Yeah, I agree that Memphis and Portland have trailed off into "tough opponent but can't win it all" territory. But crazy to write off the Rockets and Clippers with the way they're closing out the season while, simultaneously, getting healthy. For the Clippers, they've been doing it without Crawford and a key will be if he can round into form over the next few days and the first round of the playoffs. If so, his return and shorter rotations during the playoffs really will help their bench, which is their big problem. Their starting 5 is arguably as good (or close enough, anyway, that they can't be written off in advance) as any in the league, and their top 6 with Crawford included is as well. As Apisith points out, their point differential tells a tale there. Where the Warriors and other clubs blow them out of the water is the crappy bench Doc has built. The Rockets don't have the same point differential, but if Jones and Howard are in form by the time of the playoffs, man that team can beat anyone. Beverley is a defensive loss that will hurt, in particular, against the Warriors (Curry) and Clippers (Paul), but in terms of overall team defense Howard more than makes up for that and then some. And Harden just looks like a guy who is ready to put his playoff blues behind him and go on a run. Their home-and-home series with the Spurs this week will be telling, both in re chances in the playoffs and, more immediately, playoff seeding. A sweep by the Spurs and they'd have a shot to go all the way to the #2 seed.
I'm chomping at the bit for the playoffs to start. The Griz-Clips game later this week should be key in terms of seeding. If the Griz lose it's likely they fall from #3 to #6 in the seedings, and would set up a Griz-Clips playoff series that would be a death match. Of course, the Spurs could easily grab that #3 seed, too, even if they don't sweep the Rockets. Who knows, will all play out in the wash.
Interesting, as well, that the Pelicans are now in the 8th slot. If they can hold on to it, be fun to watch Davis vs the Dubs -- not that they'll stand a chance to win, but I'd love to see what Davis does, anyway.