Pope of Basketball.

Summary

The chapter discusses the standings and playoff scenarios in the NBA. The Thunder team ranks second in the West with 60 wins, followed by the Spurs with 56 wins. The Lakers, despite being underdogs, secured the seventh position in the playoffs after a mid-season turnaround. The Rockets made the playoffs with only 40 wins. In the East, the Nets lead with 66 wins, followed by the Cavaliers and Pacers. The Knicks barely made the playoffs, and their defense struggled, with Carmelo Anthony being the standout player. Key players include Deandre Jordan as the rebounding leader, Rajon Rondo for assists, Serge Ibaka for blocks, and Ricky Rubio for steals. The Clippers' playoff roster was finalized, and they faced the Rockets in the first round. The Clippers dominated the game, leading 38 to 19 at the end of the first quarter. Yang Rui opted not to play Chris Paul to protect him, and the Clippers' bench continued to perform well. Harden had a poor shooting night, while Pa Sen Si showcased greater efficiency.

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