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:
IOC Announces $10,000 'Fit for the Future' Grant for All Qualifying Olympians, Including Boxers
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Thu, 25 Jun 2026Boxers did it first: IBA President welcomes IOC’s decision on allocating funds among athletes
Thu, 25 Jun 2026PH national now ready for Asia-Oceania Sambo
By Lito delos Reyes, Thu, 25 Jun 2026UFC TITLE CHALLENGER IAN MACHADO GARRY JOINS MATCHROOM TALENT AGENCY AS EDDIE HEARN LAUDS 'SUPERSTAR' SIGNING
Thu, 25 Jun 2026Round 12 with Mauricio Sulaimán: The Fathers in the boxing world
By Mauricio Sulaimán, Wed, 24 Jun 2026Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan arrive for Asia & Oceania Sambo Tournament
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 24 Jun 2026Mexican Hall of Fame Legend Carlos Zarate undergoes surgery in Mexico
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Wed, 24 Jun 2026IM Arca to see action in 28th Asian Youth Chess Championships 2026 in Shenzhen,China
By Marlon Bernardino, Wed, 24 Jun 2026Lenar Perez to Face Former Two-Time World Title Challenger Thabiso Mchunu, with Fendero-Fondjo as Co-Feature on September 3 in Montreal!
Wed, 24 Jun 2026Gustavo Trujillo'S Remarkable Journey Continues as Reigning Bkb Heavyweight Champion Climbs the Pro Boxing Ranks
Wed, 24 Jun 2026AMER ABDALLAH APPOINTED ADVISOR TO THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN BOXING FEDERATION
Wed, 24 Jun 2026Youth Sports Sambo on June 25
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 24 Jun 2026Train for Puma Half Marathon in starts June 24
By Lito delos Reyes, Wed, 24 Jun 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 22 JUNE 2026
By Eric Armit, Tue, 23 Jun 2026Team PH reigns in Senior League Softball Asia-Pacific and Middle East Regional Tournament in Indonesia
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 23 Jun 2026