 2) 0 0.508

Western Conference

In the West, Memphis, Houston, Portland, & LAC are all within 1.5 GB of each other.

As a Suns fan, even though they aren't officially eliminated but they're aren't going to make it. They have a very good guard but so much inexperience & most players on the team are new to the NBA so the battle for the last spot appears to be between Oklahoma City & New Orleans

8 Oklahoma City 42 - 32 0.568 8-6 22-23 27-9 15-23 18.5 5 (4 - 1) 3 (1 - 2) 0 0.503
9 New Orleans 39 - 34 0.534 7-6 23-20 25-13 14-21 21 6 (3 - 3) 3 (0 - 3) 0 0.562
http://stats.nba.com/playoffpicture/

That said, these look like some terrific match-ups. Of the current seeds, I think Atlanta & Chicago will advance easily. Its a shame Toronto & Washington will have to eliminate someone, I really like that Washington has a really good basketball team but so does Toronto, they're very good. They defeated Houston tonight in a close game but Houston was on a back-to-back, in Washington yesterday winning.

The West. Golden State has been nothing short of outstanding but to draw OKC, and this appears to be the most likely match-up, great team with scoring leader Westbrook & healthy Durant, home games will be very important in this one--OKC has a great home court advantage as well as Golden State. Road wins will decide this series.

Right now, my personal grades Golden State is the best team in the NBA right now. #1 in Assists (Atlanta #2). Leader leader in blocks (tied with New Orleans) & steals. They lead the league in adjusted field goal percentage. Klay Thompson is in the top 5 in 3pt % while Curry is #2 with 3PM -- behind Kyle Korver who basically leads in everything FT%, (w/ Curry right behind him).

They are also #1 in point differential its not even close, they average +11 PPG. Oklahoma City is #1 in the league in rebound so we'll see how that plays but this team is solid. If Atlanta wasn't similarly impressive I'd say they are the clear favorite, however, they recently destroyed Milwaukee, Memphis, Portland, Washington in the third quarter in the last 4 games. Plus, they are loaded with players. Their bench is a big part of their success.

I'd say they'd be a clear favorite if Atlanta wasn't similarly impressive, also Cleveland appears to have solved their early problems. As far as the West, with Oklahoma City as a #8 seed every match-up will be tough but I'm really hoping for Golden State vs Portland WCF -- Damian Lillard -- Aldridge vs Golden State.

Finals Prediction

Golden State vs Atlanta/Cleveland