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A big swath of NBA media is out on the highest seeds within the Western Convention — and it is smart, as a result of, for the primary time for the reason that 1996-97 season, the East is way and away superior.
The Denver Nuggets have clinched the very best report within the West at 52-28 with two video games remaining. The No. 2 seed Memphis Grizzlies gained their fiftieth recreation on Tuesday, and third-seeded Sacramento Kings might not get to 50 wins. These groups can even not transfer within the standings by the top of the week.
With the dearth of dominance on the prime of the Western Convention, analysts and sports activities books consider that veteran groups clustered in the midst of the standings have — at minimal — a equally seemingly likelihood at advancing to the NBA Finals. Each Fanduel and DraftKings have the No. 4 seed Phoenix Suns because the betting favorites to come back out of the West.
Sure, Kevin Durant has returned from damage for the Suns. Andrew Wiggins is back in the Bay Area together with Gary Payton II. The Los Angeles Lakers have been on a tear for the reason that all-star break, and if Paul George returns to the staff that defeated them on Wednesday night time — the Los Angeles Clippers — they may have as sturdy a roster as any staff with a rejuvenated Kawhi Leonard.
All of that being stated, the groups on the prime of the Western Convention aren’t any pushovers. A few them have actual playoff expertise, and the one which doesn’t continues to be higher than practically everywhere in the NBA in an vital class.
No. 1 Nuggets are pretty much as good as any staff within the West
The Denver Nuggets are the No. 1 seed for a motive. In fact, the primary one is Nikola Jokić working the offense like he’s Magic Johnson, however whereas enjoying middle. Nonetheless, there’s a motive that his career-high utilization fee — 31.9 % — has dropped to 27.2 percent which is his lowest for the reason that bubble season and he’s nonetheless enjoying at an NBA degree.
Not solely did Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. return from damage, however the Nuggets did considerably enhance their roster. They introduced in Bruce Brown and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope throughout the offseason, and Reggie Jackson and Thomas Bryant close to the commerce deadline.
Brown and Caldwell-Pope have been pretty much as good as marketed however Jackson and Bryant have struggled a lot that Zeke Nnaji — recovering from a knee damage —has been the Nuggets’ second-best participant off of the bench. For all the work that the Nuggets have achieved to their roster, depth could also be a difficulty come playoff time.
The starters although, that group is a monster. 4 of their 5 have conference-finals expertise. The web score for the Nuggets’ beginning lineup is healthier than the Philadelphia 76ers’ crunchtime 5, all the Boston Celtics’ most used lineups, and is bested by solely one of many Milwaukee Bucks’ most used. If the Nuggets can get something out of their bench, they may play like a prime seed.
The Grizzlies may be maddening however they’re good
Between Dillon Brooks’ battle towards the world, and Ja Morant temporarily being away from the team after flashing a firearm on Instagram, it may be simple to neglect that for the reason that flip of the 12 months the Grizzlies have spent sooner or later within the Western Convention standings decrease than second. In the event that they hadn’t hit a skid from mid-January by early February they may simply be the highest staff within the convention.
Desmond Bane has taken one other main leap in his third NBA season. His field-goal makes an attempt and scoring common have elevated this season alongside together with his field-goal share. Bane is about to obtain a fats payday as a result of he’s a real backcourt scoring menace.
Jaren Jackson Jr. is effectively on his technique to a Defensive Participant of the 12 months Award. His position because the anchor on that protection has led the Grizzlies to the second-best defensive score within the league. A defensive-minded staff that performed the NBA Champions in a aggressive six-game collection final playoffs. They are going to be a terror this spring.
All people desires to play the Kings
It is smart. They don’t have a top-10 NBA participant on their roster and haven’t been to the postseason since Rick Adelman’s ultimate season as head coach in 2005-06. In some ways, these Kings are a flawed Adelman staff. An amazing offense through which the entire is larger than the sum of its elements, however they wrestle on protection.
That is probably the most weak of the top-three seeds, however out of three choices one needed to end final. Whereas the Kings do wrestle on protection, they’ve the very best offensive score within the NBA. The roster is flush with capturing, paint scoring, and playmaking. Each night time towards them within the postseason shall be a exercise for the opposition.
And for all of their struggles on protection, they’re nonetheless higher than each staff within the West in a major class — highway victories. The Kings are the one staff within the Western Convention with a highway report over .500, and it’s not only a few video games over. They’re 25-15 on the highway. Solely the Bucks — the top-seeded staff within the league — have a greater highway report at 26-14. Mix that with a veteran head coach in Mike Brown, the Kings shall be no simple out.
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