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Predicting Final Seedings For 2015 NBA Western Conference Playoffs

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By @Greg_Sacidor

Predicting Final Seedings For 2015 NBA Western Conference Playoffs

Golden State Warriors v Portland Trail Blazers
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As the 2015 All-Star break winds down, it is now time for teams in the West to begin focusing on the playoffs. Nothing is for certain in the Western Conference, and here is how the standings will look going into the postseason.

8. Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder
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8. Oklahoma City Thunder

Oklahoma City Thunder
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The Suns, Thunder and Pelicans all currently find themselves battling for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. With just a game and a half separating these three teams, the race for the eighth seed will likely not be determined until the final week of the season. Having three of their last four opponents currently possessing sub .500 records, the Thunder will likely be able to sneak their way into the playoffs.

7. Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Clippers
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7. Los Angeles Clippers

Los Angeles Clippers
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In one of the most competitive fields in years, the Los Angeles Clippers currently find themselves in sixth place in the Western Conference. The timetable for All-Star forward Blake Griffin’s return from an elbow injury remains unclear, and him missing any extended period of time will hurt the Clippers’ chances of moving up in the Western Conference standings.

6. Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets
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6. Houston Rockets

Houston Rockets
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Houston Rockets guard James Harden may be having an MVP-type season, but he will not be able to carry the Rockets through the rest of the regular season by himself. With center Dwight Howard out six to eight weeks due to a knee injury, the Rockets will fall a few spots from where they currently sit in the Western Conference.

5. San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs
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5. San Antonio Spurs

San Antonio Spurs
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If the San Antonio Spurs hope to drastically move up in the Western Conference standings, then they will have to string together a series of wins early coming out of the All-Star break. In the last month of season, the Spurs possess a tough schedule as they have eight games against potential Western Conference playoff teams such as the Warriors, Thunder, Suns, Pelicans and Rockets – twice.

4. Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks
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4. Dallas Mavericks

Dallas Mavericks
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The veteran-laden Dallas Mavericks will benefit from having only 12 road games left this season. With a favorable schedule ahead of them, the Mavericks will certainly be able to take advantage of both the Rockets and Clippers' injury woes as they move up into the fourth spot in the Western Conference playoffs.

3. Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers
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3. Portland Trail Blazers

Portland Trail Blazers
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Like most teams in the Western Conference, the Portland Trail Blazers end the regular season with a tough schedule. They face the Warriors, Thunder and Mavericks in three of their last four games. However, with half of their remaining road games against teams under .500, the Trail Blazers should manage to remain the third seed in the Western Conference.

2. Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies
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2. Memphis Grizzlies

Memphis Grizzlies
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So far this season, the Memphis Grizzlies have been one of the best teams in the entire NBA. Standing at 39-14 coming out of the All-Star break, the Grizzlies find themselves only behind the Golden State Warriors in the Western Conference. Facing the Thunder, Wizards, Pelicans, Clippers and Warriors all in the last month of the season, it will be hard for the Grizzlies to make up the four-game deficit they currently face.

1. Golden State Warriors

Golden State Warriors
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1. Golden State Warriors

Golden State Warriors
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The most impressive team in the NBA thus far this season has clearly been the Golden State Warriors. As the only team left with a single-digit loss total, the Warriors currently find themselves atop the Western Conference. With arguably the best backcourt duo in the entire league, the Warriors are in good position to have home-court advantage throughout the entire Western Conference playoffs.

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