JAZZ TAKE CHARGE IN NORTHWEST

 

(Image taken from NBA.com)

 

The Utah Jazz, having been dicing with the Minnisota Timberwolves over the lead of the Northwest Division for the past month or so have edged into the lead, despite a 100-94 home loss to Miami. That hasn't cancelled out the effects of an earlier solid four game road trip though, which though starting with a 87-65 loss in Memphis, picked up with wins in Detroit of all places(94-90 in overtime), Washington(97-89) and Philadelphia(110-102). This leaves them with a 19-18 record, thanks mainly to the efforts of Andrei Kirilenko and Mehmet Okur.

Elsewhere in the division, not only have the TWolves lost the lead, they've slipped down to third with a 17-17 record thanks to a disasterous road trip including losses in San Antonio(83-77), Dallas(83-79) and Milwaukee(95-92). Having said that, Kevin Garnett and crew have come back first by beating the Bulls(99-93) and then come a second home win in a row, a seesaw rumble with the Denver Nuggetts which ended 103-89. The Carmelo Anthony led side are still ahead of Minnisota with a 19-19 record on account of more games played thanks to coming back from the loss in Minnisota with a 100-93 win over the Bucks, and coming into that match coming off a win in Houston(92-90) and a triple-overtime rumble at home to the Suns(139-137). Seattle and Portland bring up the rear there.

In the Pacific division, it's still the Suns running the show with a 24-12 record, then the Clippers(19-14), however the main story in the division is the Lakers(2017) finally starting to get thier act together, having beaten the Clippers(112-109) as part of one three game winning streak, then throwing in two more wins against the Cavs(99-98) and on the road against the Warriors(110-104), who are the one side in the division in a slump, currently on a five game losing streak. Sacremento brings up the rear, despite winning their most recent game against the Magic.

However the side running the show in the West is still the Spurs, now with a 28-9 record, though the Mav aren't far behind in the Southwest division on 27-10 and the Grzzlies are pretty near with 23-12 as well. The Hornets and Rockets still bring up the rear in that division.

No prizes for guessing who's still leading the NBA though. The Pistons now have a 29-5 record with the Cavs, Pacers, Bucks, and Bulls still following in the Central Division in that order.

In the Southeast division, the Heat are still leading with a 23-15 record but the Wizards have broken up the Florida 1-2 due to a three game winning streak made up of wins at home against the Hawks(103-72) before throwing in two more wins in Indiana(94-85) and Atlanta(114-106 in overtime) which as brought them to a 16-19 record, in theory not that good. It's better that the Magic though, who have a 13-22 record due mainly to star Steve Francis being suspended by the club...basically for moaning about anything and everything. With all due respect to the guy, that reminds me of my niece Elanor at her worst and she's not even two! Anyway, the Bobcats and Hawks bring up the rear.

Finally in the Atlantic division, the Nets are still leading with a 19-15 record despite being on a three game losing streak. Then it's the Sixers, then the Celtics, Knicks and Raptors bunching together at the back.

Till next time!

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