After recovering from the worst start in franchise history, the OKC Thunder have ascended from the bottom of the Western Conference to sixth with a 9-5 record. Notably, the fourth and fifth place squads (Grizzlies, Clippers) also have a 9-5 record. Memphis sits fourth by virtue of leading the Southwest Division and the Clippers ahead of OKC because they won the first meeting between the squads.
Piggybacking off a kind schedule, Oklahoma City is accounting for bad teams even in the absence of superstar Russell Westbrook. Yes OKC is winning and they’re doing it without outside shooting but how long will it last?