The Final Kick: Deciphering the West's Playoff Race

Eight weeks, five teams, two playoff seeds up for grabs. Today I'll arbitrarily lay odds on the teams with the best chance of locking up the seventh and eighth Western Conference playoff spots:

New Orleans/OKC Hornets, 3:1
The Hornets have their two stars back (Paul and D. West); Tyson Chandler has turned into a machine (12.7 ppg and 16.9 rpg in February); and there's even talk of Peja Stojakovic making an April return from lower back surgery. I know it's a cliché saying, but I definitely wouldn't want to play this re-energized team in the first round of the playoffs.

Los Angeles Clippers, 5:1
According to Bill Simmons, the Clippers are unhappy, pointing fingers and have quit on coach Dunleavy. With that said, I fail to believe a team with this much talent and experience can't pull it together and play two solid months of ball. With five of their next six against borderline-sub-.500 teams, now is the perfect time to get it going.

Denver Nuggets, 6:1
Why are the Nuggets only 12-19 since acquiring Iverson and 2-7 with Iverson and Carmelo Anthony in the lineup together? I have no idea. Why do I feel the Nuggets have a better shot at making the playoffs than the Warriors or Wolves? I have no idea. You probably should've skipped this one.

Golden State Warriors, 12:1
Sad, but true, part 1: this Warriors team would be a 60-win team if they never had to leave the comfy confines of Oracle Arena. Unfortunately, they have 16 games left as visitors, with an abysmal road record of 6-20. Sad, but true, part 2: it's been 12 years since the Warriors have made the playoffs, and it's about to be 13. Sorry, GSoM faithful, you truly deserve better.

Minnesota Timberwolves, 25:1
Please. The Wolves only chance of getting Garnett back to the dance depends on whether Ricky Davis, Mark Blount and Randy Foye can consistently start carrying the load. So, yeah... their season lies in the hands of a streaky shooter, an outside big man and a rookie point guard. Doesn't look good.