Each NBA team is about 20 games away from the end of the regular series and the start of the playoffs.
Many are sailing “with the wind in their favor”, but others are going to have to row very hard to reach a safe port.
In the Eastern Conference, the Heat (40-21), Bulls (39-22), Sixers (37-23), Cavaliers (36-24), Bucks (36-25) and Celtics (36-25) are seeded in the first six places. 36-27). To dispute the play-in appear the Raptors (32-27), Nets (32-29), Hornets (30-32) and Hawks (29-31).
Miami and Chicago have a solid structure despite the injuries that affect the latter. The Embiid-Harden duo is off to a strong start in Philadelphia. Cleveland is the surprise with its youth and punctual veterans. Milwaukee is the champion and has Giannis Antetokounmpo. Boston has recovered based on defense and sharing the ball. But we have to wait for the return of Kevin Durant and the debut of Ben Simmons to see if the Nets will have time to regain their status as favorites to advance to the Finals. Toronto, Charlotte and Atlanta will make the debate interesting, but they are steps behind.
In the West, the Suns (49-12), despite the absence of Chris Paul, remain far from the top group, followed by Warriors (43-18), Memphis (42-20), Utah (38-22 ), Dallas (36-25) and Denver (36-25). In the play-in now are Minnesota (32-29), Clippers (32-31), Lakers (27-33) and Pelicans (25-36). Blazers (25-36) and Spurs (24-37) have a chance.
Time is running out for teams like the Lakers and Clippers that, plagued by injuries, inconsistency and poor chemistry – especially the first ones – must pick up the pace to improve their chances since there is a lot of competition at the back of the standings. In the middle of the table there is a lot of equity (from 4 to 6), but if Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. recover in time, Denver will have to count a lot.
TOMÁS RAMIREZ AND 3X3.- Next Saturday from six in the afternoon at the Plazoleta Luperón in the city of La Vega, the Tomás Ramírez 3X3 basketball classic will be held with prizes of 70, 20 and 10 thousand pesos for the first three places and in which the participation of the main teams in the country. It will be dedicated to the vegan mayor, Kelvin Cruz.
