NBA Playoff Race Update: Miami Holding On in the East
Western Conference - Dead or Dying
(9) Sacramento Kings (36-37, 0.1%)
(10) Minnesota Timberwolves (33-40, eliminated)
(11) Los Angeles Lakers (32-41, eliminated)
(12) New Orleans Pelicans (31-44, eliminated)
(13) Memphis Grizzlies (30-44, eliminated)
(14) Dallas Mavericks (29-44, eliminated)
(15) Phoenix Suns (17-58, eliminated)
The Sacramento Kings are 6.5 games back of a playoff spot with nine left to play, so they're a long shot to say the least. They've won three of their last five, but that's probably too little, too late. They'll most likely be eliminated this week, although one can't help but fantasize about that 0.1% chance of making it with March Madness in the air.
LeBron James and the Lakers were officially eliminated from postseason contention this week, marking the first time the King has missed the playoffs in 14 years. Now we can finally stop talking about that. The Timberwolves were ruled out too, for anyone interested in that far-less-publicized elimination.
