We say
The Elite
Lakers
Nuggets
Mavericks
The Good but not Great
Blazers
Spurs
Jazz
The Bubble Teams
Suns
Rockets
Thunder
The Pretenders
Grizzlies
Hornets
Clippers
The Bubble is where all the action will take place. I think the difference between the Bubble and the Good but not Great is pretty slim. There are 6 teams fighting for 5 playoff spots, and any one of those 6 could end up being on the outside looking in. A key injury for SA and they could slide quickly. Portland could slide fast as well as the impact of all the injuries finally catches up to them. If the Jazz lost any one of 3 guys they could slide out.
This is the Playoff Probabilities from Basketball-reference.com
Rk Western Conference W L
1 Los Angeles Lakers 58 24
2 Denver Nuggets 52.9 29.1
3 Dallas Mavericks 52.6 29.4
4 Utah Jazz 50.5 31.5
5 San Antonio Spurs 48.1 33.9
6 Portland Trail Blazers 47.8 34.2
7 Oklahoma City Thunder 46.8 35.2
8 Phoenix Suns 46.2 35.8
9 Houston Rockets 44.5 37.5
10 Memphis Grizzlies 44 38
11 New Orleans Hornets 39.8 42.2
12 Los Angeles Clippers 35.3 46.7
13 Sacramento Kings 30 52
14 Golden State Warriors 27.6 54.4
15 Minnesota Timberwolves 16.4 65.6
Here is the East
Rk Eastern Conference W L
1 Cleveland Cavaliers 60.6 21.4
2 Atlanta Hawks 55.2 26.8
3 Boston Celtics 54.9 27.1
4 Orlando Magic 53 29
5 Miami Heat 44.7 37.3
6 Charlotte Bobcats 43.2 38.8
7 Toronto Raptors 42.3 39.7
8 Chicago Bulls 38.2 43.8
9 Milwaukee Bucks 37.4 44.6
10 New York Knickerbockers 33.5 48.5
11 Philadelphia 76ers 30.4 51.6
12 Detroit Pistons 30.3 51.7
13 Washington Wizards 28.6 53.4
14 Indiana Pacers 28 54
15 New Jersey Nets 9.4 72.6
Poll