Yesterday, HOOPSWORLD took a look at the Eastern Conference to determine which teams should make a strong playoff push and which will be in the upcoming draft lottery. Today, we do the same for the Western Conference.

THE LOCKS

Oklahoma City Thunder
Record: 34-12 (19-4 at home – 15-8 away)
Games Remaining: 20
Games versus +.500 opposition remaining: 12
Current position: 1st place, Western Conference

Breakdown: The Oklahoma City Thunder are on a quest to take the final step in their development as the best of the West this season by playing well from the beginning of the season. They are that perfect blend of young talent and playoff experience, so they have big plans for the postseason of 2012. They dominate at home and are well above .500 on the road, so now their main goal is to lock up home court advantage throughout the Western Conference playoffs.

Late Season Schedule Watch: From April 14-22, the Thunder will go on a five-game road trip which will take them to Minnesota, LA against the Clippers, Phoenix, Sacramento and back to LA to face the Lakers. This stretch of games could go a long way in determining whether or not they land home court advantage throughout the West.

If Playoffs Started Today: The Thunder would face the Houston Rockets in the first round. Oklahoma City and Houston split their season series 2-2.

San Antonio Spurs
Record: 29-14 (17-4 at home – 12-10 away)
Games Remaining: 23 (12 home, 9 away)
Games versus +.500 opposition remaining: 10
Current position: 2nd place, Western Conference

Breakdown: The San Antonio Spurs just keep doing what they do each and every season and this year is no different. While most focused on other teams heading into the season, the Spurs quiet confidence allowed them to fight through injuries to most of their team throughout the season. If it is possible to “quietly” be second place in the Western Conference, the Spurs have done just that.

Late Season Schedule Watch: Only trailing the Thunder by two games in the loss column, the Spurs have a real opportunity to grab the number one spot in the West if they want it. With thirteen of their final 23 games against teams currently outside of the playoff picture, they can pile up wins at a high clip to stay in San Antonio as much as possible during postseason play.

If Playoffs Started Today: The Spurs would face the Denver Nuggets in the first round. San Antonio won the season series 2-1.
Los Angeles Lakers
Record: 28-18 (19-3 at home – 9-15 away)
Games Remaining: 20 (11 home, 9 away)
Games versus +.500 opposition remaining: 11
Current position: 3rd place, Western Conference

Breakdown: The Los Angeles Lakers have been a frustrating team throughout the season. As they attempt to figure out how to play with their new mix of players and coaches, they haven’t won at the clip they expect of themselves. Yet, even with all that, the Lakers still find themselves as one of the best teams in the Western Conference.

Late Season Schedule Watch: Six of the Lakers final eight games are against teams currently in the playoffs, playing San Antonio three times during that stretch, as well as Oklahoma City, Denver and Dallas. It is during this stretch where the Lakers will stake their claim to the playoff spot they deserve.

If Playoffs Started Today: The Lakers would face the Memphis Grizzlies in the first round. Los Angeles leads the regular season series 2-0.
Los Angeles Clippers
Record: 26-19 (15-8 at home – 11-11 away)
Games Remaining: 21 (10 home, 11 away)
Games versus +.500 opposition remaining: 10
Current position: 4th place, Western Conference

Breakdown: The Los Angeles Clippers were the talk of the NBA heading into the 2011-12 season and have remained that way most of the year. For a team in their first season together, the Clippers have been pretty much as advertised to this point: highlights and entertaining play, but still learning how to win on the road. A 0.500 mark on the road when you’re still learning? The Clippers are doing just fine.

Late Season Schedule Watch: As the Clippers try to catch their co-tenants at the Staples Center, the Los Angeles Lakers, and pass them in both the standings and for bragging rights, Blake Griffin and Company play the New Orleans Hornets three times. Why is this good? It should be three guaranteed wins and those are nice as you’re trying to rack up wins for playoff seeding.

If Playoffs Started Today: The Clippers would face the reigning champion Dallas Mavericks in the first round. The regular season series is tied 1-1.
Dallas Mavericks
Record: 27-20 (18-7 at home – 9-13 away)
Games Remaining: 19 (8 home, 11 away)
Games versus +.500 opposition remaining: 14
Current position: 5th place, Western Conference

Breakdown: The reigning champion Dallas Mavericks have dealt all season with trying to re-define themselves after losing a few of the key contributors to last year’s title squad. To do this while still remaining among the top teams in the conference says a lot, but the schedule is rough the rest of the way. Will they limp into the playoffs or can they re-claim their championship form from last year?

Late Season Schedule Watch: Starting today, the Mavericks have an eight-game stretch of games against teams currently in the playoffs. This difficult portion of their schedule should be telling.

If Playoffs Started Today: The Mavericks would face the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round. The season series is currently tied at 1-1 with one more game between the two teams on April 2.
Memphis Grizzlies
Record: 25-19 (16-7 at home – 9-12 away)
Games Remaining: 22 (10 home, 12 away)
Games versus +.500 opposition remaining: 11
Current position: 6th place, Western Conference

Breakdown: After a great postseason run last year, the Memphis Grizzlies took the next step in their own development like the Oklahoma City Thunder. With Zach Randolph missing a great chunk of games, the Grizzlies didn’t miss a beat and improved themselves. Now adding him back into the mix, they are readying themselves for another deep playoff run.

Late Season Schedule Watch: From April 2-14, the Grizzlies play seven games out of nine against teams currently in the playoffs, including Dallas twice. This stretch will go a long way towards where Memphis lands in the playoff seeding.

If Playoffs Started Today: The Grizzlies would face the Los Angeles Lakers in the first round. The Lakers lead the season series 2-0 with one more matchup between the teams March 25 in Los Angeles.

MOST LIKELY IN

Denver Nuggets
Record: 25-21 (14-12 at home – 11-9 away)
Games Remaining: 20 (7 home, 13 away)
Games versus +.500 opposition remaining: 9
Current position: 7th place, Western Conference

Breakdown: The Denver Nuggets are positioning themselves well for future success and have officially moved past the Carmelo Anthony era. As the team continues to find it’s true identity for the future, they continue to show fans there is plenty of reason for hope, including this year. They’ll address any holes in their attack during the off-season, but for right now, it’s all about the playoff push.

Late Season Schedule Watch: Starting Friday, the Nuggets begin their seven-game road trip with stops in Utah, Minnesota, Chicago, Toronto, Charlotte, Orlando and New Orleans. For a team slightly above 0.500 on the road and a good amount of potentially winnable games on this trip, the Nuggets need to take advantage.

If Playoffs Started Today: The Nuggets would face the San Antonio Spurs in the first round. San Antonio won the regular season series 2-1.

Down To the Wire

There are four teams in the West fighting for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. It should be interesting to see which team can play well enough to stake their claim to a postseason berth.

Houston Rockets
Record: 25-22 (17-6 at home – 8-16 away)
Games Remaining: 19 (10 home, 9 away)
Games versus +.500 opposition remaining: 11
Current position: 8th place, Western Conference
Note: The Rockets still have a four-game road trip before the regular season ends.

Utah Jazz
Record: 24-22 (18-6 at home – 6-16 away)
Games Remaining: 20 (9 home, 11 away)
Games versus +.500 opposition remaining: 11
Current position: 9th place, Western Conference
Note: The Jazz still have two three-game road trips before the regular season ends.

Phoenix Suns
Record: 23-23 (15-10 at home – 8-13 away)
Games Remaining: 20 (8 home, 12 away)
Games versus +.500 opposition remaining: 15
Current position: 10th place, Western Conference
Note: Phoenix has the most difficult remaining record of the teams fighting down to the wire.

Minnesota Timberwolves
Record: 23-24 (12-12 at home – 11-12 away)
Games Remaining: 19 (10 home, 10 away)
Games versus +.500 opposition remaining: 11
Current position: 11th place, Western Conference
Note: The Timberwolves have a five-game stretch against teams currently out of the playoffs from April 1-April 9.

PLAYING THE LOTTERY

Portland Trailblazers (21-25) – The Blazers somewhat blew it up at the trade deadline and are already looking ahead to the off-season to upgrade their team.

Golden State Warriors (18-25) – Golden State continues to play entertaining ball, but they have many holes to fill. Their intelligent fanbase is growing inpatient.

Sacramento Kings (17-29) – There is a good young core of talent in Sacramento, but they are also ready to upgrade during the off-season. The Sacramento fans are happy to have them and are somewhat patient.

New Orleans Hornets (11-34) – The Hornets are looking forward to the off-season, but still have things to cheer for to finish the season. Mostly, that would be any team facing the Minnesota Timberwolves from here on.