As the Lakers lose to the Rockets and the Warriors suffer a crushing defeat to the Kings, the competition for the top 4 spots in the West heats up, with the rankings as follows!
This seemingly calm regular season is actually filled with undercurrents, with each team fighting their hardest for playoff positions.
▶1. Lakers vs. Rockets, a close battle
The Lakers challenged the Rockets away from home, expecting an easy victory, but it unexpectedly turned into a thrilling tug-of-war.
The Rockets opened the game with full firepower, leading the Lakers by 18 points at one point in the first half.
However, are the Lakers a team that gives up easily?
In the third quarter, Anthony Davis dominated the paint, and LeBron James also played a pivotal role, with the Lakers scoring 40 points in a single quarter to reduce the gap to just 2 points.
In the final quarter, both sides fought fiercely, with the scores alternating.
In the closing moments, the Lakers were only down by 3 points, but James' attempt to call a timeout to set up a tactic was ignored by the referee, allowing Fred VanVleet to seize the opportunity for a crucial steal, helping the Rockets secure the victory.
After the game, James expressed strong dissatisfaction with the referee's decision, believing he should have been granted the timeout.
In this game, Davis scored 30 points, 13 rebounds, and 5 blocks, while James contributed 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 9 assists. However, the outstanding performances of Jalen Green and Armoni Brooks of the Rockets, who combined for 56 points, ultimately led to the Lakers' regrettable defeat.
The key to the Lakers' loss was their disadvantage in rebounding, being outrebounded by the Rockets with 49 rebounds, including 18 offensive rebounds, which cost the Lakers dearly in second-chance points.
▶2. Warriors vs. Kings, a crushing defeat
The defending champion Warriors faced the Kings at home but suffered a crushing defeat, much to everyone's surprise.
The Kings showed their powerful offensive prowess in the first quarter, leading the Warriors 36-21 by 15 points.
The Warriors' defense was virtually non-existent, and they couldn't find their rhythm on offense either.
At halftime, the Warriors were already trailing by 24 points, and the game quickly lost its suspense.
In the third quarter, the Kings continued to expand their lead, with the gap reaching 30 points.
In the final quarter, Steve Kerr had no choice but to substitute his bench players, effectively surrendering early.
Ultimately, the Warriors suffered a crushing 99-129 defeat at home to the Kings, swallowing a bitter pill.
Although Curry scored 26 points, his efficiency was not high, and the other players were also in poor form.
This defeat once again exposed many problems with the Warriors this season, with obvious loopholes on both offense and defense.
▶3. The Western Conference in turmoil, unpredictable
With the Lakers losing to the Rockets and the Warriors suffering a crushing defeat to the Kings, the Western Conference rankings have been reshuffled again.
The Thunder, Rockets, and Grizzlies occupy the top three spots, with the Grizzlies leading the fourth-placed Nuggets by two wins.
Meanwhile, the Nuggets, Lakers, Mavericks, and Clippers are embroiled in a fierce battle for the fourth spot in the West, with the win difference between the four teams being no more than 0.5 games.
The Lakers, Mavericks, and Clippers have identical records of 20 wins and 15 losses.
The Warriors, with a record of 18 wins and 17 losses, are ranked ninth in the West, making it very difficult for them to directly qualify for the playoffs, and they may even have to participate in the play-in tournament.
▶4. Looking ahead to the future, the situation is ever-changing
The competition in the West is so intense that every game is crucial.
The Lakers need to solve their rebounding issues and improve their defensive intensity.
The Warriors need to quickly regain their form and adjust their tactics, or the glory of the defending champions will fade.
Other teams are also actively strengthening themselves, striving to make a difference in the playoffs.
The upcoming games will be even more exciting. Let's wait and see who will eventually stand out and dominate the West.