NBA Western Conference Latest Rankings: Rockets Create NBA Miracle, Nuggets Receive Big Gift, Gap Between 3rd to 9th Place Narrows
Beijing time January 10, 2025, today the NBA originally had 8 games, but the Lakers vs Hornets game was postponed, and the other 7 games were held as scheduled, involving the Warriors, Rockets, Mavericks, Suns, Grizzlies, Timberwolves, Trail Blazers, and Jazz. After the games, there were changes in the Western Conference standings.
The Warriors played away against the Pistons, with the Warriors missing Wiggins, Kuminga, Pojeme, Moody, and others, greatly reducing their combat effectiveness. The Pistons were also missing Avery and Hardaway. It was thought that the Warriors would be at a disadvantage, but unexpectedly, the Warriors had multiple players step up, leading the Pistons by more than 15 points on several occasions. With over five minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Warriors led by 18 points. However, the Pistons made a late push, narrowing the gap to just two points. Despite this, they ultimately fell short, and the Warriors won by a three-point margin.
Curry scored 17 points, 10 rebounds, and 6 assists on 5-of-21 shooting, struggling with his shot. Hield contributed 19 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists on 7-of-15 shooting, while Davis added 14 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists on 7-of-9 shooting, and Schroder chipped in with 13 points and 6 assists on 5-of-11 shooting. For the Pistons, Cunningham had a strong game with 32 points, 6 rebounds, 8 assists, and 3 steals on 12-of-21 shooting, and Beasley added 21 points, 4 rebounds, and 2 assists on 8-of-21 shooting.
With the win, the Warriors improved to 19-18 and remained ninth in the West, one game behind the eighth-seeded Clippers.
The Rockets played away against the Grizzlies in a crucial positioning battle. The Rockets were without Smith and Ison, while the Grizzlies were missing Smart. On paper, the Grizzlies had the advantage, but surprisingly, the Rockets maintained control for much of the game, leading by as many as 17 points at one stage. In the fourth quarter, the Rockets still held a 12-point lead. Although the Grizzlies managed to cut the deficit to just one point, they were unable to complete the comeback, and the Rockets ultimately won by four points. Shen Jing had an outstanding game, scoring 32 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists on 12-of-20 shooting. Jalen Green added 27 points, 2 rebounds, 3 assists, and 3 steals on 11-of-21 shooting, and VanVleet contributed 22 points, 4 assists, and 4 steals on 8-of-13 shooting. For the Grizzlies, Morant scored 27 points with 3 rebounds and 3 assists on 9-of-22 shooting, Jackson added 21 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 blocks on 9-of-15 shooting, and Bane chipped in with 16 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists on 6-of-10 shooting.
The Rockets' victory secured their third consecutive win. In their last three games, despite being without Smith and Ison, they have defeated the Lakers, Wizards, and Grizzlies, creating a miracle. With the win, the Rockets improved to 25-12, solidifying their second-place position in the West. The Grizzlies' loss dropped them to 24-14, keeping them in third place but now 1.5 games behind the Rockets. The Grizzlies' defeat also handed a gift to the Nuggets, as the gap between the Nuggets and Grizzlies narrowed to just two games, increasing the Nuggets' chances of moving into the top three.
The Timberwolves played away against the Magic, who were missing Banchero, the Wagner brothers, and Suggs, significantly reducing their combat effectiveness. They were no match for the Timberwolves, who dominated throughout the game, leading by as many as 24 points at one stage. The Timberwolves eventually won by a comfortable 15-point margin. Randle scored 23 points, grabbed 10 rebounds, and added 2 assists on 8-of-16 shooting, while Edwards contributed 21 points, 3 rebounds, and 7 assists on 5-of-19 shooting. For the Magic, Bitadze added 15 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 blocks on 7-of-12 shooting.
With the win, the Timberwolves improved to 20-17, moving from eighth to seventh in the West. The Clippers dropped to eighth, although both teams have the same record.
The Jazz hosted the Heat, with the Heat missing Butler and the Jazz without George. The Jazz took a seven-point lead in the first quarter, but the Heat responded by winning the second quarter by 12 points to take a five-point lead. The Jazz regained control in the third quarter, leading by two points going into the final period. However, the Heat made another push in the fourth quarter and ultimately won by a five-point margin. Herro scored 23 points, grabbed 7 rebounds, and added 5 assists on 7-of-16 shooting, while Harkless contributed 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists on 7-of-11 shooting. For the Jazz, Sexton scored 23 points and added 5 assists on 9-of-18 shooting, and Markkanen chipped in with 23 points and 5 rebounds on 8-of-24 shooting. With the loss, the Jazz dropped to 9-27 and remained 14th in the West.
The Mavericks hosted the Trail Blazers, missing Doncic and Irving, which greatly reduced their combat effectiveness. The Trail Blazers were without Grant but managed to maintain control for much of the game. With just over four minutes left in the fourth quarter, they still held a 10-point lead. However, the Mavericks made a remarkable 16-0 run to take a six-point lead, reversing the course of the game. They ultimately won by a six-point margin, completing the comeback. Washington scored 23 points, grabbed 14 rebounds, and added 3 steals on 5-of-13 shooting, Lively contributed 21 points, 16 rebounds, and 3 blocks on 9-of-13 shooting, and Hardy chipped in with 25 points and 2 assists on 10-of-18 shooting. For the Trail Blazers, Sharpe scored 22 points, grabbed 8 rebounds, and added 3 assists on 8-of-19 shooting, and Simons contributed 22 points, 1 rebound, and 4 assists on 9-of-22 shooting.
With the win, the Mavericks improved to 22-16 and remained fifth in the West, one game ahead of the Lakers.
The Suns hosted the Hawks, with Johnson absent for the Hawks. The Suns took a seven-point lead in the first quarter, but the Hawks fought back in the second quarter, winning it by 11 points to take a four-point lead. The Suns regained control in the third quarter, leading by six points going into the final period. In the fourth quarter, the Suns built a 15-point lead, but the Hawks managed to cut the deficit to just five points. However, they were unable to mount a successful comeback, and the Suns ultimately won by an eight-point margin. Durant scored 23 points, grabbed 2 rebounds, and added 7 assists and 3 blocks on 9-of-15 shooting, Beal contributed 25 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, and 3 steals on 11-of-16 shooting, Booker added 20 points, 3 rebounds, and 12 assists on 9-of-21 shooting, and Allen chipped in with 23 points and 2 rebounds on 7-of-8 shooting (including 5-of-6 from three-point range), becoming a key player. For the Hawks, Young scored 21 points, grabbed 2 rebounds, and added 7 assists on 6-of-15 shooting, and Bogdan chipped in with 17 points, 2 rebounds, and 3 assists on 7-of-11 shooting.
With the win, the Suns improved to 17-19 and remained 12th in the West, just half a game behind the Kings and Spurs. Their hopes of returning to the top ten are reignited.
After today's games, only the Clippers and Timberwolves swapped positions in the Western Conference standings, with all other teams remaining unchanged. However, due to the Grizzlies' loss and victories for the Mavericks, Timberwolves, and Warriors, the gap between third and ninth place has narrowed. The third-placed Grizzlies now lead the ninth-seeded Warriors by just 4.5 games. Below is the latest ranking situation in the West:
Western Conference Standings:
- Rockets - 25-12
- Warriors - 19-18
- Grizzlies - 24-14
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