SUNS WRAP UP PACIFIC, NUGGETS WRAP UP NORTHWEST
Five of the six NBA division are now in the bank, with the West hitting the headlines for the first time in a while.
First stop is Phoenix, where the Suns have wrapped up the Pacific division. Despite losing their last game, they still have a 52-27 record with a win in Sacremento(123-110) and a home win against the Mavs(117-104) having secured the glory. Shawn Marion's been the main man on fire. This garuntees the Suns a higher playoff seeding than the Mavs as things stand despite the fact that the Texas side have a better record than them.
Another side in a similar position are the Nuggets. They've lost their last two games but still have a 44-36 record to snap up the Northwest division after a 110-98 win over the Blazers involving hot streaks by both sides, Carmelo Anthony lead the way for George Karl's team with 28 points. There's no way this Nuggets side will match Karl's old Sonics side which made the finals in '96 but it is the franchise's first divion title since they won the old Midwest Division title back in 1988!
So as things stand the first round playoff standings in the West look like this: The Spurs(1) will face the Kings(8), the Suns(2) will face the Lakers(7), the Nuggets(3) will face the Clippers(down to 6) and the Mavs(4) will face the Grizzlies(up to 5).
The on form side in the chasing pack are the Jazz, now on a five game winning streak and a 40-39 record but with time running out. Recent home wins over the Rockets(85-83) and Nuggets(104-83) followed up by a win in Oklahoma City(the Hornets back playing there) to the tune of 105-104 may not be enough with three games to go, particularly with both the Lakers and Kings on positive form as well.
In the East, two more sides have wrapped up playoff spots. The first are the Pacers, who've proven solid despite Reggie Miller's retirement with their latest acheivement secured with home wins over the Knicks(101-82), the Celtics(117-112), and the TWolves(89-77) with Jermaine O'Neal the man on form.
The other side that are sorted are the Bucks. Like the Pacers they have a 39-41 record and Michael Redd has been the main man gunning down the Wizards(100-97) and home before taking New York(97-80).
Interestingly, the Wizards, ahead of both sides, have yet to secure a playoff place but they've played a game less that the Pacers and Bucks though their five game losing streak can't be helping either.
The first round standings still look like this: The Pistons will face the Bulls. The Heat(2) will face the Bucks. The Nets(3) will face the Pacers and the Cavs will face the Wizards.
The chasing pack in the East is still very much in existance though the Celtics have dropped out with a 32-47 record. The Sixers are actually dropping off the pace with the Magic putting in a desperate late surge for the post season with an eight game winning streak and a 36-44 record, picking up wins in both Miami and San Antonio.
It could be too little two late though. The Magic have two regular season games left and other sides have three.
Regular season ends this week.
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