Oklahoma City Thunder
Current Record: 43-33
Standings: 2nd in Division, 6th in Conference
Much like the Timberwolves who appeared at one point last month as if they were about to make a huge run up the standings and potentially grab the eighth-spot, the Thunder had an impressive stretch as well where they appeared poised to bust their way into fourth place.
Despite starting March out on a four-game losing streak, OKC bounced back by winning five straight and eight of ten. However, it was still only enough to earn them an 8-7 record for the month and with time quickly running out for the Thunder, it’s looking like any hopes of earning home court advantage in the playoffs are quickly running out.
Not to mention, their latest two contests have been absolutely gut-wrenching as they blew a 21-point lead to the Spurs to close out March, then began the month of April with a surprising blowout loss at home to the mediocre Charlotte Hornets. Rather than sit right on the tail of the Los Angeles Clippers, those two losses now have the Thunder three games out of fifth place and 3.5 games behind the fourth place Jazz.
Thunder falls to Hornets.
— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) April 2, 2017
Next: vs Bucks in OKC Tuesday night. pic.twitter.com/xjCtBHcJog
The Thunder have been a volatile and inconsistent team all season long which isn’t all that surprising given that their success or failure resides largely on the shoulders of their MVP candidate Russell Westbrook.
Thus, while OKC has proven capable of beating or losing to just about anybody, fortunately for them their final stretch of games isn’t terribly daunting. After taking on the Bucks and Grizzlies this week, they’ll close with the Suns, Nuggets (twice) and Timberwolves.
That looks considerably easier than what Utah is up against in their final five games, so it is indeed possible that OKC still charges up the ranks and earns the division crown. Nevertheless, especially considering that Utah may luck out and face Warriors and Spurs teams in their final two games that are resting players, I’m confident that the Jazz will win at least the minimum necessary three games to stave off the Thunder and keep them firmly in second place in the division.