Northwest Division (NBA) facts for kids
The Northwest Division is a group of basketball teams in the National Basketball Association (NBA). It's one of three divisions within the NBA's Western Conference. Think of it like a smaller league inside the bigger NBA!
The five teams that play in this division are:
These teams often play against each other during the NBA season.
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What is a Division in the NBA?
The NBA is divided into two main groups called conferences: the Eastern Conference and the Western Conference. Each conference then has three smaller groups called divisions. The Northwest Division is one of these groups in the Western Conference.
Having divisions helps organize the many teams in the NBA. Teams in the same division play each other more often. This creates fun rivalries and makes the competition exciting!
Teams of the Northwest Division
Let's learn a little about the teams that make up the Northwest Division.
Denver Nuggets
The Denver Nuggets are based in Denver, Colorado. They play their home games at Ball Arena. The team was founded in 1967 and joined the NBA in 1976. They are known for their high-altitude home court.
Minnesota Timberwolves
The Minnesota Timberwolves are from Minneapolis, Minnesota. Their home arena is the Target Center. The Timberwolves joined the NBA as an expansion team in 1989. They are often called the "Wolves" by their fans.
Oklahoma City Thunder
The Oklahoma City Thunder play in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, at the Paycom Center. This team used to be the Seattle SuperSonics before moving to Oklahoma City in 2008. They have a very energetic fan base.
Portland Trail Blazers
The Portland Trail Blazers are located in Portland, Oregon. They play their games at the Moda Center. The Trail Blazers started in 1970 and are the only NBA team in Oregon. Their fans are very loyal.
Utah Jazz
The Utah Jazz are based in Salt Lake City, Utah. They play at the Delta Center. The team originally started in New Orleans in 1974 as the New Orleans Jazz. They moved to Utah in 1979.
History of the Northwest Division
The Northwest Division was created in 2004. This happened when the NBA decided to reorganize its divisions. Before 2004, some of these teams were in different divisions. The change helped group teams that were closer geographically. This makes travel easier for the teams during the long NBA season.
