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What is the scenario?
The tiebreaker is on the line tonight
Everyone knows the gridlock at the top of the Western Conference. The Denver Nuggets (51-22, first), Minnesota Timberwolves (50-22, second) and Oklahoma City Thunder (50-22, third) are engaged in a crazy game of Rock-Paper-Scissors, with the Nuggets currently in head. The Wolves and Thunder are both a half-game behind, so Denver’s game against Minnesota tonight could determine the tiebreaker. and give the Wolves a chance to put themselves in a great position.
Let’s break down the tiebreaker stakes a little further:
- The first tiebreaker is a head-to-head record, so the Wolves would lead 2-1 with another game in Denver on April 10.
- The second tiebreaker would be their division records. A win would move the Wolves to 12-3 in the Northwest Division and drop Denver to 8-6 in the division. So even if Denver wins the fourth game, the champions’ division record cannot match Minnesota’s. The best they can do is 10-6, while the Wolves are 12-4 at worst.
- However, this only matters if they end up with the same record at end of season.
By the way, there is another problem in all this. Don’t forget the Thunder! Here is the Wolves-Thunder tiebreaker scenario and the Thunder-Nuggets scenario:
- This season, the Wolves and Thunder are 2-2 against each other. OKC finished 12-4 in the division. Minnesota can finish up 13-3. If the Wolves also finish 12-4, the next tiebreaker would be the conference record.
- Minnesota is 34-12 in the West with six games remaining. Two of them are against Denver, one against Houston, one against the Lakers and two against Phoenix.
- OKC is 32-16 in the West with four to play. The Thunder still have Phoenix, Sacramento, San Antonio and Dallas on their West schedule.
- This means that Minnesota has a light advantage over OKC in conference record, even though the Wolves have a tough closing schedule.
- The Thunder won their regular season series against the Nuggets 3-1, so they own this tiebreaker.
OK, so we have this under control, right? Fake! What if all three ended up with the same record? Attach your belt !
- This first tiebreaker goes to the division winner, but all three are in the same division.
- The second tiebreaker is the best winning percentage in games between these three teams.
- The Wolves are 3-3 against the Thunder and Nuggets so far. OKC is 5-3 against Denver and Minnesota. Denver is 2-4 against OKC and Minnesota so far. OKC has the advantage there unless Minnesota wins its two remaining games against Denver.
- In this case, Minnesota would win the tiebreaker because it goes to the division winner. For this scenario, the Wolves would have a division record of 13-3 above OKC’s 12-4 mark.
Is this all too complicated to follow? Of course it is! It’s exhausting just typing. I’m 85 percent sure that’s correct. All that continues tonight, when the Wolves visit the Nuggets in Denver and the Thunder host the Suns. Sunday, Denver welcomes a Cleveland team in full swing (44-29, fourth in the East), the Thunder plays at the Knicks (44-28, third in the East) and the Wolves receive the Bulls (35-38 , ninth in the East). ).
Everything becomes a lot less complicated if Denver simply flexes its championship muscles, beats Minnesota and ends the season on a high note.
LEARN MORE: Tim Cato on how Dallas’ defense affects the West.
well well well. We meet again, @nuggets
Wolves at Nuggets
8 p.m. CT, Ball Arena
📺 » @BallySportsNOR
📻 » @KFAN1003 / @iHeartRadio Application
📲 »Preview ” pic.twitter.com/eFYofpcvZS
– Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) March 29, 2024
Seller’s remorse
Who owns the Minnesota Timberwolves?
Do you know the answer to this question? Many think it’s Glen Taylor. Some think it’s Marc Lore and Alex Rodriguez. The answer to that question right now is…both sides? Things got complicated recently when financial support for the installment plan Lore and A-Rod used to buy the team collapsed. The two future owners assured that everything was fine and that they would have the money for the last payment on March 27.
Well, Taylor released this statement yesterday via Wolves PR, saying payment was missed and Wolves are no longer for sale:
“Under the terms of the purchase agreement, closing was to occur within 90 days of the exercise notice issued by Lore and Rodriguez. This 90-day period expired on March 27, 2024.
In certain circumstances, the buyer may have been entitled to a limited extension. However, these circumstances did not occur.
I will continue to work with Marc, Alex and the rest of the ownership group to ensure our teams have the resources necessary to compete at the highest levels on and off the field. The Timberwolves and Lynx are no longer for sale.
It’s a spicy meatball! So essentially A-Rod and Lore own 40% of the team, which is not a majority ownership. A spokesperson for Lore and Rodriguez released this statement after Taylor’s:
“We are disappointed with Glen Taylor’s public statement today. We have fulfilled our obligations, have all necessary financing in place and are fully committed to finalizing the purchase of the team as soon as the NBA completes its approval process. Glen Taylor’s statement is an unfortunate case of seller’s remorse, short-sighted and disruptive to the team and fans during a historic winning season.
Oh my boy.
Taylor said Athleticism that he wants to be part of this race. I also imagine that Taylor has seen the valuation of his franchises rise during this three-year process and is seeing even bigger dollar signs than the $1.5 billion sale he initially agreed to . This disagreement over the purchase will likely be resolved through mediation and arbitration.
It’s really up to the NBA to decide whether Lore and A-Rod complete the purchase. One thing I have faith in: Teams thrive when there is a power struggle at the top.
sit back, relax and enjoy this 18 minute episode.
Follow the pack x @bibigoUSA » pic.twitter.com/mHM7WDwLV6
– Minnesota Timberwolves (@Timberwolves) March 28, 2024
The imminent return of the MVP
Is Embiid’s return a good idea?
It’s been a little over seven weeks since 76ers big man and reigning MVP Joel Embiid had meniscus surgery. The vague timeline for his absence was up to two months, and we’re pretty much at that window. Looks like Embiid is close to getting back on the court, so the 76ers tweeted this GIF of Embiid yesterday:
The team also tweeted a photo of Embiid practicing on the field. Philadelphia (39-34, eighth in the East) has nine games remaining and is currently a half-game behind Miami (39-33, seventh in the East). The 76ers are only 10-19 years since Embiid was injured and 13-26 overall without him on the field this season. It’s been so dark! So the question becomes whether it’s a good idea for Embiid to return while fighting for a playoff spot.
Indiana is 1.5 games ahead of Philly for the No. 6 seed, but has the 18th toughest schedule remaining. Miami is seventh and has the 28th toughest list. Philadelphia’s remaining schedule ranks 29th, so it’s not like the 76ers have a definitive advantage over these two teams they face. Plus, we have no idea what Embiid’s workload will be. Will his presence be enough to elevate Philly above the fray?
My biggest concern is that Embiid gets hurt again in a first-round fight against Boston or Milwaukee, although the latter opponent could be much less intimidating. Embiid also intends to play for Team USA in the Olympics this summer, but should that happen if his knee isn’t guaranteed to be repaired? Considering Embiid’s injury history (double-digit missed games every season of his NBA career) and his age (30), why “rush” his return? Shouldn’t Embiid be looking to be healthy for next season? My opinion: let’s not further compromise his future by trying to ensure participation in the second round of the playoffs.
Bouncing passes
The Mavericks’ new identity poses a problem for the West.
X and Mo: Zion Williamson has reached a milestone defensively.
Mitchell Robinson is back. Should we fear the Knicks?
Screenplay (all times Eastern)
- Main screen: Wolves-Nuggets (9 p.m.). Did I mention the No. 1 seed in the West could be in play? What about tiebreakers?
- Second screen: Mavs-Kings (10 p.m. NBA TV). Dallas has a chance to pull away from Sacramento for a top-six spot.
- League Pass Game of the Night: Suns-Thunder (8 p.m.). OKC’s No. 1 seed hopes count here, as does Phoenix’s hope of reaching the top six. Full program here.
(Top photo: David Berding / Getty Images )