NBA Northwest
Minnesota Timberwolves
The T Wolves are one of the bigger stories in the NBA's first half, as they lead the division by a game, and are looking like a lock for a playoff run. Jimmy Butler missed four games, but returns in a win over Brooklyn over the weekend in a 111-97 win. The Wolves split at 2-2 without Butler, and look to improve with him back in the lineup, but they held their own without him. The Wolves should win tonight against Atlanta, and then they get a huge road showdown with Toronto on Tuesday. They come home on Thursday to take on surging Milwaukee, and then face New Orleans at home Saturday. This is going to be a meat grinder week.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Thunder is surging at the right time, as they have blown past the midway point on an eight game winning streak. Losing Roberson hurt their defensive prospects, but Paul George has been a star in OKC, and this team feels like they can make a run at the Western Conference finals. The big win came in a 122-112 punisher against the Sixers to close out last week. They trail Minnesota by one game entering the week, and start it off on Tuesday night against Washington, and will then travel to Denver for a date Thursday night. They return home on Friday to take on New Orleans, and then will play the Lakers on Sunday. Russell Westbrook has scored over 30 points for four straight games.
Portland Trailblazers
The Blazers recent run has made this one of the best top to bottom divisions in the NBA this season, as they have now won five of their last six games. Damon Lillard has led the scoring for four of the last five games, and as he goes, the team goes with him. It's a loaded four game week this week for Portland, and it starts tomorrow night in LA against the Clippers. They come home Wednesday night against the Bulls, and then it's an eastern road trip, starting with Toronto on Friday and Boston on Sunday. This will be a huge test to see whether or not Portland can run with some of the better teams in the league over the second half.
Denver Nuggets
The Nuggets are yet another team streaking in the right direction in the division, as they have now won three straight games heading into the week, including a 130 point effort in a win over the Knicks at home. Six Nuggets are averaging double figures, led by SG Gary Harris at 17.3 points per game, and they may be one of the most balanced teams in the league currently. At 26-23, they are holding tightly onto a playoff spot, and are still well within striking range in the division as well. The Nuggets get the Celtics at home tonight, and visit San Antonio on Tuesday night. Oklahoma City comes to town on Thursday night, followed by a home game with Golden State on Saturday. It will be a rough week, and if this team is still sitting over .500 bythe end of the week, that would be an amazing sign.
Utah Jazz
Utah may be sitting eight games under .500, and may not exactly be in the playoff hunt right now, they have still won three of their last four, and remain a dangerous out still. The Jazz went on a magical road run at the end of last week, beating both Detroit and Toronto on the road, with Toronto being one of the best home teams in the league. Utah opens the week at home Tuesday with Golden State, and then hits the road again against Phoenix (Friday) and San Antonio (Saturday). If Utah goes 1-2 this week, that would be as good as one would expect.
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