A general rule of thumb in predicting season outcomes has long been where each squad sits after 20 games – or the quarter pole. Relying entirely on this method the OKC Thunder are among the group who should be smiling.
That’s not to say there isn’t work to be done, particularly as OKC still have 63 games left to play. Technically the Thunder won’t have reached the quarter pole until they play Wednesday night versus the Cavaliers.
Ten teams have games in hand to play this week to reach 20. In the east, the Cavaliers and Heat have one more game and the Pistons have three to play.