We're all doing it, right?  Every night, we can't wait to check the western conference standings and find out who's on top, who's slipped a few spots, and just how far the Mavericks have fallen.

10 games, 2 weeks, and the REAL season begins.  So who's going to win the West?  Hard to predict, but a long look at the schedule might shed some light.

For starters--let's admit that REALISTICALLY only 6 of the 9 teams in playoff contention have a legit shot to be #1 at the end of the regular season.  That's right--I said 9 playoff teams.  For now, we are going to consider both Golden State and Dallas as the 8th seed because the race is so tight.

Who are the 6 teams?  Lakers, Hornets, Spurs, Rockets, Suns, Jazz.  What do they have left?  Let's find out.  Bold teams are playoff teams.

Lakers:  10 games remaining (8 home, 2 away--we count the "visitor" tag against the Clippers as a home game).  Home opponents:  Memphis, Washington, Portland, Dallas, New Orleans, San Antonio, Sacramento.  Away opponents:  Sacramento, Portland, LA Clippers.  Back to Backs:  1

Hornets:  11 games remaining (3 home, 8 away).  Home opponents:  New York, Golden State, LA Clippers.  Away opponents:  Boston, Toronto, Orlando, Miami, LA Lakers, Sacramento, Dallas.  Back to Backs:  4

Spurs:  10 games remaining (6 home, 4 away).  Home opponents:  Minnesota, Houston, Golden State, Phoenix, Seattle, Utah.  Away opponents:  Utah, Portland, LA Lakers, Sacramento.  Back to Backs:  1

Rockets:  10 games remaining (3 home, 7 away).  Home opponents:  Seattle, Phoenix, LA Clippers.  Away opponents:  San Antonio, Sacramento, Portland, Seattle, LA Clippers, Denver, Utah.  Back to Backs:  2

Suns:  11 games remaining (5 home, 6 away).  Home opponents:  Denver, Minnesota, Dallas, Golden State, Portland.  Away opponents:  Philadelphia, New Jersey, Denver, Memphis, San Antonio, Houston.  Back to Backs: 3

Jazz:  10 games remaining (6 home, 4 away).  Home opponents:  LA Clippers, Washington, Minnesota, San Antonio, Denver, Houston.  Away opponents:  Minnesota, New Orleans, Dallas, San Antonio.  Back to Backs: 1

So what do ya think?  What jumps out at ya?

1.  Lakers have the easiest schedule by far.  8 games at home, and only 2 of 10 are against playoff teams.

2.  New Orleans seems to have the worst schedule, but don't judge those 8 road games.  The Hornets have one of the best road records in the NBA (22-11).

3.  Utah stands the most to gain, if they win the right games.  Two against the Spurs, and 1 game against Houston could push them up the standings.  The Jazz do play 7 games against playoff teams.

4.  Spurs appear to be the team to beat in the Southwest Division.  Look at the Rockets, look at the Hornets.  The Spurs, with their experience, seem best set "schedule-wise" to lock up a top 4 seed.

If all of this comes true...that April 13th showdown between Spurs and Lakers could be for the #1 seed in the West.

Enjoy the race!  DC