It’s done, Memphis (46-27) imitated denver (50-24) by validating his ticket for the playoffs. Ja Morant is back from his suspension, and the Grizzlies remain on five straight wins! They regained second place, and are now two games ahead of the Kings (45-29). Domantas Sabonis’ teammates need a small victory to validate their comeback in the playoffs.
Behind this trio, the suspense is total, to such an extent that the Suns (39-35) are not even guaranteed to go to… “play-in”! Monty Williams’ players have just one defeat less than the Clippers (39-36) and the Warriors (39-36). These three will not have to weaken if they wish to qualify directly for the playoffs because it honks loudly behind.
Dallas, big loser of the week
So, Wolves, Lakers and Pelicans are evenly balanced with 37 wins to 37 losses ! Each victory counts double in this period, and we will follow the Lakers – Bulls and Warriors – Wolves meetings very closely tonight. The in-form team is New Orleans with four straight wins.
We thought, however, that the Pelicans, still deprived of Zion Williamson, were going to imitate the Blazers, and let the season slip away, but it was bad to know Brandon Ingram and his teammates. Already last year, they had finished the season with a bang, but they have the most difficult calendar.
The very bad deal of the week is signed Dallas, out of the play-in with 36 wins for 38 losses. There is nothing unacceptable but the dynamic is very bad for the partners of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. As for the Jazz, it can still play spoilsport, but it will be difficult to reverse the curve, and the defeat against Portland can be expensive when doing the accounts.
IMPORTANT MEETINGS OF THE WEEK
Sunday : Lakers–Bulls; Hornets–Mavericks; Blazers—Thunder; Warriors–Wolves.
Monday : Pacers–Mavericks; Kings–Wolves; Blazers – Pelicans; Clippers–Bulls.
Tuesday : Thunder–Hornets; Warriors–Pelicans.
Wednesday : Sixers–Mavericks; Bulls–Lakers; Grizzlies–Clippers; Thunder – Pistons; Suns–Wolves.
THURSDAY : Nuggets–Pelicans.
Friday : Pacers–Thunder; Grizzlies–Clippers; Wolves–Lakers; Warriors–Spurs
SATURDAY : Heat–Mavericks; Pelicans–Clippers
ESTIMATES
| SCREENINGS ESPN (playoff chances) | SCREENINGS BRIEF (playoff chances) |
|---|---|
| 1. Nuggets (100%) | 1. Nuggets (100%) |
| 2. Grizzlies (100%) | 2. Grizzlies (100%) |
| 3.Kings (100%) | 3.Kings (100%) |
| 4. Suns (95.7%) | 4. Suns (91.8%) |
| 5.Warriors (93%) | 5.Warriors (87.6%) |
| 6. Clippers (90.7%) | 6. Clippers (84.6%) |
| 7.Wolves (64.6%) | 7.Wolves (57.8%) |
| 8. Lakers (59.5%) | 8. Lakers (47.6%) |
| 9. Mavs (38.5%) | 9.Thunder (40.3%) |
| 10. Pelicans (33.3%) | 10. Pelicans (39.6%) |
| 11.Thunder (22.4%) | 11. Mavs (34.7%) |
| 12. Jazz (2.3%) | 12. Jazz (15.9%) |
CALENDAR DIFFICULTY (according to Tankathon)
| TEAM / REMAINING MATCHES | TOUGHEST OPPONENTS |
|---|---|
| Pelicans / 8 | Nuggets, Grizzlies, Kings, Knicks, Clippers, Warriors |
| Clippers / 7 | Grizzlies x2, Suns, Thunder, Pelicans |
| Jazz / 8 | Celtics, Nuggets, Nets, Suns, Lakers x 2, Thunder |
| Suns / 8 | Nuggets x2, Kings, Clippers, Wolves, Thunder |
| Warriors / 7 | Nuggets, Kings, Wolves, Thunder |
| Wolves / 8 | Kings, Nets, Suns, Warriors, Lakers, Pelicans |
| Mavericks / 8 | Sixers, Kings, Heat, Hawks |
| Lakers / 8 | Suns, Clippers, Wolves |
| Thunder / 8 | Grizzlies, Suns, Warriors |
