5 Losing teams that can still make the NBA Playoffs this season

As we approach the halfway mark of the 2019-20 regular season campaign, the Los Angeles Lakers and Milwaukee Bucks have separated themselves from the rest of the pack with a substantial margin. While the second seed in the East lags behind by 7 games to Milwaukee, the latest West runner ups in Denver Nuggets and Utah Jazz both still have a 4-game differential between them and the Lakers.

The rest of the standings in each conference are crammed to the nose, making it conducive for a wild ending down the stretch. Recent draft picks and multiple player transactions have also resulted in an unprecedented lineup of teams possessing a slight edge.

With the trade deadline right around the corner, it will be interesting to track the moves by teams looking to make a final playoff push. In this piece, let's take a look at a few sub 0.500 teams that might still bag a postseason berth despite their underwhelming runs so far.

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#1 Portland Trail Blazers

Portland are desperate to reclaim their lost significance

Portland Trail Blazers have found it hard to carry over the momentum from last season, as they struggle to clinch consistent wins this year. The Blazers are currently 10th on the West standings, with an 18-24 (0.429) win-loss record next to their name, after having lost six of their last ten matchups.

However, of all teams that can be counted as fringe playoff squads, Portland stands out in a fairly positive light. They have experienced floor generals who can also score in bunches, and make up for the glaring loss of manpower on their roster.

Despite missing Jusuf Nurkic, Rodney Hood, and Skal Labissiere to season-altering injuries, the Blazers are managing to score roughly 112 points per contest. Only if Coach Terry Stotts could tighten up the defensive end and the front office could pull in some much-needed reinforcements before February 6, Portland could have a legit shot at the playoffs.

#2 Memphis Grizzlies

Morant has led the rebuild after the Gasol-Conley era in Memphis

In the process of winning eight of their last ten games, the Memphis Grizzlies have beaten quality squads like Houston Rockets, Oklahoma City Thunder and Los Angeles Clippers. The team is currently placed at the 8th spot on a stuffed Western Conference leaderboard, with a respectable 19-22 (0.463) record so far.

Ja Morant is leading the 'Rookie of the Year' race, and his grit is rubbing off on the entire squad. This team is top 10 in field-goal percentage, total blocks, and scoring average while leading the league in assists per game (27.9) as well. Coach Tyler Jenkins has worked meticulously on increasing the pace of this team, and so far the rebuild is in full swing.

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#3 New Orleans Pelicans

The Pelicans are missing key pieces to their roster

Coming into this season, the New Orleans Pelicans were expected to be arguably the most exciting young squad to look forward to. But injuries to prominent names have kept them from attaining full potential all year long. Currently, the Pels are 15-26 (0.366) to start the season.

However, the recent surge by this young core has won them 8 of their last 11 games, as the franchise starts to make its way up the West standings. Moreover, with the return date of Zion Williamson set for January 22, the Pelicans find themselves amidst the perfect setting to make that final playoff push.

#4 San Antonio Spurs

The Spurs are shooting over 47% from the field this season

The dynamic coupling of LaMarcus Aldridge and DeMar DeRozan in San Antonio has been quiet underwhelming to start the 2019-20 campaign. But the support crew has stepped up to the void and played an integral role in the team hosting a 17-22 (0.436) record at the moment. They've also beat elite sides in the Toronto Raptors, Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks last week.

While DeRozan leads the team in scoring and assists, five other Spurs players are averaging at least 11 points per game. Although they are a game outside of the playoff picture and might look like a fringe playoff belief right now, San Antonio has the talent and experience to turn up the intensity down the stretch.

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#5 Orlando Magic

Orlando recently stole one from the Lakers in LA

Despite missing Evan Fournier, DJ Augustin and Michael Carter-Williams to injuries, the Orlando Magic packed enough firepower to upset the mighty Lakers in their own backyard and improved to 20-21 (0.488) on the season.

They are situated comfortably at the 7th spot on the Eastern Conference standings and are only getting better with Markelle Fultz playing at the point. The squad possesses a top 5 defensive rating (105.5) and has seven players averaging double-digits in scoring this year so far.

Safe to say, the Magic are one of the dark horses from the East, capable enough to pull off a stunner on any given night. They already had quality players in Evan Fournier and an All-Star in Nikola Vucevic, but the welcome addition of a former No. 1 pick to the rotation has reinforced their arsenal to a whole new level.

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