The too long and too winding NBA season has finally passed the halfway point, most teams having played 45-46 games, so let’s take a moment and understand if the trends from earlier in the year have continued.
Utah
After 25 games in Utah had started trending back to earth after a shockingly positive start to their season. 24 games later, they remain in 8th place, 1 ½ games out of 12 and 2 games out of 5th in the West. Expect them to do the unexpected.
Golden State
The last we saw of the defending Champs, they had turned around a slow start and were poised to pick up places in the Western Conference. Now, after the turn, they continue to walk a knife’s edge with a record of 23-23 due mainly to their inability to win on the road. Currently in 6th, they are 2 games from being in 12th and out of the play-in. They must be careful from here.
Kawhi Leonard
Not much to see here. 23 games after his return, Kawhi is averaging 20 points per game with reasonable efficiency running on regular season mode. We would expect a sharp increase in all of Kawhi’s stats once we hit the playoffs since he has stated the regular season is just a warm up for the real thing – the playoffs. Still many games to play before we get there. Let’s hope he stays healthy.
Miami
After 25 games, it didn’t look good for Miami but in the 22 games since, they have managed to keep their head’s above water and are feeling fairly comfortable at 25-22, good for 6th in the East. A team with a lot of maturity, they should continue to improve as the season progresses, hopefully peaking just as they get to the playoffs.
Philly
12-12 the last time we checked in on the 76ers, they have gone 17-4 in their last 21 games good enough to be tied with the Bucks for 2nd in the East. And with Joel Embiid looking like a potential MVP this year and a supporting cast that is really coming together this year, they could keep the heat on Boston in the chase for first in the East.
What’s Trending Now?
The Celtics
Are taking the league to school this year. Can they translate regular season success to a championship? It sure feels like this is the year that happens after being near the top of the conference each of the last 5 years.
The Nuggets
With Jamal Murray finally back and playing well, could this be the year Nikola Jokic finally gets through the Western Conference and makes the final? Earn the Larry OB? Much like the Celtics, it feels like Denver has been lurking for the past several years just waiting for Murray to return.
The Western Conference
Only 2 games separate 6th and 13th at this point in the season as 8 teams jockey for 5 playoff spots. Teams such as the Clippers, the Lakers, Golden State, Phoenix and Portland must fight for every game now just to get to the dance.
The Nets
After getting off to a long, slow start, the Nets have finally found a formula for success. Kyrie just plays basketball and doesn’t talk anymore, Kevin Durant does everything brilliantly and Ben Simmons moves the ball around and avoids shooting as much as possible. Now 4th in the East as the 2nd half of the season begins to unfold, will they unravel or keep moving up the East?