Let the playoff games begin!

Let the playoff games begin! No...not the ones that start next weekend, I'm talking about the first round playoff positioning game that's about to be played in the western conference this week. Keep a close eye on the seven teams that have clinched  a playoff spot in the west. Their actions may tip their hand as to whom they'd rather meet in the first round.

Blame my beloved Grizzlies for my line of thinking. As you recall, Memphis had a hold on the sixth seed coming down the stretch of last year's regular season. San Antonio was the number one seed. Memphis benched healthy starters the last few games, in a not so subtle attempt to drop to eight and face the Spurs in the first round. The move paid off, as Memphis disposed of the Spurs in six relatively easy games. In the copy cat sports world that we live in, you should expect that same strategy to unfold....somewhere.

Memphis won't be doing it again this year, they sit a game and a half behind the fourth place Clippers for home court advantage in the first round. They need to win out. You can count out eighth placed Utah as well, they also need to win out just to get in. But what about Denver?

The Nuggets are sitting in sixth place, and control their own destiny (wink wink). The question now becomes, who would they rather face? I would presume they want no part of the Lakers, who are currently third. With a playoff spot secured, will Denver pull an okee-doke to draw the Spurs or Thunder? And would the Mavs, who are currently seventh, even let them? There is no incentive for Dallas to purposely seek the Lakers either. Plus, the Mavs match up better with the second place Thunder. Will Dallas purposely lose? Should they?

The Lakers and Clippers are not just battling for the division title, they're battling to stay out of a first round match up with fifth place Memphis. Both teams in LA will be looking to win out, and face Denver or Dallas instead.

And let's not forget the the teams at the top. San Antonio and OKC are battling for the number one seed....but let's keep it real. They're battling to stay away from Dallas, a team that gives both of them fits. A wild finish is in store in the wild wild west. I love this game! Follow @plcolter