NBA Western Conference Latest Rankings: Clippers Create NBA Miracle, Grizzlies Rise to 2nd, Warriors Drop to 11th
Beijing Time, December 28, 2024: Today, there were 8 NBA games involving the Warriors, Clippers, Nuggets, Mavericks, Suns, Rockets, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Spurs, and Pelicans. After the games, the Western Conference standings saw significant changes.
The Nuggets faced off against the Cavaliers at home without Gordon. The Nuggets engaged in a high-scoring battle with the Cavaliers, but the Cavaliers' offensive firepower was much stronger. Apart from Allen, everyone else could shoot three-pointers, going 23-for-48 from beyond the arc. Although the Nuggets also shot well from three (15-for-31), they still had a noticeable gap compared to the Cavaliers. As a result, the Cavaliers maintained control throughout the game, leading by as many as 21 points before ultimately defeating the Nuggets 149-135. Mitchell scored 33 points with 10-of-17 shooting, Mobley had 26 points with 9-of-13 shooting, Garland got 25 points with 10-of-18 shooting, Allen had 22 points with 10-of-13 shooting, Jokic scored 27 points with 12-of-19 shooting, and Murray got 27 points with 10-of-20 shooting.
After the loss, the Nuggets dropped from fifth to seventh in the West with a record of 16 wins and 13 losses.
The Suns hosted the Mavericks without Booker and Allen, while the Mavericks were without Doncic and Lively. The Mavericks took a 3-point lead in the first quarter, extended their advantage significantly in the second quarter by winning it by 13 points, and led by 16 points at halftime. In the third quarter, a conflict occurred between the players, resulting in the ejection of Washington, Marshall, and Nuke. The Suns managed to recover 8 points in the third quarter, but the Mavericks held on to their lead in the fourth quarter and won the game by a 9-point margin. Irving scored 20 points with 6-of-21 shooting, Gafford had 16 points with 7-of-11 shooting, Durant scored 35 points with 11-of-19 shooting, and Beal got 11 points with 5-of-18 shooting.
With the win, the Mavericks improved to 20 wins and 11 losses, remaining fourth in the West. The Suns, after the loss, dropped to 15 wins and 15 losses, falling from eighth to tenth in the West.
The Rockets played the Timberwolves at home, playing back-to-back games without Dillon and Ethan. The Timberwolves had a slight advantage in the first half, leading by 5 points at halftime. However, the Rockets made a strong comeback in the third quarter, winning it by 13 points to take the lead. By the end of the third quarter, the Rockets were up by 8 points. In the fourth quarter, the Rockets extended their lead to 16 points with just 5 minutes left in the game. It seemed like the Rockets were about to secure the victory, but the Timberwolves made a rapid comeback and took the lead by 1 point with 23 seconds remaining. VanVleet missed a three-pointer, allowing the Timberwolves to win by a single point and complete the comeback. Randle scored 27 points with 10-of-16 shooting, Edwards had 24 points with 9-of-17 shooting, Shen Jing scored 38 points with 16-of-25 shooting, and Thompson got 20 points with 11-of-12 shooting.
After the loss, the Rockets dropped from second to third in the West with a record of 21 wins and 10 losses. The Timberwolves, with the win, improved to 16 wins and 14 losses, moving up from ninth to eighth in the West.
The Clippers hosted the Warriors without Leonard and Mann, while the Warriors were without Curry and Green. The Warriors took a 2-point lead in the first quarter, but the Clippers won the second quarter by 8 points to take the lead. In the third quarter, the Clippers had a clear advantage, winning it by 12 points to extend their lead. By the end of the third quarter, the Clippers were up by 18 points. In the fourth quarter, the Warriors made a scoring surge to reduce the deficit to 3 points, but the Clippers responded strongly to regain their lead and eventually won the game by a 10-point margin. Harden scored 18 points with 6-of-14 shooting, Powell had 26 points with 10-of-20 shooting, Zubac scored 17 points with 8-of-9 shooting, and Kuminga got 34 points with 11-of-19 shooting.
With this win, the Clippers have now defeated the Warriors three times this season, earning the title of "Warriors' nemesis." After this game, the Clippers have an 18-13 record and moved up from seventh to fifth in the West. Without Leonard, they managed to rank fifth in the West, creating a miracle for the Clippers.
The Warriors, after the loss, have a record of 15 wins and 15 losses, dropping from tenth to eleventh in the West. The Warriors once topped the Western Conference this season, but their recent form has been poor, losing 12 out of their last 15 games, putting them in a precarious position.
The Pelicans hosted the Grizzlies without Ingram and Zion, while the Grizzlies were without Smart and Aldama. On paper, the Grizzlies had a clear advantage, and they maintained control throughout the game, leading by as many as 22 points. Although the Pelicans reduced the deficit in the fourth quarter, it was not enough, and the Grizzlies won the game by an 8-point margin. Jackson scored 33 points with 11-of-21 shooting, Morant had 25 points with 8-of-11 shooting, Murphy scored 35 points with 10-of-21 shooting, and McCollum got 32 points with 12-of-22 shooting.
With the win, the Grizzlies improved to 22 wins and 10 losses, surpassing the Rockets to become second in the West, while the Rockets dropped to third. The Pelicans, after the loss, remained at the bottom of the West.
The Spurs faced the Nets on the road, performing poorly in the first quarter with only 11 points and trailing by 11 points at the end of the quarter. However, the Spurs made a strong comeback in the second quarter, winning it by 11 points to level the score. In the third quarter, the Spurs demonstrated their dominance, winning it by 12 points. Although the Nets recovered 3 points in the fourth quarter, the Spurs ultimately won the game by a 9-point margin. Wenyangama scored 19 points with 7-of-14 shooting, Johnson had 25 points with 10-of-20 shooting.
With the win, the Spurs improved to 16 wins and 15 losses, surpassing the Suns and Warriors to move up from eleventh to ninth in the West.
After today's games, the rankings of eight teams in the West changed significantly. Below are the updated Western Conference standings after today's games.