With the Warriors' big win, Nuggets' upset loss, Rockets' 3-game winning streak, and Spurs' defeat, the latest NBA Western Conference rankings have been released.

On December 31st Beijing time, the NBA regular season proceeded with more games finished yesterday: the Suns defeated the weak Wizards 115-101, the Warriors powered through the final quarter to beat the feeble Nets 120-107, the Nuggets collapsed in the second half and were soundly beaten by the Heat 123-147, the Timberwolves overwhelmed the Bulls 136-101, the Pacers lost 119-126 to the Rockets, the Knicks barely won against the weak Pelicans 130-125, the Hawks fell 129-140 to the defending champions Thunder, the Cavaliers upset the Spurs 113-101, and the Mavericks narrowly lost 122-125 to the Trail Blazers. As a result, the latest standings are updated: Thunder first, Spurs second after two losses, Nuggets third also with two losses, and Rockets fourth on a 3-game winning streak!

Warriors vs. Nets. Facing the very weak Nets, the Warriors were unable to pull away during a tight battle through the first three quarters. In the final quarter, the Warriors finally stepped up, steadily increasing the gap and sealing the game, with six players scoring in double digits to defeat the Nets!

Nuggets vs. Heat. Both teams showed fluctuating performances in the first half, each having one strong quarter, totaling 63 points. However, in the second half, the Nuggets’ offense was inefficient while the Heat exploded offensively with multiple players contributing, overwhelming the Nuggets and securing a major victory!

Timberwolves vs. Bulls. The first quarter saw low efficiency from both teams, but starting in the second quarter, the Timberwolves ramped up their offense, attacking both inside and outside to pull away. The Bulls struggled to keep up, compounded by two key players leaving the game, which widened the gap significantly. Ultimately, the Timberwolves dominated the Bulls by 35 points in a very commanding win!

Pacers vs. Rockets. With Sengun still absent, the Rockets once again displayed smooth and sharp offense, fully unleashing their firepower to overpower the Pacers. Durant performed efficiently, and others fulfilled their roles to maintain the attack. After three quarters, the lead was 27 points. In the final quarter, the Rockets sent in their bench who allowed the Pacers to outscore them 41-21, but the large lead was enough for the Rockets to comfortably secure the win, handing the Pacers their ninth consecutive loss!

Hawks vs. Thunder. This game was an offensive battle with both teams fiercely competitive and evenly matched. However, the Thunder came from behind to take the lead, establishing control in the final quarter to defeat the Hawks. Alexander scored 39 points, and with three Thunder players scoring 20 or more, they claimed a decisive victory to stay atop the standings, while handing the Hawks their seventh straight loss!

Cavaliers vs. Spurs. The Spurs controlled the first half, but their lead was slim. In the second half, the Cavaliers mounted a furious comeback, outscoring the Spurs 37-23 in the final quarter, stunning their opponents. The Spurs’ poor three-point shooting and the impact of Wembanyama on their offensive efficiency were apparent. Despite eliminating the Thunder, the Spurs need to accept that they are not yet a strong team!

Mavericks vs. Trail Blazers. This season, the Trail Blazers have been evenly matched with opponents but tend to collapse in the final moments, and this game was no different. Chinese player Yang Hansheng got playing time but performed poorly. The Trail Blazers came out firing in the first quarter to build a double-digit lead. The Mavericks fought back and gradually closed the gap, leading to a familiar late-game scenario for the Trail Blazers. In the final quarter, the Mavericks missed several crucial shots, allowing the Trail Blazers to narrowly win!

Written by/Titan Sports Novel