The Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder have an opportunity to win the second NBA Cup with a victory Tuesday in opposition to Milwaukee in Las Vegas and climb to the highest of the Arizona Republic’s NBA Energy Rankings.
A defeat definitely will not take them out of the highest 5. That is arguably the perfect staff within the NBA.
They’ve the perfect protection within the league, the final word benchmark in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and proceed to win with out Chet Holmgren.
Wait a minute. Why look ahead to Tuesday’s outcomes to place OKC on the high of the standings?
1. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (20-5)
Learn above.
2. (T) Cleveland Cavaliers (22-4) and Boston Celtics (21-5)
The Cavs and Celtics took turns crushing Washington by 15 and 14 factors respectively.
Poor wizards. Have the worst report within the NBA at 3-21. They’ll regain respectability at some point.
Boston is 8-2 of their final 10 video games whereas Cleveland is 7-3. Guess what the Thunder are?
Go 9-1 within the final 10 video games with their final two wins coming in opposition to Dallas by 14 factors and Houston by 15. The Mavs and Rockets are 17-9 this season.
4. Memphis Grizzlies (18-9)
Memphis averaged 129.2 factors throughout a four-game successful streak that ended Sunday with a 116-110 street loss to the Los Angeles Lakers in LeBron James’ return after lacking two video games .
An excessive amount of Anthony Davis, who had a monstrous double-double of 40 factors and 16 rebounds, however the Grizzlies are 11-3 of their final 14 video games and stay second within the West behind the Thunder.
5. Orlando Magic (17-11)
Not having Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner is beginning to catch as much as the Magic as they’ve misplaced their final two to the Bucks and New York Knicks.
Confirmed battle in loss to Milwaukee as Jalen Suggs had 32 factors and 9 assists.
Groups 6-10
Houston Rockets (17-9) — Simply bumped into the incorrect staff within the NBA Cup semifinals in OKC.
Dallas Mavericks (17-9) – Luka Doncic goals for 45 factors, 13 assists and 11 rebounds in Sunday’s 143-133 win at Golden State. Mad.
New York Knicks (16-10) – Can they comply with up a stable win in opposition to the Magic with a win at Minnesota in Karl-Anthony Cities’ return to Minneapolis?
Miami Warmth (13-10) – Jimmy Butler, commerce discuss or not, Miami on a four-game successful streak.
Milwaukee Bucks (14-11) – The Bucks are 12-3 within the final 15 video games since beginning 2-8 with an opportunity to win the NBA Cup. Giannis Antetokounmpo is de facto that good.
Out of the highest 10: Golden State Warriors (14-11) and Los Angeles Clippers (14-12).
Do you’ve gotten any ideas on the present state of the Suns? Contact Suns insider Duane Rankin at [email protected] or contact him at 480-810-5518. Observe him on X, previously Twitter, at @DuaneRankin.
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This text initially appeared on Arizona Republic: Not Celtics or Cavs: NBA Energy Rankings Has a New No. 1 in OKC Thunder
