Playoff update: At least we know Hornets don’t play favorites

At least we know now that the Charlotte Hornets are equal-opportunity tormentors.

They visited Oklahoma City on Tuesday and knocked off the Thunder 137-134 as the Hornets ran up 80 points in the second half.

That was Charlotte’s third win in a row after beating the Mavericks twice.

What that game did was drop the Thunder into a tie with the Mavericks at 37-39, although Oklahoma City owns the tiebreaker.

The Mavericks also got some help from Golden State, which won at home against New Orleans 120-109 to drop the Pelicans to 38-38.

The events still left the Mavericks in 11^th place in the Western Conference standings, but they are getting some of the help they need if they are going to climb back into the top 10 and at least have a seat in the play-in tournament.

Tonight’s visit to Philadelphia, as well as weekend road games at Miami and Atlanta, will have a major impact on their hopes of climbing up the ladder.

Here’s the updated race for spots four through 12 in the Western Conference.

4. Phoenix, 40-35, ———– Minn, Den, @OKC, SA, Den, @LAL, LAC.
5. LA Clippers, 40-36, ½, — @Mem, @Mem, @NO, LAL, Port, @Phx.
6. Golden State, 40-37, 1, — SA, @Den, OKC, @Sac, @Port.

——————————————————————————-

7. Minnesota, 39-37, 1½, ——- @Phx, LAL, Port, @Brook, @SA, NO.
8. New Orleans, 38-38, 2½, —- @Den, LAC, Sac, Mem, NY, @Minn.
9. LA Lakers, 37-38, 3, ———- @Chi, @Minn, @Hou, @Utah, @LAC, Phx, Utah.
10. Oklahoma City, 37-39, 3½, — Det, @Ind, Phx, @GS, @Utah, Mem.

——————————————————————————-

11. Dallas, 37-39, 3½, —— @Phl, @Mia, @Atl, Sac, Chi, SA.
12. Utah, 35-40, 5, ———- @SA, @Bos, @Brook, LAL, OKC, Den, @LAL.

Twitter: @ESefko