Thunder
On one hand you possibly can say that the Thunder offense was uncovered for its lack of selection of their NBA Cup last loss to the Bucks, however alternatively you possibly can level to the 5-for-32 3-point capturing and assume it is in all probability unlikely that’ll occur 4 occasions in a seven-game collection. The efficiency does spotlight the truth that OKC is nineteenth within the league in general 3-point proportion and twenty fourth in accuracy on “wide-open” 3s (in keeping with NBA.com). It may simply be variance, however undoubtedly one thing to keep watch over. In the meantime, the Thunder nonetheless have by far one of the best internet ranking within the league and have little to fret about when it comes to regular-season successful. — 20-5
2

Cavaliers
The Cavs are again on monitor, successful six of their final seven after these bizarre back-to-back losses to Atlanta. Evan Mobley dropped a quiet 41 and 10 in opposition to Charlotte final week, the primary time he is ever crossed the 40-point threshold. Most spectacular had been his career-high six 3-pointers in eight makes an attempt, which the Cavs hope will give him confidence to let it fly extra usually. He is over 41% this season, however solely takes about two per recreation. — 23-4
3

Celtics
Kristaps Porzingis left halfway by the Celtics’ win over the Wizards (it didn’t matter), however the crew says it was simply precautionary. Anyway, we’re right here to speak about Payton Pritchard, who has now made at the very least 5 3-pointers in 5 of his final six video games. Oh, and in a kind of video games he pulled down double-digit rebounds, and in one other he dished out double-digit assists. It is so unfair to the remainder of the league that Boston bought one other legit offensive dynamo with out having to make a commerce or free-agent signing. — 21-5
4

Mavericks
That is 12 wins in 14 video games for the Mavericks, who mixed to set an NBA file for whole 3s in a recreation throughout a wild offensive explosion in opposition to the Warriors. Luka Doncic put up a 45-point triple-double in that recreation … no huge deal since he already has a 60-point triple-double and a 73-point recreation on his resumé. Ridiculous. Dallas is nearly tied for one of the best offense within the league over these 14 video games. 2 17-9
5

Grizzlies
Not fairly time to sound the alarm, however Desmond Bane is averaging 14 factors and capturing 32% from 3-point vary this season. It hasn’t actually affected the Grizzlies, who’ve the league’s fifth-ranked offense, however Bane, Ja Morant and Jaren Jackson Jr. all must be on high of their recreation if Memphis goes to make a deep playoff run. 1 18-9
6

Knicks
So a whole lot of of us will level to the Knicks’ a lot improved latest protection (third within the NBA over their final eight video games), however all the time keep watch over the competitors in such conditions. That stretch included video games in opposition to the Hornets (twice), Pelicans, Pistons, Raptors and depleted Magic (twice) … simply one thing to remember. 2 16-10
7

Rockets
The Rockets discovered they’re at present only a step beneath the league’s elite of their NBA Cup semifinal loss to OKC, however the expertise will certainly solely enhance the younger squad’s prospects come April. Houston is Twenty ninth within the league in efficient discipline purpose proportion, so it is simple to see what sort of wonders a sharpshooter or two would do for this offense — despite the fact that GM Rafael Stone says they’re content material with the roster they’ve. 2 17-9
8

Magic
This crew goes to battle regardless of who’s on the courtroom, however the expertise disparity was crystal clear in opposition to a loaded Knicks crew on Sunday. Jalen Suggs has taken the lead because the Magic’s major scorer and playmaker, however that is removed from his perfect function. Orlando will probably be in each recreation due to its protection, however offense will probably be troublesome (duh) with their two high scorers out. 1 17-11
9

Timberwolves
That is going to be a factor, is not it? Minnesota has now received six of seven video games since Anthony Edwards publicly chastised his crew (himself included), throughout which they’ve allowed a laughably stingy 92.8 factors per 100 possessions. They’ve managed to go 6-1 with the league’s twenty seventh ranked offense throughout that stretch, which is fairly outstanding. 3 14-11
10

Bucks
Dangle the banner! In all seriousness, successful any type of title as a crew cannot be a foul factor, and Giannis Antetokounmpo is making a robust push to re-enter the dialog concerning the world’s greatest basketball participant. He is now averaging 33 factors, 11.5 rebounds and 6 assists. If he can maintain that up, he’d be the one participant in NBA historical past (sure, together with Wilt) to place up these numbers — and that is not even contemplating the truth that he is capturing 61% from the sphere. 1 14-11
11

Nuggets
Nothing like dropping to the Wizards to spark a successful streak! Denver is 3-0 for the reason that lapse, and seeing Jamal Murray hit a classic pull-up jumper to beat the Kings on Monday will need to have introduced Nuggets followers to joyful tears. In 4 video games since his return from a prolonged absence, Aaron Gordon has averaged 15.5 factors, 5.5 rebounds and three assists whereas equaling Nikola Jokic as a plus-34 in his minutes. 3 14-10
12

Warriors
Is Dennis Schroder the reply to the Warriors’ issues? They’ve dropped eight of their final 10, and Steve Kerr thinks Schroder is precisely the kind of versatile scorer, ball-handler and gritty defender that they should flip issues round. The on/off splits are normally fairly loopy with Steph Curry, however this season is downright bonkers — Golden State is scoring 120 factors per 100 possessions with him on the ground, and 101.8 with him off. No surprise Kerr stated his celebrity guard has been carrying “an irregular load of accountability offensively.” 3 14-11
13

Clippers
Clippers followers have to be hesitant to get even in the slightest degree excited, however Kawhi Leonard goes by full-contact practices and can head out on the crew’s three-game street journey (although he will not play). If he can return at full energy a while within the comparatively close to future, the enhance to the Clippers — who’ve actually overachieved so far — can be incalculable. 3 15-12
14

Warmth
The Warmth noticed their four-game successful streak snapped in a tough manner, blowing an eight-point lead with simply over two minutes left in additional time in Monday’s loss to the Pistons. That comes secondary to what is going on on off the courtroom, nevertheless, as all eyes are on Jimmy Butler as we ponder for much longer he’ll be in a Miami uniform. 1 13-11
15

Suns
Kevin Durant has performed in 15 video games this season. The Suns are 13-2. That just about tells the story for Phoenix, which has received each video games since KD’s newest return to the courtroom. An all-time nice scorer, Durant’s largest influence has really come on protection, the place the Suns enable over six fewer factors per 100 possessions when he is on the ground. 1 14-11
16

Hawks
The Hawks could also be this 12 months’s Pacers in the case of the NBA Cup/In-Season Match — a crew that wasn’t actually on anybody’s radar that all of a sudden seems to be like a darkhorse that might make a playoff run. Atlanta is extremely deep, with eight gamers who may legitimately begin for many NBA groups, they usually’ve been a top-10 protection over their final 10 video games. Trae Younger’s utilization has gone down from final season as he extra discerningly picks his spots, whereas clips of his DEFENSE have gone viral recently (for good causes). The Hawks are all of a sudden some of the enjoyable groups to look at within the league. 1 14-13
17

Lakers
LeBron James made essentially the most of his eight straight days off (wherein the Lakers went 1-1), placing up 18-8-8 in Sunday’s win over the Grizzlies. Anthony Davis was the actual story, although, tying season highs with 40 factors and 16 rebounds. General although, the offense remains to be struggling, averaging a meager 104 factors per 100 possessions over its final 12 video games. — 14-12
18

Kings
The Kings made a valiant effort in opposition to the Nuggets, erasing a 23-point result in ultimately go up by 10 earlier than being performed in by a signature Jamal Murray jumper with 9 seconds left. This was a recreation after Domantas Sabonis put up an absurd 32-point, 20-rebound stat line in a win over the Pelicans. Sacramento is now sixth within the NBA in offensive effectivity behind Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan and De’Aaron Fox. 1 13-14
19

Spurs
Gregg Popovich shared a self-deprecating replace on his well being, which sounded constructive regardless of the shortage of a return timeline. On the ground, the Spurs are 5-5 over their final 10 video games, proper in keeping with their .500 general file. Barely troubling: The protection, which was tenth within the league on Thanksgiving, has slipped to nineteenth. 1 13-13
20

Bulls
Hopefully consecutive wins over the Hornets and Raptors will not persuade Chicago’s entrance workplace that they need to maintain this roster the best way it’s. It is clearly time for some large-scale adjustments. The Nuggets reportedly have their eye on Zach LaVine, and it is only a matter of whether or not his wage is palatable sufficient for another person to make a transfer for him, and what they’re providing in return. 2 12-15
21

Pacers
The Pacers have received three out of 4, because the offense has lastly began to kick into gear. No shock that the new streak coincides with sturdy play from Tyrese Haliburton, who’s placing up 21 factors and 9 assists per recreation over his final 4 on 48/44/78 splits. 2 12-15
22

Pistons
Cade Cunningham improved his early All-Star bid with one other signature efficiency, placing up 20 factors, a career-high 18 assists and 11 rebounds because the Pistons rallied from an eight-point deficit with two minutes remaining in additional time to take down the Warmth. Cunningham is now third within the league in assists per recreation whereas averaging 23.5 factors and seven.5 rebounds for the season. 2 11-16
23

Nets
Parting methods with Dennis Schroder for a few second-round picks could also be a sign of extra strikes to come back, with gamers like Cam Johnson and Dorian Finney-Smith seamless matches on most contenders. Head coach Jordi Fernandez was excited to see a sooner offense with Ben Simmons again on the level, however there wasn’t a lot to be enthusiastic about in Monday’s blowout loss to Cleveland. 2 10-16
24

76ers
Final week’s jubilation from seeing Joel Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey on the ground was instantly detonated with the information of Embiid’s sinus fracture and rookie sensation Jared McCain’s knee surgical procedure. Ugh, issues are undoubtedly beginning to really feel a bit curse-y round Philadelphia. George and Maxey had been capable of put the crew on their backs — for one night time, at the very least — combining for 73 factors in Monday’s win over the Hornets. — 8-16
25

Raptors
Scottie Barnes has solely performed 14 video games this season, and he is not anticipated again any time quickly, whereas Immanuel Quickley has solely suited up for 3 — a bummer for a roster that desperately craves playmaking and flexibility. Now tasked with a lot of the shot creation for himself and others, RJ Barrett has dished out 19 assists in his final two video games with Barnes sidelined. 1 7-20
26

Hornets
LaMelo Ball is again, logging 15 factors on 15 pictures in quarter-hour (his 11 assists ruined the symmetry) in his return from a seven-game absence. He is a welcome sight for a crew that put up 106 factors per 100 possessions in his absence, in comparison with 112 for the season when he is on the ground. 1 7-19
27

Path Blazers
After a comparatively promising begin, the Blazers have cratered of late, dropping six straight video games with a internet ranking of minus-14 over that stretch. The excellent news is that Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III are again within the lineup, and Portland has been a considerably higher defensive crew with both of these two on the ground. — 8-18
28

Jazz
The Jazz have given up a median of 140 factors over their final three video games. Maybe not coincidentally, they misplaced all three of them. John Collins continues to be one in every of solely constructive tales on the crew, averaging 19 factors and eight rebounds on 54/54/80 splits over his final 9 video games, and that is excellent news with commerce season beginning to warmth up. — 5-20
29

Pelicans
New Orleans goes to have a scoring downside for so long as Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson are out of the lineup, and that exhibits with their Twenty ninth-ranked offense. They’re additionally permitting the second-most factors within the paint of any crew within the league, so while you put these collectively it is a lethal mixture. — 5-22
30

Wizards
Avoiding a 20-game dropping streak is all the time good, however dropping 19 out of 20, sadly, is not a lot better. Let’s understand that all of these losses had been by at the very least 9 factors (most a lot, far more), so it is not like this crew is near competing on a constant foundation. Sufficient with the negativity, you say? How about this: Bilal Coulibaly is capturing 39% from 3 over his final 4 video games, averaging 17 factors, 5.5 rebounds and 5 assists. — 3-21