5 Teams poised to make the NBA Playoffs 2019
The 2018-19 NBA season is half over in terms of the number of games played. Midway through, there are still questions about which teams are serious contenders and which teams can or won’t make the playoffs.
Some teams have already separated themselves from the pack and are clear playoff contenders. They are favored to go deep into the playoff season when it begins in April. Some teams are already considered lottery pick worthy with the price for mediocrity and a poor won-loss record being the addition of a talent like Zion Williamson from Duke University.
There are teams stuck in the middle who still need to make their move to prove they belong in the playoff picture. Some teams that are expected to be in the playoff mix like the Minnesota Timberwolves have already fallen out of the picture and traded away Jimmy Butler who was instrumental in their playoff appearance last year.
Teams like the New Orleans Pelicans another playoff team last year are on the outside of the playoff this year. They may be looking to trade their star, Anthony Davis. Here is a quick look at five NBA teams that are on the rise and have a great shot at being a factor in the NBA playoffs.
#1 The Brooklyn Nets
Every year, come playoff time in the NBA there is usually one 7th or 8th seed in the Western or the Eastern Conference that catches a top-seeded team by surprise. The Brooklyn Nets are just such a team this season. They are a young hard-working team.
They keep playing even when they are as sloppy as they were Friday, January 11th, 2018 against the Raptors in a 122-105 loss. The Raptors head coach Nick Nurse had to call a 4th quarter time out after his subs nearly blew a huge lead giving the Nets hope. The Nets coughed up 17 turnovers and shot just 42% from the field.
However, the Nets used a 106-105 victory over the Raptors on December 7th, 2018 to start a 7 game winning streak. They have also won 13 and lost only 5 games since that game in Brooklyn. Currently sitting 7th in the East, the Nets hold victories over Toronto, Philadelphia, the LeBron James led Lakers and the West-leading Nuggets.
They have played a series of close games against playoff teams from last season like the Rockets and Pacers. A first-round match-up with the Nets is dangerous if the opponent does not bring their A game every single game of the series.