OKC Thunder could be seeded third in West before week’s end

Thunder schedule and particulars:

• Beat Jazz and have ninth most difficult seeding schedule
• Nuggets – August 3
• Lakers – August 5
•  Grizzlies – August 7
• Wizards – August 9
• Suns – August 10
• Heat – August 12
• Clippers – August 14

The Lakers match is similar to the situation with the Rockets although they’ve beaten the Thunder all three times this season so pride won’t be a factor.

Every game versus the Grizzlies will matter to them so they’ll be invested. The middle games versus the Wizards and Suns are dangerous matches because they have nothing to lose so they can play free and easy.

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comes late so it will depend on whether the Heat is still chasing the Celtics to take over the third seed. If they can’t catch Boston by that point and have cemented fourth they’ll be less invested.

And the last game versus the Clippers it would be surprising for Doc to play Kawhi Leonard and Paul George big minutes if he plays them at all.

Ultimately, I think the Jazz falls to sixth and I’m inclined to believe those last three games for Denver allow them to retain the third seed. Although both the Rockets and Thunder will have a shot at taking that spot.

The question is whether these teams will simply worry about winning or if placement becomes a factor. If the Jazz falls to sixth gaining that third seed is desirable. BUT — is it more desirable than avoiding the Clippers to play either the Rockets or Nuggets in the first round and avoid the Clippers?

Hey, Chris Paul is the type of leader where it’s not a stretch to imagine he’s thought this type of thing through. He may already be thinking about what his team should do if they believe they can maneuver wins and losses for the perfect matchup.

The fact we’re even discussing this is glorious because no one expected this OKC Thunder team to make the playoffs let alone be vying for the third or fourth seed.

Aren’t you happy basketball is back?