Oklahoma Takes NBA Overall Lead; Race for West Top 6, Play-in Still On
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Fri, 21 Mar 2025
With Cleveland dropping three straight games, the Oklahoma City Thunder has assumed overall lead in the current NBA season standings by a game, 57-12 to the Cavaliers 56-13 win-loss record as of today.
However, both has 13 games to play before the season ends by mid April so the race for the best record that grants home advantage to the winner in the event both or any of the two teams advances to the Finals is still on.
Also very much in contention is the race for the Western Conference remaining three spots for the Top 4 that bears home advantage in the playoffs, among the four squads, namely Houston Rockets (currently 45-25) Denver Nuggets (44-26), Los Angeles Lakers (43-26),and Memphis Grizzlies (43-27).
Though with slim mathematical chance for Top 4, the Golden State Warriors (41-29) and Los Angeles Clippers (39-30) are most likely seen to be jostling for the sixth spot that automatically advances to the playoffs against whoever ends up #3 seed.
The flunker from the fight for #6 will battle the Minnesota Timberwolves (currently 40-31) in the play-in round for the 7th seed. The loser will then battle the winner of the play-in between the #9 and #10 teams, currently Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns or Dallas Mavericks.
Every win therefore counts in finalising the top six seeds and determining who advances via the sudden death play-in round for the 7th and 8th seeds.
Phoenix won yesterday against Chicago Bulls, 127-121 and has temporarily nudged Dallas from the 10th place though they are statistically tied currently at 33-37.
However, the Suns will be hosting the Cavaliers, Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics in their next three games before visiting Minnesota and Houston to end the month.
Meanwhile, Dallas which has lost four straight games, will be hosting Detroit Pistons tomorrow before heading to a long four game tour of the East against Brooklyn Nets, New York Knicks, Orlando Magic and Chicago Bulls to wind up March.
The prospects don't look good for the Mavericks which have been on a spiral since they traded Luka Doncic and been hit by spate of injuries that reduced them to basically only eight players per outing.
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:
Press Conference Notes: San Diego Favorite Emanuel Navarrete Set to Reignite Mexico-Philippines Rivalry against Charly Suarez
Fri, 09 May 2025SALITA PROMOTIONS PRESENTS: UNDISPUTED HEAVYWEIGHT WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP CLARESSA SHIELDS vs. LANI DANIELS SATURDAY, JULY 26 * LITTLE CAESARS ARENA
Fri, 09 May 2025Unbeaten Anthony Velazquez pitched shutout at home in Springfield
Fri, 09 May 2025TYSON FURY VOTED THE MOST ENTERTAINING BOXER IN THE WORLD, ACCORDING TO BRITISH FANS
Fri, 09 May 2025Undefeated super middleweight contender Darius Fulghum preparing to ‘Make a big splash’ vs. Bek Melikuziev
Fri, 09 May 2025OKC Routs Denver; 149-106, Ties Series; Semis Series in East Remain Topsy-turvy as Boston Goes Down 0-2 With 91-90 Loss to NY
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Thu, 08 May 2025SHAW SENDS A MESSAGE IN HUNT FOR UK OPEN GLORY | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Thu, 08 May 2025WBO presents the Amanda Serrano Championships
Thu, 08 May 2025GM Antonio faces tough competition in ASEAN Seniors Chess Championships in Penang, Malaysia
By Marlon Bernardino, Thu, 08 May 2025Boxing: Entertainment Sport or Sport Entertainment?
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Wed, 07 May 2025JIM LAMPLEY'S BOOK TOUR IS IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA THIS WEEK!
Wed, 07 May 2025CAPITO IGNITES TITLE DEFENCE IN STYLE | 2025 UK OPEN POOL CHAMPIONSHIP
Wed, 07 May 2025Sol Levinson: The Man Whose Gloves Elevated Boxing
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Tue, 06 May 2025Undefeated Cuban Heavyweight Prospect Dainier Pero Finishes Intense Las Vegas Training Camp Ahead of May 9 MVP Main Event on DAZN
Tue, 06 May 2025The Past Week in Action 5 May 2025: Inoue-Cardenas Saves Historic Boxing Weekend; Canelo-Scull Sets New Record for Fewest Punches Thrown
By Eric Armit, Tue, 06 May 2025