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The Golden State Warriors misplaced once more final evening. On Tuesday, the Phoenix Suns dropped a sport to the lowly Houston Rockets for the second time this month. Those two wins account for 22.2 p.c of the Rockets’ victories this season.
The Denver Nuggets have a good grip on the No. 3 seed within the Western Conference, however have struggled to string sufficient wins collectively to make a transfer into the highest two. The Dallas Mavericks have a .500 document, the Los Angeles Clippers are simply getting wholesome, and the present 4 by seven seeds all have 12 or 13 losses.
In the Eastern Conference, there are two high groups — the Boston Celtics and Milwaukee Bucks, who’re a transparent degree above everybody else. With the West’s high 12 groups solely separated by seven video games, some might imagine that the convention lacks readability. Its top-two groups haven’t dominated in the identical approach.
While proficient and feisty, some could imagine that the New Orleans Pelicans and Memphis Grizzlies are too younger to be boldly declared one of the best within the West. Neither group has one of many three greatest gamers within the convention on its roster — Stephen Curry, Nikola Jokić, or Luka Dončić. The Pelicans and Grizzlies don’t at the moment have an MVP frontrunner on their rosters, however they’re tied for one of the best document within the convention at 18-9.
It’s tempting guilty early-season accidents — together with drama in Phoenix and Golden State — to elucidate away the successes in Memphis and New Orleans to start the season. As the well being of the Nuggets and Clippers continues to enhance, perhaps they do go on a run. However, the identical may also be mentioned for the Grizzlies and Pelicans.
The Grizz have been with out their second-best scorer since Nov. 11. Desmond Bane has been coping with an enormous toe harm, and is anticipated to overlook one other 3-4 weeks. Brandon Ingram is the Pelicans’ No. 2 scorer and has additionally been coping with an ailing massive toe that has stored him out of the lineup for eight video games, and he can be re-evaluated in per week.
Herb Jones — New Orleans’ greatest defender — was on the court docket Tuesday for the primary time in three video games. Jaren Jackson Jr. has been a mosquito internet on protection for Memphis this season, however he has solely performed in half of their video games.
Still, by 25 video games not solely do the Pels and Grizz have one of the best document within the West, however each are top-10 within the NBA in each offensive and defensive effectivity. The Pelicans are high 5.
It’s far too early to declare Zion Williamson and Ja Morant to be one of the best ever No. 1 and No. 2 general picks chosen in the identical NBA draft, however the early returns look promising. Through Thursday afternoon, Zion is averaging 25 factors per sport, and Morant at 27.7, as they’re two of essentially the most unstoppable forces within the paint in your complete league.
They are additionally each prepared passers. The Pelicans aren’t counting on Point Zion practically as a lot as they did in 2020-21, however this strongest of energy forwards continues to be averaging 4.3 assists per sport. Even with Bane lacking a month of motion, Morant continues to be averaging 1.1 extra assists per sport than he did final season.
With well being at all times a variable, and a commerce deadline looming, there isn’t any assure that these two will keep atop the West. Maybe the Mavericks make a commerce, and perhaps Michael Porter Jr. averages 20 factors per sport on 50/40/90 capturing splits for the remainder of the season when he returns from his heel harm. The Golden State Warriors are the defending champions, and have crushed a number of of the league’s greatest groups. They’re at all times lurking.
It can be a tall process for the Pelicans and Grizzlies to remain atop the West, however they’ve the expertise to take action. Their franchise gamers are rising NBA stars, and play in offenses that don’t require them to shoulder an unnecessarily heavy burden. Also, each groups are younger, and centered on the defensive finish of the ball. That’s a headache for any opponent left on their schedule.
And don’t overlook, these are two groups which have taken a fair proportion of playoff punches. The Grizzlies had the Warriors on the ropes at instances of their second-round collection final season. Against the 65-win Phoenix Suns, the New Orleans Pelicans didn’t have Willamson for a single sport and nonetheless pushed them in a hard-fought six-game collection.
Battle-tested, improved, and key contributors are nonetheless out with harm. The Pelicans and Grizzlies are for actual, and anticipate them to combat excessive spot within the West all season.