What the Spurs need to happen to make the play-in game

With only two games left in the bubble there are only 4 teams still mathematically able to qualify for the 8/9 seed play in game(s) for the Western Conference playoffs. They are the Memphis Grizzlies, Portland Trail Blazers, Phoenix Suns, and San Antonio Spurs.

Here are each teams remaining games.

Grizzlies

Celtics and Bucks

Blazers

Mavericks and Nets

Suns

76ers and Mavericks

Spurs

Rockets and Jazz

The Spurs could finish anywhere from 8th to 11th.

8th seed scenario

The Spurs could still take the 8 seed if they win both of their remaining games. They would also need a lot of help. The Grizzlies would have to lose both of their remaining games and the Suns and Blazers would each have to lose one of their remaining games.

9th seed scenarios

There are two ways the Spurs could finish 9th if they win both of their games.

If the Grizzlies lose both of their games and the Suns or Blazers lose 1 of theirs the Spurs would finish 9th.

or

Let’s say the Grizzlies manage to win one of their games. If the Suns and the Blazers both lose one of their remaining games the Spurs would finish in 9th.

Actually 3 ways to finish 9th

This is the longest shot and least likely to happen. If the Spurs only win one of their remaining games they would need 2 of the other 3 teams to lose both of their games.

We’ll see how it goes.