If it were not for the utter dominance of the Thunder this season, the conference race in the West would be shaping up to be a doozy. There are five teams with a legitimate claim as the West contenders, starting with the two that have–probably–the most realistic chance of unseating Oklahoma City when the playoffs come around.
That would be the Nuggets, with their experience and with a level of quality depth the team has not had during the Nikola Jokic era. Injuries to Christian Braun and Aaron Gordon might have caused a panic in Denver in past years, but with Tim Hardaway Jr. and Peyton Watson on board, and with Jonas Valanciunas thriving as Jokic’s backup, Denver has handled their absences with no issues–the Nugs have won four straight.
The Rockets are probably the next biggest challenger to the Thunder, a fascinating combination of constantly improving young talent built out around Kevin Durant. It’s hard not to imagine how good this bunch would be if Fred VanVleet were healthy, but even as is, they’re a fearsome group.
Just a tier below would be the Lakers, Spurs and Timberwolves, who all appear to have the ingredients to contend, but are coping with one fatal flaw or another that will need fixing. The Thunder are 24-2 coming off the weekend, but from Denver to Minnesota, there is just 2.0 games of separation.
NBA Rankings: The Top 10
Last week’s loss to the Bucks was a blow for the Celtics and the early-season surge that plopped them near the top of the Eastern Conference. They’re facing a big week that will help determine whether their hot streak was more sizzle than steak–the Celtics play the Pistons, Heat and Raptors, all of whom are in the meat of the East standings.
- Thunder, 24-2.
- Nuggets, 18-6.
- Pistons, 20-5.
- Rockets, 16-6.
- Lakers, 17-6.
- Knicks, 18-7.
- Timberwolves, 17-9.
- Spurs, 18-7.
- Magic, 15-11
- Celtics, 15-10.
NBA Part II Rankings: Middle of the Pack
Two straight losses dropped the Warriors back under .500 this week, as the team is struggling to find an identity. This is an especially difficult reality because the Dubs got 39 points and 48 points in back-to-back games from 37-year-old Stephen Curry, but lost both.
- Raptors, 15-11.
- Suns, 14-12.
- Heat, 14-11.
- Hawks, 15-12.
- Cavaliers, 15-12.
- Sixers, 14-11.
- Warriors, 13-14.
- Bucks, 11-16.
- Grizzlies, 11-14.
- Mavericks, 10-16.
GettyStephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors
NBA Part III Rankings: Bottom of the Barrel
The Pelicans pulled themselves out of the realm of NBA’s worst last week with wins over the Blazers and Bulls. They’re now 5-22 and just like that, on a hot streak. Not really, of course–this remains a team badly in need of a makeover and though their asking prices will be high, they are in talks for trades around just about every player on the roster.
- Trail Blazers, 10-16.
- Bulls, 10-15.
- Jazz, 9-15.
- Hornets, 8-18.
- Clippers, 6-19.
- Nets, 7-18.
- Pelicans, 5-22.
- Kings, 6-20.
- Pelicans, 5-22.
- Pacers, 6-20.
- Wizards, 4-20.
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