KINGS SURGE INTO PLAYOFF PICTURE

 

(Image taken from NBA.com)

 

The Sacremento Kings have been sludgy the entire season...or at least they were till a five game road trip. Wins in Cleveland(97-90), Atlanta(102-93), New Jersey(109-84) and Milwaukee(123-116) were followed up by home wins against the Grizzlies(105-93) and the Mavs(85-80). The result is a surging to a 32-31 record and the claiming of the eighth place spot in the Western Conference much to the relief of Kings fans and guys like me who enjoy watching the Kings on form. The recent acquisition of Ron Artest from Indiana must have been of some help though Sacremento's main form man is still the established Mike Bibby.

The two sides trailing the Kings in the playoff race are the Hornets, who've bombed out of the playoff spots on a six game losing streak(and a four game home losing streak) despite making their return to New Orleans as the city recovers from hurricane Katrina. Utah are next behind.

Going up a level, the Mavs are currently in 4th place with a 49-14 record, the Clippers are still the leading LA side in 5th place, Memphis separating them from the seventh placed Lakers.

Right at the top of the Conference though are the Spurs. Their 49-14 record matches the Mavs though their current form is slightly better. The Suns are in 2nd place with the Nuggets in 3rd.

So to round up the Western Conference, as things stand, the Spurs are due to face the Kings, the Suns will go up against the Lakers(juicy tie here), the Nuggets will face the Grizzlies and the Mavs will face the Clippers.

Still running the entire League though are the Pistons who picked up their 50th win of the season at home to the Bobcats. The Heat are in 2nd while the Nets are in 3rd.

Going down a level, the Cavs are still holding on to home court advantage in 4th place with a 36-28 record despite losing their last two games. The Pacers have moved up to 5th place, the Wizards down to 6th while the Sixers stay in 7th.

Going down further, the Bucks are still holding on to 8th place with a 30-32 record, the Bulls and the Celtics are leading the chasing pack there.

To round up the East, as things stand, the Pistons will face the Bucks, the Heat will face the Sixers(another juicy tie), the Nets will face the Wizards and the Cavs will face the Pacers.

The playoff are getting closer.

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