
OKC Thunder Tops West in Cinderella Finish; Phoenix Stuns Minnesota, Gains 6th Seed
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 15 Apr 2024

The Oklahoma City Thunder routed the visiting Dallas Mavericks, 135-87 and completed a Cinderella finish by topping the Western Conference at the close of the 2023-24 NBA regular season.
It was the best ever finish by the Thunder which ended at 10th last season and was relegated to the play in with a record of 40-42. They defeated then #9 NOP Pelicans to advance to the game for #8 against Minnesota but were beaten and eliminated.
The Denver Nuggets defeated the Memphis Grizzlies 126-111 to tie the Thunder's record of 57-25 but had to content with second as the Thunder beat them in their season series.
Meanwhile, the Minnesota Timberwolves were beaten by the visiting Phoenix Suns 125-106 to drop to third at 56-26. It was a sad loss for Minnesota which welcomed back Karl Anthony Towns from his long recuperation from injury. The win on the other hand propelled Phoenix to the 6th place and automatic seeding in the playoffs.
Phoenix was also helped by the visiting Los Angeles Lakers beating the erstwhile 6th placer New Orleans Pelicans, 124-106 with Lebron James and Anthony Davis posting huge numbers.
Having won two of three games against the Pelicans this season, the Suns own the season tiebreaker and would move ahead of New Orleans if the teams finish with identical records which they did at 49-33.
Minnesota as third seed and #6 Phoenix will therefore meet in the first round of the best of seven playoffs with the Timberwolves enjoying the home advantage.
LA Clippers (#4) meet the Mavericks (#5) in their own best of seven series with the Clippers having the home court advantage.
OKC as top seed and #2 Denver will have to wait for the results of the play-in which will determine the #8 and #7 who will be their respective playoff opponents.
All best of seven playoffs will be on 2-2-1-1-1 format.
The LA Lakers play the Pelicans in sudden death for #7 seeding while the Golden State Warriors battle Sacramento in another sudden death for the right to meet the loser between the Lakers and Pelicans in a win or go home game for the eight and final seed.
The author Teodoro Medina Reynoso is a veteran boxing radio talk show host living in the Philippines. He can be reached at teddyreynoso@yahoo.com and by phone 09215309477.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Star Frisco: Fighting with Heart, Never with Fear
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sun, 23 Mar 2025HALL OF FAME FLIES FLAGS AT HALF-STAFF FOR HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION GEORGE FOREMAN
Sun, 23 Mar 2025WORLD NINEBALL TOUR ANNOUNCES BLOCKBUSTER AUGUST SWING ACROSS AMERICA
Sun, 23 Mar 2025Do the Oddsters Know Something We Don't?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 22 Mar 2025Sebastain Fundora Makes Long Awaited Return Headlining PBC on Amazon Prime Card
By Chris Carlson, Sat, 22 Mar 2025GEORGE FOREMAN (1949–2025): THE GENTLE GIANT WHO TAUGHT US TO FIGHT WITH KINDNESS
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 22 Mar 2025Top Rank's Statement on the Passing of George Foreman
Sat, 22 Mar 2025IOC Executive Board Announces Olympic-Style Boxing Will be Included on LA28 Olympic Schedule
Sat, 22 Mar 2025CAPITO EXTENDS HIS LEAD AS BATTLE HEATS UP | 2025 IFX PREMIER LEAGUE POOL
Sat, 22 Mar 2025ABAP severs ties with IBA
By Joaquin Henson, Sat, 22 Mar 2025April 5: Abdullah Mason Steps Up Against Carlos Ornelas on Richard Torrez Jr.-Guido Vianello Card at Palms Casino Resort LIVE on ESPN+
Sat, 22 Mar 2025Weights From Atlantic City
Sat, 22 Mar 2025KAMBOSOS JR VS. WYLLIE WEIGHTS AND RUNNING ORDER
Fri, 21 Mar 2025Quezon City IIEE-PSME Simba’s Tribe courtesy visit to GAB Chair Rivera
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 21 Mar 2025Oklahoma Takes NBA Overall Lead; Race for West Top 6, Play-in Still On
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 21 Mar 2025