This is just a quick update as to where the Thunder are in terms of seeding, what they need to do to move up, and who they'll potentially be facing. As of right now, the Western Conference can be divided into two races: The Race for the Two Seed and the Race for the Seven Seed.
Previous Edition: April 9th, April 11th, April 12th
The Race For Two:
Two Seed: Los Angeles Lakers
How far ahead? One game. Tied with the Mavericks. (Lakers Hold Tiebreaker as Division Winners)
Who Owns the Tie Breaker with the Thunder? The Lakers (Lakers Won Season Series 2-1).
Who Have They Yet to Face? At Sacramento
Analysis: With their win over the Spurs, the Lakers have now assured that the Thunder will not move ahead of them in the NBA standings. With a loss to Sacramento, they could still move down to the three seed should the Mavericks win.
Three Seed: Dallas Mavericks
How far ahead? One game. Tied with the Lakers. (Lakers Hold Tiebreaker as Division Winners)
Who Owns the Tie Breaker with the Thunder? The Thunder (Division Winners).
Who have they yet to face? Vs. New Orleans
Analysis: They didn't play last night, but they now find it harder to move up to the two seed, with the Lakers defeating the Spurs. As long as they beat the Hornets though, they are assured of the three seed.
Four Seed: Oklahoma City Thunder
Who have they yet to face? Vs Milwaukee.
Analysis: Unfortunately, the situation is largely out of their hands, and they're probably stuck in the four seed. But, if the Mavericks lose, they could still move up to the third spot. My money's still on the Mavericks, though. Blast those Spurs tankers!
Below: The Race for the Seven Seed, Who the Thunder are Likely to Face!
Five Seed: Denver Nuggets
How far ahead? 2.5 games ahead the Trail Blazers.
Can they move up? No.
Can they move down? No.
Who have they yet to face? At Utah
Analysis: With their destruction of Golden State, the Denver Nuggets have now officially locked themselves into the five seed. Should the Mavericks win tonight, the Thunder will face them in the first round.
Six Seed: Portland Trail Blazers
How Far Ahead? 1 Game ahead of the Grizzlies.
Can they move up? No.
Can they move down? No.
Who have they yet to face? At Golden State.
Analysis: With their win against the Grizzlies, the Trail Blazers have locked themselves into the six seed. Should the Thunder win and the Mavericks lose, the Thunder will face them in the first round.
Race for the Seven Seed
Seven Seed: New Orleans Hornets
How Far Behind? 2.0 Games back of the Trail Blazers.
How Far Ahead? Tied with the Grizzlies. (Hornets hold Tiebreaker with better division record.)
Can they move up? No.
Can they move down? No.
Who have they yet to face? At Dallas
Analysis: The Hornets move into the seventh seed by sheer luck of the Grizzlies losing. They can keep it with a win over the Mavericks, and would still keep it if the Grizzlies lost tomorrow. I don't see them keeping it though, especially with how horrible they've played lately.
Eight Seed: Memphis Grizzlies
How Far Behind? 2 Games Back of the Trail Blazers.
How Far Ahead? Tied with the Hornets. (Hornets hold Tiebreaker with better division record.)
Can they move up? Yes, to 7th.
Can they move down? Yes, to 8th.
Who have they yet to face? At Los Angeles Clippers
Analysis: Should they win and should the Hornets lose, they can still get the seven seed. But they lost their real opportunity to move up by losing to the Trail Blazers last night. Their destiny is out of their hands, but they'll still likely be moving into the seven seed as long as they take care of business against the Clippers.
What do you think about the seeding situation? Vote in the poll, post a comment!
Loading comments...