Celtics, Timberwolves Keep Lead in NBA East and West Conferences
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 20 Jan 2024
As of midpoint of the current NBA season, the Boston Celtics despite a close loss to defending champions Denver Nuggets still keep their lead in the Eastern Conference while the Minnesota Timberwolves has broken free from erstwhile neck to neck for the lead in the Western Conference.
Despite a 102-100 loss to the Nuggets, Boston keep its 3.5 won games and 4 won games respectively over the Milwaukee Bucks and the Philadelphia 76ers for a Conference and league leading 32-10 win-loss record.
Sharing limelight with this development is the news of Indiana Pacers getting do-it-all big man Pascal Siakam from the Toronto Raptors raising hopes about the Pacers improving its chances in the race for the top six slots in the East where it is currently tied with the Miami Heat for #6 both toting 24-17 win-loss record or 8 won games behind the streaking nearest pursuers Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers with its Conference and league leading 32-9 record. Four won games back are the Bucks with 28-13 and five won games behind are the 76ers at 26-13.
Meanwhile, the surprising Timberwolves through its own recent victories and recent losses by their closest rivals, the OKC Thunder and defending champions the Denver Nuggets, finally broke free with their record of 30-11 which is 2 won games ahead respectively of OKC (28-13) and Denver (29-14). Making a strong bid however are the LA Clippers at 26-14 after winning eight of their last ten games.
For sometime, it was floated that the Golden State Warriors, whose bid to qualify has been floundering, was interested to get Siakam in a possible exchange with Draymond Green. Therefore Siakam going to Indiana caught many people by surprise. The Warriors who are currently #12 in the West seem not ready to give up Draymond who has been part of all its championship team. The Warriors still have two postponed games vs Utah Jazz and the Dallas Mavericks on account of the recent indisposition and later, death of its assistant coach Dejan Milojevic.
In the running for the top ten in the East also are the Cleveland Cavaliers (24-15) New York Knicks (25-17), Miami and Indiana both 24-17, Orlando Magic (22-19), Chicago Bulls (20-23) and the Atlanta Hawks (17-23). Outside looking in for the last two post season slots are the New Jersey Nets (16-24) and the Toronto Raptors (16-26).
Still in the race for the top ten in the West also are the New Orleans Pelicans (25-17), Dallas Mavericks (24-18), Sacramento Kings (23-18), Phoenix Suns (22-18), Utah Jazz (22-21) and LA Lakers (21-21). Outside looking in and bidding to catch the last bus to the pre season are the Houston Rockets (19-21) and the Warriors (18-22).
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
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