This week has seen the slaying of a number of streaks: The winning streaks of the Bucks and Lakers. The losing streak of the Pelicans. The sucking streak of the Knicks. But with death, comes new life.
10. Dallas Mavericks (Down 3)
(18-9) Last week: 2-2
My oh my has Luka Doncic's ankle sprain come at a bad time for Dallas.
Just as they embark on an Eastern road trip taking in Miami, Milwaukee, Boston, Philly and Toronto, one after the other. The Mavs of course upset the Bucks, halting Milwaukee's winning streak, but lost to the Heat and Celtics. If they can split the remaining two games, all things considered, it's probably a par. Steal both games, without Luka, and the Mavs will be doing back flips.
9. Toronto Raptors (Up 1)
(19-8) Last week: 3-0
Toronto's unlikely position near the top of the league has been a lovely story, given their off season defections. Those doubting the Raptors got some ammo in recent losses to fellow heavyweights in Miami, Houston, Philadelphia and the Clippers. So a relatively cupcake schedule of Brooklyn Cleveland and Detroit – all wins – has been most welcome.
Kyle Lowry has been fantastic since returning from injury, putting up a nightly 16 points and 8 assists. The 3 point shot isn't falling, though: under 25% since his return.
8. Houston Rockets (Up 1)
(18-9) Last week: 2-1
There is a lot of hand-wringing amongst the NBA Illuminati about the gimmick defences teams throw at James Harden. However, results trump optics. The Cavs and Magic played Harden in single coverage this week and The Beard lit them up for 55 and 54 respectively in Rockets wins. The Pistons threw near constant double teams at Harden and whilst he still had his 39, the Rockets struggled overall and lost by 8. You can be assured that the rest of the NBA took notice.
7. Philadelphia 76ers (Down 3)
(20-9) Last week: 2-2
After winning 9 of 10, the Sixers got blitzed by the Nets in the 3rd quarter of their game setting up a 20 point Brooklyn win. With Embiid resting, the Nets played a quasi zone, daring the Sixers to beat them with jumpers – they couldn't.
Ever the attentive tactician, Heat Coach Erik Spoelstra employed a similar tactic – closer to a regular zone – to similar effect, in the Sixers next game. Even with Embiid, Philly were held to 42% shooting.
For all their elite defensive play, the Sixers are going to need to hit some shots when teams dare them to shoot from outside. And on that note....
Did Ben Simmons hit a 3 this week? No.
6. Boston Celtics (Steady)
(18-7) Last week: 1-1
The Boston Celtics are a marvellous basketball team. They move the ball, get out on the break, hit 3's, attack the basket and play hard defense. They have but one Achilles heel: size. Specifically, size that can play any sort of passable defense. Last week, they were torched by Joel Embiid for 38 points and 13 rebounds, Kristaps Porzingis took them for 23/13 and 3 blocks, on the back of Domantas Sabonis dominating them for 14 boards.
Daniel Theis is a nice player, but undersized. Robert Williams is raw. We all know about 'Kant play' Kanter's defense. Is there a trade that Danny Ainge could make? Could Derrick Favors or Tristan Thompson be a target?
5. Miami Heat (Steady)
(20-8) Last week: 2-2
Losses to the Lakers and ….the Grizzlies? OK.....balance out nice wins against the Mavericks and Sixers. The schedule doesn't get a whole lot easier, with the suddenly feisty Knicks up next followed by the Jazz and Pacers.
Bam Adebayo continues to develop at a rate of knots. A week after posting his 1st career triple double, he did it again, hanging an 18/11/10 masterclass on the Mavs, with a couple of steals and blocks thrown in. The hype wagon is well and truly rolling. Hope you bought your tickets – I got mine early.
4. Denver Nuggets (Up 4)
(18-8) Last week: 4-0
Nikola Jokic continues to struggle. His counting stats (17.1 points, 10.1 rebounds, 6.7 assists) look fine, but when you check his advanced stats, he's down across the board in PER, VORP, Box +/- etc. He still looks doughy and off the pace. When you're not 100% fit, two things that tend to fall away are your shooting numbers – Jokic is down in every shooting category - and ability to attack the basket. On that count, Jokic is on track to finish the season well down on 2018/19 in fouls drawn, And 1 baskets, and attempts blocked at the rim: all signs that he's not getting to the hoop.
Despite this, the Nuggets continue to win, although a soft as butter schedule helped this week.
3. Los Angeles Clippers (Steady)
(21-8) Last week: 2-1
The Clippers continue to be able to handle a host of absences through either injury or planned rest, thanks to their unparalleled depth. The most recent returnee is young sniper Landry Shamet.
Interestingly, it seems that the one Clipper that the team struggles to cover is the 33 year old Lou Williams. The Clips chalked off 'homecoming' wins for their stars in Toronto and Indiana, but with Williams out, they suffered a shock loss to Chicago.
After the Eastern swing, a tough stretch for LA: Rockets, Lakers and Jazz in their next few games.
2. Los Angeles Lakers (Steady)
(24-4) Last week: 2-1
Consider this ranking closer to 1A that to an outright #2.
The Lakers 7 game win streak was broken in a surprising loss to the upstart Pacers, albeit without Anthony Davis. AD was being rested for today's mouthwatering marquee match-up with the Bucks. A possible NBA Finals preview? It's very likely. The Lakers are a complete team. LeBron has gone full MJ, taking the insinuation that he was washed to heart. He's been absolutely devastating. AD hasn't shot the ball well, but has otherwise been superb. The McGee/Howard centre pair have held their own. Danny Green has knocked down 3's and played elite defense. Even Avery Bradley and Kentavous Caldwell-Pope have made positive contributions. Credit to Coach Frank Vogel for making all of this work.
1. Milwaukee Bucks (Steady)
(24-4) Last week: 2-1
Like the Lakers, the Bucks had their monumental winning streak snapped last time out. Their 18 game run was halted by a Dallas Mavericks team missing Luke Doncic.
Were the Bucks a little complacent in not having to face Luca? Could they have perhaps been looking ahead to the Lakers match up?
The circumstances have played out beautifully for this one. Both teams come into the game with league leading 24-4 records, yet both come into the game on the back of a loss.
Grab your popcorn, folks. This promises to be a doozy*
(*Don't blame me when it's a 30 point blowout!)
