A basketball fan knows the Western Conference has more competitive and talented players. This NBA season showcases teams like the Oklahoma City Thunder, Los Angeles Lakers, and Denver Nuggets have some of the best players in the tournament right now.
Before you check today’s NBA games match prediction look into the players to watch out for this year’s favorite teams to win in the Western Conference. It’d give a better understanding of why these teams can emerge victorious in this year’s NBA edition.
But before we take a closer look at the favorites this season, here’s a look at the latest Western Conference standings.
|
Team |
W |
L |
PCT |
GB |
GP |
|
Oklahoma City Thunder |
3 |
0 |
1.000 |
– |
3 |
|
Phoenix Suns |
3 |
1 |
.750 |
0.5 |
4 |
|
Los Angeles Lakers |
3 |
1 |
.750 |
0.5 |
4 |
|
Dallas Mavericks |
2 |
1 |
.667 |
1.0 |
3 |
|
Los Angeles Clippers |
2 |
1 |
.667 |
1.0 |
3 |
|
Golden State Warriors |
2 |
1 |
.667 |
1.0 |
3 |
|
Minnesota Timberwolves |
2 |
1 |
.667 |
1.0 |
3 |
|
New Orleans Pelicans |
2 |
1 |
.667 |
1.0 |
3 |
|
Houston Rockets |
2 |
2 |
.500 |
1.5 |
4 |
|
Memphis Grizzlies |
2 |
2 |
.500 |
1.5 |
4 |
|
San Antonio Spurs |
1 |
2 |
.333 |
2.0 |
3 |
|
Sacramento Kings |
1 |
2 |
.333 |
2.0 |
3 |
|
Denver Nuggets |
1 |
2 |
.333 |
2.0 |
3 |
|
Portland Trail Blazers |
1 |
3 |
.250 |
2.5 |
4 |
|
Utah Jazz |
0 |
3 |
.000 |
3.0 |
3 |
Updated as of October 30, 2024
Los Angeles Lakers
LA Lakers are off to a great start after playing four matches. They’ve played four games so far and have only lost once.
Match Results:
- October 24, 2024: Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves – Win
- October 26, 2024: Lakers vs. Phoenix Suns – Win
- October 28, 2024: Lakers vs. Sacramento – Win
- October 30, 2024: Lakers vs. Phoenix – Win
Their standout players still include Lebron James as he still averaging 25 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 assists per game. He’s still worth the money that the team is paying. He recently signed a two-year, $104 million max extension with the Lakers, which includes a player option for the second year. Because of that, he’s now one of the highest-paid players in the league.
Anthony Davis and D’Angelo Russell are also hot on the court during their recent matches. Davis is averaging 34.0 points, 11.0 rebounds, 3.3 assists, and 2.5 blocks per game. His three-point shooting has also improved, as he’s been encouraged to take more shots from beyond the arc.
Meanwhile, Russell has been consistent in his role as the team’s primary ball-handler. He’s been effective in setting up his teammates while also contributing offensively. He’s had the highest assist points in those four matches, especially during the matches between Minnesota and Phoenix.
LA Lakers’ next game is scheduled on October 31 against the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder have had a perfect start to the 2024-25 season as they’ve won all three of their opening games. They are one of only two teams in the Western Conference with a 3-0 record and currently ranked second in the NBA power rankings behind the Boston Celtics.
Match Results:
- October 24, 2024: Thunder vs. Denver Nuggets – Win
- October 26, 2024: Thunder vs. Chicago Bulls – Win
- October 28, 2024: Thunder vs. Atlanta Hawks – Win
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (SGA) has been phenomenal so far and is leading the league in steals and ranking second in steals per game. He’s averaging 28.0 points, 5.0 rebounds, and 6.0 assists per game. He had the highest points in 2 out of their 3 games and even high rebounds during the match against Atlanta.
When it comes to defense, Chet Holmgren is also doing great. During the matches between Denver and Chicago, he’s scored 30 rebounds in total. These players are still proving the OKC Thunder is still the best defensive team in the league.
Denver Nuggets
As you can see on the table, the Denver Nuggets need some serious work done to improve their standings. They’ve had a rough start losing their first two games, but it seems like they’re starting to bounce back as they’ve won 2 of their recent matches.
Match Results:
- October 25, 2024: Nuggets vs. Oklahoma City Thunder – Loss
- October 27, 2024: Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers – Loss
- October 29, 2024: Nuggets vs. Toronto – Win
- October 30, 2024: Nuggets vs. Brooklyn – Win
One player that has already stood out so far is Nikola Jokic. He’s had an impressive run as he recently became the first player in NBA history to have multiple triple-doubles and multiple 40-point games through his first four games of the season. In the latest Nuggets games, Jokic has consistently delivered the highest points and is also doing great in assists and rebounds.
Meanwhile, Jamal Murray has been making a strong comeback from his injury. After suffering a torn ACL in April 2021, Murray missed the entire 2021-22 season. He did return last season and he’s played a crucial role in legging the Nuggets to their first championship alongside Jokic. So far, he’s been doing great with assists, averaging 5.0 per game.
Conclusion
Those are just the favorite teams to qualify for the playoffs and champion the league so far. Based on recent standings, it seems like the Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks are also other great teams to watch out for. But then again, we’re still early in the season, and standings could change drastically.
That’s why whether you’re trying to bet on the NBA matches or you’re simply a fan, don’t miss out on the games. You can watch the matches on channels like ABC, ESPN, and NBC. For streaming platforms, they should be available on Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, and the NBA League Pass.
