SUMMARY
- The Boston Celtics have assumed the top spot in the entire league and have the best chances to win the title.
- The Denver Nuggets, LA Clippers, and Oklahoma City Thunder are strong contenders in the West, while the Celtics could top the East easily.
What a spectacular 2023-24 NBA season it has been, filled with a ton of surprises and also letdowns. All teams are preparing to take over the post-season while some get set for the Play-In Tournament. While things seem very predictable in the Eastern Conference, with less than five games left in the season, the Western Conference can be anybody’s game.
Right now, the Phoenix Suns, New Orleans Pelicans, and Sacramento Kings are battling for the playoff clinch. Phoenix has the best odds of making it through while both other teams have slacked a little bit. In the East, Miami has to go through the Play-Ins once again sadly. It might be a photo finish between Indiana and Philadelphia. Yes, things have been very intense, not only right now but throughout the season. So let us see which teams have made a good case for the title.
1. Boston Celtics
The Celtics might have the best odds of representing the East in the NBA Finals this season. They’ve secured the best record in the league and they also have a great system. Joe Mazzula has done a great job piecing out various lineups. It is obvious that Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis are all they need to win it all.
The Boston Celtics have clinched the best record in the NBA!
It’s the 1st time in the Jayson Tatum era they’ve had the best record in the conference AND the NBA.
Let’s look back in on their seasons leading the NBA in record, along with some other incredible Celtics seasons👇 pic.twitter.com/ZNsQT9FJrs
— Sideline Films (@SidelineFilmz) April 4, 2024
But putting them aside, the Celtics as a team rank second in the league for points per game and first in points differential. With a defensive rating of 110.6, they rank second in the entire league. Looking at their depth lineups, Boston has players like Payton Pritchard and Al Horford coming off the bench. This team has all the right pieces to be called the perfect storm.
2. Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are going to be defending their title this season. Nikola Jokic has been leading the MVP race and there’s absolutely nothing terrible about this team. They’ve been battling it out with Oklahoma and Minnesota for the top spot in the West. By the end of the regular season, they might finish atop the West as they’re tied with Minnesota at the moment.
The Nuggets rank fourth in field goal percentage and points differential this season. Michael Porter Jr. is averaging 16.9 points while shooting a team-high 2.8 three-pointers per game. Besides Jokic and Jamal Murray’s presence, MPJ’s work will be crucial and has been this season. But Jokic is the player to look out for. He has been nothing but dominant against some of the best players this season. Interestingly, they have a 2-0 lead against the Celtics this season.
3. Los Angeles Clippers
Getting James Harden on board was possibly the best thing to have happened to his team this season. They’ve achieved a record of 46-25 with James this season. He is averaging 16.7 points per game as their third option. Kawhi Leonard and Paul George have also gotten comfortable switching from offense to defense from time to time.
The Los Angeles Clippers are 7-2 since the return of Russell Westbrook. Those who said that Russ was not important for this team I send you greetings ✌🏻😉 pic.twitter.com/EeqncfpHYB
— Danny (@CDan7el) April 7, 2024
But what’s more important is how Russell Westbrook has elevated the team from the bench. He has been averaging 11.1 points, 5 rebounds, 4.4 assists, and 1.1 steals per game this season. While the Clippers’ starting lineup can carry the team, Westbrook’s presence coming off the bench could give their opposition a tough time while releasing their depth lineups on the floor. His offensive presence from the bench has given the team a major boost.
4. Dallas Mavericks
In their last 20 games, the Mavericks have won 15 of them. Kyrie Irving has averaged 25.8 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 4.9 assists during this stretch. And Luka Doncic has probably been the most dominant player on the floor this season averaging 33.9 points, 9.2 rebounds, and 9.8 assists per game.
This Mavericks team is capable of pulling off incredible victories. For instance, they rank third in the entire NBA in clutch statistics, behind the Nuggets and Chicago Bulls. What makes the Mavericks a dangerous team is that they have a perfect combination of experience and dominance. Additionally, they are extremely smart in utilizing Doncic to create open looks for players like Irving, Tim Hardaway Jr., or even Dante Exum. They have a very tactical approach to the game besides Luka’s dominant presence.
5. Los Angeles Lakers
Now, the Lakers are probably the most controversial pick out of the entire lot. Comparing the first half of their season to their second half, the Lakers have been playing well. They’ve gone 15-8 since the 2024 All-Star break while they were 30-26 before it. Last season, we saw this team rise from the Play-In Tournament and reach the Western Conference Finals while defeating the defending champions.
D’ANGELO RUSSELL MY GOODNESS!!! ❄❄❄
D’Lo hits 3 absolute heaters to put the Lakers up by THIRTY POINTS in Toronto pic.twitter.com/oQEtAPjB6d
— LakeShow Highlights (@LSH_lakeshow) April 3, 2024
That could very well happen again this season, only if the Lakers get out of the Play-In Tournament alive. Besides the leaders LeBron James and Anthony Davis, the Lakers rely heavily on their role players. D’Angelo Russell is possibly going to be the key to a successful playoff run. And they also have wins against the Mavericks, Celtics, and Clippers. However, they haven’t won against the Nuggets since being swept in the WCF last season.
6. Oklahoma City Thunder
Why pick the Oklahoma City Thunder over the obvious best team in the Western Conference? To start with, the Minnesota Timberwolves are a great defensive team that has the best defensive rating in the NBA this season. However, they do not have an MVP-caliber player averaging over 30 points per game. Chet Holmgren could be a major threat against Rudy Gobert and Karl-Anthony Towns. KAT often tends to slack during the playoffs as well.
Both teams have an equal chance of winning against each other. But if we were to pick one, then OKC would have a better chance as they are better in the clutch. Additionally, they rank third in the league in points, points differential, and field goal percentage. The Wolves lack the offensive dominance Shai Gilegous-Alexander can bring.