With the Clippers suffering a heavy defeat, the Rockets narrowly losing to the Nuggets, and the Mavericks falling to the Jazz, the NBA Western Conference rankings have been released.

On December 17th Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued. In the latest three games, the new top draft pick scored 42 points but the Mavericks lost 133-140 to the Jazz, the Rockets narrowly fell 125-128 to the Nuggets in a key matchup, and the Grizzlies crushed the Clippers 121-103. Consequently, the updated Western standings show the Nuggets on a 5-game winning streak firmly in second place, the Rockets slipping to fifth, the Grizzlies ninth, and the Jazz tenth!

Mavericks versus Jazz. From the tip-off, both teams fired on all cylinders offensively, with the Mavericks taking a stronger scoring lead to hold a 6-point advantage after the first quarter. The Mavericks maintained control throughout the next two quarters. However, in the final quarter, the Jazz mounted a fierce comeback, scoring from multiple players to steadily chip away at the deficit and eventually take the lead. The Mavericks fought hard to push the game into overtime. In the extra period, both teams struggled to score, but George helped the Jazz pull away and secure the win. Despite the loss, Mavericks rookie Flagler exploded for 42 points, marking a milestone in his career!

Rockets versus Nuggets. The two teams, ranked closely in fourth and third place respectively, faced off in a high-stakes contest. The Rockets started strong on the road, spreading the scoring around and gaining the upper hand. In the second quarter, the Nuggets suddenly erupted offensively, outscoring the Rockets 34-21 to lead by 7 at halftime. In the second half, the Rockets kept the game tight, but in the crucial moments, the Nuggets missed several chances to close out the game, sending the match into overtime. In the extra period, the Nuggets showed superior skill, narrowly defeating the Rockets to extend their winning streak to five and cement second place!

Grizzlies versus Clippers. The Clippers, playing at home, struck first and built an early lead with consistent scoring. However, the Grizzlies quickly responded with a surge that erased the deficit, leaving the Clippers up by just 2 points. Starting from the second quarter, the Grizzlies took control of the game, applying relentless pressure on the Clippers and steadily increasing their lead. The bench player Spencer dominated the floor, contributing significantly to the effort. Ultimately, five Grizzlies players scored in double figures as they thoroughly defeated the Clippers, handing them their fourth consecutive loss. It seems the Clippers have hit rock bottom, unable to beat anyone and ready to tank the season!

Written by/Ti Tan Novel