OKC Thunder could be seeded third in West before week’s end
In the tight Western Conference race, the OKC Thunder could be sitting in the third seed before weeks end.
As Billy Donovan prepares his OKC Thunder group for the battle today, the spoils are a little bigger than just a simple game and adding a win to their season totals.
Entering the bubble we dove into how realistic the potential was for the Thunder to move up.
Win percentages take the priority in tie breaks and the Nuggets have played one additional game which gives them an edge in retaining that third seed since they had two extra wins when the suspension hit.
Once it was determined that only eight ‘seeding games’ would be played the possibility of moving up multiple positions seemed less likely. Particularly when we analyzed the strength of schedules for the four main teams group in the center of the Western Conference.
At the time it seemed feasible for the Thunder to gain control over two teams in the mix. The Mavericks looked like another club to be wary of but were hampered by having played three additional games which were all losses. They’ve essentially removed themselves from the conversation due to back to back losses in clutch time in the restart relegated them in a downward position.
Conversely, the OKC Thunder are the only team not to have a lost a scrimmage or seeding game so far in Orlando.
What playoff seed is most likely for OKC Thunder?
As for the group seeding three through six, the first priority was beating the Jazz which the Thunder accomplished — rather easily I might add. That was huge since it meant OKC earned the tiebreak over Utah. They also own the tiebreak over the Rockets.
Therefore, if the Thunder defeats the Nuggets today it would give them the clean sweep owning tiebreakers against all three opponents in this seeding group.
That’s a significant factor because the Nuggets lost their first match and beating them today would put the Thunder a measly half-game back of Denver and the third seed. Although the win percentage would mean that tiebreak won’t end up mattering since there is no way for the Thunder and Nuggets to end up with identical records.
To begin this week the Nuggets own a 43-23 record, the Rockets and Jazz have identical 42-24 records, while the Thunder has a 41-24 record. The teams rank three through six respectively with Houston ahead of Utah because they own that tiebreak.
After the Thunder and Nuggets play if the Thunder win, they’ll be in fourth – which in my opinion is their ideal position. As noted they would be a half-game behind the Nuggets and within striking distance of the three seed. The problem is finishing third would mean meeting the Clippers in the second round and that team is still the most dangerous matchup for the Thunder.
Still, who would’ve thought the Thunder would even have a shot at that spot this season?
With that, we take a closer look at each of the four clubs with a view to their schedules, current status, injuries, and offer insight on what could be in store.