NBA Playoff Picture: Thunder, Spurs, and Pelicans Can Clinch Playoff Spot With Win on Monday
On Monday night, a lot will be decided in terms of the NBA’s Western Conference Playoff picture. In fact, three different teams — Oklahoma City, San Antonio, and New Orleans — can clinch spots in the postseason which will leave the Nuggets and Timberwolves fighting for the last spot.
If the Nuggets win against Portland on Monday night, they can clinch a spot with a win against Minnesota on Wednesday. If they (Denver) lose and the Spurs win, then the Timberwolves can clinch the final spot on Monday.
Denver is the most likely team to be left out.
Per ESPN’s BPI, these are the odds for the No. 9 seed in the West and the most likely matchups for the NBA Playoffs:
Most likely No. 9 seed:
- Nuggets (57 percent)
- Pelicans (18 percent)
- Timberwolves (18 percent)
- Thunder (5 percent)
- Spurs (2 percent)
Most likely playoff matchups:
Western Conference
- #1 Rockets vs. #8 Pelicans
- #2 Warriors vs. #7 Wolves
- #3 Blazers vs. #6 Spurs
- #4 Thunder vs. #5 Jazz
Eastern Conference
- #1 Raptors vs. #8 Wizards
- #2 Celtics vs. #7 Bucks
- #3 76ers vs. #6 Heat
- #4 Cavaliers vs. #5 Pacers
Games to watch on Monday night:
- OKC @ MIA – 7:30 ET
- MEM @ MIN – 8:00 ET
- SAC @ SAS – 8:30 ET
- POR @ DEN – 9:00 ET
- NO @ LAC – 10:30 ET