Yesterday the Jazz won an epic game with epic performances while NBA TV broadcasted a non-epic Spurs/Kings matchup which I really didn't want to watch. The slightly good news is that the Kings didn't just roll over and made the Spurs play their regulars nearly regular minutes: Timmy Duncan 28, Ginobili 33, Jefferson 33, McDyess 29. Tony Parker came off the bench for 16 minutes. Still, I doubt that will matter tonight versus the Suns. This is a big one.
The Jazz have claimed sole position of the 2 seed while idle Dallas fell a half game back, the Suns take the 4 and the Nuggets fall to 6. The Spurs and OKC switch spots at 6 and 7 respectively. This is a good time to be an NBA fan, unless you have anxiety issues.
In case you were wondering about potential tie breakers:
OKC/UTAH- tied 2-2 (doubt that will come into play)
DEN/OKC- Den 2-1 (the two play tonight)
SUNS/SAS- tied 1-1 (the two play tonight)
DAL/UTAH- Utah 2-1
DEN/SAS- Den 2-1 (one left to play)
SAS/PTL- Port 3-0
SAS/OKC- Spurs 3-1
DAL/SUNS- Dal 2-1
Utah Jazz 140 Oklahoma City Thunder 139- All the media outlets are now calling the Western Conference "The Wild West," and I doubt they'll stop after this game. Durant took on Williams in this one, and Williams won the "shootout" with a 20 footer with 1.1 left. Durant's 3 with time expiring missed, but I think you and I all saw a foul on the play. At least I did.(Game Recap)
San Antonio Spurs 95 Sacramento Kings 86- Garrett "What's His Name" Temple started in place of injured George Hill and scored a career high 15 points and added 4 assists. Richard Jefferson added 18, to leade 6 Spurs in double figures. (Game Recap)
Western Conference Standings:
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | L10 | STREAK |
|
1. LA Lakers |
55 | 22 | .714 | - | 6-4 | LOST 1 |
|
2. Utah |
51 | 27 | .654 | 4.5 |
7-3 | WON 1 |
|
3. Dallas |
50 | 27 | .649 | 5 | 5-5 | LOST 2 |
|
4. SUNS |
50 | 27 | .649 | 5 | 9-1 | LOST 1 |
|
5. Denver |
50 | 27 | .649 | 5 | 5-5 | WON 2 |
| 6. San Antonio |
48 | 29 | .623 | 7 | 7-3 | WON 4 |
| 7. Oklahoma City |
48 | 29 | .623 | 7 | 6-4 | LOST 1 |
| 8. Portland |
47 | 30 | .610 | 8 |
8-2 | WON 1 |
April 7 Western Conference Games of Significance:
Spurs @ Suns
Utah @Houston
Denver @ Oklahoma City
Memphis @ Dallas
Portland @ LA Clippers