With 30 games in the books, the OKC Thunder ascend into the West’s second seed, with the eyes on a coveted late May meeting versus a certain nemesis.
With the win in Sacramento, the OKC Thunder improved to 20-10 on the season pushing them into second place once again in the Western Conference. OKC also became the third team in the West to win 20 games. The other two teams are the top seeded Denver Nuggets (21-9) and third seeded Golden State Warriors (21-11).
Four teams in the Eastern Conference has 20 wins. The Toronto Raptors cleared the 20 win benchmark on December 1 and hold the best record in the NBA with 24-9. The other three squads are the Milwaukee Bucks (21-9), Philadelphia 76ers (21-12) and Indiana Pacers (20-12).
Although the fact both conferences have at least three teams with 20 wins the reality is reaching that threshold in the west was a more daunting task. With no offense levied at the Eastern Conference, the truth is 14 of the 15 squads in the West could earn a playoff berth. Even the lowly Suns are on a four game winning streak; their first in four seasons (2014-15).
Still, 14 of the 15 teams in the west offer no easy victories. On any given night western teams can beat teams considered the best in the league. It’s just a far more competitive field than we’ve witnessed in quite some time. Most feel the Golden State Warriors are the prohibitive favorites to three-peat as champions, however given their early struggles and injuries even that isn’t a foregone conclusion any longer.
Seemingly parity exists, at least in the west, unlike anything we’ve witnessed in quite some time. For the moment most analysts and pundits feel the OKC Thunder and Denver Nuggets have separated themselves to join the West’s upper echelon with the Warriors. Much of this is due to two reasons — OKC boast the top rated defense and will get Andre Roberson back in the New Year. And, Paul George is playing at a career best level. Moreover, Russell Westbrook is functioning alongside George in a manner befitting of two All-Stars and reaping the benefits of this change.
Certainly, there are no guarantees especially with the harder portion of their schedule remaining, but it does appear like the Thunder are on track to take one of the top three seeds.
Scanning the schedule there are some specific segments which will provide a test for OKC.
Schedule tests:
- This current stretch is one as the Thunder will play seven of their next nine games on the road (including the first game they won in Sacramento). Two back to back sets fall in this segment as well.
- March 2 through 14 the team will play six of eight on the road with a four game section against the Timberwolves, Blazers, Clippers, and Jazz in succession, including one back to back set.
- March 14 through March 29 could also prove difficult as OKC will face seven teams who are currently seeded including the game on the road to the Pacers, Raptors, and Grizzlies. Also in this segment, the Thunder will host the Warriors, Raptors, Pacers, and Nuggets.
- Seven sets of back to back series remain in the schedule.
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The fortunate part is there are no road trips longer than four games, albeit the stretches of four games with a game at home and then returning to the road can be trying.
Moreover, 16 games remain to be played versus eastern teams and eight of those are against teams currently under .500. In all, the Thunder still have 17 games on the schedule versus teams with records under .500 plus another three versus the Mavericks who sit at .500 exactly.
With a third of the season in the books and the OKC Thunder improving each game out, it sure bodes well for them to finish with one of the coveted home court seeds. If the addition of DeMarcus Cousins works to strengthen the already star studded cast in Golden State, the good news for OKC is they have a counter (Steven Adams) to address Boogie in that Warriors lineup.
Although it’s far too soon to expect a showdown in late May with the team in Oakland, Thunder Nation sure has reason to believe in its possibility. And, if you ask me it sure feels like a destined matchup of the leagues best offense versus the leagues best defense.
We’ve got 52 games and two playoff series to get through prior to that being the case. So, let’s enjoy the ride and hope for this matchup.