Today, the NBA has a number of games scheduled, and the playoff-level teams are all playing. After today, the NBA West has undergone major changes, and the Timberwolves defeated the Hawks 109-106 to rank second in the West, but the record is the same as that of the Nuggets and Thunder. The Nuggets' upset loss to the Spurs today is also incomprehensible, is he not afraid to rank first in the West? The Thunder defeated the Bucks 125 : 107 to rise to the first place in the West. The Lakers defeated the Grizzlies 123-120 to move up to eighth place in the West ahead of the Kings and Warriors. The Mavericks upset the Pistons 84-100, and even if the Clippers release the water, they have no chance to compete for the top four in the West to threaten the Clippers. Let's take a look at the latest situation and rankings in the west today.
First, the Timberwolves defeated the Hawks 109-106, with a record of 56-25, ranking second in the West, and once again overtaking the Nuggets. The top three records in the West are all 56-25.
In this game, Timberwolves Edwards performed averagely, shooting 4-of-12 from the field and 0-of-5 from three-point range, scoring 14 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, but Towns' return gave the team more interior offensive and defensive options. Towns had 11 points, 5 rebounds and 8 assists on 4-of-11 shooting, Gobert turned the tide on the inside, contributing 25 points and 19 rebounds on 10-of-10 shooting, the Timberwolves are so strong on the inside, the playoffs are a headache for the Western powerhouses.
The old Conley on the outside was also quite brave with 13 points, 6 rebounds and 10 assists, and all seven players on the team scored double-doubles. The Timberwolves are strong inside, with the veteran Conley and the explosive guard Huazi on the outside, and there are two scoring masters on the bench, Li De and Walker, the Timberwolves are very strong this year, and they are not afraid of the Lakers and Warriors falling to eighth in the West, facing the two of them in the first round, the Timberwolves have a great chance to compete for the championship this year, and he is definitely not the so-called black or dark horse.
Second, the Thunder defeated the Bucks 125-107, reflecting a strong competitiveness and the first record in the West.
Alexander didn't play much in this game, shooting 7-of-21 from the field, only getting 23 points, 7 rebounds and 3 assists, and 0-of-7 three-pointers didn't score, but the team was still able to beat the Bucks. It was still thanks to the good performance of his teammates, Dort contributed 11 points and 3 assists, Williams contributed 17 points, 2 rebounds and 5 assists, and Holmgolen had 22 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists on 9-of-13 shooting. Wiggins, off the bench, contributed 19 points, three rebounds and three assists.
In addition to the lack of playoff experience, the Thunder team has even strength inside and outside, and the starters and benches are also very good, and it is definitely a strong storm in the playoffs.
The Bucks are sidelined by Lillard today, and Antetokounmpo is also unable to play due to injury in the regular season. The team's top scorer was Middleton, who had 18 points, seven rebounds and six assists on seven of ten shooting, while Da Lo contributed 18 points, Beasley scored 17 points and Beverley had six points, three rebounds and seven assists. Bodis didn't have a good day today, shooting 2-of-7 from the field and finishing with just four points, eight rebounds and three assists. The Bucks are powerless to compete with the Thunder, who are the most powerful team in the West, and after today, the Bucks are temporarily ranked second in the East with a 49-32 record, only 0.5 wins more than the Knicks, and the second place in the East is also in jeopardy.
Three, the Nuggets lost to the Spurs 120:121, giving up the top spot in the West and ranking third in the West.
In this game, the Nuggets also fought until the last minute. Mr. Yoo scored 22 points, 7 rebounds and 12 assists, and Murray scored 35 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists on 14-of-26 shooting from the outside, and made five three-pointers. Porter contributed 14 points and Gordon contributed 13. Braun off the bench scored 11 points.
But the Spurs played more evenly, Wemban's flax scored 34 points inside, 12 rebounds and 5 assists, and he was not inferior to Mr. Biao. Mamukela contributed 21 points and 12 rebounds, and the Nuggets who scored doubles on the team of six collapsed.
Fourth, the Mavericks lost to the Pistons with an 84:100 upset, with a record of 50-31, a difference of 1.5 wins from the Clippers, and the five-game winning streak came to an abrupt end, basically determining the fifth place in the West, and the playoffs are also very difficult to face the Clippers with home court advantage. Even if the Clippers upset today, it won't matter.
In this game, the Mavericks, Doncic and Irving and other giants have been suspended. Gafford was not magically absent today, with only 6 points, 2 rebounds and 1 assist, Hardaway contributed 8 points, Washington contributed 9 points and 3 rebounds, Pros off the bench contributed 16 points, and Hardy contributed 25 points and 7 rebounds.
The Pistons Wiseman got 10 points and 10 rebounds, Ivy only got 7 points, 1 rebound and 5 assists on 3-of-9 shooting, and the others didn't perform very well, but overall the combat effectiveness is still slightly stronger than the Mavericks of the two superstars who are out of play. In the first round of the playoffs against the Clippers, the depth of the roster is significantly lower than that of the Clippers, and if both teams pinch each other's All-Star players, then the Clippers will have a significantly greater bench strength than the Mavericks and will have more playoff advantages.
Fifth, the Lakers defeated the Grizzlies 123:118, ending a two-game losing streak, with a record of 46-35 ahead of the Kings and Warriors, and directly rose to eighth in the West. The Warriors lost to the Pelicans in 10th place, and the Kings lost to the Suns in 9th place.
The Lakers were able to win this game because of James's perfect play, playing 40 minutes, shooting 13 of 20, three of seven three-pointers, contributing 37 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists, especially in the final stage of scoring 6 points in a row, a layup after a breakaway, a two-shot shot, and a fast-break dunk after getting a rebound, helping the Lakers lock up the win. In this game, James did everything to help the Lakers reach the top eight in the West.
Davis also played quite bravely, scoring 36 points on 11-of-22 shooting, 14 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks, and his comeback gave the Lakers more offensive and defensive options inside. James and Davis can only play a strong fighting force for the Lakers if they are combined.
Hachimura contributed 14 points and 5 rebounds, Rivers contributed 13 points, Russell again today broke down 2 of 9 shots, 5 three-point shots and zero of 5 three-point shots, and only got 14 points, 3 rebounds and 10 assists. Or is it because other role players other than James Mei are not playing well, especially Russell. The Grizzlies, who have no record baggage, play more freely. LaRavia scored 28 points, Jackson had 31 points, Goodwin contributed 23 points and 16 rebounds, and Pippen Jr. had 28 points. The Lakers temporarily overtook the Kings and Warriors after this game, and if they can beat the Pelicans in the last game, then the Lakers still have a big way to ensure that they are eighth in the West. If you successfully enter the playoffs, there is a high probability that you will advance to the second round in the first round against the Thunder.