It seems as though all of the basketball analysts, writers and fans talk about how competitive and crazy the Western Conference is every season. Although the Eastern Conference is more top heavy, few would argue the Western Conference is much more competitive from top to bottom.

As of right now, only three games separate the fifth seed (Denver) from the eighth seed (Memphis). The Grizzlies have three teams chasing them for the eighth spot in the conference. Right now, the Rockets, Suns and Jazz are all within three games of the Grizzlies.

With just a few games remaining, the race for the eighth spot will be interesting to watch as the season concludes. Let’s assume that the teams who currently represent the other seven playoff spots will hold on and make the postseason, leaving room for one more playoff spot for the Grizzlies, Jazz, Suns or Rockets.

So, who has the best chance at securing the eighth seed in the Western Conference?

Memphis Grizzlies:

Grizzlies’ remaining schedule:

@Celtics
@Bulls
Spurs
Warriors
@Hornets
Wolves
Clippers
Kings
Hornets
@Blazers
@Clippers

In their remaining 11 games, the Grizzlies have to face some of the best and worst teams in the league. If the Grizz can take care of the lesser teams at home and sneak in a couple of road wins of any kind, they should be in good shape to make the playoffs.

However, Memphis is the worst road team out of the four teams fighting for the last playoff spot. In addition, it was announced on Tuesday that Rudy Gay will miss the remainder of the season. Can the Grizzlies keep winning without their best player?

Phoenix Suns

Suns’ remaining schedule:

Raptors
Hornets
Mavericks
@Kings
Thunder
Clippers
@Spurs
@Bulls
@Wolves
@Hornets
@Mavericks
Wolves
Spurs

Not an easy schedule by any means. The five game road trip will likely determine the Suns’ fate. Interestingly enough, the Suns have almost as many road wins as they do home wins. So, maybe they can muster something positive from the long trip.

However, I still think the Suns lack the personnel to withhold down the stretch. Aside from Marcin Gortat, the Suns have virtually no one to give them quality minutes in the paint. Unless the team’s outside shooting catches absolute fire in the remaining 13 games, Phoenix will likely be headed to the draft lottery a year after making the Western Conference Finals.

Utah Jazz: The Jazz are in still in the playoff hunt despite losing their franchise player and legendary coach last month. However, most of the work that got them in the position they are in now was done when Williams and Sloan were still with the team.

Since Williams left Utah, the Jazz have went 5-8. It is hard to believe the Jazz would be in the position they are in now if they had not had such a good start to the season.

Utah Jazz

Utah’s remaining schedule:

@Thunder
Hornets
Mavericks
Wizards
Lakers
@Kings
@Lakers
Blazers
@Spurs
@Hornets
Nuggets

The Jazz still have to play the Lakers twice and the Mavericks, Spurs and Thunder once. The only games remaining on the schedule I feel confident the Jazz could win are against Sacramento and Washington.

At this point, it would surprise me if the Jazz were able to overcome losing Sloan and Williams and sneak into the playoffs.

Houston Rockets: A couple of weeks ago, it appeared as though the Rockets were not going to be in the playoff picture this season. Suddenly, Houston has won four in a row and seven out of ten.

Houston Rockets

Rockets’ remaining schedule:

Warriors
@Heat
@Nets
@76ers
Spurs
Hawks
Kings
@Hornets
Clippers
Mavericks
@Wolves

It looks as though the Rockets have a slightly easier remaining schedule than the other three teams mentioned above. In addition, the Rockets know a thing or two about surprising people.

Who can forget when they pushed the Lakers to seven games without Yao Ming? Or, when they posted a winning record last season with Yao still sidelined with his foot injury.

So, I believe the final playoff spot in the Western Conference will go to either the Rockets or Grizzlies.

The Rockets have the easier schedule down the stretch, and the team also has an advantage with their experience and coaching.

Memphis is currently the holder of the eight and final playoff spot. Considering they have outplayed the other three teams to this point, it seems reasonable to give them the benefit of the doubt.

Joshua Sexton is a lifelong basketball fanatic, who watches as many games as possible. In addition, He has played and coached the game at the high school level. He has recently started writing about the game of basketball.