Only a few games left before the playoffs! Three teams will vie hard for the 8th spot in the NBA Western Conference as the regular season draws to a close.

The Dallas Mavericks, Phoenix Suns, and Memphis Grizzlies are in a tight situation to clinch the last seat to participate in the NBA playoffs. The playoffs is just around the corner as only three to four games are left in the season to play. There is little to worry about for the teams already in the 7th and above seeds. All they need to do is finish the remaining games.

This is not the case for the three teams in the near bottom ranks of the NBA Western Conference. Their star players and the rest of the team still have to gruel it out for the coveted 8th spot.

Dirk Nowitzki, Vince Carter, Shawn Marion, and the entire Mavericks roster have yet to prove again that they might still have a chance for a second championship ring this year should they make it past the regular season. Dirk Nowitzki finished with 26 points, 9.7 rebounds, and 2.0 assists average winning the NBA Finals 2011. The Mavericks will be facing Utah Jazz in their home court Salt Lake City, 9pm Tuesday ET.

The Phoenix Suns, another contender to watch out for, is also on the trail of claiming the 8th spot. With their stunning rise out of the shadow, they are poised to surprise the other teams should they make it in the playoff season. Gerald Green, a phenomenal player for the Suns roster, is one key factor to make it happen. Just in their last game with Oklahoma Thunder last March 20, Green scored 40 points that got the team to win.

Last but not the least; the Memphis Grizzlies is still not to be left out of the picture. With the combined force of Center Zach Randolph, and Power forward Marc Gasol, the Grizzlies are still strong contenders for the 8th spot. The Grizzlies remaining games are yet to be announced.

The three teams standings are as follows:

Dallas Mavericks 47 wins and 31 losses
Phoenix Suns 46 wins and 31 losses

Memphis Grizzlies 45 wins and 32 losses