Following the Spurs' upset loss to the Grizzlies, the Lakers' victory over the Pelicans, and the Timberwolves' big win, the NBA Western Conference standings have been updated.

On January 8th Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with several games ending yesterday. Among them, the Spurs were surprisingly edged out 105-106 by the Grizzlies, the Heat were soundly beaten 94-122 by the Timberwolves, the Lakers surged in the last quarter to defeat the struggling Pelicans 111-103, and the Mavericks pulled off a dramatic 100-98 comeback against the very weak Kings. Consequently, the latest Western Conference standings have been updated: the Lakers are third with a three-game winning streak, the Timberwolves sixth also on a three-game streak, and the Grizzlies hold tenth place!

Spurs vs. Grizzlies. After the tip-off, the Spurs launched their offense, dominating the first quarter with a 31-21 score to take a 10-point lead on the road. In the second quarter, both teams struggled with shooting accuracy, resulting in a tight battle as the Grizzlies cut the deficit by two points. After halftime, the Grizzlies intensified their attack, outscoring the Spurs by 9 points in the third quarter to edge ahead by one going into the final period. The fourth quarter became a fierce showdown with a nail-biting finish. Near the end, the Spurs led 105-101, but Spencer delivered clutch shots—a three-pointer and a two-pointer—scoring 5 consecutive points to help the Grizzlies retake the lead by one. Fox’s last attempt was blocked, and the Spurs missed their chance for a game-winning shot, resulting in a shocking Grizzlies upset over the Spurs!

Heat vs. Timberwolves. In this game, the first quarter saw both teams fiercely competing and responding to each other, with the Heat holding a 2-point lead. However, the Heat soon fell apart, playing disorganized basketball with players operating independently. Hero and Adebayo had particularly disastrous performances. The Timberwolves seized the opportunity to launch a powerful offense, with all five starters contributing fully and overwhelming the Heat. They quickly built a large lead, with six players scoring in double figures, ultimately crushing the Heat by 28 points!

Lakers vs. Pelicans. Facing the Pelicans, who were on a seven-game losing streak, the Lakers took control early and established a lead in the first quarter on the road. However, the Pelicans’ efficient offense suppressed the Lakers in the second and third quarters, overturning the score to lead by 7 points. In the final quarter, LeBron James exploded, leading the bench players in a multi-point surge to reclaim the lead. This remarkable comeback held off the Pelicans’ counterattack, securing a hard-fought victory for the Lakers!

Mavericks vs. Kings. The Mavericks, who had just ended a four-game losing streak by upsetting the Rockets, faced the Kings, who were on a five-game skid and looking to win. At the start, the Kings spread their scoring well and dominated the first quarter 35-25, gaining a 10-point advantage. In the second quarter, the Kings’ shooting percentage dropped sharply, turning the game into a tug-of-war around that 10-point margin, with the Kings leading by 12 at halftime. After the break, the Mavericks mounted a strong comeback with efficient inside and outside offense, outscoring the Kings 30-20 in the third quarter and closing the gap to just 2 points behind. The fourth quarter became a heated battle, and in the decisive moments, Williams sank a precision three-pointer to give the Mavericks a 2-point lead. The Kings missed three consecutive threes in the final moments, allowing the Mavericks to complete the comeback and defeat the Kings!

Written by/TiTan Novel