I apologize for the tardiness of the report as I was busy researching some incredibly obscure fact that nobody will care about....not that it will stop me from writing 3000 words on it.
We have a little more clarity on the WC playoff picture after last night as the Thunder and Lakers 1/8 match-up is set, and the Mavericks moved to the door step of the 2 seed. In other news, if the Blazers win their season finale (home v. GSW) they get the 6 seed - no matter what the Spurs do.
Monday April 13th Western Conference Results
San Antonio Spurs 133 Minnesota Timberwolves 111 (Recap) - The Timberwolves just really really suck at the game of basketball. Nobody on the Spurs roster played 30 minutes - including 19 minutes for Duncan, 21 for Manu, and 23 for Parker - and it was still an unholy ass-kicking.
Denver Nuggets 123 Memphis Grizzlies 101 (Recap) - A 60-44 2nd half sealed what amounted to a relatively easy win for the Nuggets. Unfortunately for Suns fans, Denver didn't have to give big minutes to any of their regulars (nobody played more than 33) so they'll come into Phoenix this evening nice and rested. Thanks for nothing Grizz.
Portland Trail Blazers 103 Oklahoma City Thunder 95 (Recap) - No Brandon Roy, no problem for the Blazers as octogenarian Marcus Camby scored a season-high 30 points to lead Portland to a win. Spirits in Portland certainly could have been dampened as news came earlier in the day that Roy would possibly miss the playoffs but the win ensured the Blazers would finish no worse than 7th in the West. The loss locks the Thunder into the 8th seed and a ritual execution at the hands of the Lakers.
Dallas Mavericks 117 Los Angeles Clippers 94 (Recap) - I know way more than I wanted to know about this game since NBA TV decided it wanted to lock on to this stinker. Dallas led by as many as 37 points in the third quarter and in the process is now on the door step of the 2 seed. Dirk led the Mavs with 25 and Shawn Marion returned from a 3 game absence to post 21 points.
Western Conference Standings
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | L10 | STREAK |
| 1. LA Lakers | 56 | 24 | .700 | - | 4-6 | LOST 1 |
| 2. Dallas | 54 | 27 | .667 | 2.5 |
7-3 | WON 4 |
| 3. Denver | 53 | 28 | .654 | 3.5 | 6-4 | WON 1 |
| 4. Utah | 52 | 28 | .650 | 4 | 7-3 | WON 1 |
| 5. SUNS | 52 | 28 | .650 | 4 | 8-2 | WON 1 |
| 6. Portland |
50 | 31 | .617 | 6.5 | 8-2 | WON 2 |
| 7. San Antonio |
50 | 31 | .617 | 6.5 | 7-3 | WON 2 |
| 8. Oklahoma City |
49 | 32 | .605 | 7.5 |
5-5 | LOST 2 |
Tuesday April 13th Western Conference Games of Significance
Jazz @ Warriors - This will be one of those games where I'll just hope that the Warriors can get big minutes out of the Jazz regulars. GSW will probably disappoint. The last time these guys met, the Jazz won by 24.
Nuggets @ Suns - The playoffs start tonight. This one is basically for the 4 seed. A Phoenix win drives up the likelihood of these teams meeting in the same place this weekend. Check back later for our preview.