Weekly Northwest Division Roundup
By Chris Kirby
The Northwest Division has turned into a two-team race between the Portland Trailblazers and the Oklahoma City Thunder. There are six and a half games separating the two teams in the standings, with a month remaining in the regular season.
This past week has been a rough one for the division overall. The Denver Nuggets went 1-3 in the four games they played, with every starter missing at least a game. All together, the division combined for a 7-8 record against the rest of the league.
The Oklahoma City Thunder had the best week, compiling a 3-1 record, but they also found out that Kevin Durant may miss the rest of the season.
The Utah Jazz also had a winning record (2-1) thanks to their great defense, but they are six games under .500.
The Portland Trailblazers are still figuring out how to play without their third option, Wesley Matthews, who suffered a season-ending Achilles heel injury. Former Nugget Arron Afflalo has played well in his absence, but the Blazers still went 3-1 on the week.
The Minnesota Timberwolves season was over before it began. However, they managed to pull out an overtime win against the New York Knicks this week.
Here is a detailed roundup for the Northwest Division for the third week of March.
Mar 11, 2015; Portland, OR, USA; Houston Rockets guard Corey Brewer (33) steals the ball from Portland Trail Blazers guard Arron Afflalo (4) during the fourth quarter at the Moda Center. Mandatory Credit: Craig Mitchelldyer-USA TODAY Sports
Portland Trailblazers (44-23)
Fourth Place in Western Conference
Record This Week: 1-3
Points Per-Game This Week: 104.5
Points Per-Game Allowed This Week: 105.3
This Week’s Games (Home Team in CAPS):
Sunday, March 15th
Portland Trailblazers113, TORONTO RAPTORS 97
Monday, March 16th
WASHINGTON WIZARDS 105, Portland Trailblazers 97
Wednesday, March 18th
MIAMI HEAT 108, Portland Trailblazers 104
Friday, March 20th
ORLANDO MAGIC 111, Portland Trailblazers 104
Player of the Week: LaMarcus Aldridge – 28.2 points and 11.0 rebounds per-game
Upcoming Schedule:
Saturday, March 21st @ Memphis Grizzlies
Tuesday, March 24th vs. Golden State Warriors
Wednesday, March 25th @ Utah Jazz
Friday, March 27th @ Phoenix Suns
Mar 20, 2015; Oklahoma City, OK, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Russell Westbrook (0) congratulates with Oklahoma City Thunder guard Anthony Morrow (2) after a made 3 point shot against the Atlanta Hawks during the fourth quarter at Chesapeake Energy Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark D. Smith-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma City Thunder (39-30)
Eighth Place in Western Conference
Record This Week: 3-1
Points Per-Game This Week: 117.3
Points Per-Game Allowed: 113.0
This Week’s Games (Home Team in CAPS):
Sunday, March 15th
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 109, Chicago Bulls 100
Monday, March 16th
DALLAS MAVERICKS 119, Oklahoma City Thunder 115
Wednesday, March 18th
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 122, Boston Celtics 118
Friday, March 20th
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER 123, Atlanta Hawks 115
Player of the Week: Russell Westbrook – 33.0 points, 10.5 assists and 8.5 rebounds per-game
Upcoming Schedule:
Sunday, March 22nd vs. Miami Heat
Tuesday, March 24th vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Wednesday, March 25th @ San Antonio Spurs
Saturday, March 28th @ Utah Jazz
Mar 18, 2015; Salt Lake City, UT, USA; Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert (27) tries to get the offensive rebound while holding back Washington Wizards center Kevin Seraphin (13) during the second quarter at EnergySolutions Arena. Mandatory Credit: Chris Nicoll-USA TODAY Sports
Utah Jazz (31-37)
Eleventh Place in Western Conference
Record This Week: 2-1
Points Per-Game This Week: 86.0
Points Per-Game Allowed This Week: 75.7
This Week’s Games (Home Team in CAPS):
Monday, March 16th
UTAH JAZZ 94, Charlotte Hornets 66
Wednesday, March 18th
Washington Wizards 88, UTAH JAZZ 84
Thursday, March 19th
Utah Jazz 80, LOS ANGELES LAKERS 73
Player of the Week: Gordon Hayward – 22.0 points, 5.3 rebounds and 4.0 assists per-game
Upcoming Schedule:
Saturday, March 21st @ Golden State Warriors
Monday, March 23rd vs. Minnesota Timberwolves
Wednesday, March 25th vs. Portland Trailblazers
Friday, March 27th @ Denver Nuggets
Mar 19, 2015; New York, NY, USA; Minnesota Timberwolves small forward Chase Budinger (10) dunks against New York Knicks power forward Lou Amundson (21) and point guard Langston Galloway (2) and point guard Alexey Shved (1) during the second quarter at Madison Square Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
Minnesota Timberwolves (15-53)
Fifteenth Place in Western Conference
Record This Week: 1-3
Points Per-Game This Week: 99.5
Points Per-Game Allowed This Week: 110.5
This Week’s Games (Home Team in CAPS):
Sunday, March 15th
SAN ANTONIO SPURS 123, Minnesota Timberwolves 97
Monday, March 16th
Brooklyn Nets 122, MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES 106
Wednesday, March 18th
TORONTO RAPTORS 105, Minnesota Timberwolves 100
Thursday, March 19th
Minnesota Timberwolves 95, NEW YORK KNICKS 92 OT
Player of the Week: Kevin Martin – 25.3 points, 4.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists per-game
Upcoming Schedule:
Sunday, March 22nd vs. Charlotte Hornets
Monday, March 23rd @ Utah Jazz
Wednesday, March 25th vs. Los Angeles Lakers
Friday, March 27th @ Houston Rockets