Things are looking up in the West playoff chase for Luka Doncic and the Mavs.
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The Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors remain stuck in the 9-10 slot for the SoFI Play-In Tournament game in the Western Conference, unable to catch the eighth-place Phoenix Suns.
Things would be different, of course, if the Lakers and Warriors were in the Eastern Conference. And it was their wins on Tuesday (over the Milwaukee Bucks and Miami Heat) that clinched a winning record for the West in interconference games this season.
The Eastern Conference had a better record in each of the last two seasons, but the West was dominant before that and this will be the 22nd time in the last 25 years that the West has had the better record.
Just two weeks ago, both the Warriors (35-31) and Lakers (36-32) had worse records than the eighth-best team in the East (37-30), so they would have been in the ninth and 10th spots in either conference.
Now, that’s no longer the case, with the Lakers having the same record as the sixth-place Indiana Pacers and the Warriors having a better record than the eighth-place Philadelphia 76ers.
On top of that, the Warriors (20-10) and Lakers (17-10) are a combined 37-20 against the East, so if they were actually in the Eastern Conference (and playing more games against it), they’d be even higher in the standings.
Alas, it’s just one of those years where staying afloat in the Western Conference is much tougher. And as good as the Lakers and Warriors are playing right now, they will need some help to climb out of that 9-10 Play-In game.
Plus-Minus Players of the Week
- Right Way: Jalen Brunson (NYK) was a plus-101 in four games last week.
- Wrong Way: Dalano Banton (POR) was a minus-84 in three games last week.
Teams of the Week
- Make It Last Forever: Golden State (4-0) — The Warriors felt the Rockets on their tails and responded.
- Something Just Ain’t Right: Portland (0-3) — Making history when it comes to 60-point losses.
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East vs. West
- The West is 239-177 (.575) against the East in interconference games after going 14-7 last week.
Schedule strength through Week 23
- Toughest: 1. Portland, 2. San Antonio, 3. Memphis
- Easiest: 1. Miami, 2. Orlando, 3. Phoenix
- Schedule strength is based on cumulative opponent record.
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Movement in the Rankings
- High jumps of the week: Golden State (+3), San Antonio (+3), Brooklyn (+2), Indiana (+2)
- Free falls of the week: Orlando (-3), Portland (-3), Four teams (-2)
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Week 24 Team to Watch
- Phoenix — The Suns are two games into their season-ending stretch of 10 straight against teams that are all currently at least 12 games over .500. This week, they’ve got two games against the Pelicans along with visits from the Cavs and Wolves.
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Previously…
- Last week: Bucks, Mavs and Suns rise; Nuggets stay at No. 1
- The archive: NBA.com Power Rankings
OffRtg: Points scored per 100 possessions (League Rank)
DefRtg: Points allowed per 100 possessions (League Rank)
NetRtg: Point differential per 100 possessions (League Rank)
Pace: Possessions per 48 minutes (League Rank)
The league has averaged 114.7 points scored per 100 possessions and 99.2 possessions (per team) per 48 minutes this season.
NBA.com’s Power Rankings, released every Monday during the season, are just one man’s opinion. If you have an issue with the rankings, or have a question or comment for John Schuhmann, send him an e-mail or contact him via threads.
