THE Thunder has a 99.8% probability of being the No. 1 seed within the West, based on basketball-reference.com.
This appears weak.
Barring catastrophe, Oklahoma Metropolis (32-6) will obtain greater than 60 victories. There isn’t a race for the No. 1 seed. It is over.
However what about within the playoffs? Which enemies of the Western Convention might block a NBA Finals bid for OKC?
Right now we rank the Thunder’s 5 largest threats within the West.
5. Houston Rockets
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Save: 25-12
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Offensive ranking: eleventh
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Defensive ranking: third
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Web ranking: sixth
The Rockets are considered one of six groups to beat the Thunder this season. Houston performed this model of the Thunder as arduous as anybody. Thunder is solely 4-3 in opposition to the Rockets this season and final. OKC leads the season sequence 2-1, together with a smothering victory over Houston within the NBA Cup semifinals. The Thunder will host the Rockets on March 3 and play the Rockets on April 4.
The case of the Rockets: It is actually boring to play in opposition to them. They’ve the #3 protection within the NBA behind solely the Thunder and Magic. Amen Thompson and Tari Eason, aptly nicknamed the “Terror Twins,” will familiarize themselves with each sew of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s jersey. Coach Ime Udoka’s defensive fingerprints are throughout this workforce. One in every of Houston’s largest strengths – rebounding the basketball – is considered one of OKC’s largest weaknesses. The Rockets rank first in rebounding share. The Thunder ranks twenty seventh.
The case of the Thunder: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. The Rockets have a pleasant assortment of younger expertise – Alperen Sengun, Jalen Inexperienced, Jabari Smith Jr., Thompson and Eason – however nothing like a No. 1 choice just like the Thunder in SGA. At full energy, the Thunder in all probability have three gamers higher than Houston’s greatest participant. Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks have playoff expertise, however not one of the youthful Rockets do. The Rockets’ rebounding benefit shall be negated if Chet Holmgren and Isaiah Hartenstein are each wholesome.
Extra: Will OKC Thunder’s Jalen Williams be named NBA All-Star? Why it deserves to be chosen
4. Minnesota Wolves
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Save: 20-18
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Offensive ranking: 18th
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Defensive ranking: sixth
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Web ranking: twelfth
The Thunder and Timberwolves will play thrice over the course of 11 days in February. TNT, ESPN and NBA TV will broadcast every of those video games. The Thunder beat the Wolves on New Yr’s Eve in Oklahoma Metropolis. OKC and Minnesota break up the sequence 2-2 final season.
The case of the Timberwolves: Anthony Edwards led Minnesota to the Western Convention Finals, additional than Shai Gilgeous-Alexander took OKC. Gilgeous-Alexander is the higher participant, the doubtless MVP, but it surely would not be loopy to see Edwards beat SGA in a seven-game sequence. Minnesota continues to be attempting to include Julius Randle. Wolves are nonetheless in fine condition. They solely have one 12 months left to have the most effective protection (by far) within the NBA. With Rudy Gobert defending the rim and Jaden McDaniels and Edwards as choices to defend SGA and J-Dub, the Wolves have the defensive personnel to bother the Thunder.
The case of the Thunder: The Thunder is drama-free. The wolves have been something however. OKC has been a constant group, even with new additions like Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso. Minnesota, in the meantime, continues to be adjusting to life in a post-Karl-Anthony Cities world. The Thunder prefer to play quick. The wolves play slowly. If OKC dictates the tempo, it will likely be an issue for Minnesota. The Thunder might run Gobert off the courtroom with their five-out offense. Dort is compelled to drive Edwards to present him one or 4 fines.
3. Memphis Grizzlies
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Save: 25-14
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Offensive ranking: fifth
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Defensive ranking: fifth
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Web ranking: 4th
December 7, 2022. That is the final time the Grizzlies beat the Thunder. The Thunder have received the final six conferences, together with a sport earlier this season in Oklahoma Metropolis. The 2 groups will meet three extra instances this season: as soon as in February and twice in March.
The case of the Grizzlies: Just one workforce has a top-five offense and a top-five protection. You guessed it, the Grizzlies. Memphis has the underlying numbers of a championship contender, and that is with Morant having solely performed 22 video games. The Grizzlies have a official Huge Three with Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr. and Desmond Bane – a core with extra playoff expertise than the Thunder. Memphis misplaced within the Western Convention semifinals three seasons in the past, similar to the Thunder did final season.
The case of the Thunder: Gilgeous-Alexander is best than Morant, J-Dub is best than Bane, and Holmgren (though one might argue in any other case) is best than Jackson. Memphis is deep. OKC is deeper. The Thunder drive probably the most turnovers within the NBA, and solely the Jazz flip the ball over greater than the Grizzlies. It is a main wake-up name for Memphis.
Extra: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander reaches 10,000 profession factors in OKC Thunder’s rout of Wizards
2. Denver Nuggets
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Save: 23-15
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Offensive ranking: 4th
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Defensive ranking: 18th
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Web ranking: seventh
The Thunder are 1-1 in opposition to the Nuggets. Each video games came about in Denver. The Thunder host the Nuggets on back-to-back March 9-10 in OKC. The Thunder received the sequence 3-1 final season.
The case of the Nuggets: They’re champions. And if it hadn’t been for a Sport 7 collapse within the West Semifinals in opposition to Minnesota final season, who is aware of, perhaps Denver would beat Dallas and attempt to repeat. Denver has the most effective participant within the sequence. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has a stronger MVP case than Nikola Jokic, however Jokic is the most effective participant on the earth. Generally the playoffs are easy: the workforce with the most effective participant wins. Possibly Denver makes a commerce so as to add depth. Possibly the Jamal Murray playoffs will make us overlook how dangerous Murray was within the common season.
The case of the Thunder: The Thunder’s supporting forged round SGA is vastly superior to Denver’s supporting forged round Jokic. Whereas the Rockets, Wolves and Grizzlies have top-10 defenses, the Nuggets’ protection is under league common. The Thunder might beat the Nuggets if SGA had a B+ sequence. Jokic enjoying at an A+++ degree is Denver’s solely hope of upsetting OKC.
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Save: 22-17
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Offensive ranking: seventh
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Defensive ranking: twelfth
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Web ranking: eighth
The Thunder are 1-1 in opposition to the Mavericks. Dallas beats OKC with out Luka Doncic. The Thunder have two video games arising this month in Dallas. The Mavericks beat the Thunder 4 video games to 2 within the Western Convention semifinals final season.
The case of the Mavericks: (See final season). PJ Washington torments the Thunder from 3. Derek Vigorous II protects the paint. Luka Doncic does simply sufficient. Jalen Williams turns into the Thunder’s No. 2 choice. Kyrie Irving is enjoying higher than he was a 12 months in the past. Dallas is the defending Western Convention champion. The Mavs maintain the crown till the Thunder take it from them. The case of the Thunder: Jalen Williams and Chet Holmgren are a 12 months older and wiser. With Isaiah Hartenstein within the fold, OKC will not be overwhelmed by Dallas’ dimension. OKC is aware of the place it failed a 12 months in the past, and the Thunder have the personnel to beat Dallas in a rematch. Nobody on planet Earth makes life harder for Luka Doncic than Lu Dort. And PJ Washington can’t proceed like this… can he?
Joe Mussatto is a sports activities columnist for The Oklahoman. Do you may have a narrative concept for Joe? Ship him an e mail to [email protected]. Help Joe’s work and that of different Oklahoma journalists by buying a digital subscription in the present day at Subscribe.oklahoman.com.
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