The majority of the first round matchups for the Western Conference playoffs have been decided, but there is still one tie yet to be determined. 

That is the encounter between the number one seed - the Golden State Warriors -  and the eighth seed. 

As it stands, the Portland Trail Blazers look increasingly likely to secure that spot as they lead the Denver Nuggets by a game and a half after beating the Utah Jazz last night behind Damian Lillard's career-high 59 points.

If Warriors' veteran point guard Shaun Livingston was given a choice for a first-round opponent, he is in no doubt as to who he'd rather play.

"Probably Portland, just because nobody wants to play in the mountains,” Livingston told reporters. “I hate playing there, man.”

“There’s a reason why they got a good home record every year. The altitude, man, that is real.”

Livingston is probably speaking for a lot of players in the league as Denver is among the least favourite destinations for many NBA players to play in.

The Nuggets, who have a 38-41 record, are 22-18 at home, but have won only five of their last 10 games. They also handed the Warriors one of their heaviest losses of the season at the Pepsi Center earlier in the campaign.

“It’s hard to breathe up there,” Livingston said. “Good city. But to play? Nah.”

The Warriors met the Trail Blazers in the second round last year and prevailed 4-1 despite being without Steph Curry in the opening two games. 

Neither the Blazers nor the Nuggets will cause many problems in a series to the team with the league's best record, but an extra game or two in altitude can likely play a factor in fatigue and overall level of conditioning going into the second round.

For the neutrals, a backcourt battle between the Splash Brothers Curry and Klay Thompson and Portland's Damian Lillard and C.J. McCollum will be intriguing to watch. 

Despite the Oakland-based franchise progressing past the Blazers last season, Terry Stotts' team didn't make it easy for the eventual Western Conference champions. 

The Warriors only have two games remaining on their schedule before the postseason kicks off next weekend with home games against the Utah Jazz and the Los Angeles Lakers. 

With the Nuggets playing a record-chasing Russell Westbrook in two of their final three games, Livingston should get his wish and be spared a trip to Colorado in the coming weeks.