The Wild, Wild West

Every year it seems like this, but once again it is getting crowded at the top of the Western Conference.

Going into All-Star Break, it looked to be a two-horse race, with the Lakers the top seed and the Nuggets right behind.

Now two weeks later and the two-horse race has now turned into four. And it wasn’t the teams that most thought to start the season, the two favorites early on Portland and San Antonio have struggled to get on a routine with both squads struggling with injuries and rolls.

However, the Mavericks and the Jazz have quietly narrowed the gaps in the West. Going into Wednesday’s games the top four teams looks like this:

1. Lakers 43-14 overall, 26-5 at home, 17-9 road, 7-3 last 10 and +6.6 scoring margin
2. Nuggets 37-19 overall, 24-5 at home, 13-14 road, 6-4 last 10 and +4.8 margin
3. Jazz 36-20 overall, 22-8 at home, 14-12 road, 8-2 last 10 and +4.8 margin
4. Mavericks 36-21 overall, 18-9 at home, 18-12 road, 6-4 last 10 and +1.9 margin (4-game winning streak)

So, is there reasons for the Nuggets to worry? Well not yet, as long as they continue to win and interestingly enough Denver has a 6-2 record against L.A., Utah and Dallas – including winning the series with the Jazz.

The Nuggets next 10 games aren’t the easiest (four at home, 6 on the road) with games in Phoenix, at the Lakers, Hornets, Rockets and Grizzles. The Suns, Hornets and Grizzles have all beaten the Nuggets and have been very successful at home.

The Jazz have been nearly perfect over the last few weeks, winning 13 of their previously 15 games, including an impressive come-from-behind win over the Blazers on Sunday. Their schedule isn’t a cakewalk over the next 10 games either. With seven road games and three home games, it is a good chance for Utah to prove it isn’t a fluke.

Since dealing for Brendan Haywood and Caron Butler, the Mavericks have gone 4-1 and have been winning with defense. Allowing opponents a mere 90.4 points a contest with a big win over Orlando on the road, mixed in with wins over the Heat and Suns at home. Haywood has averaged 11.2 points, 11 rebounds and 2.4 blocks in the five games, while Butler has 14.4 points and 5.4 rebounds.

The Mavs also have a pretty easy schedule over the next 10 contests with six home games and four on the road. Dallas does have to face the Lakers at home today, but Los Angeles is playing the second of two straight games.

Don’t be surprised if the road narrows between Dallas, Utah and Denver over the next few weeks and it could become a five-team race with Kevin Durant and Oklahoma City or a seven-team race if Portland and San Antonio can get into a routine of things or even eight if the Suns continue to win.

However, nothing is guaranteed in the Wild, Wild West.