With the Pelicans suffering a comeback loss, the Thunder defeated the Nuggets, the Trail Blazers lost while the Spurs won, the NBA Western Conference rankings have been revealed.

On February 3rd Beijing time, the NBA regular season carried on with multiple fierce matchups ending yesterday and this morning. The Magic lost 103-112 to the Spurs, the Cavaliers spread the scoring to overwhelm the Trail Blazers 130-111, the West’s top two faced off with the Thunder defeating the Nuggets 121-111, and the Pelicans fell apart in the second half, losing 95-102 as the Hornets pulled off a stunning comeback. Consequently, the Western Conference rankings were finalized: Thunder at the top, Spurs moving up to second, Trail Blazers falling to tenth, and the Pelicans suffering their second straight loss, sitting near the bottom!

Pelicans vs. Hornets. Due to the Kings’ ongoing losing streak reaching nine consecutive defeats, the Pelicans have dropped to second last place in the West. Facing the Hornets, who are riding a five-game winning streak and strong momentum, a loss seemed likely. The Hornets started slow in the first half, struggling offensively, while the visiting Pelicans executed efficient scoring to take control, leading by 15 points at halftime. In the second half, the Pelicans’ shooting percentage plummeted, allowing the Hornets to launch a furious offensive surge, scoring efficiently both inside and out. With no one stepping up for the Pelicans, the Hornets completed a huge comeback, extending their winning streak to seven and pushing toward a playoff spot!

Magic vs. Spurs. This game saw wild swings in momentum during the first half, resembling a roller coaster ride, with each team dominating a quarter. The Spurs crushed the Magic 37-21 in the first quarter, but the Magic responded by outscoring the Spurs 40-23 in the second, taking a one-point lead at halftime. In the second half, the Spurs steadied themselves, with Wembanyama dominating both ends of the court, continuously attacking the Magic and pulling away in the score. Ultimately, six Spurs players scored in double digits to secure the victory over the Magic!

Cavaliers vs. Trail Blazers. In this game, the Trail Blazers’ offense was mediocre in the first half and they were suppressed by the Cavaliers, who steadily extended their lead. The Trail Blazers’ offense picked up in the second half, but the Cavaliers responded with even stronger attacks. The Trail Blazers’ interior was consistently dominated by Allen, and in the end, six Cavaliers players scored double digits, continuously widening the gap and handing the Trail Blazers a heavy defeat, marking their fifth consecutive loss!

Thunder vs. Nuggets. This matchup featured the West’s top two teams clashing, with MVPs Alexander and Jokic facing off in a highly anticipated duel. The game started with the Thunder on an offensive surge, hitting three-pointers from outside and quickly combining inside and out to take a 6-point lead. The second quarter saw both teams exchanging big plays, with Alexander and Jokic trading shots. At halftime, the Thunder led by 7 points. In the second half, Jokic was silenced by the Thunder’s twin towers defense, while the Thunder’s offense remained strong, especially Wallace’s hot three-point shooting, helping the Thunder extend their lead. Although the Nuggets launched a furious comeback, the Thunder held on to the lead and won. Alexander earned 17 free throws compared to Jokic’s mere 4, making the reason for the Nuggets’ loss clear!

Today, the NBA regular season continues with the Rockets, Timberwolves, and Clippers all in action. Looking forward to exciting matchups ahead, go teams!

Written by / Sports Novel