Race for the top spot in the West

The Wolves enter the All-Star break atop the division and with a 1.5-game lead over the second-place Thunder by 1.5. The Wolves have the best defense in the NBA right now (108.2 points).

Rudy Gobert has returned to the level of the NBA’s number 1 defensive player, along with the explosive form of Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns, the Wolves have a very quality trio. In addition, Mike Conley, Jaden McDaniels, Naz Reid and Nickeil Alexander-Walker are all doing their roles well, helping the Wolves become a strong and balanced collective.

But the Wolves won’t have an easy time taking the top spot in the Western Conference, with the Thunder hot on their heels. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is on an MVP streak and leading the Thunder. The Canadian superstar enters the All-Star break ranked second in the NBA in total points and first in total steals. Jalen Williams is showing signs of future All-Star potential. Chet Holmgren has the OKC Thunder in the top five defensively. The only team with a better net rating than the Thunder (7.3) is the Celtics (10.3).

However, the race for the top spot is not only between Wolves and Thunder. After a difficult start, the Clippers have quickly accelerated and climbed to 3rd place. With Kawhi Leonard, Paul George and James Harden gradually regaining their best form, and Russell Westbrook becoming the main striker on the bench, the Clippers have become the team with the most depth and quality in the league. If the pillars are healthy, they are the leading candidate for the championship.

And of course, the defending NBA champions, the Denver Nuggets, are not out of the running for the top spot. They still have the all-around Nikola Jokic, who is averaging 26.1 points, 12.0 rebounds and 8.9 assists per game, though he hasn’t been too serious. Jamal Murray has missed 15 games due to various injuries, and the Nuggets’ goal is to keep him healthy before the playoffs. Aaron Gordon and Michael Porter Jr. are still playing their roles well, replacing Jokic and Murray.

Despite being in fourth place, the Nuggets are still the team with the most potential to take the top spot in the Western Conference.

Prediction: Nuggets lead the West

Battle for the final playoff spot in the East

With the Celtics so stable and almost certain to win the top spot, attention will turn to the sixth spot, the final playoff spot in the East. Based on their current form, the Celtics, Cavaliers, Bucks, Knicks and 76ers are almost certain to make the top six.

And the remaining ticket is the competition between the Pacers, Heat and Magic. The Indiana team is currently ranked 0.5 games ahead of Miami and Orlando. Bringing in Pascal Siakam is the perfect addition for the Pacers in the late stage of the season. However, their number one star Tyrese Haliburton only played 10 of the 15 games with Siakam due to an ankle injury.

The Magic started the season on fire, climbing to second place in the Eastern Conference at one point, beating Milwaukee, Denver, and Boston. But after a period of highs, they’ve come back down to earth. The duo of Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner provide the Magic with both offense and defense, making them one of the top five defenses in the NBA. The Magic are definitely a team that teams want to avoid early on.

Finally, there are the Heat, who showed last season that it doesn’t matter if they’re a Play-In team or a No. 1 seed — they can make a deep run. Miami is like a sleeping giant, ready to flip the switch after the break. Bam Adebayo is still one of the NBA’s best combo players this season, and Tyler Herro and Terry Rozier have given the Heat a boost on the perimeter.

Jaime Jaquez Jr., Duncan Robinson, Kevin Love, Caleb Martin, Haywood Highsmith and Nikola Jovic have all proven their abilities. And most importantly, Jimmy Butler is on the way back. If he returns soon, the Heat’s chances of making the playoffs are very bright.

Prediction: Heat to finish 6th

Are the Mavericks, Lakers and Warriors the Western Conference Play-In Teams?

The gap between the fifth-place Phoenix Suns and the 10th-place Golden State Warriors is just five games. Between those two teams are a host of strong teams like the Pelicans, Mavericks, Kings, and Lakers, all of whom are not interested in starting in the Play-in.

With Bradley Beal back, the Suns are looking like championship contenders. The Pelicans are a top-six seed despite Zion Williamson not playing at an All-Star level.

The Mavericks, with Luka Doncic scoring 34.2 points per game and Kyrie Irving, are always a formidable team. The club also added depth by bringing in Daniel Gafford and PJ Washington ahead of the trade deadline.

Sacramento hasn’t been able to replicate last year’s success, but Domantas Sabonis is still playing at a high level – leading the NBA in triple-doubles this season. The Kings just need De’Aaron Fox to find his form to start accelerating.

While the Lakers and Warriors are the NBA’s version of Jekyll and Hyde, neither has been consistent, but no team in the NBA today has more championship experience than the teams led by LeBron James and Stephen Curry.

As the Warriors proved last season when they easily eliminated the Kings in the first round, no team wants to meet them in the first round.

Prediction: Suns, Pelicans, Kings and Warriors to make play-in

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