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Kevin Pelton
With lower than a month within the NBA common season, the battle for sowing within the Western Convention took form after quite a lot of twists and turns created by profitable accidents and trades. All alongside, the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder separated from the peloton via their dominant recreation.
With a 13 -game cushion on three groups on the second row, the Thunder might get the seeder n ° 1 and the benefit of the house subject within the western playoffs this week. THE Denver Nuggets,, Memphis Grizzlies And Houston Rockets are all even within the rating with the Los Angeles Lakers Only a recreation again. One in every of these groups must begin the playoffs on the highway as a seeded n ° 5.
The most recent key race to observe is for the seeded n ° 6, which suggests to keep away from the sport event. The Golden State Warriors And Minnesota Timberwolves Make a victory for victory, however until they will catch the Lakers, will probably be vital to succeed in the playoffs because of the sport.
On the backside of the Western play race, there may be solely disappointment, just like the Phoenix Suns Attempt to get better an after-season supply whereas passing the harm Dallas Mavericks.
Allow us to decompose which of those groups has the very best probability of constructing an extended race within the playoff collection and which crew rising within the rating is actual. We’ll divide the west once more into ranges, after our final breakdown A month in the past, after the celebs break.
Bounce at a degree:
The clear favourite
Prepared for a deep race (if wholesome)
Play-in feels good
A two crew battle for n ° 10
Lounge
Tier 1: the clear favourite
Present recording: 56-12 (first within the West)
Recording since February 17 of recording: 12-2
Degree change: 
