The west isnt that far off etheir.
Injuries will destroy any team.
You have OKC who is decisively stronger than other other teams
and the Spurs which is overall a better than any 6/7/8 seed
that is why Ouest have less close callanf than the east
East doesn’t have those kind of teams
now for Denver / Minnie yes it was competitive
And Houston are bums while Lakers showed great heart
No East teams are really sure of itself and of its basketball. Either because of experience, or injuries, level, current form etc etc.