Stiles Points: OKC Thunder Can Gain Standing Separation In Next Three Games

In a tight Western Conference, OKC Thunder can gain separation in the next three games.

The Western Conference has been a blood bath from top to bottom of the playoff picture. A razor-thin edge separates the top teams and redefines the play-in bracket. The Oklahoma City Thunder (46-20) have consistently remained at the top of the standings and could use this week to gain separation from at the top. 

Each day it feels like the one seed gets shuffled and as the Thunder took their turn at the top, the Nuggets reclaimed first place by keeping pace in the win column. Oklahoma City is a half-game behind Denver for the first spot, A game above Minnesota in third place, four games ahead of the Clippers in fourth place for home-court advantage in at least the first round of the postseason. 

The Thunder have already separated themselves from the pack in nearly locking themselves into hosting at least the first round, a six-game tumble is what it would take for OKC to slip to six, but the Thunder could separate themselves at the top this week if they take care of business. 

While Oklahoma City enjoys their next three games against the lowly Memphis Grizzlies, Utah Jazz and Toronto Raptors, their Western Conference foes have tougher routes. 

Denver will take on the Dallas Mavericks, Minnesota Timberwolves and New York Knicks; The Timberwolves face the Jazz, Nuggets and Cleveland Cavaliers; The Clippers are the only team with an easy path battling the Hawks before taking on the Blazers twice, but Oklahoma City already owns a solid cushion over L.A.

It starts tonight as Oklahoma City takes on the lowly Beate Street Ballers for the second time this week. On Sunday, the Thunder were able to take care of business and should do the same on the road. 

Stiles Points

• Ousmane Dieng posted 25 points and 11 rebounds as the OKC Blue earned their fifth straight win, knocking off the Memphis Hustle 107-90.
• Desmond Bane was upgraded to questionable against the Thunder. Bane has been out since Jan. 12 but spent this week scrimmaging with the Memphis Hustle and seems ready to return against the Thunder.
• Vasilije Micic continues to play well with the Charlotte Hornets capped off by a highlight play of him crossing up Kevin Durant on Friday. Micic is averaging 11.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 5.9 assists for the Buzz City Crew.
• If the season ended today, the Thunder would play the winner of the Dallas Mavericks vs Phoenix Suns play-in tournament game. 

Song of the Day: G.I. Blues by Elvis 

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