The Trail Blazers (51-31) got the No. 4 seed in last year’s Western Conference playoffs over the No. 5 seed Grizzlies (55-27) and No. 6 seed Spurs (55-27), because Portland won its division. NBA commissioner expects that format to change soon. The competition committee hasn’t changed this rule, but it’s obviously not too late. Silver has sounded open to this switch. Doc Rivers and Gregg Popovich – whose teams had to meet in the first round as a result of the current rule – are firmly on board. - See more at: http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports....out-considering-division-winners-next-season/
