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The Wild West: 3 teams vie fortop spot as regular season winds down
NBASaturday, 13 April 2024 at 14:12
In a whirlwind of events on Friday night, the Western Conference playoff picture got a little wilder. With the Denver Nuggets' heart-stopping 121-120 loss to the San Antonio Spurs, the race for the top seed became a three-way tie as the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves clinched crucial wins.
Just when the Nuggets seemed to have a firm grip on the coveted No. 1 spot after defeating the Timberwolves earlier in the week, the tables turned dramatically. The Spurs' Devonte' Graham's clutch shot in the final seconds dashed Denver's hopes, leaving them in a precarious position heading into the final day of the NBA regular season.
Nuggets coach Michael Malone couldn't hide his disappointment, lamenting the missed opportunity to control their destiny. "We controlled our own destiny and what we accomplished on Wednesday night, we just gave it right back," Malone expressed.
Sunday's matchups become pivotal for the top seed contention. Denver faces off against the Memphis Grizzlies, needing both Oklahoma City and Minnesota to lose to reclaim their top spot. However, Malone stressed the importance of finishing strong regardless of seeding, emphasizing the team's capabilities.
This season marks a historic first in NBA annals with three teams sharing the same record this late in the season, each vying for the No. 1 seed. Oklahoma City holds the edge in the tiebreaker, securing the top seed, while Minnesota settles for second, and Denver slides to third.
In other Western Conference battles, the landscape remains unsettled. The LA Clippers are set to host the Dallas Mavericks in the 4-5 matchup, adding intrigue as the winner potentially avoids facing the reigning champions in the second round.
Meanwhile, the New Orleans Pelicans seized control of their destiny with a gritty win over the Golden State Warriors, positioning themselves for the No. 6 seed and a playoff berth without the play-in tournament. CJ McCollum's scorching form and Zion Williamson's stellar performance propelled the Pelicans towards their goal.
However, the Phoenix Suns are hot on their heels, with their seeding determined by Sunday's results. A win coupled with a Pelicans loss could see the Suns clinch the No. 6 spot.
In Los Angeles, the Lakers are gearing up for a crucial showdown against the Pelicans. LeBron James and Anthony Davis logged heavy minutes in their hard-fought victory over the Grizzlies, highlighting the stakes as they aim to secure their playoff berth.
With the regular season finale looming large, every game becomes a battleground as teams vie for playoff positions and seeding. The intensity is palpable as the Western Conference race heads towards a thrilling conclusion. Stay tuned as the drama unfolds on Sunday, with all eyes on the Wild West.
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