FanHouse

With just seven games left in the regular season, and just two games separating the three teams competing for the final two playoff spots, Tom Ziller and Brett Edwards discuss which team is going to be on the outside looking in come playoff time.

Brett Edwards: I think it's safe to say that after their last two performances, the Warriors are the ones who are going to miss the playoffs.

Tom Ziller: I don't think GSW is done yet -- there are plenty of opportunities for losses for Dallas. Remember, this was the first win against a winning team for Kidd. And they still have tough games left.

Brett: I looked at the schedules for Dallas, Denver, and Golden State, and I'm predicting (conservatively) a 4-3 finish for all three teams. If that happens, obviously the Warriors will be the ones that get left out. I know there are a lot of what-ifs and speculation in there, but I feel it's likely.

Tom: I think Golden State finishes 6-1 (losing in New Orleans). Denver: 5-2 (losses to Golden State, at Utah), and Dallas: 3-4 and out of the playoffs with 50 wins.

Brett: Golden State going 6-1? In what universe? This is a team that's obviously not playing well right now, how else do you explain such hideous losses two games in a row while fighting for a playoff spot? Two losses by a combined 49 points does not say "playoff team" to me. That's why I'm not willing to give them those wins vs. Denver and at Phoenix: they just seem out of sync. And as you know, Sacramento plays people tough, that's not necessarily a gimme either.

Tom: Every time someone counts this Golden State team out, they go on a run. We all know their offense depends on the three-ball, and they were cold (4-16) on Wednesday. Betting on them to stay cold is not an endeavor I'd pursue.

I know Dallas looked good last night ... but why should we ignore the rest of the past month? Before last night's game, the Mavericks' best win since Valentine's Day was at home against the Nets. And they have the toughest schedule remaining.

Don't try to flatter me regarding the Kings -- one or two games aside, the Warriors have dominated them the past two years. And the key draw against Denver comes inside Oracle. That game at Phoenix is the only sincere question mark in my mind (besides the sure loss in N.O., which will lead to every pundit in the nation marking the Warriors dead) -- but as it's the second-to-last game of the season, there's a strong possibility it won't matter to Phoenix.

Brett: Okay, we'll agree to disagree on the Warriors for now. As for Dallas, you're right: last night's win was probably the result of Dirk's surprising return giving the team an emotional lift more than anything. They haven't beaten anyone of substance, but I'm not counting on them to. They've got Seattle twice and Portland, and a home game against Utah, who doesn't win outside of their state. I don't have them beating the Lakers, Suns or Hornets, so that's 4-3 in their last seven: plenty (in my estimation) to hang onto a playoff spot, considering they're a game up on Denver and two games up on the Warriors.

Tom: It would seem, then, the pivotal games in our mind: Utah at Dallas and Golden State at Phoenix, assuming Golden State beats Denver at home and holds court against the others.

Brett: Yes, and that game against the Nuggets is really a must-win for Golden State. With only three games left after that one, they can't afford to drop a full game in the standings to the team that's directly in front of them.