"Sunday afternoon was arguably the most impressive of the Thunder's 45 wins this season. They handled a hot Cleveland Cavaliers team despite missing Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Jalen Williams, Alex Caruso and Ajay Mitchell. Their playoff ceiling is reliant on SGA returning from an oblique injury to MVP form and Williams finding his health, but those types of role player-led wins boost confidence."
"The race for the postseason is heating up in the East and the West, as the battle for the No. 1 seed remains highly contentious between the league's top teams. In the East, the Detroit Pistons have reclaimed their 'Bad Boys' reputation especially after their recent run-in with the San Antonio Spurs on Monday."
The NBA regular season is entering its final stretch following the All-Star break, with playoff races intensifying in both conferences. The Detroit Pistons have reasserted their competitive identity in the East, while the San Antonio Spurs are challenging the defending champion Oklahoma City Thunder for Western Conference supremacy. The Thunder maintain the No. 1 seed but face significant injury concerns with key players including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams sidelined. Despite these absences, the Thunder demonstrated resilience by defeating a strong Cleveland Cavaliers team, with role players stepping up significantly. The Spurs have achieved their preseason goal of 40 wins before 20 losses and are riding a nine-game winning streak. ESPN's panel of NBA insiders has ranked all 30 teams as the regular season approaches its conclusion.
Read at ESPN.com
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