NBA Northwest Division Midseason Report

· Jan 25 - 5 minutes read

As we get ready to flip the calendar to February, it’s now around the halfway point in the NBA season, meaning it’s a good time to evaluate how teams are doing.

While some teams have been thriving and surprising, going against what NBA expert picks predicted at the start of the season, others have been having a harder time. However, in the Northwest Division of the Western Conference, it remains a tight contest at the top.

NBA Northwest Division Midseason Report — Chet Holmgren #7 of the Oklahoma City Thunder | Ronald Martinez/Getty Images/AFP

As it currently stands, it looks like any of the top three teams could end up on top by season’s end, as they are all within one game of each other. With the close competition, now is the best time for bettors to make their NBA picks for who will triumph over the others at the end of the regular season.

Contenders: Race Gets Tighter

Oklahoma City Thunder: The Takeover Begins (+200)

The Thunder sat in second in the West for most of the first half of the season, but in their third meeting with the formerly leading Timberwolves, that changed. Oklahoma City has now won two of the three matchups between the two, owning the current tiebreaker that places it on top, as the two are tied with a 31-13 record.

The Thunder have been on a run recently to help pull even with Minnesota, winning their last four games. Oklahoma City has been one of the most productive offenses in the league, ranking top three in the NBA averaging 121.9 points on 50.5% shooting a game. That trend has continued in their recent run, as the Thunder averaged 121.8 points on 50% shooting in their past four games.

Force on the floor @OGandE Power Play of the Game pic.twitter.com/B7VCJww8TL

— OKC THUNDER (@okcthunder) January 25, 2024

Oklahoma City’s offense has been aided by the play of Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who is in the MVP conversation averaging 31.1 points, 6.4 assists and 2.3 steals a game. Rookie of the Year candidate Chet Holgrem has also been a key piece, leading with 7.3 rebounds and 2.6 blocks to help their defense allow 113.6 points a game. Together, the two should keep the Thunder in contention for the top of the West for the second half of the season.

Minnesota Timberwolves: Hitting Trouble (+200)

The Timberwolves saw their longtime lead in the West come to an end after falling to the Thunder for the second time, but they remain right in contention tied for first with Oklahoma City.

Although Minnesota has its star power in Anthony Edwards, who leads the team averaging 25.8 points a game, its defense has been the leading factor in many of its wins. The Timberwolves lead the league giving up 107.8 points a game on 44.7% shooting, while they have 5.9 blocks a game as well.

However, the Timberwolves have hit a snag recently, losing two of their last three games after failing to close out late in the game. Both losses came by five or less points despite Minnesota having a lead going into the fourth quarter, as the Wolves couldn’t take care of the ball and hold down the lead down the stretch. Minnesota’s young core will need to tighten up in those situations to be able to stay in the Western Conference hunt.

Denver Nuggets: Getting Closer (+125)

Many NBA predictions probably wouldn’t have placed the reigning NBA champions in third in the West behind the Thunder and Wolves halfway into the season, but that’s where the Nuggets currently find themselves. However, just a half a game out of first, Denver is nowhere close to being out of the race.

Stacking road wins 📈

Jamal: 31 PTS / 8 REB / 7 AST
KCP: 14 PTS / 5 REB / 1 STL
Joker: 31 PTS / 13 REB / 10 AST 1 BLK
Reggie: 13 PTS / 2 REB / 2 AST / 1 BLK / 2 STL pic.twitter.com/tCZW8vGOQw

— Denver Nuggets (@nuggets) January 24, 2024

The Nuggets have been one of the stronger teams on their home cour, boasting a 17-4 advantage. Once again, the success of Denver’s offense has gone through MVP candidate Nikola Jokic, who averages a double-double with 26.2 points and 12 rebounds a game.

However, the Nuggets are currently riding a three-game win streak, with their defense being a crucial point in those games. Denver picked up wins over two of the NBA’s leading offenses in Indiana and Boston, holding them to 104.5 points a game in those two games. Behind Jokic and a strong Denver defense, the Nuggets should continue to be one to watch out for in the back end of the season.

BET ON NBA NORTHWEST DIVISION WINNER

Pretenders: Falling Farther

Utah Jazz: Slipping Away (+25000)

The Jazz are still in the hunt to make the play-in, but at 10th in the West and a game ahead of 11th and 12th, they are right on the cusp. Utah has lost its last three games after giving up 138 points a game, and it’ll need to sharpen up considerably to keep its play-in potential.

Portland Trail Blazers: Rebuilding

After trading their top two players over the past two years in CJ McCollum and Damian Lillard, the Trail Blazers appear to be in rebuilding mode, starting anew with their No. 3 overall pick Scoot Henderson. Portland has won three of its last five, but it may take some more time before it sees more sustained success.