How many teams are legit No. 1 seed contenders in the West?
Two-and-a-half months remain in the NBA regular season and a LOT can and will change during the home stretch, but there appears to be clarity about which teams are true contenders for the No. 1 seed in the Western Conference.
Entering play Monday, Jan. 29, the Oklahoma City Thunder and Minnesota Timberwolves (both 32-14) are tied atop the West standings, with the Los Angeles Clippers (30-14) and defending champion Denver Nuggets (32-15) close behind.
What do all four have in common? Elite net ratings.
OKC is the best in the West with an 8.1 net rating, ranking second in the West in offensive rating (119.4) and second in defensive rating (111.3). The Timberwolves have the best defensive rating in the NBA (108.9) but have the least overall balance because they're 19th in the league (10th in the West) on offense (114.2) for a net rating of 5.2.
The Clippers have the best offensive rating (119.3) in the West and the sixth best defensive rating in the conference (113.4). Denver is third on offense in the West (118.2) and seventh on defense (113.8).
| Team | Net rating | Offensive rating | defensive rating |
|---|---|---|---|
Thunder | #1 (+8.1) | #2 (119.4 | #2 (111.3) |
Wolves | #3 (+5.2) | #10 (114.2) | #1 (108.9) |
Clippers | #2 (+6.3) | #1 (119.7) | #6 (113.4) |
Nuggets | #4 (+4.4) | #3 (118.2) | #7 (113.8) |
Kings | #8 (+0.7) | #7 (117.0) | #10 (116.3) |
Suns | #6 (+2.0) | #5 (117.3) | #9 (115.3) |
Pelicans | #5 (+4.0) | #7 (117.0) | #4 (113.0) |
Mavericks | #9 (+0.3) | #4 (117.6) | #13 (117.4) |
OKC, Minnesota, LAC and Denver appear to be true contenders for the top seed but how many other teams can make an argument to be included in the discussion? Based on the offensive and defensive ratings, there might be a case to be made for the Pelicans, who solid on both ends of the floor, and Phoenix, who better on offense than defense but are clearly dangerous with Devin Booker and Kevin Durant.
Sacramento is fifth in the West but hasn't played a defense at a level to be a true threat to the throne. What's more is that Denver, the Clippers, OKC and Minnesota have easier remaining schedules than Sacramento and Phoenix.
According to Tankathon, Phoenix has the second hardest remaining schedule in the NBA. Sacramento's schedule is the fifth hardest while the Wolves are 12th, the Clippers and Thunder are tied for the 13th hardest, and the Nuggets are 17th.
The Pelicans have the seventh easiest remaining schedule, which could help them move up the standings and compete for the top spot.
NBA standings entering play Monday, Jan. 29.
Sports Illustrated
Minnesota started the season 24-7, but once the calendar flipped to Jan. 1 they've been staggered, going 8-7 in 15 games. Nine teams in the West have better winning percentages than the Wolves since Jan. 1.
- Clippers (11-2)
- Jazz (10-4)
- Suns (9-4)
- Nuggets (9-4)
- Thunder (10-5)
- Grizzlies (8-5)
- Lakers (7-6)
- Kings (7-6)
- Pelicans (7-6)
The West is wide open this season, but the numbers can help us determine which teams are contenders for the No. 1 seed and right now they say those teams are the Thunder, Timberwolves, Clippers, Nuggets and maybe the Suns and Pelicans.
Jan 14, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Los Angeles Clippers forward Kawhi Leonard (2) works around Minnesota Timberwolves guard Anthony Edwards (5) in the fourth quarter at Target Center.
Credit: Bruce Kluckhohn-USA TODAY Sports
