Western Conference

                In the Western Conference, the Heat have one less team to worry about today.  Chauncey Billups is currently out for the season with a torn Achilles tendon.  This is an extremely large blow for the Los Angeles Clippers’ hope for a title run.  They will be a playoff team still, without a doubt, but they will have a hard time making it through even one round of the playoffs.  The point guard spot is one of the most crucial positions in the NBA.  Even though Chris Paul is the starting point guard for the Clippers, he does need breaks during the game.  Going to Chauncey as the back-up left a very small gap of talent between starting point guard and secondary point guard.  Now that Chauncey is gone, the drop off of talent is huge.  Chauncey was also able to hit important late game shots.  After all, his nickname is Mr. Big Shot.  I don’t think the Clippers loss is good for the Heat.  Teams in the Western Conference playoffs will not be pushed into long series if the lower tier teams are decent instead of good.  If teams are able to take time off between series, then they will be able to get their legs back under them, and they will be refreshed.  I only think this is important because of the wear and tear players are going to achieve in this shortened season.  The more time off that players can get, the better the team will be.  If teams from the West like the Thunder are in shortened playoff series, then they will be a serious threat in the NBA Finals.