J-Speaks: 2018-19 NBA Unofficial First Half Review

The unofficial first half of the 2018-19 National Basketball Association season can be best described as simply, wild. We have a wide-open race in the Eastern Conference with the Top four seeds with a legitimate chance of making it to The Finals. The back-to-back defending champions hit a rough patch earlier in the season look are looking as dominant as ever, especially with the return of a perennial All-Star. The reigning league MVP has been on a historic scoring tear that has lifted his team out of an early season hole. The prized free agent that went to the “City of Angels” got hurt on Christmas Day and his team is in a fight to make the playoffs. A teenager has given hope bright future in “Big-D,” especially after who they acquired from the “Big Apple.” Things are golden in the Colorado Rockies as they are performing at a level that will see them more basketball past the middle of spring for the first time in a handful of years. We had a busy before and during trade deadline where an all-time tying high of teams (19); the second most players (34) and 43 players were involved in the busiest trade deadline in years. Those are just some of the headlines that will be tackled, dissected, evaluated, and graded in the J-Speaks 2018-19 NBA Unofficial First-Half review, with the question of, ‘Who are you now?’

Abbreviation Key, which represents statistics from this season: ppg-points per game; rpg- rebounds per game; spg-steals per game; bpg-block shots per game; FG%-field goal percentage; 3-Pt.%-three-point percentage; opp.-opponent’s, and T-tied.

Eastern Conference

Atlanta Hawks: 19-39 (5^th Southeast Division) 9-17 at home, 10-22 on the road. 

-110.6 ppg-19^th; opp. ppg: 118.2-30^th; 45.0 rpg-19^th

The Atlanta Hawks got off to a rough start as was expected but behind their every improving lead guard rookie lead guard, their ever improving second-year forward and young talented players that have also shown signs of improvement, they have “progressed” since then.

They began the season at 6-23 through the first 29 games under first year head coach Lloyd Pierce squad went but finished with a 13-16 mark since, even though they lost four of five games entering the All-Star break. 

The two main reasons for that turnaround are the hopeful linchpins of the team going forward in rookie lead guard Trae Young (16.9 ppg, 7.6 apg-7^th NBA) and starting power forward John Collins (19.1 ppg-Leads team, 9.5 rpg-Leads team 57.4 FG%-10^th NBA).

In June of 2018, the Hawks’ general manager Travis Schlenk traded the draft rights of the No. 3 overall pick Luka Doncic for the No. 5 overall pick for Young, while also netting a protected 2019 First-Round pick.

Hawks General Manager Travis Schlenk, who worked for the now defending back-to-back champion Golden State Warriors is using the blueprint that helped create the dynasty that is now taking place in the “Bay Area” with All-Stars in two-time league MVP Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green. Players who can shoot, pass, and play cohesively together. 

There were a lot of skeptics about the Hawks trading for a player while talented both as a scorer and as a passer, who did not fit the build of a guy from a physical stand point was going to have his work cut out for him in his first season. 

So far, Young has held up very well ranking second on the Hawks at 16.9 points, a team-leading 7.6 assists, and not having started in all of the Hawks 58 games so far this season. He has registered 18 double-doubles and has 17 games of double-digit assists, which includes career-high in his rookie season of 17 to go along with 25 points in a 127-119 loss versus the Los Angeles Clippers. 

Young’s most memorable performance this season came in his third game of his NBA career where he had 35 points (career-high) and 11 assists on 13 for 23 shooting, including 6 for 14 from three-point range in the Hawks first win of the season 133-111 win at the Cleveland Cavaliers. 

While his accuracy from the field overall (40.6 FG%) and from three-point range (31.2%) has been inconsistent, his confidence has not and he has shown signs that the shooting will come with more time in the gym and game action. 

On top of that he has not allowed what Doncic, who has basically put the 2018-19 Kia Rookie of the Year debate to rest with the year he is having to deter him and how he is doing in Year One of what will hopefully be a long and productive pro career. 

“For me, I don’t listen,” Young said when he and Colling were interviewed on ESPN’s “NBA: The Jump” back on Jan. 24. “Obviously I hear everything that goes on. You can’t miss it. Luka’s having a really good year so far and I for me all I do is focus on myself, my team.” 

Young, unlike Doncic though has sidekick to grow with in Collings, who after being on the shelf the first 15 games of this season due to surgery on his left ankle on Oct. 8, 2018 has progressed increasing his scoring average by 8.6 from his rookie season and his rebounding average is up by 2.2 from a season ago. He has improved his perimeter shooting, making an average of 35.9 percent of his three-pointers.  

To further illustrate the improvement of the No. 19 overall pick out of Wake Forest in June 2017, he has 22-double-doubles doubling the 11 he had all last season. 

In the Hawks’ 106-98 win versus the Denver Nuggets on Dec. 8, 2018 Collins had a career-high of 30 points of 30 points with 12 rebounds and five assists. He set a new career-high of 35 points in the Hawks’ 121-101 win, going 14 for 16 from the field, including 4 for 4 from three-point range with eight boards and two steals. Collins matched that career-high of 35 points with 16 rebounds, one shy of his career-high in a Hawks’ 118-112 win at the Phoenix Suns on Feb. 2.  

Collins credits the work he put in the weight room to get his body stronger in the off-season as to why he has improved in his sophomore season. as he said to that he put a lot of time in the weight room in the off-season to get stronger. 

“Just being stronger has slowed the game down for me a lot and its paying dividends right now,” he said host of “NBA: The Jump” Rachel Nichols, Amin Elhassan, and Byron Scott, three-time champion with the Los Angeles Lakers back in the 1980s. 

He added, “I’ve always taken pride in trying to catch the ball. I felt like that was an important thing for guards to trust the big fellas when they give them the ball-that you can catch and finish. I think that’s a real big for the trust between you and your guards.”

With the two hopeful stars of the Hawks moving forward in place, it is about surrounding them with players that fit with their skills. 

Rookie sharpshooter Kevin Huerter (9.3 ppg, 38.9 3-Pt.%), who has shown promise as a guy who could become a consistent snipper from three-point range, as the No. 19 overall pick out of the University of Maryland showed by scoring a career-high 29 points on 11 for 17 shooting, including 5 for 8 from three-point range in the Hawks’ garnered a 123-121 win at the Philadelphia 76ers on Jan. 11. with the No. 19. 

Fellow rookie forward Omari Spellman (5.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 35.3 3-Pt.%), the 30^th overall pick in June’s draft has also displayed the ability to make shots from distance, but the Hawks need the member from the two-time defending champion Villanova Wildcats to be more consistent with his play. 

Some other Hawks that could also be major parts of the future include starting center Dewayne Dedmon (10.6 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 48.8 FG%, 38.9 3-Pt.%), reserve forward DeAndre’ Bembry (8.0 ppg, 4.1 rpg,), who has to improve as a shooter and consistent scorer off the bench and center Alex Len (10.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 48.2 FG%), who the Hawks took a two-year, $8.5 million flyer on after the No. 5 overall pick in the 2013 draft simply flamed out with the Suns and has played solid off the bench, authoring seven double-doubles so far this season. 

One big negative in the Hawks season so far in terms of their development has been having third-year starting forward Taurean Prince (13.4 ppg, 38.1 3-Pt.%) for just 37 games because of badly sprained left ankle that shelved him for 18 games from Dec. 5, 2018 to Jan. 13. 

With the remainder of this season to be used to evaluate the younger players, the minutes by veteran guard Kent Bazemore (13.0 ppg), whose has missed 14 games because of injury this season and has struggled to make shots at 43.9 percent overall and just 31.8 percent from three-point range might be spending a lot of time on the bench. The Hawks also bought out reserve guard Jeremy Lin’s contract on Feb. 11. 

“We have a lot of young guys, and as a veteran you’ve got to give yourself up,” Pierce said in late November about when Bazemore accepted his demotion to being a reserve. “It’s a good opportunity to shake things up.”

The other important factor that has kept the Hawks competing under Coach Pierce has been the invaluable experience and come-to-work focus of the ageless 21-year veteran and future Hall of Famer Vince Carter (6.5 ppg, 38.7 3-Pt.%), who along with future Hall of Famer of the Dallas Mavericks Dirk Nowitzki tied fellow future Hall of Famer Kevin Garnett, former Hawk Kevin Willis, and former Celtic great Robert Parrish for most seasons in the NBA with 21. They surpassed the second most seasons in “The Association” of 20 by Hall of Famer Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant.

The presence and leadership of the 42-year-old Carter have been of major importance in the maturation of not just the team as a whole but to the maturation of Collins and Young. 

“He’s trying to absorb all the things that are thrown at him,” Carter said of Young’s progression as a rookie. “He’s asked a lot of questions. He’s attentive he’s doing everything you want a young star to do.” 

While he is not “Half-man, Half-Amazing” like he was nearly two decades ago when he made a thunderous introduction at the 2000 All-Star Game in the Slam Dunk Contest, Carter, the 1999 Kia Rookie of the Year in spurts has flashed what as a top-flight player in the NBA. 

Carter scored 14 points off the bench in the Hawks 124-108 loss versus his former team the Toronto Raptors on Nov. 21, 2018, becoming the 22^nd player in NBA history to reach 25,000 points. In the Hawks 111-108 win versus the Cavaliers on Dec. 29, 2018, Carter equaled Young’s game-high of 21 points, which was not only his first game scoring 20-plus for the boys from the “ATL,” he became the oldest player in NBA history ate 41 years and 337 days old to lead or tie for his team’s lead in scoring breaking the old record of Hall of Famer and six-time NBA champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar by six days. In the Hawks’ 119-101 loss versus the Raptors on Feb. 7, Carter, who had nine points on the night passed the logo Jerry West for 21^st on the league’s all-time scoring list. 

Before the Hawks 120-111 loss at the Portland Trail Blazers on Jan. 26, Carter, who turned 42 years old the day, which made him older than eight NBA franchises and just one year younger than the NBA/ABA merger of 1976-77 said about being just the 6^th player in NBA history to play in a game at age 42 or older, “I’m just thankful to still be here as an NBA player.” 

“I still receive phone calls of teams that are interested in me playing this NBA game at this level still. So, I mean, I put a lot of work in just to be able to compete and play. But I still have the joy, and the love of the game to help young guys when I can.” 

The Hawks lost their first game following the break with a 125-122 loss versus the Pistons on Thursday night but bounced back with a 120-112 win versus the Suns on Saturday night, behind the 23 points of Bazemore; 23 points, eight assists on 11 for 12 from the foul line by Young; 21 points eight boards and three steals from Prince and 19 points and 14 rebounds from Collins.

When the Hawks began to rebuild under then GM Danny Ferry, it began with a painful 13-win season back in 2004-05. What followed was a 10-year streak of playoff appearances, which culminated in a franchise record 60 wins and a Conference Finals appearance in 2014-15. 

Current GM Schlenk and Principal Owner Tony Ressler have the foundation blocks with Collins and Young and hopefully they can continue building that foundation through the draft, smart trades, and free agency where they are in the conversation of being not just a dominant team in the East but as a championship contender. 

“The main focal point for us as a team, me and John as leaders is to bring that energy and effort every night,” Young said to Nichols, Elhassan, and Scott.   

“We know the wins haven’t been necessarily there right now and what we want to do is build, so we can make it to the championship one day.” 

“We all know that this is a step and a process that you have to go through to winning and we just try to bring it every night.”

With three First-Rounders this June 2019, their own and the ones they acquired from the Mavericks and Cavaliers, that are Top 5 and Top 10 protected and as many as five Second-Round picks, the Hawks hope their embryonic stage of this rebuild under GM Schlenk and Principal Owner since 2015 Anthony Reesler can produced the same results led by Coach Pierce.

“I like the direction where we’re headed,” Pierce said after his team’s 106-91 loss one week ago before the All-Star break about his team’s overall play. “As a first-time coach, I didn’t know if I’d be fighting player every day or disgruntled guys or guys not buying into it, but I think the guys buy into it and they enjoy each other. They enjoy my staff, which is very important.”

Prediction: Hawks will continue to build their culture under Coach Pierce with Young and Collins as the lynch pins. While Schlenk and Ressler through the draft bring in the right personnel to turn the Hawks into a consistent winner.

Grade: D

Boston Celtics: 37-21 (2^nd Atlantic Division; No. 4 Seed East) 23-8 at home, 14-13 on the road. 

-113.0 ppg-12^th; opp. ppg: 106.6-5^th; 45.1 rpg-16^th

The two-time East runners up the last two springs, the Boston Celtics felt with four-time Kia MVP LeBron no longer in their way and the return of their two prized All-Star acquisitions last summer felt their path to their first NBA Finals appearance since 2010 was supposed to have no road block. Unfortunately, their talent on paper has not translated to the hardwood. While they have found their footing somewhat heading into the break they have been very “inconsistent” and are no longer the only contender to represent the East in the 2019 NBA Finals this June.

The boys from “Beantown” after the first 20 games of this season were 10-10, looking nothing like the team that were Conference finalists the past two seasons. 

“We don’t impose our fear and will on teams,” guard Marcus Smart said after the Celtics 113-104 loss at the Dallas Mavericks on Nov. 24, 2018 that brought to a 10-10 mark. 

“Last year, teams when they came in and played the Celtics, they knew they were in for a fight. This year, team can’t wait to play us and that’s a problem.” 

They flipped the script going 11-4 in their next 15 games, which included eight straight wins from Nov. 26, 2018 to Dec. 29, 2018.  

A major reason for the turnaround was when Smart (8.3 ppg, 4.1 apg, 1.7 spg-Leads team), the Celtics best perimeter defender replaced struggling All-Star swingman Gordon Hayward (11.2 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 3.5 apg) in the starting lineup, who is coming back from a broken left ankle minutes into their season opener at the eventual reigning four-time defending Cavaliers in Oct. 17, 2017. 

While Hayward might have been physically back as in on the court, after injuring his ankle in a horrific fall in the 2017-18 NBA season opener, his impact has minimal at best. 

The Celtics other prized addition via trade last summer in All-Star lead guard Kyrie Irving, who missed the final 15 games last season because of knee surgery and all of the 2018 postseason is averaging career-highs and team-leading 23.6; a team-leading 6.9 assists; 4.9 rpg, and 1.6 spg, on 49.8 FG% and 40.9 3-Pt.%.  

While Irving has been sensational for the Celtics all season, it has come at the expense of the growth of the C’s emerging young stars in Jayson Tatum (16.5 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 45.3 FG%, 37.9 3-Pt.%), Jaylen Brown (12.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 45.0 FG%) and Terry Rozier (9.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 36.4 3-Pt.%), who is shooting just 38.4 percent from the field this season. 

With Irving and Hayward out for the postseason this trio emerged and was a major reason the Celtics were one game short of reaching the NBA Finals last season.

What also helped head coach Brad Stevens team was the fact that they had the steadiness of guys like veterans Al Horford (12.7 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 4.0 apg, 52.8 FG%, 36.9 3-Pt.%) and Marcus Morris (14.5 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 47.6 FG%, 40.9 3-Pt.%) in the fold and Aron Baynes, who missed a total of 25 games this season because of injuries.

Coach Stevens said before the Celtics 122-116 win versus the Grizzlies on Jan. 18 that Baynes impacts the game without having to score as he had 12 rebounds and three blocks with six points in 23 minutes off the bench in his second game back from a broken bone in his left hand that shelved him for 13 games from Dec. 21, 2018-Jan. 16. 

“He’s in a lot of ways a security blanket for us. He protects us defensively,” Stevens said to NBC Sports Boston’s Brian Scalabrine before the C’s victory versus the Grizzlies about Baynes, who has missed the past seven games because of a foot injury. 

“He’s a guy that’s going to do every little ting right on offense. He’s going to screen. He’s going to do all the little things that not everybody always celebrates doing or celebrates somebody else doing. He’s as good of a teammate as I’ve ever been around and he plays that way.

As good as Tatum, Brown and Rozier were last spring though, when it came time to take care of business in the clutch at home going 7-1, their youth and inexperienced showed as they team went just 1-8 on the road in the 2018 Playoffs. Also, they lost Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals versus the Cavaliers 87-79 going 7 for 34 from three-point range.  

While the Celtics have had as mentioned earlier moments where they looked like the best team in the East, they have had moments where they have felt the weight of expectations. 

A perfect example of this came in the middle of December 2018 where they lost three straight games, first at the Detroit Pistons 113-104 on Dec. 15, 2018, where the Celtics gave up 48.8 percent shooting to the Pistons; had just 19 assists comparted to 14 turnovers, surrendering 26 points to the Pistons. 

Four days later, the lost 111-103 versus the struggling Suns getting outscored 85-56 over the final three quarters after leading by 11 points after the first period 37-26. They were crushed on the glass 68-40, including 21-9 on the offensive glass. While the C’s forced 17 turnovers, 13 of them steals, that they turned into 28 points; had 15 block shots; outscored the Suns 25-12 in fast break points, they were dominated in the paint, being outscored 44-34. 

Their third straight defeat was at the hands of the East leading Milwaukee Bucks 120-107 on ESPN on Dec. 21, 2018 to a team that in the last six games in “Beantown,” which includes last year’s opening round series gone 6-0 averaging 110.8 points on 40 percent shooting from three-point range and holding the visitors to an average of 101.5 points on 35 percent from the three-point arc. 

In that defeat, the Celtics gave up 51.2 percent shooting to the Bucks, including 16 for 40 from three-point range, while they shot just 38.5 percent from the field overall on the night and were just 10 for 34 from three-point range. 

That loss led to a player’s only meeting before talking with reporters. While no specifics about the meeting were mentioned, Irving had a lot to say about his team’s plays as well as his own. 

“It really comes down to that cohesion. Really being able to trust the pass. Trust what we got going out there,” he said after the loss. 

“There’s obviously some selfish play going on out there where obviously, you get very talented guys but we’re better as a team when we’re moving the basketball and when it gets down to the end of the shot clock, that’s when we start shooting our iso shots.” 

Irving added, “I get caught up in that as well and for me, it’s a hard challenge because…I literally can do anything I want out there, anytime I want, but at the same time it’s what can I do for my teammates to be more successful? So, just being more conscious of that.” 

To bring this point more into context, during the Celtics 8-game winning streak, they were averaging 125.4 points on 50 percent from the field with 28 assists and a point differential of +22.8. In the three straight defeats that followed, they averaged 104.7 points on just 42 percent shooting with 22.3 assists and a point differential of -10. 

While the Celtics did figure some things out after those three losses in a row, with four straight wins from Jan. 2-9, they only managed to go 7-8 from Dec. 15, 2018 to Jan. 14, which with back end of that stretch consisting of another three-game losing streak. 

The first of those losses was a 115-99 decision at the Miami Heat on Jan. 10, TNT where they Celtics were outscored in the first, second and fourth periods. 

During one of the timeouts, Brown and Morris got into an argument on the sidelines because of some miss communication defensively on a few possessions. 

The frustration level would go up a few more decibels two nights later when the Celtics lost at the Orlando 105-103 getting outscored 64-52 in the second half.

The Celtics had a chance a to tie things up in the final seconds but Tatum’s fallaway jumper at the buzzer did not connect as the Celtics fell to 0-2 against the Magic this season. 

After the game, Irving who was visibly upset he did not get the last shot told reporters in the locker room that the team is simply lacking, “Experience,” and that they all as a whole “have a lot of learning to do.” 

He added, “It doesn’t matter who you’re going against. It matters the type of preparation you have. What you’re going to out and trying to accomplish. What’s the big picture? What are we doing here?” 

“These are a lot of things I don’t think some of my teammates have faced of just every single day. It’s not easy to be great, so the things that you’re doing. That you’ve done your entire career of being able to kind of coast by in certain situations and you’ve gotten away with your youth and stuff like that, being on a championship ball club you can’t get away with that.” 

They did not get away with it on Jan. 14 falling at the Brooklyn Nets 109-102 as their 10-game winnings streak against them ended, as Irving was out due to a quad injury. 

It was after the game that Brown, who had 22 points and six boards basically said that unless the Celtics stopped pointing fingers and just dig deep, “empower” each other to improve and have each other’s “back” things will only get worse.

“If we don’t, we start pointing fingers, everybody’s going to go into their own little shell,” he added. “We got to continue to play basketball and it starts from the top to bottom, not from the bottom to the top, but from the bottom to the top. So, we got to continue to empower each other and make the best of this.” 

To their credit, the Celtics have going 12-3 in their 15 games leading into the All-Star break, with victories wins versus the Raptors (117-108 Jan. 16 on ESPN), their second win in three tries against them; versus the Oklahoma City Thunder (134-129 Feb. 3 on ABC) and at the 76ers (112-109 Feb. 12on TNT). 

Their three losses in this stretch though came at versus the Warriors on Jan. 26 (115-111 on ABC). A 129-128 defeat versus their hated rival, the Los Angeles Lakers, thanks to a buzzer by former Celtic Rajon Rondo on Feb. 7 on TNT. That was followed by a 123-112 loss versus Los Angeles Clippers two nights later, where they blew a 28-point lead. 

“We made errors on offense. They made us pay when we made errors on defense and made us pay,” Coach Stevens said after the loss versus the Warriors. “So, yeah, I thought our guys played really hard, you got to lock down all your controllables to have a chance to beat this team.” 

Becoming a champion is not easy. It takes an unbelievable amount of concentration, belief and execution that must go from practice and be translated to the floor come game time. 

The Celtics each season under Coach Stevens have gotten better. They have gone from a team trying to become a contender to now they are one. With that comes the responsibility to meeting those expectations. 

Things have gotten a lot more interesting with their chances of coming out of the East with the emergence of the Bucks, Raptors, who the Celtics are 2-1 against this season and the 76ers, who the C’s have beaten in all three meetings this season and have won 10 of the last 12 meetings, including last season’s 4-1 win in the Semifinals. 

The question still lingers with the Celtics in that are they better with or without Irving, who is an unrestricted free agent at season’s end? They are 28-19 with him and 9-2 without him in the lineup this season. 

In the Celtics aforementioned two wins back in the middle of January versus the Raptors and Grizzlies Irving had 27 and 38 points respectably, shooting a combined 25 for 40 from the floor, including 7 for 12 from three-point range. He had in both those wins double-digit assists with career-high of 18 assists versus the Raptors and 11 helpers versus the Grizzlies. 

The Celtics reverted back to their old habits in their first game following the break, a 98-97 loss at the Bucks 98-97 Thursday night on TNT. Irving a had a chance to win but his runner in the final seconds fell short. He finished the night with 22 points but shot just 9 for 27 and had just five assists. 

That was followed by a 126-116 loss at the Bulls on Saturday night, where the Celtics after taking a 33-28 into the second quarter were outscored 36-18 in the second quarter and they never recovered. Irving had a team-high of 37 points with a game-high of 10 assists, but the aside from the 19 points by Horford and 14 from Brown off the bench, Tatum had just 12 points and only one rebound. 

The Celtics (37-23), who are currently No. 5 in the East have the talent to represent the East in The Finals this June. But they must understand that they are not going to get there if they cannot become a more cohesive unit. They need each other to reach their ultimate goal of a championship and Irving, who help the Cavs win a title in 2016 and is a free agent at season’s end, coming back from a 3-1 deficit against the aforementioned Warriors has to be at the front of the line leading them, but in a way that can inspire his younger teammates. 

They have to as Morris said after the loss versus the Clippers be more engaged where they root for success for your teammate and leave your individual goals at the door and concentrate on what the team need from you to win. 

“For us to be a championship team man [expletive] has to change. We have to change, (if) we want to win,” he said. “Whatever it takes, I’m with it. Trade deadline’s over. This is the team we’re rocking with. This is who we’re going with.” 

Prediction: Celtics make it back to The Eastern Conference Finals. Beat the Raptors in seven games but fall to the Warriors in The Finals in six games. 

Grade: B-

Brooklyn Nets: 30-29 (4^th Atlantic Division; No. 6 Seed in East) 17-13 at home, 13-16 on the road. 

-112.3 ppg-14^th; opp. ppg: 112.7-21^st; 46.1 rpg-10^th    

It has been three years since playoff basketball in Brooklyn, NY. After the trade in the summer of 2013 when Celtics GM Danny Ainge fleeced the Brooklyn Nets of all their future assets, they Nets had to pull some serious rabbits out of their hat to put a decent product on the floor. Those gambles under the direction of the Nets general manager since 2016, a disciple of the five-time NBA champion San Antonio Spurs have “positioned” the Nets despite injuries to key personnel during the season to make it back to the playoffs this season. 

While they began the season 8-10, there were signs of hope especially with the play of early candidate for Kia Most Improved Player in guard Caris LeVert (16.8 ppg-career-high, 4.1 rpg, 4.1 apg 45.8 FG%), who came into this season in the best shape of his career and it showed on the floor as he averaged a career-best of 18.4 points in the first 18 games of this season. He produced two game-winners early on in the season that took down the rival New York Knicks (107-105) on Oct. 19, 2018 and at the Denver Nuggets (112-110) on Nov. 9, 2018. 

To illustrate how good the third-year pro out of Michigan was doing to start this season, four of his five highest scoring games came during this stretch of 29, 28, 27 and 26 points, as part of the seven games where he scored 20 points or more, after registering just seven games of that nature total in his first two seasons. 

On Nov. 12, 2018 in a 120-113 loss at the Minnesota Timberwolves, LeVert suffered at that moment a very serious leg injury in the late stages of the opening half that brought a complete and stunned silence amongst the audience at Target Center. 

“I just think it’s a devastating blow for us, for him. That’s all I really want to say about this,” a dejected head coach Kenny Atkinson said after the game. “Our thoughts should be with him and his recovery. And I really don’t want to talk about the game or anything else.”

Thankfully for LeVert what was revealed about the injury is that it was not a career ender or a season ender as he was diagnosed with a subtalar dislocation in his right foot. That he could return this season he could after he rehabs. 

LeVert would return 42 games later versus the Chicago Bulls on Feb. 8 and he had 11 points and five steals on 5 for 11 from the field in 15 minutes off the bench in the 125-106 loss. He had six points and four assists in 23 minutes in the Nets 125-117 loss at the Raptors three days later. He had 12 points, nine assists and seven rebounds in the Nets 148-139 triple-overtime win at the Cavaliers on Feb 13, right before the All-Star break. 

“Obviously it’s been a while since I’ve went out there and played the game but can’t wait to get out there and, you know, help the team win,” LeVert said to Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network’s Michael Grady before the game on Feb. 8. 

He added about returning after a three-month absence from the injury, “Blessed. Obviously, it could’ve been a whole lot worse. It looked a lot worse then what it was but all that’s behind me now and I’m glad the training staff and the coaches, you know, spent a lot of time on this foot. Spent a lot of time in rehab, and I’m definitely ready now. 

With LeVert out, the Nets not only remained competitive, they are right now in the postseason mix as the No. 6 Seed currently in the East going 23-19.

One major reason for that is a player that GM Sean Marks took a gamble on D’Angelo Russell, who seized on the opportunity with LeVert on the shelf and has put together the best season of his four-year career with averages of 20.3 points and 6.6 assists on 37.2 percent shooting from three-point range. That earned him his first All-Star selection as the injury replacement for Indiana Pacers two-time All-Star guard Victor Oladipo.

To put Russell’s production this season into context, his seven double-doubles this season are only one more than he had in his first three-seasons combined with eight. Five of those first eight came last season with the Nets. 

Russell, who came over in a trade before the 2017 draft from the Lakers really took off in the month of January where he averaged 23.8 and 7.3 assists on 47.9 shooting from the floor and 41.3 three-point range. He rose that production to 25.8 points and 8.3 assists so far in February. 

“Just in general with our season and individual accolades are coming in as well. It’s been amazing,” Russell, whose scored 30-plus points 10 times this season after a combined 7 such games in his first three seasons said to NBATV’s Jared Greenberg for the team’s 113-94 loss versus the East leading Bucks on Feb. 4. “Life changed a little bit. Just the buzz has been really good around here, you know.”

He also said about this accomplishment silencing his critics, “I mean it depends on who goes for it. Whoever feels like they needed that type of validation. I feel like it’s a great validation for them but for myself personally. I don’t really feel that way. I feel like it’s something that happened through hard work and time put in this league. I think it all kind of played out itself.”  

Another Net whose stepped up in the absence of LeVert after was Kia Sixth Man of the Year candidate in Spencer Dinwiddie (17.2 ppg, 5.0 apg 46.1 FG%, 36.6 3-Pt.%), who has missed the last 10 after having surgery to repair torn ligaments in his right thumb. There is no projected timetable for his return.   

When he was healthy, Dinwiddie, who finished third in the ballot for Kia Most Improved Player a season ago has proven to be one of the most explosive and electric performers in “The Association” off the bench this season. He showed that in a 127-124 win at the 76ers on Dec. 12, 2018 when he scored a career-high of 39 points on 11 for 18 from the field and 13 for 14 at the free throw line, becoming the first player since former Kia Rookie of the Year Derrick Coleman did for the then New Jersey Nets in 1992 to score 35 or more off the bench. This performance was also the most points by a reserve so far this season. That was on the heels of a 31-point performance on 11 for 15 from the field, including 4 for 6 from three-point range in a 127-125 loss versus the 76ers. 

The day after Christmas 2018, Dinwiddie had 37 points and 11 assists on 7 for 16 from three-point range off the bench in the Nets’ 134-132 win at the Hornets, their ninth win in their last 10 games. 

Dinwiddie became the first player in NBA history with 35-plus points, 10-plus assists and seven-plus made threes in a game off the bench. He joined the Clippers Lou Williams (1/26/18); the Suns Jamal Crawford (1/25/14 with Clippers); Brian Winters (1/22/82 with Bucks) and “Pistol” Pete Maravich (11/28/73 with Hawks) as the five players in league history to register 35-plus points and 10-plus assists off the pine in a game. 

This was Dinwiddie’s third game of 30 points or more off the bench, which him for the franchise record set by Clifford T. Robinson back in the 1980-81 season. 

He set the franchise record with his fourth performance of 30-plus when he registered 25 of his 33 points in 4^th quarter and overtime, while adding in 10 assists off the bench on 13 for 22 shooting, including 4 for 8 from three-point range in the Nets 145-142 overtime win on Jan. 16. 

Those performances are why in the middle of December 2018 he earned a three-year, $34 million contract. He then went out and proved he was worth that investment by scoring 27 points off the bench in the Nets 125-118 win versus the Washington Wizards, giving him three straight games with at least 25 points of the bench making him the first Net to do so since Clifford T. Robinson did it from Feb. 7-11, 1981. 

“The journey is just beginning. I’m thankful that (Brooklyn Nets believe in me enough to give me a home,” Dinwiddie, a Second-Round pick, No. 38 overall by the Pistons in 2018 said of getting a new contract. 

Dinwiddie along with forward Rondae Hollis-Jefferson (9.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg) Shabazz Napier (9.8 ppg, 35.1 3-Pt.%), DeMarre Carroll (11.2 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 34.5 3-Pt.%), Jared Dudley, Allen Crabbe (10.2 ppg 40.5 3-Pt.%) and Ed Davis (5.9 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 61.6 FG%) are the reason why the Nets bench is the No. 2 scoring bench in the NBA averaging 47.7 points from their reserves in the league. 

In their 59 games played so far this season, the Nets reserves have outscored their opponent’s bench 50 of those 59.  

“We’ve had to use them a lot,” Coach Atkinson said before the Nets 113-94 loss versus the Bucks about the bench unit. “They’ve had a great opportunity, you know. Opportunity and there good guys, and there good players.” 

“Pretty much everybody that’s come off the bench has stepped up...I think our depth is one of our strengths, a big strength of ours actually.”

That second unit has been a great compliment to the starting five of the aforementioned Russell; sharp shooting forward Joe Harris (13.9 ppg-career-high, 47.1 3-Pt.%-2^nd NBA); ever improving center Jarrett Allen (11.2 ppg, 8.6 rpg-Leads team, 1.6 bpg-Leads team, 57.2 FG%) and rookie Rodions Kurucs (8.6 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 46.2 FG%). 

That second unit has been instrumental especially with the injuries. Beside the time LeVert missed this season of 42 games, and the 12 missed by Dinwiddie, Crabbe was on the shelf for 26 games from Dec. 14, 2018-Jan. 6 with a sore right knee. Carroll missed the first 11 games of this season because of surgery on his right ankle.  

That cohesiveness by both units and them trusting what Coach Atkinson and his staff of Jacque Vaughn, Chris Fleming, Bret Brielmaier, Travon Bryant, Pablo Prigioni, and Adam Harrington have been selling to the players is how they overcame an eight-game losing streak from Nov. 21, 2018-Dec. 5, 2018, where six of those eight losses came by single-digits. 

The most crushing of those eight defeats came at the hands of the Oklahoma City Thunder on Dec. 5, 2018 when they lost a 23-point lead in the third quarter in falling 114-112 as they were outscored 68-50 in the second half. 

The Nets got back on track winning seven in a row from Dec. 7-21, 2018, which began with a 106-105 victory versus the Toronto Raptors, which not only ended their eight-game losing streak overall but a 12-game losing streak against their Atlantic Division rivals, who they had not defeated since Apr. 3, 2015. 

Behind a career-high tying 40 points from Russell, on 16 for 25 shooting, including 8 for 12 from three-point range, the Nets overcame a 21-point deficit for a 117-115 win at the Magic on Jan. 18, to get over the .500 mark for the first time this season. 

Also, during this surge, the Nets have made Barclays Center into a serious home court advantage winning nine straight in their building, which was snapped by the Bucks as mentioned in the early part of February. 

Their 11-3 mark in January represents matches a franchise record that was reached in 1983, 2002 and 2013. 

Another demon the Nets put to rest during their hot streak was putting a close to their 31-game losing streak in the back end of road back-to-backs with a 117-100 win at the Chicago Bulls on Jan. 6.

The Nets with road wins at the Magic as mentioned earlier back in January and a thrilling 148-139 triple-overtime win before the All-Star break at the Cleveland Cavaliers on Feb. 13 improved them 3-1 in their last four road games on the second leg of road back-to-backs and are now 7-30 under Coach Atkinson.

Their 113-99 loss versus the Trail Blazers in the first game following the All-Star break, their sixth loss in their last eight games brought them back to the .500 mark at 30-30. 

Behind a career-high tying 40 points by Russell, who turned 23 years of age on game day on 14 for 31 shooting with six three-pointers, the Nets won at the Hornets 117-115. 

The win got the Nets (31-30) back over the .500 mark and kept them alone in the No. 6 spot and gave them a 2-1 series edge over the No. 7 Hornets, with one matchup remaining on Mar. 1.

It took a lot of diligence and laser sharp focus both by the front office, the coaching staff and the players on the court for the Nets the last three seasons to reach this point where they can get back into serious contention for the postseason and improve the roster through the draft and free agency, with $54.6 million in salary cap space to us, and the fact that they are in playoff contention now is a true testament to all that hard work.  

Even with that war chest of money in their coffers, for this summer and having their own draft picks, GM Marks in concert with Coach Atkinson will continue to build the Nets without going overboard in terms of reaching in the draft or signing free agents to over-the-top contracts. 

That is why at the Feb. 7 trade deadline, the only move the Nets made was acquiring center Greg Monroe from the Raptors along with a 2021 Second-Round pick for cash considerations. 

“I think you have to be careful not to say, ‘We are out of the talent acquisition mode.’ You should always be in that, “Marks said to the media before the Nets’ contest versus the Bulls on Feb. 8. 

“What age and at what time that talent arises and comes into your system that’s to be determined and so forth.” 

“So obviously in the draft, free agency, trade deadline there’s always opportunities in which to dad talent and that’s what we hope to do. We hope to do that by not doing anything that’s got some sort of negative effects on the culture or the current team comradery is and what the flexibility is moving into the future.” 

“I mean we’ve continued to remain flexible. That’s been one of our slogans for the last two-and-a-half years. So, I think we’ll continue to do that.”

Prediction: Nets will make it into the playoffs after a three-year absence. Unfortunately, it will be a short entrance as they will go down to either the Bucks, Raptors, Celtics or 76ers depending on the seeding.  

Grade: B+

Charlotte Hornets: 27-30 (1^st Southeast Division; No. 7 Seed in East) 19-9 at home, 8-21 on the road.

-110.8 ppg-18^th; opp. ppg: 111.3-15^th; 44.4 rpg-20^th   

The 30^th season of the Charlotte Hornets has been a good one. They hosted the NBA’s biggest showcase, the All-Star Weekend for the first time since 1991 and their best player not only was selected to play in the game for the fourth straight time but he started. They are also in position to make the playoffs for the first time in two seasons. The future of this team of them making the postseason consistently beyond this is season all hinges on the rest of the players around said All-Star to “raise” their level of play around their star player, who could get out of dodge if they miss the playoffs again and their focus to detail from practice to the hardwood.

For the third straight season, the Hornets Kemba Walker was selected to the All-Star team, and was selected as a starter, thanks to career-highs averages of 24.9 points (Leads team) and 5.6 assists this season, posting 18 games of 30 points or more, while also making some history as well for the team he has spent his entire eight-year career with. 

In the Hornets 113-112 loss in the season-opener versus the East leading Bucks, Walker set a franchise record for most points in a season opener with 41. His 10^th 40-plus point night of his career tied him with former Hornets All-Star Glen Rice for the franchise record.  

Walker set the league record for most threes made through the first three games of a season with 19 surpassing the mark of 18 set by Clippers forward Danilo Gallinari back in 2009-10, while also becoming the first player in NBA history to connect on five or more triples in each of his first three games of this season. 

In the Hornets Dec. 5, 2018 121-104 loss at the Timberwolves, Walker surpassed former lead guard for the Hornets Tyrone “Muggsy” Bogues for the most starts of any player in team history with 502. 

“It would mean the world to represent my organization. To represent the city of Charlotte. I’m excited to try to get back to that game and try to be the host,” Walker, the Hornets all-time leader in career starts with 535 said to Rachel Nichols, Richard Jefferson and Chiney Ogwumike on “NBA: The Jump” on ESPN back in early January. 

“Not a lot of guys get a chance to be in the All-Star Game and represent their city at the same time. So, it’s going to be an amazing experience.” 

As impressive of an individual career Walker has had with the Hornets, he wants to be in the playoffs more consistently and wants to hopefully win a championship.

A perfect example of this was when he scored a franchise record, a career-high and NBA high for this season of 60 points on 21 of 34 shooting, including 6 for 14 from three-point range and 12 for 12 at the foul line, but the Hornets lost in overtime 122-119 versus the Philadelphia 76ers on Nov. 17, 2018.

“I’m still proud, that’s an unbelievable thing to do right there. I’m just mad that we lost. I’m a competitor. It would have been even better with a win,” Walker said after the game. 

Two night later, the Hornets would get a hard fought 117-112 win versus the Celtics behind 43 points from Walker on 14 for 25 shooting, including 7 for 13 from three-point range.   

While the Hornets are above the playoff line now, they will not be satisfied until the punch their ticket to appear in the postseason appearance for the first time since losing to the Miami Heat in seven games two seasons back. 

That is why the Hornets led by owner and Hall of Famer Michael Jordan hired fellow Tar Heel and long-time Los Angeles Lakers executive Mitch Kupchak to be President of Basketball Operations and general manager, replacing the fired Rich Cho.

They hired longtime Spurs’ assistant coach James Borrego as the 12^th head coach in franchise history over the summer and signed future Hall of Famer and long-time Spurs’ guard Tony Parker (9.6 ppg, 3.8 apg, 45.7 FG%) to be Walker’s understudy.

The main issue for the Hornets over the past few seasons the lack of a consistent secondary offensive options alongside Walker. 

While his starting backcourt mate in Jeremy Lamb (15.2 ppg-career-high, 5.6 rpg) has had a very solid season, he does not put consistent fear into opponents to where they game plan to take him out of the game. 

It has not helped that the likes of Michael Kidd-Gilchrist (7.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg); swingman Nicolas Batum (9.3 ppg, 5.2 rpg); Marvin Williams (10.3 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 37.5 3-Pt.%) and second-year sharp shooter Malik Monk (10.3 ppg) have given consistent offensive balance to the Hornets offensive attack. They have shown it at times but as mentioned earlier it is nothing to where the opponent fears going against them. 

It says a lot about your team when the most important player to your success in terms of wins is a center that does not score a lot in Cody Zeller (9.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg-Leads team, 55.5 FG%).

What he does not provide in the scoring column, he makes up for in the intangible areas like setting good screens and communicating with his teammates at the defensive end. 

Those things are absent when the No. 4 overall pick is not on the floor, like he was for 16 games from Dec. 2, 2018-Jan. 5 because of a fractured right hand. 

Since the 2016-17 season, the Hornets with Zeller in the lineup, they went 65-65. Without him for those 16 games, the team wen just 8-8, bringing their record the last 2-plus season to a dismal 33-52. 

The Hornets were able to remain in the playoff picture without Zeller because of solid play from center Bismack Biyombo, who averaged 6.1 points and 6.9 rebounds in his 17 starts this season for Zeller and Willy Hernangomez (7.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg). 

The other issue for the Hornets has been their inability to hit on a lottery pick the past few years. The No. 12 overall pick in Miles Bridges (6.5 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 44.7 FG%), the No. 12 pick of the 2018 draft, who is an athletic forward with the ability to be flashy at times has not moved the needle north for the Hornets. 

The Hornets got off to the right foot to start the second half of this season with an impressive 123-110 win versus the Wizards on Friday night but lost versus the Nets (117-115) on Saturday night.  

The Hornets (28-31) however are just one game ahead of the No. 9 Seeded Magic and 1 ½ games ahead of the No. 10 Seeded Heat. 

This season represents the best chance for the Hornets to reach the postseason in two years. It will not be an easy task though as 11 of their final 23 games in the regular-season will be on the road, including a four-game West Coast trip from Mar. 29-Apr. 4 where the Hornets will play at the Lakers, Warriors, Utah Jazz and Pelicans. The front end of this stretch is not a cake walk either with four of their next five home games versus the back-to-back champion Warriors, Houston Rockets, Trail Blazers and Heat. They also have their fourth and final matchup at the Nets.

How this second half of the season plays out will determine if Walker remains in Charlotte or if he decides to find greener pastures elsewhere as he will be an unrestricted free agent this summer. 

Just because Michael Jordan is right in front of you and your agent during contract negotiations guarantees nothing. 

Team success and having a chance to play after the first few days of April are the two driving forces for a great player like Walker and he is tired of waiting for that. So, for the Hornets this 2^nd half of this season is now or never to reach the playoffs and try to make a little noise. 

“I do want to be in the playoffs and I think we can win with this team we have now. I think we can be in the playoffs and, you know, you get into the playoffs anything’s possible,” Walker said to Nichols, Jefferson, and Ogwumike. 

He added about his upcoming unrestricted free agency this summer, “I’m just looking forward to trying my best to lead my team to the playoffs this season and when that time comes for free agency I’ll just go through that process.” 

Prediction: Hornets make it back to the playoffs as a lower seed but have an early exit. 

Grade: C

Chicago Bulls: 14-44 (4^th Central Division) 6-23 at home, 8-21 on the road.

-103.2 ppg-28^th; opp. ppg: 117.6-17^th; 42.1 rpg-26^th     

When you are an organization going through a rebuild there are three main rules that must be followed. The front office and coaching staff must be on the same page. The key players the organization hopes are building blocks for the team going forward must be healthy and show progression. Above all, the leader on the sidelines must have full confidence across the board from the players to management. It has been tough sledding for the Chicago Bulls in Year 2 of this rebuild with an in-season coaching change; the experiment of bringing in a “Windy City” native failed miserably and the future of the front office has now been called into question. Simply put the Bulls have been a “disaster” this season. 

The problems began when All-Rookie Second-Team selection Lauri Markkanen (18.5 ppg 8.8 rpg-Leads team, 38.3 3-Pt.%), missed the first 23 games this season because of a high-grade lateral sprain to his elbow. 

When he did come back it took him some time to find his rhythm as he shot just 42.3 and 42.6 percent over the first two months back from the injury. In the month of February though, the former Arizona Wildcat has found his shooting stroke hitting 49.0 percent overall so far this month, 36.6 percent of his three-pointers scoring 24.3 points and grabbing 12.5 rebounds as well this month. He has garnered a double-double in eight of the Bulls last 10 games entering the All-Star break. 

Last season Markkanen and the now starting backcourt of the Chicago Bulls in Kris Dunn (11.7 ppg, 6.5 apg-Leads team, 1.5 spg-Leads team) and Zach LaVine (23.0 ppg-Leads team) did not play a lot together because of injury but coming into this season the team hoped they would be healthy and create the necessary foundation of consistency that will hopefully lead them to better days in the future. 

Markkanen’s aforementioned injury to begin this new season put that dream on hold. Also, LaVine while he has improved his shooting percentage this season overall from the field (46.2%) still has to improve his three-point percentage from the 34.9 he has currently and needs improve his shot selection.

Dunn has the tools to be a solid player in the NBA with his ability penetrate, defend, and find open people. For him it is just putting it all together and knowing he can be good if he is willing to put the time and work in. 

A 5-19 beginning to be exact got head coach Fred Hoiberg the axe on Dec. 3, 2018 and was replaced by assistant coach Jim Boylen. 

While the injury to Markkanen was of no help to Coach Hoiberg, it did not help either that guard to guard Denzel Valentine, was lost for this entire season because of a left ankle injury. Dunn was shelved for 24 games recovering from a left knee injury. Then forward Bobby Portis missed 36 games recovering from an injury right knee and rookie center Wendell Carter, Jr. (10.3 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 48.5 FG%) had surgery in late January to repair the ulnar collateral ligament of his left thumb, that likely could end his rookie campaign. 

Hoiberg who coached a veteran roster that included All-Stars and former NBA champions Dwyane Wade and Rajon Rondo, and All-Star Jimmy Butler two years ago that did not mesh Hoiberg’s up-tempo style of offense that he used to compile a 115-96 mark in five seasons as head coach of the Iowa State Cyclones Men’s Basketball team, which included four consecutive trips to the NCAA Tournament and back-to-back Big 12 tournament crowns.

Hoiberg had replaced Tom Thibodeau, who was axed after five seasons and the hope was his free-wheeling style would translate into the NBA and things would go better than they did for former Iowa State head coach Tim Floyd who went just 49-190 in three-plus seasons with the Bulls. 

Those injuries to key personnel put Hoiberg and the Bulls behind the eight ball to start this season and his career on the Bulls sideline ended with a 115-155 record in three-plus seasons with just one playoff appearance. 

Out goes Hoiberg, in comes former Spurs assistant coach Jim Boylen who was an assistant in “The Association” for over 20 years with the Rockets, Warriors, Bucks, Indiana Pacers and the five-time San Antonio Spurs. 

When Boylen got the job, Bulls executive vice president of basketball operations John Paxson did insist said back in December 2018 that the choice to go with Boylen as the head coach going forward was based on more than just wins and losses citing that a lack of “energy and spirit.” 

“We were in a similar situation last year at this time,” Paxson said. “But the entire energy about this group was different back then. We felt that here in the last several weeks, that something’s different. What we’re lacking….is a spirit about our team.” 

That spirit seemed to be a lot better after a 114-112 win versus the Thunder on Dec. 7, 2018, following a 96-90 loss at the Pacers three nights earlier. But the good vibes ended fast with a painful 133-77 loss versus the Celtics, their worst loss in franchise history, which eclipsed a 127-74 thrashing at the Timberwolves on Nov. 8, 2001. 

Coach Boylen after his team feel behind 13-0 yanked the starting unit of Markkanen, LaVine, Ryan Archidiacono, Wendell Carter, Jr., and Justin Holiday. 

Boylen who has publicly stated to the press about his team’s poor conditioning and lack of energy in games that he has worked them really hard in practice and feels the need to crack the whip to get them into gear for things to turn around. 

“We’re direct and honest every day,” Boylen said in late December 2018 according to the Chicago Tribune. “We’ve kept our message consistent of what we believe in a guy what I hope we can become. You have to give the guys credit.” 

Along with the change at head coach, the Bulls front office on Jan. 3 in a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies sent swingman Justin Holiday to the Grizzlies acquired Wayne Selden, Jr., MarShon Brooks, and the Grizzlies 2019 and 2020 Second-Round pick in exchange for forward Justin Holiday. 

“What we did last night was consistent with our direction,” Paxson said of the trade back in December. “Getting two Second-Round picks was important to us. We’re going to keep Wayne Selden. He’s a young player and we’ll see what he develops in to. It’s a deal we felt we had to make.”

Nearly three weeks later the Bulls acquired from the Houston Rockets, 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony, who they eventually waived for the draft rights to forward Tadiji Dragicevic and guard Jon Diebler, and cash. 

In another trade on Feb. 1, the Bulls acquired from the Thunder guard Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot and cash in exchange for a 2020 protected Second-Round pick. 

One day before the Feb. 7 trade deadline, the Bulls ended the Jabari Parker experiment trading the Chicago, IL native along with Portis and a protected 2023 Second-Round pick to the Washington Wizards in exchange for forward Otto Porter, Jr. (13.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.5 spg, 47.6 FG%, 39.0 3-Pt.%). 

In Porter, Jr., the Bulls hopefully have someone who can be a consistent fourth option going forward next to LaVine, Dunn and Markkanen. 

He showed he could be that at least for one night pouring in a career-high 37 points with 10 boards on 16 for 20 shooting in the Bulls 122-110 win versus the Grizzlies on Feb. 13. Porter Jr. became the first Bull since the great Michael Jordan in 1988 to shoot 80 percent from the field on a minimum of 20 field goal attempts. Lopez in the victory had a season-high of 25 points on 10 for 15 shooting and Markkanen had a double-double of 21 points and 10 rebounds. 

“He doesn’t even really know any of the plays,” LaVine said to the Chicago Tribune about Porter, Jr. and his 18-point seven-rebound performance in the Bulls 112-99 loss versus the Bucks on Feb. 11. “He’s been doing great. We put him in pick-and-rolls and he took over part of the game. He was facilitating, making shots.” 

“He’s a lot more than just a catch-and-shoot guy. I think his role is going to be bigger than what it was in Washington. He’s a lot better than that.” 

The only remaining question when it comes to the roster is when will veteran center Lopez, whose numbers of 7.2 points and three boards this season are the worst since his rookie season with the Suns as a rookie 11 years back?

Getting back to Boylen, he is the sixth coach hired by the current front office of Paxson and general manager Gar Forman. 

The hope is that he would bring a tough, no-nonsense mentality that could help the Bulls turn things in the right direction. 

While team is just 9-25 since Boylen took over, there have some wins against quality teams like a 114-112 victory versus the Thunder on Dec. 7, 2018. They rallied from a 21-point second half deficit to win at the Spurs 98-93 on Dec. 15, 2018, outscoring them 55-31 in the second half; holding them to 7 for 21 shooting from three-point range and outscoring them 42-32 in the paint. The Bulls won at the Nets 125-106 on Feb. 8, which snapped a six-game losing streak against them. 

In between those solid wins under Boylen, the Bulls went just 3-10 in their last 13 games heading into the All-Star break and are just 4-18 overall since Dec. 30, 2018. 

In fact, they did not win a game to start 2019 until a 104-88 victory at the struggling Cavaliers on Jan. 21. 

The one thing that the Bulls have done well under Boylen is score the basketball putting up at least 100 points in 18 straight games from Jan. 4-Feb. 11.

That is because with the likes of Portis and Parker now gone along with the absence of Carter, Jr. it has given playing time to the likes of guards in Selden, Ryan Archidiaccono (5.6 ppg, 3.6 apg, 36.1 3-Pt.%), Antonio Blakeney (7.4 ppg, 45.7 3-Pt.%) and Shaquille Harrison. 

The Bull had hoped to give more playing time to rookie forward Chandler Hutchison (5.2 ppg, 4.2 rpg) but he sustained a fracture to his right toe in the Bulls’ 121-101 loss versus the Hawks on Jan. 23 and there is no timetable for his return. 

The Bulls started the post All-Star break with two wins with a last second win at the Magic (110-109) on Friday night, followed by a 126-116 versus the Celtics who blew them out on their home floor back in early December 2018. 

LaVine and Markkanen were spectacular for the Bulls (16-44) in the teams third straight win with the Bulls’ guard scoring a career-high of 42 points on 17 for 29 shooting, including 5 for 11 from three-point range, and Markkanen had a career-high of 35 points with 15 rebounds.

This team has talent with LaVine, Dunn, Markkanen, Carter, Jr., Porter, Jr., and Hutchison. It is up to the front office to bring in talent to compliment that core four and for Boylen for now to get the best out of them. 

Prediction: More losses for the Bulls as they continue their rebuilding project that will hopefully down the road pay dividends. 

Grade: F

Cleveland Cavaliers: 12-46 (5^th Central Division) 7-22 at home, 5-24 on the road. 

-103.0 ppg-29^th; opp. ppg: 113.5-23^rd; 42.8 rpg-25^th  

When the son of Akron, OH and four-time Kia MVP left the Cleveland Cavaliers in the summer of 2010, they organization and fans went through four excruciating years. With the roster left over, there was a feeling that the four-time defending Eastern Conference champions could at least be competitive to at least make the playoffs as a lower seed in the East. Just like the first time the Cavs without the four-time Kia MVP are in as much as much “disarray” as they were before. 

The avalanche of this second go-around without LeBron James began with an 0-6 start, which cost head coach Tyronn Lue, who along with James and now Celtics’ All-Star guard Kyrie Irving guided the Cavs to the NBA title in 2016-the city of Cleveland’s first pro sports title since 1964-and led them to four straight finals was axed not even a month into the season with three years and $35 million left on his contract.

The Cavs named assistant coach Larry Drew head coach on an interim basis but he made a fuss about being named full time head coach because he did not want to be a lame duck in this process. So, the Cavs signed him to a new contract for the rest of the season on Nov. 5, 2018. 

It is now on Coach Drew to try to make the best of a roster that is very mismatched in the first year of a major rebuild. 

A rebuild that was made even tougher with the loss of the Cavs lone All-Star left in forward/center Kevin Love (15.7 ppg, 10.7 rpg 45.8 FG%, 41.5 3-Pt.%), who was re-signed to a four-year, $120 million extension in late July, who missed 50 games following surgery on his toe. 

Center Tristan Thompson (11.5 ppg, 11.1 rpg-career-high-Leads team, 52.6 FG%), who was also a big part of the Cavs success the last four seasons has missed stretches of 10 games from Dec. 12-29, 2018 and has been out since Jan. 18 with a sprained left foot. 

Guard JR Smith, who also had his moments, especially in the Cavs title run three seasons back was basically told to go home back in the middle of December 2018 after he and the team mutually agreed for him to leave the team while they tried to facilitate a trade, which did not occur. 

This came on the heels of an interview Smith did with “The Athletic” where he essentially accused the organization of tanking. 

“I don’t think the goal is to win. The goal isn’t to go out there and try to get as many wins as you can,” he said. “I think the goal is to develop and lost to get lottery picks. I think that was always the plan.” 

Love and sharp shooting forward Channing Frye in an appearance on “NBA: The Jump” with Nichols and former teammate from that 2016 title team Richard Jefferson said how hard it was to say goodbye to a player such as Smith who played a big role in their four straight trips to The Finals from 2015-18. 

“It is tough to lose a guy like that, when you have been in the trenches with him and you have been to war with him,” Love said.” [Frye and Jefferson] know what JR has meant to this team and this city. He was one of the fan favorites, and he was a guy who played both sides of the ball.” 

Frye added, “the worst thing in the NBA is to be in the middle,” but the Cavs are putting in the effort and improving.” 

“I think for us, we have a lot of repair, and we have a lot of young talent. You need to all them to play, but under a good system and good culture.” 

“For us right now, our record does not reflect how hard these guys are work and how much better I feel we have gotten. But we still have a long way to go.” 

To put the Cavs struggles into context, they have won two straight games just twice this season. They have had losing streaks of four or more six times this season, which includes a 12-game skid from Dec. 19, 2018-Jan. 13 in a 101-95 win at James-less Lakers squad. 

Aside from victories of 121-112 at the 76ers on Nov. 23, 2018 and a 117-108 win versus the Rockets a little over 24 hours later, the Cavs have lost 23 of their last 27 games.

The Cavaliers biggest issue like most teams rebuilding has been at the defensive end where they have given up at least 100 points in 25 of those 27 losses.   

In their 133-98 loss versus the New Orleans Pelicans on Jan. 5, their ninth straight loss, the Cavs gave up 58.0 percent shooting, including 14 for 27 from three-point range. They allowed 48 points in the paint and gave up 34 points off 20 turnovers-with 13 of those coming from steals. 

"We can't continue to go at this rate," Drew said after the game. "I refuse to. It's important these guys understand that, one, this is not acceptable and, two, I'm not going to let this continue at this pace. I've got to do something different."

The one benefit of knowing that you are no longer a team in the conversation of being a title contender is there is time for the younger players to develop. 

The one player the Cavs hope can to build their team around going forward is rookie Collin Sexton. The No. 8 overall in the 2018 draft out of the University of Alabama is having a decent season scoring wise averaging 15.1 points, with the need to improve as a passer, with an average of 2.9 assists and the ability to make shots consistently as Sexton shooting just 40.8 percent from the field but has shot a decent 39.2 percent from three-point range. 

Another young player the Cavs are trying to develop is sharp shooting forward Cedi Osman (12.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg), whose ability to make perimeter shots has improved over the course of this season, with percentages of 48.2 and 52.6 percent respectably in January and so far in February. He shot 38.2 percent from three-point range in January, but that dropped to 33.3 percent so far this month from distance. 

On nine occasions this season, the 23-year-old Osman has scored 20 points or more, which included a career-high of 29 in the Cavs 100-94 loss at the Heat on Jan. 25. 

Two player the Cavs’ acquired at last season’s February trade deadline was guard Jordan Clarkson (17.2 ppg-career-high 44.8 FG%) from the Lakers along with Larry Nance, Jr. (9.1 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 51.0 FG%) are having solid seasons and are showing to be very important pieces for the Cavaliers going forward as instant offense off the bench and as a rebounder, defender, energy guy respectably. 

In the Cavs 148-139 defeat versus the Nets in triple-overtime on Feb. 13 Clarkson had a career-high 42 points off the bench on 16 for 34 shooting, including 7 for 17 from three-point range with eight rebounds and five assists.  

Nance, Jr., the son of former Cavs’ All-Star and former Slam Dunk champion Larry Nance, Sr. has compiled 12 double-doubles this season, compared to the combined total of 21 total in his first 2 ½ seasons with the Lakers. He has also emerged as a real leader on this team and understands that in order for the Cavs to win more games this season and into the future they have to bring better effort at the defensive end.

“Keep growing defensively,” the fourth-year pro from Wyoming said after the Cavs 105-90 loss at the Indiana Pacers on Feb. 9. “I’m going to keep preaching that because you can find offense, you can find offense in the off-season. We’re not worried about that. Defense is the thing that’s got to be there every single night, every single practice, every single game. So, that’s what I’m going to keep harping on.”

The Cavs have also gotten some solid play from center Ante Zizic (6.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg), who came over in the Irving trade the prior summer. In the first month of the new year, the second-year man from Croatia averaged 12.6 points and 8.2 rebounds on 57.3 percent shooting, registering two double-doubles.  

The Cavs also took a flyer on former Lakers’ and Bulls’ guard David Nwaba (6.6 ppg, 45.4 FG%), who when he has gotten minutes has played well but had been slowed by an ankle injury that cost him 18 games in January. 

Another part of improving a roster during the rebuilding stage is through trades, which the Cavs were involved in plenty of in the first part of the year, before and after the trade deadline earlier this month. 

On Nov. 29, 2018, the Cavs traded sharp shooter Kyle Korver to the Utah Jazz for guard Alec Burks and the Jazz’s 2020 and 2021 Second-Round picks.

On Dec. 7, 2018 the Cavs acquired in a three-team deal with the Bucks and Wizards reserve guard Matthew Dellavedova (6.0 ppg, 3.6 apg, 35.8 FG%), whose in his second tour of duty with the team; forward/center John Henson and the Bucks’ First and Second-Round picks in 2021. The Cavs sent to the Bucks reserve veteran guard George Hill.

“He will be good for Collin on the days that we do practice, he’ll be good for Collin because the way he plays, how scrappy he is,” Thompson said about what Dellavedova’s addition will do for Sexton. “When he gets in, it’s those kinds of plays that he makes, it’s momentum swings and high energy. So, we will definitely embrace that.”

Three days before the Feb. 7 trade deadline, the Cavs acquired guards Nik Stauskas and Wade Baldwin IV from the Portland Trail Blazers, along with their 2021 and 2023 Second-Round picks for guard Rodney Hood. 

Baldwin and Stauskas were dealt in a three-team trade deadline deal involving the Rockets and Sacramento Kings where the Cavs received guard Brandon Knight, forward Marquese Chriss from the Rockets along with their 2019 protected First-Round and 2022 Second-Round picks. They sent Burks to the Kings and Stauskas and Baldwin IV were sent to the Rockets. Both Baldwin IV and Stauskas were waived and Stauskas was claimed off waivers by the Cavs. 

For Knight and Chriss this provides an opportunity revive their careers. In the case of Knight, he is trying to regain the form he had before a serious knee injury he sustained back in his time with the Suns a few years back. 

Chriss, the No. 8 overall pick in 2016 has basically been a bust in his time with the Suns and barely got off the pine in his short stint with the Rockets. He has made the most of his opportunity with the Cavaliers scoring in double figures in three of his first four games. He had 23 points with seven boards, on 9 for 16 shooting, including 3 for 6 from three-point range in the triple-overtime loss versus the Nets. 

If history is any indicator this second rebuild for the Cavaliers with the departure of LeBron James again will be a long and painful one. When James left the first time in 2010, the Cavs record was 97-215, the worst in the NBA in that span.

The Cavs though registered victories in their first two games following the All-Star break of 111-98 versus the Suns on Friday night and a 112-107 win versus the Grizzlies on Saturday night. 

In three of those four years, they won the No. 1 overall pick in the Draft Lottery. Unlike those years though, the Draft Lottery odds will not be in their favor as the four worst records in the league at the end of the regular season will have an equal 14 percent chance to win the No. 1 overall pick, with the prize being Duke freshmen Zion Williamson. 

It will take that kind of generational player for the Cavs (14-46) to even conjure the opportunity of being in the championship conversation in the future. For now, they will have to use the rest of this season to develop the player they have now and hopefully come up with a couple of gems to build on moving forward.  

Prediction: The Cavs use this season to see if the likes of Sexton, Clarkson, Osman, Zizic, Chriss are the cogs along with Clarkson and Nance. Jr.  that will lead the Cavs into the future, and to see if Love and Thompson possibly can get healthy and play well enough to be used possibly in trades to gain more draft picks as well as bring in more young talent. 

Grade: D-

Detroit Pistons: 26-30 (3^rd Central Division; No. 8 Seed in East) 17-13 at home, 9-17 on the road.

-106.6 ppg-23^rd; opp. ppg: 108.1-9^th; 45.5 rpg-12^th 

The Detroit Pistons as a whole from the front office, to their new head coach to the players came into this season with one goal, make the playoffs. Early on that goal seemed in the bag but it has gotten very “cloudy.” 

The Pistons under new head coach Dwane Casey, who was fired by the Raptors after they lost for the third straight postseason getting swept for the second consecutive spring by four-time Kia MVP LeBron James and the Cavaliers got off to a solid start with a 13-7 mark, which including win their last five games in succession from Nov. 23-Dec. 3, 2018 and looked like they were going to end their two-year playoff drought. 

Since that solid start, the boys from the “Motor City” have gone 13-23 since, but thanks to winning five of their last seven games entering the All-Star break the Pistons remained above the playoff line at the No. 8 and final playoff spot in the East. 

That impressive start under new head coach Dwane Casey’s just masked the same issues the Pistons have dealt at the conclusion of the Stan Van Gundy years as head coach and team executive. 

On paper, the front court tandem of six-time All-Star forward Blake Griffin (26.3 ppg-T-9^th NBA, 8.1 rpg, 5.4 apg), who was acquired from the Clippers in late January 2018 from the Clippers and center Andre Drummond (17.4 ppg-career-high, 15.0 rpg-Leads NBA, 1.7 bpg-Leads team, 1.6 spg-Leads team) with their ability to score and rebound should be more cohesive, especially with a full off-season and training camp together. However, they are still struggling to find a consistent balance. 

For the majority of this season, Griffin, who was selected as an All-Star for the first time since 2015 has played at the level where at one time was considered an MVP candidate while with the Clippers registering 18 double-doubles so far this season, which is two more than he had all last season. 

Griffin on 19 occasions this season has scored 30 points or more, which includes a career-high of 50 points on 20 for 35 shooting, including 5 for 10 from three-point range with 14 rebounds and six assists in leading the Pistons to a 133-132 overtime win versus the 76ers on Oct. 23, 2018. Griffin’s night represented the highest scoring night by a Piston since a 51-point performance by former Piston and champion Richard “Rip” Hamilton in a triple-overtime loss to the New York Knicks on Dec. 27, 2006. 

Drummond has had a solid season by the numbers himself, ranking third in the NBA with 45 double-doubles and has had nine games this season of at least 20 points and 20 rebounds, with his latest one coming in a 120-103 win by the Pistons versus the Knicks on Feb. 8. It was also the 24^th time in Drummond’s career that he has gone 20/20, with 20 of them coming in the last three seasons. Only Wizards’ center Dwight Howard (51) and Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal (34) have had more since the start of the 1988-89 season. 

Drummond said earlier this season why the Pistons have been so inconsistency, even during their impressive start 20 games in is the foul difficulties he has gotten into some games this by going for steals and going for shot blocks. 

“I think for it’s just staying disciplined and picking my spots and when I try to chase down blocks or if I go for a steal just picking my spots at the right time,” Drummond said about keep out of foul trouble. “Staying disciplined is what it really boils down to. I’ve been in foul trouble a lot this season, so I’m still trying to figure everything out.” 

The Pistons have also had issues of getting any kind of consistent play from those not named Griffin or Drummond. 

Lead guard Reggie Jackson (14.9 ppg) who just on talent alone should be fitting in better alongside Drummond and Griffin especially has struggled because of injuries, that have shelved him 67 games the past two seasons. While he has remained healthy this season, his inability to make shots consistently, connecting on just 41.4 percent of his shots, compared to 38.8 percent from three-point continues to be problem for the Pistons. 

The team has functioned a lot better on both ends when Jackson’s understudy Ish Smith (8.2 ppg) despite the fact his shooting has been abysmal this season hitting just 39.2 percent of his shots overall, even though he three-point shooting has been decent at 35.2 percent. 

Unfortunately, Smith has missed a total of 29 games this season, with 27 of them due to a right adductor muscle tear he sustained in the Pistons 115-92 loss on Dec. 5, 2018 at the Bucks.

“I know Ish is the spirit of our spirit and the spirit of the second unit…He is the speed of our team. He gets the tempo and pace going,” Coach Casey said before the Pistons 117-111 overtime loss versus the 76ers on Dec. 7, 2018. “His speed kind of changes the game, you always depend on him to change the game with his speed, pushing the ball and speeding up the game when he comes in.”   

That inconsistency from the lead guard spot has had a major effect on the effectiveness on the rest of the Pistons. 

Other than forward Reggie Bullock, the rest of the supporting cast of Langston Galloway (7.7 ppg); third-year forward Stanley Johnson, Luke Kennard (8.4 ppg, 36.6 3-Pt.%); rookie Bruce Brown, Jon Leuer, Glenn Robinson III, Henry Ellenson, ZaZa Pachulia and Jose Calderon have been nothing more than just serviceable players to Griffin and Drummond. 

That inconsistent play is why the Pistons have had stand up wins like at the Raptors (106-104) on Nov. 14, 2018, when Bullock’s game-winner at the buzzer gave Coach Casey a victory against his former team. A 116-111 overtime victory versus the Rockets on Nov. 23, 2018 behind the 28 points and nine rebounds of Griffin, and the 23 points, 20 rebounds, five block shots and three steals by Drummond. The dynamic frontcourt was dominant again in the Pistons 111-102 win versus the back-to-back defending champion Warriors on Dec. 1, 2018 as Griffin had 26 points while Drummond had 16 points, 19 rebounds, three steals and two block shots. The Pistons also scored a dominant 129-103 win versus the Denver Nuggets on Feb. 4. 

The Pistons have also had some head scratching losses, like losing the first three meetings against the Hornets this season, which is why they are ahead of them in the standings at the No. 7 spot, with one meeting left this season. They sustained a 116-108 loss versus the New Orleans Pelicans on Dec. 9, 2018. Two last second losses versus the Magic (109-107) on Dec. 30, 2018 and versus the Sacramento Kings (103-101) on Jan. 19. A 111-101 loss on Feb. 2 versus the Clippers, where they blew a 25-point second quarter lead as they were outscored 35-14 in the fourth quarter. 

To put into context how frustrating the Pistons have been this season, Griffin after the team’s 98-94 win at the Pelicans on Jan. 23 where he scored 20 his 37 points in the fourth quarter, his seventh game scoring 30-plus in January was in no mood to celebrate especially with how the game finished.

“The way we finished the game was the reason we’ve lost so many close games,” Griffin, whose team had just 19 points on 7 for 23 shooting in the final period said to FOX Sports Detroit’s Johnny Kane after the win. “This time we just happened to come out on top. We got a lucky miss, a lucky bounce and we were able to get a wide-open dunk, but this doesn’t feel like that good of a win. Obviously, we’ll take it, but stuff like this is why we’ve lost so many games. 

That is how a team like the Pistons early in the season had two winning streaks of four-plus and two losing streaks of five-plus.  

To shake things up, Pistons general manager Ed Stefanski made a couple of moves at the trade deadline sending the underachieving Johnson in a three-team deal to the Pelicans and getting from the Bucks center Thon Maker at the trade deadline on Feb. 7. 

The day before, the Pistons in a deal with the Lakers acquired rookie guard Svi Mykailiuk in exchange for Bullock. 

The Pistons claimed off waivers sharp shooter Wayne Ellington (8.2 ppg, 34.9 3-Pt.%) from the Heat on Feb. 10. 

The Pistons hope is Maker, who saw his minutes diminish with the Bucks this season and Ellington provide some scoring and three-point shooting, and in the case rim protection off the bench.

Maker, who had proved himself with the game-winning three-pointer with 16.7 seconds remaining and the Pistons won in their first game out of the break 125-122 at the Hawks on Friday night. He finished with nine points off bench, going 3 for 7 from three-point range. 

A little over 24 hours later, the Pistons beat the Heat 119-96, outscoring the home team 34-17 in the second quarter and 35-20 in the fourth quarter. Smith led the way with 22 points and nine assists off the bench, while Galloway had 17 as well off the pine. Drummond had a double-double of 12 point and 14 rebounds with four blocks and Griffin, who was ejected at the Hawks had 20 points with six assists.  

For all the Pistons (28-30) struggles since their 13-7 beginning to this season. Their two-game winning streak and seven wins their last nine games has the Pistons in the No. 7 spot, just 1 ½ games behind the No. 6 place Nets. 

If the Pistons want to remain above the playoff line, they have to get consistency from the rest of the supporting cast not named Drummond and Griffin. 

“This past week-and-a-half, I think we played really good basketball,” Drummond, who had 21 points, 17 rebounds and four steals said after a 118-110 loss at the Celtics on Feb. 13. “We set a goal of being 5-2 and we succeeded with that…Got a week off, take a break, come back and it’s off to the races from there.”  

Prediction: The Detroit Pistons will make just their second appearance in the postseason in the last nine seasons. Depending on the matchup it could be a competitive one or a short one. 

Grade: C

Indiana Pacers: 38-20 (2^nd in Central Division; No. 3 Seed in East) 22-8 at home, 16-12. 

-108.1 ppg-22^nd; opp. ppg: 102.9-1^st; 43.3 rpg-24^th   

The Indiana Pacers came into this season with a focus to be in the conversation of being a team that could represent the East in The Finals this spring. Those plans hit the bricks with the season-ending injury to their two-time All-Star and best player. The hope now is the depth, versatility and defensive mentality can “drive” them, no pun intended to the postseason and keep them at least in the Top 5 in the East. 

An 18-6 mark from Dec. 1, 2018-Jan. 20 displayed that the Pacers were no fluke after they came within one game of knocking out the eventual four-time defending Eastern Conference champion Cavaliers. 

A big reason for that is the play of two-time All-Star Victory Oladipo, who was expounding on his player after after a career-season last year, where he was acquired last off-season from the Oklahoma City Thunder for All-Star Paul George with averages of 18.8 points, 5.6 rebounds, 5.2 assists and 1.7 steals.

The other player that came over in the trade from the Thunder was forward/center Domantas Sabonis, candidate for Kia Sixth Man of the Year on averages of 14.1 points, and a team-leading 9.2 rebounds on 60.6 percent from the field and 57.1 percent from three-point range this season. 

In his first two seasons, the 22-year-old son of Hall of Famer and former Portland Trail Blazer Arvydas Sabonis has a total of 17 double-doubles this season. The young Sabonis has registered 22 double-doubles so far this season. 

Another Pacer who has played well this season is starting center Myles Turner, who after a great second season two years ago had a subpar 2017-18 season with averages of 12.7 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.8 blocks. 

After re-dedicating himself to getting into shape, similar to what Oladipo did last summer Turner has played great basketball this season with averages of 13.5 points, seven rebounds and an NBA leading 2.7 block shots on 50.9 percent from the field and a career-high 40.7 percent from three-point range. 

“Just going to get the ball as opposed to just kind of waiting for it to come to me,” Turner said after a career-best fourth straight double-double of 18 points, a career-high 17 rebounds and two block shots in the Pacers 105-89 win versus the Wizards on Dec. 23, 2018. 

Most teams who have a successful season out of nowhere overplay their hand and make decisions that have them regress from what they did the season before instead of progress. 

Starting forward Bojan Bogdanovic (16.8 ppg) has provided consistent scoring and perimeter shooting making 42.6 percent of his three-pointers this season and 49.4 percent of his shots overall. This season he has scored 20 or more on 20 occasions.

They have also gotten solid play inside on both ends from the other starting forward in veteran Thaddeus Young (12.5 ppg, 6.4 rpg, 1.6 spg, 53.2 FG%, 35.6 3-Pt.%). 

Lead guard Darren Collison (10.5 ppg, 5.9 apg) has given the Pacers steady play in terms of scoring; being a solid orchestrator of the Pacers offensive attack, while also shooting the ball well from the field at 47.1 percent and 41.5 from three-point range. 

“If you look at the box score wit this team, you’re not watching,” Collins said in late December about the togetherness the Pacers displayed early on this season. “What makes this team special is that we do things that don’t show up in the box score.” 

The starting quintet of Oladipo, Collison, Turner, Bogdanovic and Young is complimented by a solid bench of Tyreke Evans (10.4 ppg, 36.5 3-Pt.%), Cory Joseph (7.2 ppg, 4.0 apg, 3.7 rpg), sharp shooter Doug McDermott (6.7 ppg, 46.5 FG%, 38.7 3-Pt.%), rookie Aaron Holiday (5.5 ppg) and T.J. Leaf. 

Pacers GM Kevin Pritchard and the front office during this past summer made solid additions to the team while keeping the team’s salary cap solid and to compliment Oladipo, Sabonis and Turner.  

The main reason however that head coach Nate McMillan’s squad is in the position they are in is because of their commitment to playing defense.

They are No. 4 in the league in opponent’s field goal percentage surrendering just 44.6 percent shooting; tied for No. 3 in steals at 8.8 and No. 5 in forced turnovers at 15.3. 

That defense and teamwork will have to carry the Pacers for the rest of this season because in the Pacers 110-106 win versus the Raptors on Jan. 23 lost Oladipo to a season-ending torn right quadricep in his right leg while defending an outlet pass to forward Pascal Siakam in the second quarter. 

In an instant the Pacers not only lost their leading scorer and best player, but their possible hopes of being in the conversation with the Bucks, Raptors Celtics and 76ers as contenders to represent the East in The Finals this June. 

“We wish him a speedy recovery and we wish him well, and we’re going to continue to fight for him each and every day, and we’re going to wear his heart in our body each and every day,” Young who had 23 points and 15 rebounds in the win versus the Raptors said to FOX Sports Indiana’s Jeremiah Johnson postgame. 

The Pacers did have some practice at being without Oladipo and unlike last season have been able to remain above water. Last season, they went 0-7 without their top offensive player, giving up an average of 112.9 points as well as registering just 22.0 assists. In the 11 games that the Pacers’ leading scorer missed because of sore right earlier this season, they went 7-4 averaging 28.0 assists and surrendering an average of 101.5 points to the opposition. 

The Pacers lost four straight games from Jan. 26-31 following the loss of Oladipo, giving up an average of 113 points in those losses. 

In their first home game following the loss of Oladipo, where the Pacers handed out gold T-Shirts with the message, “Together 4 Vic,” they were blown out by the back-to-back defending champion Warriors 132-100. 

“It’s going to be tough but tough times don’t last, tough people do,” Oladipo said in an Instagram on Jan. 25 following surgery to repair that torn quad. “It’s time for me to truly practice what I preach and trust my God in heaven and the plan he has for me. I will be back better than ever and if you question that well, thank you. Greater he is that is in me than he. That is in the world! I am #UnBreakable.” 

The team managed to get off the pavement winning 7 of their last eight before the All-Star break, which included six consecutive wins prior to a 106-97 loss, where they fell to 4-10 when scoring less than 100 points this season and fell to 13-9 without Oladipo.

“When Vic went out last year it was more of a gut punch then anything,” Turner said about the Pacers play without Oladipo in the lineup last season. “We we’re like ‘Oh man, what are we going to do now?’ We didn’t know how to react. This year, we are like we can do this too. Guys have been just playing well.” 

They reacted very well in their 126-111 win versus the Pelicans on Friday night. Pacers after trailing 71-58 at intermission outscored their visitors 68-40 in the second half, including 29-17 in the fourth quarter to improve to 36-7 when leading after three quarters this season. 

The Pacers (40-20) was followed by a 119-112 win at the Wizards the next night to improve to 37-7 this season when leading after three quarters. 

The Pacers with an open roster spot claimed off the waiver wire veteran three-point marksman and perimeter defensive ace Wesley Matthews (12.9 ppg, 38.1 3-Pt.%) two weekends ago. After struggling his first couple of games where he averaged only eight points, going just 4 for 16 in his first two games with his new team, Matthews had 24 points, hitting 6 for 11 from three-point range versus the Pelicans and scored 14 on 5 or 9 shooting with two triples at the Wizards. 

Most teams that had the surprising success like the Pacers did a year ago would take the cheese and think they have arrived as a playoff perennial. The Pacers did not fool themselves and as a result put themselves in position to prove that last season was only the start of bright future. 

Before the Oladipo injury, the Pacers were making a legitimate case of the Eastern Conference being a five-team fight between them the Bucks, Celtics, Raptors and 76ers. 

While they have shown they will not fall completely out of the playoff picture, it is hard to see them being a serious threat to the Bucks, who they are 1-2 against this season with one game remaining; Celtics, who they split the first two meeting this season with two left; the Raptors, who they are 1-2 against this season; and 76ers, who they also have a 1-2 mark against this season with one game left against as well.   

How the Pacers finish this season will also have ramifications on how the team will proceed this off-season as 10 of the 15 players on the roster aside from Oladipo and McDermott will be unrestricted free agents this summer. 

The Pacers will be different come 2019-20 but their focus for the rest of this season is putting themselves in the best position to enter the playoffs with a focus and competitive spirit that whoever they play against will be in for a fight. 

Prediction: The Pacers will make the playoffs but it will be without homecourt advantage. They will make their First-Round series competitive but will have an early exit.

Grade: B+

Miami Heat: 26-30 (2^nd Southeast Division) 11-16 at home, 15-14 on the road. 

-105.1 ppg-27^th; opp. ppg: 105.7-3^rd; 46.7 rpg-7^th 

There is one word that you will never hear from the Miami Heat and that is “tanking.” No matter what kind of roster they have entering a season, their culture they have had in place for nearly a quarter century based on hard work, dedication and commitment to defense will put them in position to win every night. With the return of a couple of injured players has given the Heat a boost in depth, a recent string of defeats has put their hopes of making the playoffs and sending off the best player in franchise history, and into the Hall of Fame on the first ballot in serious “jeopardy.”  

The one big question for this season is would now 37-year-old future Hall of Famer Dwyane Wade (11.4 ppg, w/Cavs & Heat) return for a 16^th season, his 14^th with the Heat? 

That answer was yes and while the significant other of actress Gabrielle Union and father of three has enjoyed his swansong season where it seems like each night, exchanging jerseys with a player from the other team on a nightly basis, he has been a major contributor off the bench, averaging 14.0 points in 25.4 minutes in playing 46 of the team’s 56 games so far this season. 

Wade has also brought a perspective on getting through a season that at times has see them have as long as a five-game winning streak from Dec. 14-Dec. 26, 2018 and have five three-game losing streaks this season. 

“We were struggling earlier in the year, we was what our record said,” he said. “You know, talent wise, we have more talent on our roster that we should have been at but we were.” 

“And now we’re a team that’s figuring out our game and finding ways to win but we got to continue to understand that. Understand who we are and what it takes.”

What the Heat have been under Riley and Spoelstra is a defensive team first and they continue to be that now ranking third in opponent’s field goal percentage at 44.5 percent; No. 8 in rebound differential at +2.4 and tied for fifth in block shots per contest at 5.6 

Wade has also been a solid mentor to the future faces of the Heat in guard Josh Richardson and swingman Justise Winslow. 

“I see it,” long time Heat veteran Udonis Haslem said earlier this month about Winslow’s growth to the Miami Herald. “I see him getting better. I see him being more vocal. I see him putting guys in their spots. I se him holding guys accountable. I see the progression stages with him in that.” 

This season Richardson (17.6 ppg, 3.9 apg, 37.8 3-Pt.%) emergence as the best player for head coach Erik Spoelstra is another example of their exceptional player development program that for so long has been one of the best in “The Association.” 

In the Heat’s narrow defeat of 120-118 at the Warriors on Feb. 10, Richardson had a career-high of 37 points on 14 for 22 shooting, including a career-high 8 threes in 11 attempts. 

In his first three seasons with the Heat, Winslow has made more headlines for his inconsistency offensively. Being moved to the point guard spot in the absence of Dragic has brought the best out of the No. 10 overall pick in 2015 with career-high averages of 12.4 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.1 assists on 37.1 percent from three-point range so far this season. 

In his 27 starts at point guard, Winslow has averaged 14.1 points, 5.8 boards and 4.9 assists. 

In the Heat’s 115-99 win versus the Celtics on TNT on Jan. 20, Winslow had 13 points and a career-high 11 of the Heat’s 33 assists. A few games prior, Winslow had 10 assists along with 13 points in the Heat’s 115-109 win versus the Wizards on Jan. 4. Winslow’s best scoring night of his career was his 28-point performance, going 11 for 20 from the field, including 6 for 10 from three-point range in the Heat’s 108-105 loss at the Lakers on Dec. 10, 2018, the final matchup between Wade and four-time league MVP LeBron James, who led the Heat to four straight NBA Finals and two straight NBA titles in 2012 and 2013.

The solid seasons by Richardson and Winslow have made up for the loss of All-Star lead guard Goran Dragic (15.3 ppg, 4.9 apg-Leads team), who had arthroscopic on his right knee back in the December 2018 that has shelved him for 30 consecutive games. That bad knee has also hampered his shooting when he did play, which explains his 41.0 percent from the field and 31.4 percent from three-point range. 

One Heat player that is back now is guard Dion Waiters (9.9 ppg, 34.6 3-Pt.%), who made his season debut the team’s 117-92 win at the Cavaliers on Jan. 2. He scored seven points going 3 for 9 from the field in 11 minutes off the bench. 

Waiters last played on Dec. 22, 2017 when he injured his left ankle that required season ending surgery in Jan. 2018. 

“It’s cool. I’m good, you know. I just want to play,” Waiters, whose last two seasons have been cut short because of that injured ankle that required surgery said to FOX Sports Sun Sports Jason Jackson after the win. “I know it’s going to be a little while but I just want to play. I want to get out there and play.” 

The return of Waiters and the eventual return of Dragic will give the Heat something that they hoped they had at the start of this season a very deep team. 

That is the case in the front court led by center Hassan Whiteside (12.8 ppg, 12.4 rpg-8^th NBA, 2.1 bpg-5^th NBA, 55.0 FG%), who has registered 29 double-doubles this season; forward/center Kelly Olynyk (9.0 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 45.2 FG%, 34.0 3-Pt.%), forward Rodney McGruder (8.4 ppg, 35.1 3-Pt.%), forward/center Bam Adebayo (7.8 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 56.2 FG%); forward James Johnson (7.9 ppg, 35.2 3-Pt.%) and forward Derrick Jones, Jr. (7.4 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 51.2 FG%). 

The Heat cut back on some of that depth and wanted to improve on their books by trading guard Tyler Johnson, to the Suns in exchange for sharp shooting veteran Ryan Anderson, who will provide a solid three-point shooter and rebounding. They also gain some significant luxury tax relief with Johnson’s $19.2 million salary for next season off the books and seeing their luxury tax bill go from $4.7 million to $1.7 million, while gaining a $6.3 million trade exception. 

That depth, which had them No. 6 in “That Association” in with an average of 43.0 points this season took an unfortunate hit when Jones, Jr., who has resurrected his career in South Florida due to bone bruises to his right knee he sustained the Heat’s 106-97 victory at the New York Knicks on Jan. 27. He was expected back in about a couple of weeks. 

The Heat also recently waived guard Wayne Ellington three weeks ago, who last season joined Damon Jones (225) and Tim Hardaway, Sr. (203) as the only players in franchise history to make 200-plus threes in a single-season, setting the single-season franchise record for triples with 227. His 218 threes off the bench last season set an NBA record and led the league in threes made in the second (74) and fourth periods (77) respectably. 

Things will not get any better next season as with James Johnson set to make $15.3 million in the 2019-20 season. Olynyk will make $13.1 million next season, while Winslow, Waiters and Richardson are set to make $13.0, $12.1, and $10.1 million respectably as well in 2019-20. 

With the need to get their salary cap in order and lack of talent in the eyes of other in the NBA circle basically the media, it seemed better if the Heat did not make the playoffs this spring to get in the draft lottery to improve their team. 

For the Heat front office led by President and Hall of Famer Pat Riley and Owner Micky Arison, and Coach chances of going that route, especially in the final season of the best player in franchise history in Wade, who for sure wants one last shot at playing after the middle of April is out of the question.

The Heat have faith in their program and faith in the people in it like Spoelstra who went from being a video coordinator to now the longest tenured head coach in franchise history late in January, passing Riley. 

“It doesn’t matter what your position is, it doesn’t matter if you ever get promoted, just find a way to hang with this guy, this guy, this Hall of Famer,” Spoelstra’s father, John, a former NBA executive with the Trail Blazers said to him in a conversation of him sticking with the Heat and Riley. “So, I guess the lesson to that is I’m still just trying to hang on, I’m trying to work for him for as long as I possibly can.”

Right now, the Heat are on the outside of the East playoff picture at No. 10, trailing the No. 8 Seeded Hornets by 1 ½ games and are one game back of the Magic, who have won two of first three meetings against their Florida rivals with one more matchup left on Mar. 26.

The Heat’s (26-32) chances of catching the Pistons took a major as they beat them on their home court 119-96 on Friday night, their second win in three meetings against the Heat this season, with one more meeting at the American Airlines Arena on Mar. 13.

For the Heat making the playoffs and giving it their best shot would be the best way to send Wade off into the sunset and for the likes of Richardson and Winslow to experience life as the faces of the franchise as the main cogs in the Heat’s success or failure in the future. 

Prediction: The Heat will put forth maximum effort and will give Wade his final moment in the playoffs, though it will be a short final showing. 

Grade: C-

Milwaukee Bucks: 43-14 (1^st Central Division; No. 1 Seed in East) 23-5 at home, 20-9 on the road. 

-116.9 ppg-2^nd; opp. ppg: 107.1-8^th; 48.8 rpg-1^st 

After another First-Round exit in the playoffs last spring, the Milwaukee Bucks used this off-season to put themselves in position to be a contender in the East. The addition of a new head coach, some solid free agent signings, and additions via trade during this season and a stellar season by the front runner for league MVP has the Bucks winning at a level they have not been at in many years. That level of focus and attention to detail has them “poised” to make the most serious playoff run in nearly two decades. 

Perhaps most important off-season addition in the Eastern Conference has been the Bucks hiring Mike Budenholzer, who they hired on May 17, 2018 to be their new head coach. 

He has not only risen the level of play of the Bucks on both ends of the floor, but he has brought a togetherness to the Bucks like he did for five seasons with the Hawks, where they were 213-97 under his guidance. 

Last season the Bucks were a below average scoring team averaging 106.5 points, while ranking No. 14 in assists per game 23.2; 22^nd in three-point percentage at 35.5; No. 27 in three-pointers made per game at 8.8 and had a point differential of -0.3. 

This season, the Bucks are No. 7 in the league in assists per game at 26.2 and No. 2 in field goal percentage at 48.0. While they are No. 18 in the league in three-point percentage, the Bucks tied for No. 2 with the Celtics in threes made at 13.1 as well as in attempts at 37.4 this season. 

Perhaps the biggest difference Budenholzer has made for the Bucks is the focus they also have at the defensive end, where they are No. 1 in “The Association” in opponent’s field goal percentage at 43.0. They are No. 2 in rebounding differential at +4.4 and No. 4 in block shots per game at 5.9.

That consistency on both ends of the floor is a big reason why the Bucks have the best record in the not just the Eastern Conference but in the NBA at the All-Star break for the first time since the 1973-74 season. 

“The players and their chemistry, and getting along, and encouraging each other is important,” he said earlier this month. “It’s a long season. So, the more together you are, in the long run, it helps you a ton.” 

What has also helped the Bucks in their belief that they can contend for a championship this season is they have gotten a number of big wins against some of the NBA’s elite. They went 3-1 against the Raptors this season. They won two of the first meetings against the Pacers, their division rivals. They split the first two meetings with the Celtics, who defeated them in the opening round in seven games last spring. The Bucks have won on the home floor off the top two teams in the Western Conference, taking down the Warriors 134-111 on Nov. 8, 2018 on TNT and getting a 121-114 win at the Nuggets three days later. They also posted wins versus the Portland Trail Blazers 143-100 on Nov. 21, 2018 and at the Rockets 116-109 on ESPN on Jan. 9. 

Unlike his time with the Hawks where Budenholzer had a collection of talent that played well cohesively, he had a legitimate star player in Giannis Antetokounmpo, who has without question raised his game to now he is a legitimate candidate for Kia MVP this season.

It is hard to fathom that “The Greek Freak’s” numbers could get better after what he has done in his first five seasons but the three-time is averaging career-highs of 27.2 points (7^th NBA), 12.7 rebounds (6^th NBA) and six assists on 58.1 percent shooting from the floor, which is ninth in the league this season. 

How good has the three-time All-Star been this season? He already has a career-best 40 double-doubles this season. His five triple-doubles tie a career-best that he had in the 2015-16 season. 

The Bucks this season when Antetokounmpo gets 10 assists or more this season are 10-0 and are 17-4 in his career when he gets 10-plus assists in a game during the regular season. 

He has 24 games this season where he has scored 30 or more, which includes three games of 40-plus points. That consists of a career-high matching 44 points with 14 rebounds, eight assists and two block shots in the Bucks 114-102 win at the Cavaliers on Dec. 14, 2018. 

“It’s hard not to listen to all that stuff and not relax,” Antetokounmpo said about the MVP talk to ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi before the Bucks 120-107 win at the Celtics on Dec. 21, 2018. “So, I try to just work hard every day. Come in, try to get better. Try to make me team better.”

He added “I know by dong that all this MVP talk, playoffs, championship, all that’s going to going to come. But I try to not to listen to that stuff because that usually makes (a) human be relaxed. So, I do not want to relax. I want to keep getting better. I want to keep pushing forward. I want to keep helping my team win games. So, I know if I do that for 82 games good stuff will happen.”

Over the past couple of seasons, the Bucks have been searching for a No. 2 scorer to compliment Antetokounmpo, especially because his ability to make perimeter shots is still a work in progress the Bucks now have a legitimate No. 2 scorer in Khris Middleton. 

The first-time All-Star selection this season and free agent to be this off-season is having another strong season with averages of 17.1 points, and career-highs of 5.8 rebounds and 4.2 assists on 37.8 percent from three-point range. Not bad for a guy that the No. 39 overall pick seven years ago by the Pistons, who was sent quickly to the then NBA’s D League, now the G League, playing for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants. 

He was dealt to the Bucks in the summer of 2013 along with now Cavaliers’ guard Brandon Knight for lead guard Brandon Jennings. 

That grind as Middleton said in an interview with FOX Sports One’s Kristine Leahy over the All-Star break that grind mentality made him the player he is today and that he continues to have that mindset.  

“It’s a grind. It’s a business,” he said to Leahy. “You have to work at it. It’s a craft that we all have to try to perfect in our own way.” 

“Another man’s trash is another man’s treasure. Found a place with the Milwaukee Bucks. I definitely have to carry that chip on my shoulder all the way.”

Another free agent to be is Bucks’ starting lead guard Eric Bledsoe (15.8 ppg, 5.4 apg, 4.5 rpg, 49.2 FG%), who is having a great season himself providing scoring and has been a solid orchestrator of the Bucks offense while being able to score the ball at an efficient rate. 

The additions in free agency by Bucks GM Jon Horst and ownership group of Marc Lasry, Wes Edens, Jamie Dinan and Mike Fascitelli of Ersan Ilyasova (6.3 ppg, 4.4 rpg 35.0 3-Pt.%), Brook Lopez (12.1 ppg, 2.1 bpg, 45.4 FG%, 37.2 3-Pt.%) and Pat Connaughton (5.8 ppg) and the drafting of rookie sharp shooter Donte DiVincenzo have fit in well bringing perimeter shooting, toughness, and grit, especially defensively. 

They have added to what the likes of Malcolm Brogdon (15.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg), Tony Snell (6.2 ppg, 46.0 FG%, 40.3 3-Pt.%) have brought to the table the past two seasons. 

In fact, Brogdon has a chance to join an exclusive club of players to shoot at least 50 percent from the field at 50.6; at least 40 percent from three-point range at 40.8, and at least 90 percent from the charity stripe at 93.8. He would join two-time Kia MVP Stephen Curry, who did it in the 2015-16 season; 2014 Kia MVP and current Warrior Kevin Durant who did it in the 2012-13 season for the Thunder and two-time Kia MVP Steve Nash who did it in the 2009-10 season. 

Through a couple of trades during the season, the Bucks added some solid players that they feel will be of big help to them come playoff time. 

In early December in a three-team deal with the Cavaliers and Wizards, the Bucks acquired veteran guard George Hill from the Cavs and a Second-Round pick as well as center Jason Smith from the Wizards. 

The Bucks not only gained a veteran backup guard in Hill, who can be plugged in as a starter in an emergency, the team saved $19 million in cap space for next season from this trade. 

In a three-team deal with the Pelicans and Pistons acquired sharp shooting forward Nikola Mirotic (16.7 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 44.7 FG%, 36.8 3-Pt.%) from the Pelicans and sent disgruntled center Thon Maker to the Pistons, while sending Jason Smith and a 2020 Second-Round pick to the Pelicans.   

When the Bucks defeated the Knicks 109-95 on ESPN the team’s first Christmas Day game since 1977, the Bucks went to 23-10, their best start after 33 games since the 1990-91. When the Bucks defeated the Raptors 105-92 on TNT on Jan. 31 moved them to 24 games over .500 at 37-13 for the first time since Apr. 13, 1986 as they won their 11^th road game in their last 12 games. 

The Bucks have been able to put together long stretches of winning this season because they have not lost two straight games so far this season, nor have they lost to the same team twice and they have also been a dominant team when leading going into the fourth quarter this season with a mark of 38-1.   

“I think it shows a great ability to bounce back,” Lopez said after the Bucks 114-102 win at the Cavaliers on Dec. 14, 2018 following 19-point performance to FOX Sports Wisconsin’s Katie George. “Our reaction from those losses is fantastic. We learn from what we do wrong and we come out and respond.”

In the second half of this season for the Bucks, it is about continuing their cohesiveness they have shown especially at the offensive end. For Antetokounmpo to perform at a high level, while sprinkling into his offensive arsenal better marksmanship from the perimeter. 

In the Bucks second lowest scoring performance of this season, they lost 94-87 at the Heat on Dec. 22, 2018 when Antetokounmpo scored a season-low of nine points on 3 for 12 shooting, dropping the team all-time to 5-15 when he scored less than 15 points. 

On that night, the Heat did an exceptional job of outscoring the Bucks in the paint to the tune of 48-36; out-rebounded them 64-57; held them to 36.9 percent shooting and 9 for 43 from three-point range. 

It is games like that which remind the Bucks that their play on the defensive end and on the glass will be just as pivotal because if they have cold night offensively that they can pull out victories because they can stop the opponent from putting the ball in the hoop. 

They also learned from last season’s seven-game defeat to the Celtics in the postseason that having home court advantage is vital, especially because they have been basically unbeatable in their new building Fiserv Forum this season.  

“That was the main thing,” Middleton said to Leahy. “Neither team got a win on the road in that series and it just proved how big home court advantage can be in the playoffs when you got into another building, and you have to face or hear that crowd for three games or however that balances out. But home court advantage is something that’s very important to us now.”

They showed some of that grit in their first game following the All-Star break with a 98-97 win versus the Celtics on Thursday night on TNT. Antetokounmpo led the way with 12 of his 30 points in the fourth quarter, with 13 rebounds and six assists as the Bucks continued their mark of not losing to a team twice this season. 

The Bucks (45-14) followed that up with a 140-128 win versus the Timberwolves on Saturday night as they outscored the visitors 33-19 in the fourth period. Middleton led the way with 28 points on 10 for 18 shooting with four threes and seven rebounds. Antetokounmpo had another double-double with 27 points and 10 boards, with seven assists, two block shots and going 3 for 4 from three-point range. 

It has been since 2001 that the Bucks advanced past the First-Round of the playoffs. The Bucks, who have equaled last year’s win total with their win versus the Timberwolves have gone through three head coaches in the past year, going from Jason Kidd, the Joe Prunty and now Budenholzer. The team aspect he has brought the Bucks has them winning as mentioned at a very high level in a very long time and the squad that has gone 20-4 since the start of the new year, including four straight wins is primed for a serious playoff run not just this season but for years to come and the entire team believes it from their star player on down. 

“We still have a young team, but we’re somewhat experienced now,” Brogdon said. “We really have a chance to win something special.” 

“The skies the limit for this team,” Antetokounmpo said. “Our expectations is to be one of the best teams in the East. Not just this year but years to come.” 

Prediction: Bucks will be the No. 1 Seed in the East but will lose in the Conference Finals to the Celtics in seven games. 

Grade: A+

New York Knicks: 11-47 (5^th Atlantic Division) 4-23 at home, 7-24 on the road. 

-105.3 ppg-26^th; opp. ppg: 114.0-25^th; 44.3 rpg-22^nd

The 2018-19 season for New York Knicks fans is one they hope is a stepping stone where they hopefully sign a franchise-changing free agent this summer and get lucky in the draft lottery with a Top 5 pick, hopefully the No. 1 overall. For this season under their new head coach, has one of absolute “pain” where it seems like no matter how hard they play, the result more often has been a loss. 

Aside from victories versus the crosstown rival Nets (115-96) on Oct. 29, 2018; three victories in four tries against the Hawks; a 117-109 win at the Celtics on Nov. 21, 2018 and a 119-112 win at the Lakers on Jan. 4, without LeBron James, the Knicks have been on the wrong end of the scoreboard a lot this season.  

Since a 103-98 victory at the Grizzlies on Nov. 25, 2018, the Knicks have gone 4-33, which included a single-season franchise record 18 straight losses from Jan. 7-Feb. 14 and 17 straight losses at Madison Square Garden. They lost heading into the break 26 of their prior 27 games and 31 setbacks in their last 33 games.  

Some of the individual bright spots for first-year head coach David Fizdale squad has been the progress shown from the rookies Kevin Knox (12.5 ppg) and Mitchell Robinson (6.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.1 bpg), the hopeful future faces of the franchise. 

After a tough start to his first season in the “Big Apple,” where he averaged 9.3 and 7.1 points on 35.5 and 31.6 percent shooting respectably in October and November 2018, Knox, the No. 9 overall pick out of the University of Kentucky averaged 17.1 points in December on 40.3 percent from the floor and 38.4 percent from three-point range.

The 19-year-old Knox performance tied a career-high tying with 26 points along with a career-high of 15 rebounds in the 119-107 loss by the Knicks versus the Hornets. Only LeBron James at 18 years and 334 days old put up those numbers at a younger age on Nov. 29, 2003 than Knox, who did it at 19 years-120 days young. He surpass two-time All-Star of the Timberwolves Karl-Anthony Towns who did it at 20-year-36 days old on Dec. 12, 2015 and John Drew did it on two occasions as a rookie back in 1974 on Oct. 22 and Nov. 14. 

Since the 1989-90, there have been 10 rookies to average 2.0 blocks in a single-season than Robinson. Among them are Hall of Famers David Robinson, Dikembe Mutombo, Alonzo Mourning and Shaquille O’Neal; future Hall of Famers Chris Webber, Tim Duncan, Pau Gasol, and the likes of former Knick Marcus Camby; former Net Shawn Bradley and former King Michael Stewart. That group might be joined by the Knicks’ Robinson, showing that while he has a long way to go offensively has shown he can protect the paint with his ability to block shots. 

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the Knicks this season has been the play of undrafted rookie guard out of Arizona Allonzo Trier (9.9 ppg, 44.6 FG%, 38.9 3-Pt.%). 

After beginning this season on a two-way contract between the Knicks and their G League affiliate, Trier earned a full guaranteed contract through next season in early December 2018, becoming the first player with a two-way contract to sign a guaranteed full deal with an NBA team within the first two months of a season since two-way contracts were instituted.

“It just makes me feel good to know that I’m in a place where I was wanted and now a place, I can call home at least for the next two years-So, really excited about my career starting here in New York.”

He got that contract thanks to four 20-plus point performances in November and December 2018, which consisted of a performance of 25 points with eight boards in a 114-109 win by the Knicks versus the Pelicans on Nov. 23, 2018. Four days later he had 24 points with 10 boards and seven assists in the Knicks 115-108 loss at the Pistons. 

After he was slowed by a hamstring injury in early December 2018 that costed him seven games got back on track in the 114-110 setback versus the Rockets on Jan. 23 scoring a career-high 31 points off the bench with 10 rebounds on 12 for 18 shooting. 

The Knicks have also gotten solid play from second-year guard Damyean Dotson (9.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 36.6 3-Pt.%), forward Noah Vonleh (8.2 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 44.9 FG%), Mario Hezonja (7.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg). 

Other than Knox, Robinson and Trier, the rest of the roster, while they have shown some signs is a work in progress, especially at the point guard spot. 

Coming into this season, Emmanuel Mudiay (14.7 ppg) and second-year guard Frank Ntilikina (5.9 ppg, 2.8 apg) were going to get a serious look from the front office of GM Scott Perry, team president Steve Mills and first-year head coach David Fizdale on who they fell can be the extension of their leader on the sidelines going forward. 

For much of this season Mudiay had the edge at the lead guard spot because of improved ability to make shots, hitting 45.3 percent of them even though his three-point shooting is still in need of work at 30.8 percent. 

Unfortunately, a shoulder injury has shelved Mudiay the last 12 games and is listed as day-to-day. 

Ntilikina has also been out because of a groin injury, which has taken kept him from getting the necessary reps on the floor.

When Ntilikina has gotten playing time, he still has shown a hesitation at the offensive end, especially taking perimeter shots where he was making only 34.2 percent of them, including just 29.1 percent from three-point range. 

“He stopped worrying about if he misses a short or what people are thinking,” Coach Fizdale said of the second-year guard’s play back in December. 

“He just went out there and attacked, like I told him, when you get your chance, stop thinking-I don’t want you thinking, just going out there attacking and playing.”

The biggest question for the Knicks entering this season was when would the then face of the franchise in forward/center Kristaps Porzingis, who tore the ACL in his left knee back in Feb. 2018 has not played all season going to return.?

After he and his agent met with Knicks management in late January saying that he was not happy with the direction of the team and that he wanted to be traded. 

The Knicks proceeded to explore their options and on Jan. 31 the Knicks traded Porzingis along with guards Tim Hardaway, Jr., Courtney Lee, and Trey Burke in exchange for second-year guard Dennis Smith, Jr. (13.7ppg, 4.6 apg), veteran center DeAndre Jordan (11.0 ppg, 13.4 rpg-3^rd, NBA, 64.8 FG%-2^nd NBA), sharp shooting swingman Wesley Matthews and two future First-Round picks. 

“Dennis brings a dynamic energy to this team,” Mills said to Madison Square Garden Network’s Rebecca Haarlow back on Feb. 3 during the Knicks 96-84 loss versus the Grizzlies. “He’s a scoring guard who has tons of athleticism. For us to have both Dennis and Frank it’s a great thing for the Knicks.”

The Knicks eventually waived Matthews along with disgruntled big man Enes Kanter who had expressed his frustration of not getting any playing time because of the team going with the youth movement to see who they want to be a part of their team moving forward. 

Those moves filled the Knicks war chest with $74.5 million in salary cap space for this summer to be able to offer two-max contracts to a star-studded free agent class this off-season. 

Even with that serious war chest of cash and the allure of New York City, the Knicks have a major problem when they do enter free agency. 

They do not have a legitimate star to build around, which means they are hoping one of the prime-time talents in the league like Kyrie Irving, Kevin Durant to name a couple can convince another player to join him here in the “Big Apple.”   

The Knicks this season took a major gamble in trading Porzingis. While Smith, Jr., who the Knicks had their eyes set on drafting two Junes ago is someone the franchise hopes develops into a franchise player. 

Also, there is no guarantee that they will get the No. 1 overall pick in the draft lottery this May because of the new format where the four worst teams in the league from this season will have an even 14.0 percent chance of landing that top slot and the chance to select Duke sensation Zion Williamson out of Duke. 

They continued their trek toward getting that No. 1 overall pick with a 115-104 loss versus the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night, tying the longest home losing streak in NBA history with their 18^th straight defeat at MSG. They snapped that streak with an impressive 130-118 win versus the Spurs on Sunday night. 

The Knicks young core rose to the moment in the victory with Dotson had 27 points going 8 for 13 from three-point range. Knox had a double-double of 19 points and 10 rebounds, while Smith, Jr. had 19 points and 13 assists and no turnovers. Mudiay also had 19 points off the bench, with Lance Thomas scoring 16 points with seven rebounds, and Robinson had 15 points, 14 rebounds and five block shots.  

Going back to 1996, the Knicks (12-48) have advanced beyond the East Semifinals on just two occasions and won an opening round series just once in the last 18 seasons. That trend is what they Knicks want build towards putting an end to for the rest of this season as they continue to under Coach Fizdale establish a culture that will work hard and bring their hard hat to the floor each night. 

For the Knicks front office, the rest of this season is about putting the organization in the best light possible so when they pitch to members of this upcoming top-notch free agent class this summer, that will lead them to hopefully landing that franchise altering player that can get them back to a perennial playoff participant and hopefully a championship. 

If that does not workout, the Knicks have seven First-Round picks over the next five seasons to use in finding that franchise altering talent. 

“When I hired Scott Perry, we laid out a plan that was going to be, ‘Build this team organically. Through the draft; through free agent acquisitions and develop the players that we have,” Mills said to Haarlow. 

“So, we feel like we’re a team that can draft well, and to add two more draft picks to our portfolio is great for how we want to build this team.” 

Prediction: More losses, but a more competitive Knicks squad that will strive to get better under Coach Fizdale in the hopes of being in position this summer to have a brighter future than their present state.

Grade: F-

Orlando Magic: 27-32 (3^rd Southeast Division) 16-15 at home, 11-17 on the road. 

-105.8 ppg-25^th; opp. ppg: 106.9-6^th; 44.4 rpg-21^st

The Orlando Magic, who have not made the playoffs since All-Star center Dwight Howard left six years ago, returned of a former assistant coach to be their head coach and the affect he has had on their big man in the middle along with the steady play from a veteran lead guard has them in slight “contention” to make the playoffs. 

In the off season, General Manager John Hammond and President of Basketball Operations Jeff Weltman hired former Magic assistant coach Steve Clifford to be the 14^th head coach in Magic history, who spent five years as an assistant on Van Gundy’s staff that went 259-135 from 2007-12, which included four straight seasons of 50-plus wins; three straight Southeast Division crowns (2007-10), and an appearance in The Finals in 2009, losing to future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant and the Lakers 4-1.

The team in early part of this season was 12-12, beating the Lakers in both meetings; earned a 117-110 win at the Spurs 117-110 on Nov. 4, 2018 victory as well as a 111-106 on Nov. 14, 2018 in that stretch 

That early season success was in large part to the commitment by the Magic at the defensive end, ranking 10^th in opponent’s field goal percentage at 45.5 and tied for No. 6 in blocks shots per game at 5.6. 

The Magic since being at .500 after a 105-90 victory at the Heat on Dec. 4, 2018, the Magic went 8-19 from Dec. 5, 2018-Jan. 29. 

In years past, that would signal the end for any playoffs hopes in Disneyland. The Magic instead closed out the first half of their schedule going 7-2, which included a five-game winning streak where the Magic scored an average of 118.8 points and beat their opponents by an average of 25.8 points.   

The Magic are in this position to play meaningful games following the All-Star break thanks to the stellar play of first-time All-Star Nikola Vucevic, the team’s leading scorer (20.5 points) and rebounder (12.1-9^th NBA), who also is averaging a career-high 3.8 assists and shooting a career-best 52.1 percent from the floor, and 38.0 percent from three-point range. 

To put this into perspective, Vucevic, a free agent to be this summer has registered 41 double-doubles so far this season, the most he had since he had 45 games with double-figures in points and rebounds in the 2014-15 season, which is one less than the 46 he had in his first season with the Magic in the 2012-13 season. 

“I think I just reached a certain maturity level, which enables me to play the game easier,” Vucevic said to Leahy in an interview over All-Star weekend earlier this month. “The game just comes easier to me. I make better reads.” 

“When you’re younger, you know, you just use so much energy on stuff that you don’t necessarily need to, and as you get older you get experience, and the game is just easier for you. And I also think the coaching staff, the way they’ve been using me really enables be to be efficient. They really put me in good spots and they really use me well, which fits to my skill set.” 

While Vucevic has played at an incredible level, the Magic front office had hoped that former lotter pick Aaron Gordon had taken his game to that level. 

While he has had a decent season with averages of 15.8 points, 7.3 rebounds and 3.5 assists this season, it is nowhere at the level he was at a season ago where he averaged career-highs of 17.6 points and 7.9 rebounds despite missing 25 games a season ago because of injuries.

For a player the Magic reinvested in after he re-signed a four-year, $84 million contract this off-season, the hope is he would play to a level where he would have close to the amount of double-doubles that Vucevic has and not the 15 he has posted so far this season. 

One of the Magic’s biggest issues this season has been the fact that they have flopped on or given up on some of their lottery picks over the last half a dozen seasons and to some extent that trend has continued to some extent.

Their selection at No. 6 pick back in June’s draft in center Mohamed “Mo” Bamba (6.2 ppg, 5.0 rpg) out of the University of Texas has yet to make an impact in his rookie season and right now is on the mend with a stress fracture in his lower left leg and is out indefinitely. 

“Thankfully we caught this early and are able to treat Mo without surgery,” Weltman said in a statement. “His return to action will depend on how he responds to treatment.” 

The one silver-lining in this is that more has been asked of second-year forward Jonathan Isaac (9.1 ppg, 5.3 rpg) who has made some strides this season after an injury plagued rookie campaign where he played just 27 games. 

This month has been the best of his career with averages of 14.7 points, 6.3 boards and 2.7 blocks on 49.4 percent from the field. 

Dating back to the Magic’s final game of January, Isaac has blocked two or more shots in seven consecutive games, and dating back towards the end of January, he has registered two or more block shots in 11 of the last 13 games. 

In the Magic’s final game of January, the 6-foot-10 Isaac, registered his third career double-double, all have come this season with 13 points and 13 rebounds, with two blocks in their 107-100 win versus the Pacers on Jan. 31.

In a league today where guard play is perhaps the best it has ever been, the Magic have gotten solid play from Evan Fournier (14.9 ppg, 3.7 apg) veteran D.J. Augustin (11.4 ppg, 4.9 apg-Leads team, 46.7 FG%, 42.6 3-Pt.%) and reserve guard Terrence Ross (14.6 ppg, 38.1 3-Pt.%). 

For all the good that Augustin has done for the Magic this season, it shows how much of a disappointment Jerian Grant, who the Magic acquired this off-season has been. 

Ross, who missed 58 games a season ago because of a sprained MCL and non-displaced fracture in his left knee has been stellar off the bench and the unrestricted free agent at season’s end has played a major role in a number of the Magic’s wins this season. 

In the Magic’s second victory against the Magic this season, a 105-103 decision on Jan. 12 Ross had 25 points off the bench hitting five three-pointers. In the previously mentioned win versus the Pacers at the end of January he had 30 points going 11 for 18 from the field, including 5 for 8 from three-point range. In the Magic’s 122-112 win on Feb. 7 versus the Timberwolves, Ross had a season-high 32 points on 13 for 23 from the field, including 6 for 13 from three-point range.   

With such a need for better guard play, the Magic took a chance acquiring former No. 1 overall pick in the 2018 draft Markelle Fultz from the 76ers in exchange for swingman Jonathan Simmons, a protected 2019 First-Round pick via the Oklahoma City Thunder and a 2019 Second-Round pick via the Cavaliers. 

Fultz who has been on the shelf since December 2018 with thoracic outlet syndrome-a compression or irritation in the area between the lower back and upper chest. 

In his first public appearance before the Magic’s 127-89 victory versus the Hornets, which ended their 13-game losing streak against them addressed how his rehabilitation in Los Angeles, CA has been going saying to the media, “Rehab is going great.” 

“This is an opportunity for me to get a fresh start with a team, coaching staff and organization. They’ve been about building me up both as a man and on the court. That’s music to my ears.” 

While there is no timetable for his return to action, the Magic front office are very optimistic on what Fultz can bring them once he does get back on the court and that he will be the best version of himself when he does return. 

“I can definitely say it’s a high reward,” Weltman said about the acquisition of Fultz. “Markelle Fultz was the No. 1 overall pick in the draft two years ago, and it wasn’t a fluke. I think the whole league had him there.” 

Weltman added about how Fultz will be handled, “We’re going to do it right, we’re not going to do it fast. We look forward to getting him in here, getting our arms around him, understanding everything he’s dealing with and getting him through it.”

While they scored a 113-98 win at the Raptors on Sunday, the playoff hopes for the Magic (28-33) though took a major hit with 110-109 loss versus the Bulls on Friday night, their first following the All-Star break.

Season No. 30 has already been better than what the Magic have had in recent years, especially they surpassed last season’s win total of 25. They have their first All-Star in Vucevic since Howard in 2012. A head coach in Clifford who has brought a winning attitude back to Central Florida and young lead guard prospect who if healthy both mentally and physically can be the find the Magic have been searching the last few years for. 

They will have a big decision to make on Vucevic, who as previously mentioned is a restricted free agent this summer. 

“We’ll see when it happens,” Vucevic said to Leahy. “It’s a long time from now. I’ve been in Orlando for a long time. So, everybody knows I like Orlando a lot and I have huge relationships there, but at the same time it is a mutual thing. It has to work for me and them. So, we’ll see when that time comes.”

Prediction: The Magic will fall short of making the playoffs but their future looks even brighter.   

Grade: C

Philadelphia 76ers: 37-21 (2^nd Atlantic Division; No. 5 Seed in East) 23-7 at home, 14-14 on the road.  

-1115.9 ppg-3^rd; opp. ppg: 112.2-20^th; 47.0 rpg-6^th     

The Philadelphia 76ers entered this season with expectations for the first time in a long time. While have two of the young rising talents in the game in terms of talent, they were a team that was lacking in depth, especially after the blockbuster trade in the middle of November 2018 that brought in a four-time All-Star. They were able to regain some of that depth back before and at the Feb. 7 trade deadline. With a very talented latent group the Sixers now have to “build” great habits in order to be successful when the postseason arrives. 

This season, the dynamic duo of 2017-18 Kia Rookie of the Year and first-time All-Star Ben Simmons and two-time All-Star Joel Embiid have risen their play even and as a result became the Sixers first multiple All-Stars since Hall of Famers Allen Iverson and Dikembe Mutombo in 2002. 

For the criticism Simmons (16.8 ppg, 9.0 rpg, 7.9 apg-4^th NBA 57.1 FG%) gets for not being a jump shooter and a poor foul shooter at 58.6 percent, he continues to impact the game (15.8 ppg, 8.2 apg-5^th NBA, 8.1 rpg, 1.7 spg-8^th NBA, 54.5 FG%) in all aspects, especially with his ability to make plays for others; to ignite fast breaks with his ability to rebound and how he can defend multiple positions. 

That is how Simmons has registered 32 double-doubles and eight of his 20 career triple-doubles this season.  

Embiid (27.3 ppg-6^th NBA, 13.5 rpg-2^nd NBA, 1.9 bpg-8^th NBA, 48.2 FG%) perhaps the best big man in the game today has played out of this world this season, leading the NBA in not just double-doubles with 48, but a league leading 23 games with at least 30 points and at least 10 boards. 

In the 76ers 113-101 win versus the Pacers on Dec. 14, 2018 Embiid had 40 points and 21 rebounds, going 13 for 22 from the field and 13 for 16 from the charity stripe, becoming the first Sixer with at least 40 points and 20 boards since Hall of Famer and NBA on TNT studio analyst Charles Barkley on Dec. 7, 1990 versus Nuggets.

Even with the stellar numbers put up by Simmons and Embiid, head coach Brett Brown’s team had struggled out of the gate because after sharp shooter JJ Redick (18.6 ppg-career-high, 45.3 FG%, 39.5 3-Pt.%), the Sixers really lacked offensive depth. 

That is why on Nov. 12, the 76ers acquired four-time All-Star Jimmy Butler (19.3 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.9 apg, 2.0 spg-4^th NBA, 48.2 FG%, 37.1 3-Pt.%) from the Timberwolves along with second-year center Justin Patton in exchange for forward Robert Covington, guard Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 Second-Round pick. 

In his introductory presser Butler while say that he was happy to be a Sixer defended the approach he took in his year-plus with his now former teammates with the Timberwolves, especially when former NBA player Antoine Walker, a Chicago native called Butler a “a bad locker room guy.”

“I love my teammates. I don’t think there’s too many of them that will tell you that I’m a bad teammate. I mean people get whatever they want to say out. It is what it is but I think I’m an incredible human being, teammate and I’ll show that to the guys here,” Butler said at his introductory presser on Nov. 13, 2018. 

“I think the fact that they like people that grind. That go hard. That’s what I’ve always built my basketball talent off of. I’ll tell you right now I’m not the most talented guy. I just think I just play hard. Like I’m up early before a lot of people in the gym. I’m there later than a lot of people in the gym because I want to do whatever it is that my team ask from me to do to help us win as many games as possible.”

The Sixers have gone 29-14 since the arrival of Butler and are 26-11 since he has been in the lineup and he made he proved himself to the faithful of the city of “Brotherly Love” when he hit the game-winning three-pointer in overtime to sink the Hornets in their building 122-119 on Nov. 17, 2018. 

Nine days later he broke the hearts of the Nets and their fans capping a performance of 34 points with 12 rebounds, four steals and two blocks with the game-winning three-pointer with 02.3 seconds left in the game to complete a 14-point comeback to earn a 127-125 win.

While people remember the shot that put the Sixers on the high side of their victory, Coach Brown pointed out after the game of a key play that put the Sixers in position to escape Brooklyn with the win. 

“The TVs are going to replay the shot,” he said. “I hope they goa few seconds earlier and see him dive on the floor and secure a jump ball.”

While Butler has brought his ability to make big shots in big time moments and his ability to impact the game on the defensive end, the reason he was dealt out from out of Minneapolis, MN is because he had issues with the T’Wolves’ stars in Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins focus and concentration both in practice and during ball games for a year-plus. 

An ESPN report came out that after a film session before a game at the Trail Blazers in late December 2018 where Butler and Coach Brown got into a very vocal exchange in what witnesses told the “Worldwide Leader in Sports” to be “disrespectful” on Butler’s part.

Butler during that film session aggressively contested his role in the offense, which might complicate an already contentious chemistry amongst three alphas in him Embiid, and Simmons.  

Brown said to people within the 76ers organization that he had no issue with the exchange he and Butler had and considered it not out of bounds of the working relationship they had developed. 

“What’s most—by a mile—lately on my mind, is the growth of a team, and the cohesion and the ability to share in somebody’s else’s success,” Brown said after the 76ers 119-113 win at the Clippers on the first game of the new year. “The ability to communicate candidly, to co-exist. That’s all I care about.” 

Embiid and Simmons echoed that same sentiment saying with Embiid saying after a 106-100 win by the 76ers versus the Dallas Mavericks on Jan. 5, following a performance of 25 points and 12 rebounds, “Everybody is trying to fit in. We are going to keep working on it. We are inching towards it, and we are going to get there.” 

Simmons added after his sixth triple-double on the season of 20 points, 11 assists and 13 rebounds, “Jimmy’s been great, amazing for me.” 

Back on Nov. 13, 2018 during Butler’s introductory presser, first-year GM and former Sixer Elton Brand said the team can add “an important piece” with their open roster spot. 

The filled that piece and then some and the day before and on the day of the Feb. 7 trade deadline adding a very complimentary player to their starting unit; fortifying the bench and adding some assets to their war chest to use either this summer or later. 

In a trade with the Clippers, the Sixers acquired forward Tobias Harris (20.7 ppg, 7.8 rpg, 49.7 FG%, 43.0 3-Pt.%), sharp shooting big man Mike Scott and center Bojan Marjanovic (6.8 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 62.0 FG%) in exchange for swingman Wilson Chandler, sharp shooting big man Mike Muscala, rookie reserve guard Landry Shamet, a lottery-protected First-Round pick, a 2021 unprotected First-Round pick from the Heat and a 2021 and 2023 Second-Round picks from the Pistons. 

“We have true superstars, Joel Embiid, Jimmy Butler, Ben Simmons. So, when I can add a piece like Tobias Harris, another All-Star level player you got to go for it. I can’t wait,” Brand said to ESPN’s Israel Gutierrez during the Sixers 143-120 victory on ABC versus the Lakers.  

In another deal, the 76ers sent cash considerations to the Raptors in exchange for guard Malachi Richardson, and 2022 Second-Round pick and the draft rights to Emir Preldzic. 

In a deal with the Rockets, the Sixers added swingman James Ennis III (7.0 ppg, 48.2 FG%, 36.5 3-Pt.%) in exchange for the rights to swap picks to a 2021 Second-Round pick. 

“Those aren’t throw ins. Those are some pieces that have think we think can help us with some toughness, some grit,” Brand added about the other additions to Gutierrez. “Great defenders and they can also hit shots and also good character people. We need that in our locker room. 

The short-lived Markelle Fultz era ended with him being traded at the Feb. 7 trade deadline to the Magic for swingman Jonathon Simmons, a protected 2019 First-Round pick via the Thunder and a 2019 Second-Round pick via the Cavaliers. 

“It was tough,” Brand said to Gutierrez about trading Fultz. “Once a Sixer always a Sixer, you know. We spoke once I traded him and we wished him the best.” 

For the Sixers in the span of before and at the trade deadline not only fortified their starting lineup with a quality player in Harris, who can fit in well with the potent starting five of Embiid, Simmons, Butler and Redick but he brings a low-key attitude to where he can score efficient and can play off of others. 

“I was hyped,” Harris told ESPN’s Tom Rinaldi before the Sixers 117-110 victory versus the Nuggets, his first game with his new team. “This is an amazing team. Amazing organization and I was excited and blessed to be able to get the trade and it’s a new journey. A new chapter in my life.” 

In a small sample size, the 76ers are 3-1 with their new additions but that one loss came against the arch rival Celtics, who if you include their five-game series loss in the 2018 Semifinals of the playoffs have lost 10 of the last 12 meetings to the boys from “Beantown.” 

While they took care of business in their first game following the break with a 106-102 win versus the Heat on Thursday night, the 76ers 38-22 had a rare poor performance at home in falling 130-115 versus the Trail Blazers as they were outscored in three of the four periods. 

The Sixers (38-22) are also without Embiid, who is on the shelf with left knee soreness. He will be re-evaluated in one week according to a report from “The Athletics’” Shams Charania. 

The Sixers came into this season as a team to watch in the Eastern Conference, especially with the Conference’s biggest kryptonite in LeBron James now in L.A. with the Lakers.

With the additions they have made early in the season bringing in Butler and who they acquired at the trade deadline earlier this month, the 76ers are primed for a serious playoff run this spring. 

Unfortunately, they have only 24 regular-season games left to attempt to put it all together and be a threat come postseason, where they are now the No. 4 Seed in the East, just a game ahead of the Celtics and two games behind the No. 3 Seeded Pacers, who they are 2-1 against this season with one more game against them on in Philly on Mar. 10 on ABC.

Last summer, the 76ers had a max salary cap slot open and there were no takers. That slot will be one of possibly nine max slots around the NBA open. 

For the 76ers however it is not about going after the likes of Kevin Durant, Kyrie Irving or Kawhi Leonard to fill that spot because they feel they already have the star power necessary to win championships. 

For them it is about them signing the right people to fit alongside the duo of Embiid and Simmons, and front office brass has stated to GM Brand they are willing to pay top dollar to do that in order to be a contender over the next few years for the Larry O’Brien trophy after this season. 

Brand said he wants to re-sign Butler and Harris, who are unrestricted free agents this summer no matter what happens with the team in the postseason this spring saying, “I’ve gotten all assurances from the managing partners that we can bring them back and sign them for what we need to sign them for.” 

He did add, “A lot of things have to happen before that but we are all on board to keep this core together long term.” 

According to ESPN’s NBA front office expert Bobby Marks, the Sixers depending on next season could have nine players occupying $130 million total of the payroll next season. Seven players occupying $149 million of the total payroll in the 2020-21 season; six players occupying $149 million of 2021-22 payroll and four players occupying $152 million of the 2022-23 total payroll. 

“The window is now,” Brand said to the press after the trade deadline. “So, once I saw that window, you know, we discussed taking a shot at it now because who knows how long this window going to be open.”   

Prediction: Assuming the Pacers slide down in the standings with the loss of Oladipo, the Sixers will make it at least to the Semifinals but will fall in a long series. If they remain in the No. 5 spot and the Celtics remain in the No. 4 spot, they will have an early playoff exit. 

Grade: B-

Toronto Raptors: 43-16 (1^st Atlantic Division; No. 2 Seed in East) 23-5 at home, 20-9 on the road. 

-114.3 ppg-4^th; opp. ppg: 108.7-10^th; 45.2 rpg-14^th  

The Toronto Raptors this off-season took some major gambles in firing the most successful coach in franchise history and replacing him with his former assistant. They traded for a player with no guarantee he would re-sign with them this upcoming off-season. Those gambles have paid off big, all be it in the regular-season. The question is will those moves “lead” them to the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. 

The Raptors made a big decision firing 2017-18 NBA Kia Coach of the Year in Dwane Casey and replacing him with his assistant the last five years in Nick Nurse whose only NBA head coaching experience was with the G-League.  

So far this season the Raptors have not skipped a beat, again in the regular season with a great record and the offense he help to orchestrate starting has had its moments but amongst their rankings in the league, the Raptors are in the middle of the pack in a lot of categories unlike last season. 

They went from No. 6 in assists per game to a tie for No. 14 at 24.7. They were No. 18 in three-point percentage from distance to a tie for 22^nd at 34.6. The Raptors were No. 3 a season ago in three-point attempts at 33.0 and are 12^th at 33.3 and went from No. 4 in makes at 11.8 to 13^th at 11.5.

The major difference from last season offensively to now is they have a legitimate go-to guy in two-time Kia Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard (27.0 ppg-8^th NBA, 7.7 rpg, 1.9 spg-5^th NBA, 49.2 FG%, 36.3 3-Pt.%) who is back to form after he played in just nine games last season while with the Spurs recovering from a quad injury. 

For 22 straight games, Leonard scored at least 20 points from Nov. 23, 2018-Jan, one game shy of the franchise record held by former Raptor and current Hawk Vince Carter. During that streak include a career-high of 45 points on 16 for 22 shooting and 13 for 17 from the free throw line in Raptors 122-116 win versus the Utah Jazz on Jan. 1. He scored 41 points with 11 rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks on 15 for 29 shooting in the Raptors 140-138 overtime win at the Washington Wizards on Jan. 13.

“I try to stay in the moment and keep competing every possession and not worry about myself, just try to get a team win,” Leonard said his third 40-point performance of his career.  

What has allowed Leonard to shine this season is because five-time All-Star lead guard Kyle Lowry has taken more of a facilitative role offensively this season scoring less (14.3) and distributing more ranking No. 2 in assists per game at 9.2. 

Lowry’s adjustment in how he has gone about things offensively this season is why the likes of Pascal Siakam (16.1 ppg, 7.0 rpg, 55.1 FG%), Serge Ibaka (16.0 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 52.7 FG%), reserve guard Fred VanVleet (16.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 2.0 spg, 46.8 FG% w/Spurs) and forward Norman Powell (8.4 ppg, 47.3 FG%, 34.9 3-Pt.%) have had solid or career seasons.

The Raptors have the record they have because of the veteran leadership defensive prowess and sharp shooting they have gotten from Danny Green (9.8 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 44.6 FG%, 42.1 3-Pt.%), who also was dealt to the Raptors back on July 18, 2019. Green has been solid for a team that has not gotten much this season from second-year swingman OG Anunoby (7.1 ppg). 

In the Raptors 119-90 win versus the Grizzlies on Jan. 19, Green had 24 points making a career-high tying 8 threes in 12 chances. He was part of the highest scoring for the Raptors this season and the highest scoring third quarter in franchise history as the Raptors outscored the Grizzlies 45-14 in the third as they made 10 threes in the period. Green was 7 for 9 from distance in the third as the Raptors finished 17 for 36 from three-point range on the night. 

“That was awesome,” Coach Nurse said after the Raptors ninth straight home win. “We hadn’t had one like that in a while. It was good to see some of our shooters make some shots.”

Siakam, a leading candidate for Kia Most Improved Player has been really special this season with 13 double-doubles and has scored 20 points or more 15 times this season, after having one such performance his first two seasons.

“I think just my ball-handling. Being able to have the ball in my hands more and make plays for others. You know it gave me the opportunity to drive lanes and find my teammates,” Siakam after scoring 28 points with 10 boards to NBATV’s Kristen Ledlow, Kevin McHale and Isiah Thomas about how his game has grown this season. “I think it kind of opened up the game with me a little bit.” 

He broke the hearts of the Phoenix Suns thanks to a game-winning left-handed layup at the buzzer capping a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds, with five assists and two blocks in the 111-109 home win. 

Siakam and VanVleet had career-high night in the Raptors rally from 17-point first half deficit for a 119-101 win at the Hawks. Siakam had 33 points with 14 rebounds on 12 for 20 shooting, while VanVleet had 30 points on 11 for 22 shooting with four made three-pointers. 

Siakam concluded the first half of the season with a flourish with a career-high 44 points on 15 for 25 from the field, including a career-high 4 made three-pointers in for 5 tries and 10 for 12 at the foul line with 10 rebounds and three blocks shots in the Raptors as the Raptors overcame a 12-point first half deficit for a 129-120 win. Anunoby, posted a career-high 22 points off the bench going 4 for 8 from three-point range in the Raptors sixth consecutive win.

“It was amazing, you know. Just like a real like amazing moment for me,” Siakam, whose became the 11^th player in franchise history to score 40, with 30 coming in the second half said after the win. “Just moments like this man, it’s just special and it just makes it all worth it.” 

It is because of the balance the Raptors have had offensively this season that the Raptors have been able to win even when some of their key personnel have missed games due to injury or illness this season.   

Leonard has missed 16 games this season mostly because he has not played in back-to-backs. The Raptors have gone 13-3 in those games.

Lowry had missed games a total of eight games in December 2018 and the first three games of January because of lower back pain. 

To put into perspective how much Lowry and Leonard have been in the lineup together, the two had played in a total 31 of the teams 59 games in the unofficial first half of this season. The Raptors are 23-9 with both in the lineup. 

Powell missed 21 games from early November 2018 to middle of December because of an injury to his left shoulder. 

The Raptors are now without VanVleet who back on Feb. 13 had surgery to repair a partial ligament tear in his left thumb that he sustained in the second quarter of the team’s 104-99 win at the Knicks four days earlier. 

To put the Raptors injury issues into context, they have had their full roster available for just two games this season but have the second-best mark in the East, only because they have lost three of their four regular season meeting against the No. 1 Seeded Bucks this season. 

“Well it’s part of it,” Coach Nurse said of the Raptors myriad of injury issues this season. “I don’t know if [it will], but I always try to keep a positive attitude that these things balance themselves out.”

The Raptors claimed veteran guard Jeremy Lin (10.7 ppg, 46.6 FG%) off waivers from the Hawks on Feb. 11 and in the win right before the break against the Wizards two days later had eight points, five rebounds and five assists in 25 minutes off the bench. 

While the Raptors newest addition is unlikely to reach the height of “Linsanity” in his time with the Knicks back in 2012, which consisted of a game-winner to beat the Raptors seven years ago. 

“I almost feel like I’m cheating jumping into a 40-something win team,” Lin said after the win. “I’m happy to be here,” adding, “Every time I’ve come to Toronto, it’s always felt like a home game.” 

The Raptors made a major addition at the Feb. 7 trade deadline acquiring All-Star and former Kia Defensive Player of the Year Marc Gasol (15.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg 4.5 apg, 44.6 FG%, 34.7 3-Pt.%) from the Grizzlies in exchange for center Jonas Valanciunas, guard Delon Wright, sharp shooting forward CJ Miles and a Second-Round pick in 2024. 

In Gasol, the Raptors added a player that they can run the offense through as a secondary scorer and facilitator who is a great team defender and someone who is familiar with the Raptors system because of the head coach of Spain’s National team is Raptors assistant coach Sergio Scariolo. 

In the Raptors 127-125 win versus the Nets on Feb. 11, Gasol, in his home debut with his new team had 11 of his 16 points in the fourth quarter with six rebounds on 7 for 9 shooting in 22 minutes. 

“Well No. 1 the Toronto Raptors really liked Marc Gasol. That’s why you go out and do a deal like this,” Raptors play-by-play commentator Matt Devlin said to NBATV back on Feb. 7. 

“Marc’s 34 years of age as we all know but he’s a multiple time All-Star. He’s a former Defensive Player of the Year and they really feel he can step in and help this team achieve ultimately what it wants to, which is its first trip to the NBA Finals representing the Eastern Conference.”

After posting a 120-117 win versus the Spurs on Friday night thanks to a steal and score by Leonard on DeRozan with 15 seconds left to for their seventh straight win. That winning streak was snapped with a 113-98 loss versus the Magic on Sunday afternoon. 

The Raptors have crossed over into that realm of teams where their success is determined by what they do in the playoffs. For the Raptors the unofficial second half of this season and what they do in the playoffs will determine their future. 

This spring will determine if Leonard, who is an unrestricted free agent this summer will re-sign. Whether Lowry will finish his career in Canada or possibly elsewhere. 

Prediction: The Raptors will reach the Eastern Conference Finals but will lose in seven games to the Celtics. 

Grade: A+

Washington Wizards: 24-34 (4^th Southeast Division) 17-11 at home, 7-23 on the road. 

-113.8 ppg-8^th; opp. ppg: 116.9-29^th; 40.9 rpg-28^th  

You can have a team full of talent and yet still underachieve because of injuries, inconsistency in doing the small things to win games and the fact that simply the formula you have just does not work anymore. This is where the Washington Wizards stand now especially with the injuries to their starting center and their All-Star lead guard, who is likely going to be on the shelf for all of next season. Simply put the Wizards are “stuck.” 

When healthy, John Wall (20.7 ppg, 8.7 apg-Leads team, 3.6 rpg, 1.5 spg) is one of the elite talents at the lead guard spot. 

Unfortunately, the past two seasons he has not been and for another year his season was cut short because of injury. 

The 28-year-old Wall had season-ending surgery early in January to repair bone spurs in his left heel, with the expected recovery time of six to eight months before returning to basketball activity, according to the Wizards. 

Wall put his season in even his return next season in serious jeopardy as he needs another surgery on his left Achilles, which he tore when he fell at his home. 

Wizards’ team doctor Wiemi Douguih said in a conference call with reporters earlier in February that five-time All-Star’s partial rupture of the tendon during a procedure addressing an infection from the operation on his left heel on Jan. 8. 

The estimated recovery time for the 2017 All-NBA Third Team selection once he has the second surgery “at John’s age” according to Dr. Douguih to be from 11 to 15 months. 

In essence, Wall will spend the first season of the five-year $170 million super max contract extension rehabbing. 

How big a deal is this for the Wizards? Wall will be making in the first year of that deal $19.2 million. In the last three years of this deal, he will be making $38.2 million, $41.2 million, $44.3 million, and $47.3 million respectably.

In speaking with the media two weeks ago Wall said he is in “great” spirits and plans to while rehabbing spend time with his newborn son and his mother, who is battling cancer. 

“I guess God is telling me something,” Wall said about his Achilles injury. “To sit down and get yourself fully healthy. I’ve played through injuries my whole career. I know a lot of people who played through injuries and don’t sit down. That’s one thing I don’t like to do. If something that’s nagging or not broken, I want to play. I guess it kind of caught up to me.”

Not only did the Wizards lose their starting lead guard for the rest of this season and possibly the next, they also are without their starting center, who they expected big things from this season. 

Eight-time All-Star center Dwight Howard (12.8 ppg, 9.2 rpg 62.3 FG%), who signed a two-year, $11 million deal with the Wizards signed this off-season has played in just nine games this season and has been on the shelf since late November 2018 following surgery to provide relief from a gluteal injury. 

The three-time Kia Defensive Player of the Year according to an ESPN report accepted a recommendation to undergo the surgery with Dr. Robert Watkins on an area of his lower back which he aggravated in a loss versus the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 18, 2018 that kept the five-time All-NBA selection out of all of training camp back in the Fall of 2018. 

While the recovery time was 2-3 months, there is no timetable for when the 32-year-old Howard will be back in uniform for the Wizards this season. 

Howard’s absence this season is one major reason the Wizards have struggled defensively in 2018-19. While they are tied for No. 2 in forced turnovers at 15.8 per game the Wizards are dead last, 30^th in rebounding differential per game at -6.8; tied for 27^th in offensive rebounds per game at 9.0 and tied for 20^th in block shots per contest at 4.8. 

“You have to deal with it and try to figure things out on the fly,” Coach Brooks said after a 101-92 loss versus the Bulls on Dec. 28, 2018 about being without Wall, Howard and eventually Markieff Morris because of injury. “Our guys will do it. We’ll do it together…We have to. If we compete like the way we competed tonight I’m comfortable going into every game.” 

While they had some rough moments over the past number of weeks, the Wizards managed to stay within striking distance of the No. 8 and final playoff spot going 11-12 since Dec. 26, 2018. 

One player who has made the most of his chance as the Wizards top player has been Bradley Beal, who is averaging career-highs in scoring (25.1), rebounding and (5.1) assists (5.4) per game, while shooting 47.2 percent from the field, even though his three-point shooting has been down at 34.9 percent this season. 

To put how much the two-time All-Star’s game has grown this season, he had a total of 11 double-doubles coming into this season. Beal has nine double-doubles so far this season and the first two triple-doubles have come this season as well.

His first career triple-double came in the Wizards’ 149-146 triple-overtime win versus the Suns on Dec. 22, 2018 where Beal had 40 points with 15 assists and 11 on 17 for 33 from the field, including making four threes. Beal’s second career triple-double of season-highs of 43 points and 15 assists along with 10 rebounds. 

Beal joined Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson as the only players in NBA history to have multiple games with 40 points, 15 assists and 10 boards in a single-season. Robertson accomplished that three times during the 1961-92 season.

In that overtime win versus the Suns, the Wizards discovered a gem in second-year big man Thomas Bryant (9.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 63.8 FG%), who had the best game of his young career with career-highs of 31 points and 13 rebounds on a perfect night from the field at 14 for 14 and 3 for 3 from the charity stripe. 

At one point, the Second-Round pick of the Jazz, whose draft rights were dealt to the Lakers last season scored 16 of the Wizards 18 points gapping the first and second overtime. Bryant became just the second player in NBA history to sink more field goals with a miss joining the late great Wilt Chamberlin, who in three different games hit 18, 16 and 15 field goals without a miss in his career. 

On the season Bryant has seven double-doubles and has shown that he could be the Wizards answer in the middle going forward. 

The one silver-lining not having Wall is the Wizards have a very capable replacement in his understudy Tomas Satoransky (8.0 ppg, 4.3 apg, 48.8 FG%, 43.4 3-Pt.%). 

In his 30 starts last season in place of Wall who was on the shelf because of knee surgery, the now third-year guard averaged 10.4 points and 5.8 assists on 53.2 percent from the floor and 50.8 from three-point range. He has continued that this season averaging 10.4 points and six assists on 49.2 percent from the field and 46.6 from three-point range. 

In the Wizards 130-126 win versus the Hornets on Dec. 29, 2018, Satoransky had 20 points with six assists, going 4 for 7 from three-point range. 

In the 113-106 win versus the Bucks on Jan. 11, just one of their seven wins in 34 tries this season against +.500 teams, Satoransky had his first career triple-double of 18 points, a career-high 12 rebounds and 10 assists.

“Our team is totally different from the beginning of the year,” Beal, who had his 10^th game of 30-plus points this season with 32 said after the win. “It’s just a matter of us getting it together, and I think we’re finally at that point to where we can turn the corner.” 

In the game prior in the back end of a home-and-home set with the 76ers, Satoransky had just four points but had 11 assists, five rebounds, three steals and just two turnovers in the 123-106 win on Jan. 9. 

One month later in the Wizards 134-125 win at the Bulls, Satoransky had just seven points, but 11 assists and seven boards, and just two turnovers. 

Along with the play of Satoransky, the Wizards have gotten strong play from veteran forward Jeff Green (12.5 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 47.5 FG%, 37.4 3-Pt.%), who has given the Wizards solid scoring but defense, leadership, and versatility. 

In that aforementioned win versus the Hornets at the end of December 2018, Green filled up the box score with 13 points, seven rebounds, seven assists, two steals and three blocks. 

In the Wizards triple-overtime win versus the Suns, Green had 20 points and eight boards going 10 for 10 from the foul line. 

In the Wizards’ 107-89 win versus the Pacers, Green had 23, five rebounds, six assists and two block shots at the end of last month on Jan. 30. Green began the month like he closed it with 22 points, six rebounds, six assists going 4 for 8 from three-point range in his team’s 114-98 win at the Hawks. 

As much as owner Ted Leonsis did want to start over and perhaps trade away the team’s best asset in Beal, he did make a bold move in trading at the Feb. 7 deadline away forward Otto Porter, Jr., who signed a new four-year, $106 million contract as a restricted free agent last summer. 

Back on Dec. 13, 2018, he dealt restricted free agent to be Kelly Oubre, Jr. along with reserve guard Austin Rivers to the Suns for veteran Trevor Ariza (12.7 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 1.5 spg), who is in his second stint with the Wizards.

In a three-team deal with the Bucks and Cavaliers, the Wizards added some bench depth in acquiring forward Sam Dekker (6.6 ppg 51.0 FG%) from the Cavs.  

The day before the Feb. 7 trade deadline, the Wizards dealt Porter, Jr., who they signed to a four-year, $106 million extension the prior summer to the Bulls for forwards Jabari Parker (14.1 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 47.7 FG%) and Bobby Portis (14.8ppg, 7.3 rpg, 46.5 FG%, 41.5 3-Pt.%), who are in the final year of their respective contracts and a protected 2023 Second-Round pick. 

The Wizards also dealt injured forward Markieff Morris and a 2023 Second-Round pick to the Pelicans for swingman Wesley Johnson. 

So far both Parker and Portis have played very well off the bench for the Wizards, providing instant offense off the bench. 

In the Wizards 119-106 win versus the Cavaliers on Feb. 8, Portis had 30 points off the bench on 12 for 18 from the field, including 4 for 6 from three-point range. Parker had just seven points in his Wizards debut but had 11 rebounds, nine assists and three steals.

“I got my first taste of the business side of basketball,” Portis said after the game. “You don’t really get your way all the time. It’s not really your choice. I have to roll with it now.” 

“I was hurt the last, what, 48 hours, but when I got into the game yesterday those hurt emotions went away.” 

Portis and Parker led a strong night from the Wizards bench in their matchup against their former team as the Wizards’ reserves outscored the Bulls second unit 64-38 in the 134-125 win. Parker had 20 points, five rebounds, six assists and two blocks on 9 for 15 shooting off the bench, while Portis had a double-double of 10 points and 12 rebounds.

“Jabari, he brings a lot of force to our second unit right now,” Coach Brooks said after the win. “Makes plays, he’s a player maker. He’s really good. We’re lucky to have him.”

The Wizards (24-36) playoff hopes took a major hit with a 123-110 loss at the Hornets on Friday night, despite 46 points from Beal on 16 for 25 shooting, with four threes and a perfect 10 for 10 from the charity stripe. That was followed by their fourth straight loss (119-112) versus the Pacers on Saturday night. 

As far as the future is concerned, Wall and his contract will be a part of it going forward. How Leonsis and the organization can build around that and if Beal, and what is left on his five-year $127 million deal will be a part of the Wizards going forward is a wait and see. 

“You’re not going to have a season where everything goes the way you want,” Coach Brooks said in late December. “Never, you never will as a player and you never will as a coach. Sometimes in the most difficult situations you find things you didn’t think you had.”

Prediction: Wizards will not make the playoffs, making this off-season important in how they construct the team for next season possibly with Wall on the shelf for the entirety of it. 

Grade: F-

Western Conference

Dallas Mavericks: 26-31 (3^rd Southwest Division) 20-9 at home, 6-22 on the road. 

-108.7 ppg-21^st; opp. ppg: 108.7-11^th; 45.6 rpg-11^th 

A little over two decades ago, the Dallas Mavericks in a draft day trade with the Milwaukee Bucks acquired the draft rights an unknown foreign-born talent that changed the franchise from a perennial doormat in the NBA into a perennial playoff participant, and into champions eight seasons ago. Two decades later, the Mavericks went that route again with a trade on draft night with the Atlanta Hawks and struck gold again with a teenager that has given so much “hope” that they made an even bold move at the end of January trading four of their five starters for a No. 1 draft choice that said rookie is very familiar with.  

The main reason for the talk of playoffs in “Big D” after a two-year absence is because of the sensational season their 19-year-old No. 1 draft choice, the No. 3 overall pick out of Europe in Luka Doncic, who the Mavs acquired from the Hawks in exchange for the draft rights to the No. 5 overall pick guard Trae Young and a protected 2019 First-Round pick.  

The 19-year-old Slovenian, whose been play professional since the age 13, playing for Real Madrid leads all rookies this season in scoring at 20.7 per contest with 7.2 rebounds and 5.6 assists.  

How good has the 2018 Euroleague Champion and MVP for Real Madrid been for head coach Rick Carlisle and the Mavericks? In his first season in the NBA, he has registered 13 double-doubles and has three triple-doubles. 

Only Jay Vincent in the 1981-82 season and Jamal Mashburn in the 1993-94 season registered more 20-point games as rookies at 53 and 37 games respectably in franchise history than the 31 by Doncic this season. That is more than the 20, 15 and 14 that Mark Aguirre, Dennis Smith, Jr., and Ronaldo Blackman had in 1981-82 and 2017-18 seasons respectably.  

Included in that batch of 20-plus point performances by Doncic are seven 30-plus point performances, which is one more than the rest of the 2018-19 rookie class combined as of Feb. 2. Only LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony have produced more 30-plus point performances as teens with 20 and 10 respectably in NBA history than Doncic’s seven so far this season. 

He registered his second triple-double of this season with a career-high 35 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists on 14 for 24 shooting in the Mavericks 123-120 loss versus the Raptors on Jan. 27, making him the first teen in NBA history with two triple-doubles. Doncic also became the youngest player in NBA history at 19 years 333 days old with a 30-point triple-double surpassing LeBron James who had 40 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists for the Cavaliers on Apr. 9, 2005 versus the Bucks. 

Even after that great night, Doncic showed the kind of player he was when he said after the loss to the Raptors, “For me what matters is the victory. The triple-double was special for sure but it would be even more if we got the win.”

He added in a sit down with fellow rookies Deandre Ayton of the Suns, Marvin Bagley III of the Kings and Jaren Jackson, Jr. of the Grizzlies for NBATV’s “Open Court: 2018-19 Rookies,” “I mean, it’s hard. Last year I maybe lost like five game and all my life I was just about winning, and I mean, it’s hard to lose that many games. But I know, I think we’re building something good there. So, I’m good with that.” 

That would come in the Mavericks 99-93 win on Feb. 6 versus the Hornets where Doncic despite an abysmal shooting night at 5 for 20 from the field, including 2 for 10 from three-point range had 19 points, 11 assists and 10 boards.

“He moves the ball better each game, which is really important,” head coach Rick Carlisle said of the Doncic’s performance in after the Mavericks 101-76 win versus the Magic on Dec. 10, 2018, where he scored just seven point but had 11 assists and nine rebounds. 

“We know he can make spectacular plays. The key is to be able to do that while involving all of your teammates, so guys are constantly involved in the action. I thought that (Orlando game) was his best night in doing that.” 

“He plays a very steady game, a very mature for a guy, who is a great first-year player. I really like how he fits with this group. He makes the plays that are there. He’s a worker. He loves to play. He understands the game (and) is a student of the game.”

He really showed he has a flair for the dramatic as well with 13 of his 28 points in the fourth in leading the Mavericks from a 15-point deficit to a 102-101 win versus the Trail Blazers on Feb. 10. Doncic in the fourth period was 5 for 9 shooting, including 2 for 4 from three-point range as he outscored the Trail Blazers by himself 13-9 in the fourth. 

“Everybody wants the privilege of closing games. Not everybody wants the responsibility,” ESPN’s Kevin Arnovitz said of Doncic’s performance the next day on ESPN’s “NBA: The Jump.” 

“I love that he loves carrying the load. He’s one of those dynamic young players that has the charisma to give his teammates confidence.”

The confidence Doncic has given the Mavericks and owner Mark Cuban for the future that they decided that as the trade deadline neared, it was time to make moves to improve the roster. 

On Jan. 31, the Mavericks acquired All-Star center Kristaps Porzingis from the Knicks, along with guards Tim Hardaway, Jr. (18.8 ppg), veteran Courtney Lee and Trey Burke (11.1 ppg, 36.5 3-Pt.%) in exchange for guards Dennis Smith, Jr., Wesley Matthews, center DeAndre Jordan and two future First-Round picks. 

A few days later, the Mavericks traded starting forward Harrison Barnes to the Sacramento Kings acquiring forward Justin Jackson (6.5 ppg) and veteran forward Zach Randolph, who they waived.

Mavericks in the span of 48 hours said goodbye to 80 percent of their starting lineup this season where the primary piece they acquired in Porzingis, who has yet to play this season as he recovers from a torn ACL sustained back in Feb. 2018. 

“With this trade now, a lot of things are in play,” Coach Carlisle said after the win. “Everything is going to bump a little here and a little there. I have to let the dust settle and figure out who the hell is going to start.”

What the Mavericks hope is that Porzingis comes back healthy next season, and he and Doncic, who watched him a lot on television while overseas growing up. 

“He’s just an amazing player I watched him a lot especially when I was in Europe, watching NBA games” Doncic, who had 16 points and eight boards in his Madison Square Garden debut in the Mavs 114-90 win at the Knicks on Jan. 30 said to MSG Network’s Rebecca Haarlow after the game. “I watched a lot of New York Knicks just because of him. 

“He’s has an amazing future here in the NBA and he could be one of the best to play this game.” 

While the experiment of Doncic and Porzingis will have to wait for next season, the player that they acquired from the Knicks in Hardaway, Jr., and Jackson could be major parts of the Mavericks future along with the likes of Dwight Powell (8.7 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 58.0 FG%), Dorian Finney-Smith (7.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 45.8 FG%, 34.5 3-Pt.%), rookie guard Jalen Brunson (6.8 ppg) and Maximillian Kleber (6.6 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 45.3 FG%). 

One of the best things about this hopefully building core of Dallas Mavericks going forward is the fact that they are around a player who helped build the Mavericks back into a winner in future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki.

While Nowitzki (4.7 ppg) is nowhere near the player he once was, especially missing the first 26 games of this season because of left ankle surgery, his work ethic and joy of still playing after all these years and the success he has had individually and as a member of the Mavericks has laid a foundation for Donic and the rest of the team to continue. He is especially confident that the Mavericks future is bright with Doncic leading the way. 

“I hope we’re looking at an NBA MVP one day. I think he has the potential for it,” Nowitzki said to NBATV/TNT’s Allie LaForce at Mavericks Media Day back in September. “It’s been fun to watch in scrimmage but the NBA season is a long grind and he’s got a long way to go, but we like what he brings and the skies the limit for him.”

With losses versus the Nuggets (114-104) on Friday night and at the Jazz (125-109) in their first two games following the break, The Mavericks (26-33) playoff hopes are all but gone.

The Mavericks since the 2000-01 made the playoffs 15 times, including 12 straight right on the shoulders of future Hall of Famer Dirk Nowitzki. They hope for the same long run of success led Luka Doncic and Kristaps Porzingis, when he returns next season. 

“We just really couldn’t be more excited or optimistic about where things are right now,” Mavericks GM Donnie Nelson said after the acquisition of Porzingis earlier this month. “Everyone know what Luka can do, you know. We’ve seen, you know, what Kristaps can do. I think Dallas is really in store for something special.” 

Prediction: Doncic will win Kia Rookie of the Year for the 2018-19 season. The Mavericks will just miss out on the playoffs as they use this season as a bridge towards future that hopefully will consist of a couple of Larry O’Brien trophies. 

Grade: C+

Denver Nuggets: 39-18 (1^st Northwest Division; No. 2 Seed in West) 25-4 at home, 14-14 on the road. 

-112.0 ppg-16^th; opp. ppg: 107.1-7^th; 46.3 rpg-9^th

Behind a balance roster; the continued emergence of their versatile big man; and a deep roster that has compensated for injuries to two key starters and a vital reserve and bought in to competing harder on the defensive end the Nuggets have “shoveled” their way to not only ending their playoff drought but could possibly make some serious noise this postseason. 

Head Coach Michael Malone’s squad has risen to the No. 2 Seed in the stacked Western Conference at the break. 

The 109-98 win the Nuggets had versus the Thunder on ESPN brought their record to 19-9, which represented the latest in a season the Nuggets had been a top the Western Conference since December 1984. That was the year they went to the Western Conference Finals where they lost to the Lakers. To put into perspective how long ago that was, this blogger was a mere three years old. 

They now stand at the No. 2 spot in the West not too far behind the defending champion Warriors, who they have split their first two meetings this season, all in Denver.

The Nuggets have risen in the rugged West in large part to their “Big Three” of starting center Nikola Jokic and starting guards Jamal Murray and Garry Harris.

Jokic, who played in his first All-Star game on Sunday thanks to a stellar season where he leads the Nuggets with averages of 20.4 points (career-high), 10.6 rebounds and 7.7 assists (5^th NBA). 

To further illustrate how good “The Joker,” who signed a five-year $146.5 million extension this summer has been for the Nuggets this season, the 24-year-old Jokic has 39 double-doubles, which tied his career-best set in his second season back in 2016-17. 

Only perennial All-Star Russell Westbrook of the Thunder has more triple-doubles this season than the 12 by Jokic, who has registered 28 already in his career. 

The 28^th came in the Nuggets narrow 120-118 win versus the Kings on Feb. 13, which tied him with the great Michael Jordan for 14^th all-time. 

Jokic’s 21^st triple-double of 18 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists in the Nuggets 121-100 win versus the Clippers on Jan. 10 tied him with Hall of Famer and six-time NBA champion with the Lakers Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. Only the late great Wilt Chamberlin has the most by a 7-footer in NBA history with 78. 

“Everybody knows where the ball is going, and Nikola Jokic is our closer and that’s what you want from your franchise player your MVP, whatever you want to call him-down the stretch, give him the ball and let him make plays,” Coach Malone said after the win about Jokic. “He wants it. He has the confidence and he’s been delivering which is the best thing about it.” 

Jokic echoed those same sentiments by saying after a near triple-double of 31 points, 13 rebounds and nine assists versus the Rockets to ESPN’s Chauncey Billups about being named the Nuggets first All-Star in nine seasons at age 23,” No, definitely. I didn’t [think] that I’m going to be in the NBA. So, it was a huge accomplishment for me, but you know my teammates gave me that… Coach gave me a chance. I need to thank everybody, my family of course. They gave me the motivation to be better every day.” 

Murray for the third straight season has also increased his offensive output scoring 18.5 points per game, all though he is shooting just 43.0 percent from the field but is connecting on 36.8 percent of his three-pointers.  

There have been moments this season when Murray has shown he can strike a match and take over a game instantly like when he scored 19 of his career-high 48 points, going 19 for 30 from the field, including 5 for 11 from three-point range in the Nuggets 115-107 win versus the Celtics on Nov. 5, 2018. 

Murray scored 46 points with eight rebounds and six assists on 16 for 24 shooting, including hitting a career-high nine threes in 11 chances in helping the Nuggets to a 122-118 win at the Suns on Dec. 29, 2018. 

On Jan. 3 Murray scored 34 of his 36 points in the second half, with 17 of those in the fourth period of the Nuggets 117-113 win at the Sacramento Kings, their eight victory in 10 games this season decided by four points or less. Murray’s performances, which included going 12 for 24 shooting, including 6 for 12 from three-point range with seven boards and six assists was just two points shy of what former Nugget Carmelo Anthony’s 36 points in the second half of a game back in 2008.  

Harris, who led the Nuggets in scoring a season ago with an average of 17.5 has dipped a little bit to 14.8 but his overall shooting has is down from 48.5 from the field to 42.5 and so is his three-point percentage from 39.6 to 31.4. 

The biggest issue for Harris this season has been staying healthy as he has missed 25 games this season because of injuries to his left ankle, right hip, tight hamstring, and right adductor strain, which has kept him out the last seven games heading into the All-Star break and will keep him on the shelf to begin the second half of the season. 

Two other Nuggets who have dealt with injuries this season are starting forward Paul Millsap (12.2 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 48.9 FG%, 35.2 3-Pt.%) and reserve swingman Will Barton (12.1 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 35.9 FG%). 

An injury to his right big toe in the Nuggets 113-107 loss at the Hornets cost Millsap eight games from Dec. 8-Dec. 29, 2018. 

Barton was shelved for 38 games after having surgery on his right hip to repair the adductor muscle. 

Along with Jokic taking on more of the offensive load when the likes of Harris, Millsap, and Barton where down earlier in the season it thrusted the likes of youngsters Malik Beasley (12.0 ppg, 50.3 FG%, 43.3 3-Pt.%), Monte Morris (10.8 ppg, 3.9 apg, 49.7 FG%, 43.1 3-Pt.%), Trey Lyles (9.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg), Mason Plumlee (8.1 ppg, 6.0 rpg, 61.7 FG%), Juancho Hernangomez (7.3 ppg, 4.5 rpg 45.9 FG%, 39.0 3-Pt.%) and Torrey Craig (6.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg). 

Each of them were not only ready to perform when called upon, they showed that the Nuggets are very deep team that can go long stretches with their second unit on the floor and they can either hold a lead in the game or expand on it.  

Early on in the season Beasley had moments where he contributed off the bench when he got his chance because of all the injuries, he really rose to the occasions with averages of 12.7, 14.2 points in December 2018 and in January respectably. 

In the Nuggets 115-108 win versus the Knicks at the start of the new year, Beasley had a career-high 23 points with six rebounds and five assists, on 8 for 15 shooting, including 5 for 9 from three-point range in 30 minutes off the bench. 

Starting in place of Murray, who missed his fourth straight game because of a sprained left ankle Beasley established a new career-high of 35 points, including another 5 for 9 performance from three-point range in the Nuggets 136-122 win versus the Rockets on ESPN, ending a nine-game losing streak to them. Craig off the bench also had a career-high of 22 points. 

Last season, Morris was drafted near the bottom of his class as the No. 51 overall pick in 2017 and barely played in his rookie season. He has become a very important part of the team in his second season, especially with all the previously mentioned games missed by some of his teammates because of injury. 

So far in February, the former Iowa State Cyclone has averaged 15.0 points, 5.1 assists on 57.1 percent from the field and 36.0 percent from three-point range. 

Morris has had 30 games this season either as a starter or coming off the bench with zero turnovers. In his only double-double of this season where he had 17 points and 10 assists with seven boards in the Nuggets 107-106 win at the Timberwolves, Morris had just one turnover in 41 minutes, starting in place of an injured Murray. 

“What I saw was a guy that should be playing this weekend in Charlotte, (NC),” Coach Malone said after the Nuggets win versus the Kings about Morris being in the Mountain Dew Rising Stars Game over All-Star Weekend.

“You can’t tell me there’s that many players better then Monte Morris. The impact he’s had this year. Running this team, taking care it (the ball); shooting the three. Come on the guy has 17 (points), seven (assists) and zero turnovers tonight against a very stingy defense. Aggressive defense.” 

“So, I feel awful for Monte Morris that he’s not playing in the game but we all know what Monte means to this team and he continues to go out there and help us play at a high level and win games, and really that’s what’s most important.” 

Besides the Nuggets depth which has played a big role in them winning at a consistent level this season, they have made a serious commitment to playing defense unlike the past couple of seasons, where they are tied for ninth with the Nets and Raptors in opponent’s three-point percentage at 34.7 percent and No. 1 in rebound differential at +4.5. 

The Nuggets have held 19 opponents this season under 100 points, authoring a record of 18-1 in those contests.  

It is those two factors in why the Nuggets are 33-1 this season when leading after three quarters this season and 8-1 on the second night of back-to-backs. 

Speaking of depth, the Nuggets just added some more in their final game before the All-Star break as guard Isaiah Thomas made his season-debut after sitting out the first 56 games rehabbing an injured hip from the prior season while with the Celtics. 

The MVP candidate in 2017 and two-time All-Star, who signed a one-year deal this off-season had eight points and three assists in 13 minutes in his first game since Mar. 22, 2018 while with the Lakers. 

“The mental part was everything,” Thomas said to NBATV’s Casey Stern and Mike Fratello after the game. “Like physically I’ve been through it before but mentally it was like, ‘When is the time going to come?’” 

“So, I had my dark days but I also had my really good days and I got a great support system in my wife and my family, and my kids, and without them, I wouldn’t be where I am. So, now that I am back playing it’s just, I’m very happy and I’m gonna just continue to get better. Continue to listen to my body and get back to where I’ve always been.” 

For the last 24 seasons prior to this one, the Nuggets have made it out of the First-Round of the playoffs just twice. Last season the Nuggets missed the playoffs by one game. 

The Nuggets first two games post All-Star break, double-digit wins at the Mavericks 114-104 on Friday night, followed by a 123-96 win versus the Clippers on Sunday night, their fourth straight win proves the Nuggets are focused on making some noise in their first postseason appearance in five years. 

The Nuggets (41-18) are also still in play for the No. 1 Seed in the West trailing the back-to-back defending champion Warriors by just one game. 

While they may lack in playoff experience, having home court advantage will be huge for them and they will bring a serious vibrato of no fear against anyone they would match up against.

“We don’t want any converts,” Coach Malone said after his team defeated the Lakers 117-85 back on Nov. 27, 2018 when referring about the Lakers fans in attendance at Pepsi Center. 

“You’re either with us or against us. As long as their fans go home disappointed that’s all I care about. So, the Warriors fans can come in here. The Celtics’ fans can come in here. Lakers fans can come in here but take that L on the way out.” 

Prediction: Nuggets will finish in the Top 3 in the West. Jokic will finish in the Top 5 of Kia MVP race. Nuggets will reach the Semis. 

Grade: A+

Golden State Warriors: 41-16 (1^st Pacific Division; No. 2 Seed in West) 22-7 at home, 19-9 on the road. 

-118.8 ppg-1^st; opp. ppg: 111.7-T-18^th; 46.4 rpg-8^th 

For most teams, injuries to key personnel and dustups between teammates that could fracture a locker room and ruin their season if they do not have the maturity to deal with it. Well the back-to-back defending champion Golden State Warriors have been through all of that this season and find themselves once again right atop the Western Conference. With a brand-new offensive weapon in toe now the Warriors are “focused” on winning their third straight title. 

The Warriors success begins and ends with the All-Star “Core Four” of former Kia MVPs in Stephen Curry (28.6 ppg-3^rd NBA, 5.2 apg, 5.1 rpg, 48.8 FG%, 44.4 3-Pt.%-6^th NBA),  and Kevin Durant (27.6 ppg-5^th NBA, 7.0 rpg, 5.9 apg, 51.6 FG%, 36.7 3-Pt.%), who were selected as All-Stars for the 10^th and 6^th time respectably late last month. Fellow All-Stars Klay Thompson (21.9 ppg, 46.9 FG%, 39.6 3-Pt.%) and Draymond Green (7.0 ppg, 7.6 rpg-Led team, 7.3 apg-8^th NBA). 

After getting off to their usual strong start this season, which consisted of an eight-game, three-game, and four-game winning streak as part of a 19-9 record early on in December, the Warriors’ quest for three straight championships hit some turbulence. 

Curry who missed 31 games last season because of multiple injuries, injured his left groin in the Warriors 134-111 loss versus the Bucks on Nov. 8, 2018 on TNT that had him on the shelf for 11 games from Nov. 11-Dec. 1, 2018.  

Four days later, the Warriors sustained a 121-116 loss at their Division rival the Clippers, where in the closing seconds of regulation Green secured a rebound in the final seconds and instead of giving the ball to Durant for the possible game-winning shot he dribbled the length of the floor into traffic losing control of the ball as the Warriors did not get a chance for that last second shot. 

Cameras caught Durant visibly upset afterwards and the two went back and forth with Thompson seated right in between them as the likes of Andre Iguodala and DeMarcus Cousins tried to calm the situation. 

Head Coach Steve Kerr said before the team’s nationally televised tilt versus the Rockets on TNT that he had faith that the dustup between the two All-Stars will not deter his team from their ultimate goal of winning their fourth title in the last five seasons. 

“We met in the locker room before practice and went through our usual gameday routine,” Kerr said. “We addressed some things that will remain private. I know Kevin and Draymond have spoken. That’s as much as I’m going to reveal. I can tell you that I am extremely confident in this team’s ability to get through any adversity.” 

“I know what this team is made of… I know the character of the group. I know the history of this group. It’s way too strong and way too powerful to be upended by the type of adversity that may hit any team in the season.” 

Green, who has been the Warriors emotional leader during their championship run these last four years said that this was one of those times he let his emotions get the best of him in the moment as he gave his side of the what happened. He also said that he and Durant spoke of the situation and are moving forward adding, “I’m never going to change who I am.”

He added about this being the thing that breaks up the Warriors, “I’ve read a lot about how ‘is this the end of the run? Or ‘is it over? Or ‘did I force Kevin to leave?’… What you must know, nobody in this organization, from a player-not myself, not Kevin not anybody else-is going to beat us. If you’re one of them 29 other teams in this league, you’ve got to beat us. We’re not going to beat us. We’re going to continue to do what we do. I’m sorry if that ruins everybody’s stories.” 

The Warriors after that tiff did suspend Green for one game, a 121-116 win versus the Hawks on Nov. 13, 2018. 

The did lose four straight following that from Nov. 15-23, 2018, where in the front end of the skid in a 107-86 loss at the Rockets on TNT, where the Warriors scored a season-low in points scored. Their fourth straight loss came at the hands of the Thunder, where they managed just 18 points in the opening stanza and where outscored by their visiting opponent in three of the four quarters. 

Most teams from the front office to the coaching staff would be pulling their hair out, or what left they have of it if this was going on around them. 

The difference with other teams and the Warriors is they have the maturity and championship pedigree and can deal with moments like this by taking a humorous, concentrated, and internal approach. 

“We’ve had such a charmed existence the last four seasons. So, of course, this is the toughest stretch we’ve been in,” Coach Kerr said after the Warriors 104-92 at the Spurs on Nov. 18, 2018. “This is the real NBA. We haven’t been in the real NBA the last few years. We’ve been in this drama. So, now we’re faced with real adversity. We’ve got to get out of it ourselves.” 

The Warriors busted out of their four-game skid with a 125-97 win versus the Portland Trail Blazers on Nov. 23, 2018 behind Durant’s 32 points, nine rebounds and seven assists and three blocks. Thompson snapped showed signs that his shooting stroke was coming back by going 12 for 21 from the field, including 4 for 9 from three-point range scoring 31 points. 

That began a three-game winning streak and a stretch of winning 11 of 15 games, where they also got Curry back from injury back on Dec. 1, 2018, where he scored 27 points on 10 for 21 shooting in a 111-102 loss versus the Pistons, the Warriors second straight loss. 

To put into context what Curry means to the Warriors when he is the lineup and out, since the start of the Warriors title run going back to the 2014-15 season, With Curry in the lineup, the Warriors have a 295-63 record. When he has missed games because of injury during this period of time, the Warriors are just one game over .500 at 27-26. 

A 127-101 loss on Christmas Day 2018 versus the Lakers followed by a last second 110-109 overtime loss versus the Trail Blazers two days later brought the haters back out, especially after another rough game by Thompson where he went 6 for 19 shooting, including, 2 for 9 from three-point range. 

On top of that it was the fourth home loss this season by 20-plus points. Along with that embarrassing 127-101 loss versus the Lakers, and the previously mentioned 134-111 loss versus the Bucks on TNT, the Warriors had a 123-95 loss versus the Thunder on ESPN and the 113-93 loss versus the Raptors on Dec. 12, 2018. 

The three-time champions got back on track again as they took down the Trail Blazers in their own building on the back end of their home-and-home series winning 115-105 on Dec. 29, 2019 as Thompson led the way with 32 points on 12 for 21 shooting, including 4 for 5 from three-point range. Curry and Durant each had 25 points. 

Thompson said to NBC Sports Bay Area’s Kerith Burke, about his 6 for 33 slump the prior six games from three-point range, “I mean, it’s an 82-game season. I pride myself on being that every night and when you have a four, five-game stretch, you can’t get down on yourself. So, I never get discouraged just because I missed shots. I’m going to keep plugging away.”

That win was the spring board that got the Warriors back to that team that the rest of the league feared would eventually resurface, where they have 18 of their last 21 games, which included season-high 11-game winning streak from Jan. 5-28.

That fear came with a serious exclamation point as All-Star center DeMarcus Cousins, who signed a one-year deal in the off-season returned to the court on Jan. 18 after missing the first 45 games while still recovering from a torn left Achilles tendon he sustained back on Jan. 26, 2018 as a member of the New Orleans Pelicans. 

Cousins in his first game back had 14 points, six rebounds and three assists in 15 minutes, on 5 for 11 shooting, including 3 for 4 from three-point range. 

“It felt like Christmas,” Cousins said after the game about his return to the floor. “This was probably one of the best days of my life being back on the floor playing the game that I love.” 

In the 11 games that Cousins (13.9 ppg, 6.8 rpg, 3.7 apg) has been back on the floor, he has scored in double-figures eight times and with each game he looks more comfortable. 

To put into perspective of what it means to have Cousins back, it is the first time since the 1975-76 Celtics quintet of Jo Jo White, Charlie Scott, Dave Cowens, Paul Silas, and John Havliceck that five All-Stars from the previous season started together, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. 

That starting quintet of the Warriors of Curry, Thompson, Cousins, Green, and Durant in 11 games they have started together, the team is 11-0. 

To put this into clearer context, when Curry, Thompson, Durant, and Green have been in the lineup this season, the Warriors are 33-6 this season. 

The other fear that came to fruition for Warriors’ opponents is that Green would raise his level of play, not in the scoring column but in the all the other areas. 

Since his return from a 13-game absence because of sprained right toe, Green has registered 19 games of seven-plus assists as well as nine games with double-digit rebounds. 

While he had just two points in the Warriors 130-125 win at the Sacramento Kings on Dec. 14, 2018, he had 14 rebounds and 10 assists. In the team’s 122-95 win versus the Knicks on Jan. 8, Green had two points in that one but also collected 11 rebounds and 10 assists. In the Warriors statement 142-111 win at the Nuggets seven days later, where they outscored the home team 51-38 in the opening stanza, Green had just four points on the night, but had 13 assists and six boards. 

To bring into context what Green has done since his return to the lineup in late December 2018, he has registered 222 assists and just 67 turnovers, which equates to 3.3 assists for every turnover. 

That willingness to make the extra pass is how the three most potent nuclear weapons on offense in the NBA in Curry, Thompson, and Durant can have those special nights as they each scored 50 points or more in a single-game this season joining the 1961-62 Lakers trio of Hall of Famers Jerry West and Elgin Baylor, and Rudy “Musty” LaRusso.  

Curry in the Warriors’ fifth game of this season scored a season-high of 51 points on 15 for 24 shooting, including 11 for 16 from three-point range in the Warriors 144-122 win versus the Wizards on Oct. 24, 2018. It was the sixth game of 50-plus for Curry and the 10 of 14 times in his career, adding three more this season making 10 or more threes, and his performance matched his most points scored at Oracle Arena. 

Five days later, Thompson exploded for 52 points on 18 for 29 from the field, including a new NBA record 14 threes in 24 tries in the Warriors 149-124 win at the Bulls. 

Thompson’s performance surpassed Curry’s previous record of 13 triples in a win over the Pelicans back on Nov. 7, 2016. 10 of those 14 threes and 36 of those points came in the opening half as the Warriors built a 92-50 lead. That same night, the Warriors set the NBA record for triples made in a half with 17. 

In the Warriors 130-111 win at the Lakers on Jan. 21 on TNT, Thompson tied the NBA record consecutive of 10 threes making his first 10 scoring 44 points, going 10 for 11 from distance on the evening. 

“I’ve never hit 10 threes in a row in a game. That’s hard to do,” Thompson, who had 23 of his 44 points in the third, hitting seven of his 10 triples said after the win. 

In the Warriors 131-128 overtime loss at the Raptors on TNT on Nov. 29, 2018, Durant had 51 points with 11 rebounds and six assists on 18 for 31 from the field, including 4 for 7 from three-point range and 11 for 12 from the free throw line. 

Not only was it the sixth time in his career that Durant scored 50-plus, his second as a member of the Warriors, it was the third game in a row he scored 30-plus. During this stretch becoming the second Warriors’ player with three consecutive 40-plus point performances, Durant averaged 48.0 points, 10.0 rebounds and 7.3 assists on 51.6 FG%, and 40.0 percent from three-point range.

“I just think I have to do what’s required at this point,” Durant said back in early December 2018 adding, “There’s going to be some games where we have a great team game going, where we can beat teams with the flow of our offense, from moving, moving our bodies, and moving the ball. And, there’s going to be some games where I need to go get buckets.”

That starting five has also solidified a bench group of Andre Igoudala (6.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 3.3 apg, 50.0 FG%, 37.0 3-Pt.%), Shaun Livingston, Jonas Jerebko (6.9 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 47.4 FG%, 35.8 3-Pt.%), Quinn Cook (6.8 ppg, 44.7 FG%, 37.3 3-Pt.%), Kevon Looney (6.6 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 61.0 FG%), rookie Alfonzo McKinnie, and Jordan Bell. 

The Warriors will have two conundrums to take on at the end of this, the free agency of Thompson; Durant, who is expected to opt out of the final year of his two-year deal and next season Green, who has one-year left on his deal paying him $18.5 million next season.  

For Green if he were to win Kia MVP, which is highly unlikely, Defensive Player of the Year or receive All-NBA Team honors in 2018-19, he will be eligible for a super-max deal of five years, $226 million this summer. He also has the option of sign a four-year extension worth $100 million this summer. If he decides to do unrestricted free agency next summer, he would have the option of a super max deal of five years at $240 million or the Warriors super max of five years at $205 million. If he decides to leave and sign with a new team next summer, he could sign a super max deal for four years at $152 million. 

“Well this is a business. So, you have to always explore those options and see what makes sense and what doesn’t,” Green, who has one-year left on his contract for $18.5 million said about how he will handle his upcoming free agency. 

“I’m confident I’ll be here for a very long time. So, it’s not something I’m going into the season thinking about.” 

For Durant, who can opt out of his contract in the summer of 2019 is interesting. He has been an important part of the Warriors last two titles and has found the success that has eluded him with the Oklahoma City Thunder, all be it has not come without it share of criticism from fans outside California. 

For Thompson who has said ever chance he has gotten that he wants to stay in the “Bay Area” for the remainder of his career. If he makes any of the All-NBA teams this summer, which is very likely he would be eligible for a five-year, $221 million deal. If he were to change his mind and go elsewhere, which he said is highly unlikely, that super max deal would be a four-year deal worth $140.6 million.  

“I’m just so happy to be a part of this team that I want to keep this train running as long as I can,” Thompson said back in October to ESPN’s Rachel Nichols about not wanting to leave the Warriors in free agency. “We got such a great a great thing going. This is a once in a decade type thing. That’s why it be hard to replicate anywhere else.”

The good thing for the Warriors is they will be opening a new arena, The Spectrum Center in the 2019-20 season, which will be a serious cash-cow, giving them the flexibility to continue to pay their “Core Four” of Durant, Thompson, Curry, and Green, who are all between the ages of 28 and 30 and keep this title run going.

If the entire “Core Four” returns intact next season if Durant and Thompson sign their max extensions and Green waits to be an unrestricted free agent next summer, the Warriors would have four players making close to $20 million. Curry, who has three years and $129 left on his five-year, $205 million deal will make $40.2 million next season. Durant would go from making $30.0 million to $38.2 million. Thompson would go from a salary of $19.0 million to $32.7 million and Green would get a $1 million bump to as mentioned $18.5. 

Most teams would love to be in the Warriors shoes of having to pay players who have earned these salaries, especially players that value winning, which is why they do not get two low after splitting their first two games following the break as they narrowly beat the Kings 125-123 on Thursday night, to go 4-0 against them this season and falling versus the Rockets 118-112 Saturday night on ABC. Their third loss against them this season. 

The Warriors (42-17) have navigated their way though a few tough waves this season and now with the second half of this season is underway, they are laser focused on their ultimate goal of winning their third straight title and fourth in the last five seasons. 

“I think we’ve been struggling even though we’ve been winning,” Durant said after the Warriors 115-108 win versus the Jazz on Feb. 13 on TNT. “We got some injury breaks in this run but I also like how we’ve fought through a lot of different things in this run…But we need to play better.”

“I believe that the coaches and all my teammates think the same thing. I just don’t want us to get too complacent with us winning. We got a long-ways to go.”

Prediction: The Warriors will be the top seed in the West again. They will get through get through the West playoffs and beat the Celtics to win their third straight Larry O’Brien trophy.

Grade: A-

Houston Rockets: 33-24 (1^st Southwest Division; No. 5 Seed in West) 20-9 at home, 13-15 on the road. 

-113.1 ppg-11^th; opp. ppg: 111-14^th; 41.6 rpg-27^th

The beginning of the first half of the season of the Rockets is way different from the 65-win group a season ago. The loss of two key players has had serious impact on them defensively and they have had to deal with injuries to their starting All-Star lead guard, their top offensive reserve and starting center. One of the most historic scoring streaks in NBA history by their other All-Star has got the Rockets out of an early hole and has them “positioned” to be competitive in the West this spring. 

After going 21-4 in their first 25 games to start the season, scoring 115.0 points on 36.9 from three-point range, a 107-104 setback at the Mavericks on Dec. 8, 2018 dropped them to a record of 11-14, where in those 25 games were averaging 108.3 points on 33.7 percent from three-point range. 

It did not help that 10-time All-Star Carmelo Anthony, who the team was eager to acquire two off-seasons ago and signed with them on a one-year deal simply did not click with the Rockets three-point shooting and attack the basket offensive system and mutually parted ways with the team in early in the season.

Head Coach Mike D’Antoni’s team would get themselves back on track going 22-10 since that tough start, thanks to the 31 straight games of scoring 30-plus points by seven-time All-Star James Harden, which began with a triple-double of 50 points with 11 assists and 10 rebounds in a 126-111 win versus the Lakers on TNT. 

Only the late great Wilt Chamberlin had a long streak of 65 straight games scoring 30 or more back in the 1961-62 season. His performance of 42 points in the Rockets 121-111 loss at the Timberwolves right before the All-Star break on Feb. 13 tied him with Chamberlin for the second longest streak of scoring 30 or more points in NBA history of 31 in a row, which Chamberlin achieved in 1962. Chamberlin also had a streak of 25 straight games scoring 30-plus back in 1960 that Harden surpassed with his 43-point effort in the Rockets 125-98 win at the Jazz on Feb. 2. 

To expand on this incredible streak by Harden a little more, he has scored 40-plus points 21 times so far this season, which includes five games of 50 or more. For 13 consecutive games from the start of the streak as mentioned on Dec. 13, 2018-Feb. 1 Harden was the game’s high scorer.  

On the most famous stage in the NBA, Madison Square Garden in New York, NY Harden not only established a new career-high but set a new Rockets’ franchise single-game with 61 points on 17 for 38 shooting and 22 for 25 from the free throw line with 15 rebounds and five steals in the 114-110 win at the Knicks on Jan. 23. 

With his back-to-back games scoring night of 57 points in the Rockets 112-94 win on Jan. 14 versus the Grizzlies, followed by a 58-point effort in the team’s 145-142 overtime loss versus the Nets, Harden joined Hall of Famers Rick Barry and Elgin Baylor and Hall of Famer to be Kobe Bryant as the only players in NBA history to average north of 40 points for a 20-game period. 

That 31-game streak of scoring 30-plus by Harden is also has the longest streak of scoring 30-plus since the 1976-77 NBA/ABA merger, which surpassed the streaks of 16 and 14 in a row by Bryant and Hall of Famer Tracy McGrady respectably had in the 2002-03 season with the Lakers and Magic. The 13 in a row the late great Moses Malone had in the 1981-82 NBA campaign while he was with the Hawks and the 12-game run Kevin Durant had in his MVP season of 2013-14 while with the Thunder. 

If that was not enough, Harden registered 10 consecutive games with 35-plus point performances since the 1976-77 NBA/ABA merger with his 38-point performance in the Rockets 110-101 loss at the Trail Blazers on Jan. 4 That tied the mark with the great Michael Jordan that set in the 1986-87 season. Only Bryant with his 13 straight games scoring 35-plus that also occurred 16 seasons ago and the 33-game, 23-game, and 20-game streaks by the late great Wilt Chamberlin in 1961-62 and 1962-63 respectably are higher. 

This streak has put on display Harden’s many exceptional offensive skills from being able to hit step back threes at any given moment, setting a new league record for hitting five triples or more in consecutive games with 12. His ability to get to the free throw line seemingly at will and his ability to make shots even with the opposing defense trying to do everything in their power to stop him. 

The best example of this came in the Rockets 135-134 come from behind win from 20 points down at the Warriors when he hit the eventual game-winning three in overtime while being sandwiched by Klay Thompson and Draymond Green right in front of the Warriors bench. It capped a triple-double by Harden of 44 points with 15 assists and 10 boards, one of his six so far this season.

What has also been on display during this streak is Harden’s leadership and willingness to do whatever it takes to win games. There are many times he has had to carry the offensive load with the defense geared to slow him down and he just kept coming, and coming, and coming.

There have been many times in the last 31 games where Harden besides scoring at a high rate has gotten double-figures in rebounds; facilitated to getting open shots for his teammates and has even shown his ability to play defense coming up with steals and from time-to-time a block shot or two. 

“I’ve said it a thousand times-and I don’t think I’m wrong when because I get to watch it every night-but you don’t get better than what he does offensively,” Coach D’Antoni said after Harden scored 26 of his 41 in the second half with nine rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks in the Rockets 108-104 win at the Pelicans on Dec. 29, 2018. 

“No one’s better. Then he’s also coming up with steals and rebounds. I mean, he does it a lot. I think people sometimes are just trying to look find holes in his game-and I think everybody has a little something. He doesn’t make every shot.”  

By Harden shouldering the offensive load, the Rockets were able to survive the loss of starting lead guard Chris Paul (15.6 ppg, 8.0 apg-Leads team, 2.1 spg 35.1 3-Pt.%), who has missed 23 games this season. 

He missed 17 of those games because of Grade-2 left hamstring strain he sustained in the Rockets’ 101-99 loss at the Heat on Dec. 20, 2018 and many felt the Rockets, who were struggling to begin with were in serious trouble without the nine-time All-Star for who knew how long. 

Along with being without Paul, who is shooting a career-low 41.9 percent from the field this season, the Rockets top sixth man off the bench in Eric Gordon (16.1 ppg), who is shooting just 39.2 percent from the floor and 32.0 percent from three-point range this season was shelved 12 games, with eight of them during this stretch from Dec. 31, 2018-Jan. 16 with a bone bruise in his right knee. 

The Rockets in the early part of this season when they were 11-14 were 0-5 without Paul but thanks to Harden the Rockets complied a 12-5 record with their floor general out due to his strained hamstring and went from outside the playoff picture in the rugged Western Conference to being one-game behind the Trail Blazers for the No. 4 spot in the West. 

That is because Harden’s performances have been complimented by a couple of key pickups off the waiver wire in guard Austin Rivers (8.7 ppg) on Christmas Eve 2018 when after being released by the Suns after being traded there on Dec. 17, 2018 along with former Rocket Trevor Ariza from the Wizards. 

Rivers arrival came on the heels of the Rockets’ losing Paul and his arrival provided a much-needed boost for them and a very capable backup to Paul who was his understudy in his time with the Clippers, all be it was a contentious relationship at times as he was the son of head coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers. 

The Rockets second best player this season has been Clint Capela, who has averaged career-highs of 17.6 points and 12.6 rebounds (7^th NBA), on a career-best 63.1 percent shooting, which is third in the NBA, and 1.8 blocks (9^th NBA). 

Unfortunately, Capela, who has 29 double-doubles this season has been out the last 15 games because of ligament damage in his right thumb sustained in the Rockets 116-109 loss at the Magic on Jan. 13. He is expected to return this week. 

Earlier this season the Rockets had depth issues and while Harden has been able to keep them afloat by his incredible offensive play, the need for a better supporting cast was not lost on Coach D’Antoni. 

During the Rockets aforementioned 11-14 mark to start the season, they went through a five-game stretch from Nov. 21-28 where they lost four of five, including four straight losses in large part to their second unit getting outscored by an incredible 219-79.

“Obviously it’s a problem and it’s something that I know the front office, they tried to address,” he said in late November. “They’re going to do the best they can…No blame going around. It’s just the way it is and we’re in this situation and we hope somethings that happen didn’t happen, and guys could’ve come on quicker.”

In another out of the park move by General Manager Daryl Morey the Rockets picked up Kenneth Faried who was released by the Nets in late January and like Rivers when he arrived has given a much-needed boost to the Rockets.

He has averaged a double-double of 15.9 points and 10.3 rebounds in his 12 appearances with the Rockets, playing with the high-energy and intensity that made him into a starter in his first five seasons with the Nuggets, where his nickname was “The Manimal.” 

Faried in 10 of the 12 games has posted a double-double, which includes his highest scoring game as Rocket where he had 21 points and 14 rebounds with two block shots in the 121-119 win versus the Raptors on ESPN. The Rockets since signing Faried have a 7-5 record.  

“I love playing basketball. So, for me just to be out there with those guys helping out anyway I can, rebounding, playing defense, blocks, just being out there giving my all,” Faried said after the win to AT&T Sportsnet Southwest’s Michelle Margaux. “It just made me feel like myself again.”

For a team that was lacking depth coming into the season, the additions of Faried and Rivers to go along side sharp shooter Gerald Green (9.8 ppg, 36.1 3-Pt.%); defensive ace and emotional leader PJ Tucker (7.6 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 36.2 3-Pt.%) and Nene has upgraded the supporting cast, which took a major hit with the off-season losses of Ariza and Luc Mbah a Moute. 

The Rockets on the Feb. 7 trade deadline in a three-team swap with the Kings and Cavaliers, the Rockets acquired veteran swingman and former NBA champion Iman Shumpert and a 2021 Second-Round pick via the Bucks. 

In a trade with the 76ers, the Rockets acquired the swap rights to a 2021 Second-Round pick for forward James Ennis III. 

In another trade deadline deal, the Rockets sent guards Nik Stauskas and Wade Baldwin IV who they acquired from the Cavaliers were dealt to the Pacers, along with the draft rights to Maartz Leunen and a 2021 Second-Round pick for Cash Considerations. 

Before those trades, the Rockets on Jan. 7 dealt guard Michael-Carter Williams, who they signed in and cash considerations to the Bulls for a 2020 Second-Round pick. 

On Jan. 22, the Rockets officially ended the Carmelo Anthony experiment by dealing him, along with Jon Diebler and cash considerations to the Bulls in exchange for the draft rights to Tadiza Dragicevic. 

After a tough start to this season, the Rockets behind the stellar scoring streak of Harden, which is still active has the Rockets primed for a serious second half run. 

To put into perspective of what it means to have Paul and Harden back together, in the last 35 seasons only LeBron James of the Lakers with 74 and Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder with 68 have more games of 30-plus points and 10-plus assists than the 71 by Harden. Only Hall of Famers of current Lakers President of Basketball Operations Earvin “Magic” Johnson and Allen Iverson with 51 and 47 respectably have more 30-plus point and 10-plus assists games than the 40 registered by Paul. 

With the band now healthy it come down to the Rockets being able to have balance on offense where the kind of continuity where they co-exist offensively and defensively like they did a season ago. 

When the Rockets have scored at least 120 points under Coach D’Antoni they are an incredible 66-4. 

The Rockets were on their way to win No. 67 before they blew a 19-point lead in a 111-106 loss at the Lakers late Thursday night on TNT, their first game following the All-Star break, as they were outscored 28-16 in the fourth quarter. 

Without Harden for the fourth time this year, they scored a big 118-112 win at the Warriors on Saturday night on ABC. 

The Rockets, who improved to 2-2 without Harden this season, they got that offensive balance led by the 25 points from Gordon and 23 points and a season-high 17 assists from Paul. Faried had 20 points and 10 rebounds and 18 points and 10 rebounds from Tucker. Capela had 15 rebounds and eight points. 

At the moment, the Rockets (34-25) sit in the No. 5 spot two games behind the Trail Blazers for No. 5 spot but are just one game in front of the No. 6 Seeded Jazz. 

The Rockets began this season in a serious hole and managed to dig there way out. For them it is about getting on a serious role to where they avoid the Warriors until the Western Conference Finals. They have the talent to beat everyone else. 

It is up to them to continue to find that offensive balance where Harden can perform at his best come playoff time as well as finding that defensive continuity, they had last season that got them to within one game of the NBA Finals a season ago. 

The reason behind this sense of urgency is because a lot of their salary cap is basically tied to Harden and Paul over the next five seasons. 

Harden, who on July 8, 2017 signed an NBA record four-year, $160 million contract extension, giving him a total six-year deal with $228 million guaranteed, the richest contract in NBA history. 

Starting with this season, the Rockets will be paying Paul who re-signed in the off-season salaries of $35.7 million; $38.5 million; $41.3 million and $44.2 million over the next four seasons.  

They also re-signed Capela, who was a restricted free agent to a five-year extension between $80-$90 million back in the off-season. 

With the amount of money invested in Harden, Paul and Capela over the next few years, they are under the gun to get it done in the playoffs this season. 

“Every night here is different. The way James is rolling you just kind of fill in spots, you know,” Tucker who had 21 points, four steals and two blocks shots said after the Rockets 125-113 win on Jan. 7 versus the Nuggets to NBATV’s Casey Stern, Candace Parker and Isiah Thomas. 

“One night you might get 10, 11 shots. One night you might not get but one or two. It’s just playing the same way every single night.”

Prediction: Rockets will be in the middle of the playoff pack in the West. Their championship dreams will unfortunately fall short once again in the Semifinals. 

Grade: B-

Los Angeles Clippers: 32-27 (2^nd Pacific Division; No. 8 Seed in West) 16-12 at home, 16-15 on the road.  

-114.3 ppg-7^th; opp. ppg: 113.8-24^th; 45.1 rpg-15^th  

Going back from last summer; in the middle of last season and this summer, the collective trio that made up the “Lob City” era of the Los Angeles Clippers that got them to the playoffs six straight seasons, but never past the second round was gone via trades and free agency. The player they got in return in trading All-Star Chris Paul and Blake Griffin became major cogs that got them on the edge of the playoffs a season ago but fell short. Coming into this season with no real superstar to speak of and an offensive style where they do not rely on threes or get to the foul line at a high rate, the Clippers have played their style of basketball and even after making a couple of trades before and at the deadline to positioning themselves for this off-season, Clippers of the present are “positioned” to make a run for the playoffs after a one year absence. 

The trade of Paul, a nine-time All-Star to the prior summer brought in two players who are top two candidates for Kia Sixth Man of the Year in Lou Williams (19.9 ppg-Leads team, 5.3 apg, 37.2 3-Pt.%) and Montrezl Harrell (15.9 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 62.2 FG%). 

There have been many games this season where Williams and Harrell, who both earned new contracts a season ago have come in off the bench and changed the whole tenor of the game for the Clippers this season. 

Williams who signed a three-year, $24 million extension during last season has played a big role in many of the Clippers wins this season.

When he missed four straight games with a sore left hamstring from Dec. 11-20, 2018, the Clippers lost all four, and began the month of December 2018 with seven losses in their first nine game. In the six games Williams has missed this season, the Clippers have a 1-5 record

Their 125-121 win on Dec. 20, 2018 on TNT, Williams in his first game back from that sore left hamstring scored 13 of his 26 points off the bench in the fourth quarter. 

“He gives us a confidence when you have him on the floor,” Clippers head coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers said after the win. “It’s not necessarily you are going to go to him but he’s going to be involved.” 

He was certainly involved literally and figuratively in the Clippers 106-101 win at the Bulls on Jan. 25 when authored his first career triple-double of 31 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists off the bench, going 11 for 13 from the charity stripe. 

Williams, in his 14^th NBA season joined former Pacer, then Seattle Supersonic and Trail Blazer Detlef Schrempf as the only players in NBA history to record a 30-point triple-double off the bench. Schrempf’s came on Feb. 13, 1993 versus the Bucks where the former Pacer had 34 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. 

Harrell, who after a solid season a year ago where he averaged 11.0 points and four boards off the bench, has risen his game even higher to where he has more than tripled his double-double output this season with 13 than the three he had in his first three seasons. 

In the Clippers 133-113 win versus the Rockets on Oct. 26, 2018, Harrell, who signed a two-year, $12 million deal this past off-season had a career-high of 30 points going 14 for 15 from the free throw with six rebounds, two blocks and two steals in 28 minutes.

Coach Rivers described Harrell earlier this year in terms of his playing style as “relentless,” adding “His energy and toughness, he knows his niche with each group.”

“When he plays with the second group, he knows exactly how to play with those guys. He has kind of figured it out; it is nice.” 

That trade also brought in current Clippers guard Patrick Beverly (7.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 3.5 apg, 38.3 3-Pt.%), whose brought an infectious energy, relentlessness, and unapologetic presence on both ends of the floor has won a lot of games for the Clippers so far this season, whether he has started, which he has on 29 occasions this season or off the bench.  

“Beverly should get more credit. He’s been doing a lot of good things,” Coach Rivers said. “When he goes on the floor there is a plus, with is defensive energy and he’s an instigator. He does a lot of little winning things that are not on the stat sheet, but he is doing a lot for our team in helping us win games.” 

Beverly has been coming off the bench in recent weeks because of the play of rookie lead guard, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (10.1 ppg, 46.8 FG%), whose received the proverbial keys to the car and has done a spectacular job in driving the Clippers offense and has held his own defensively. 

“The kid’s going to be a star,” Harris said of SGA after his performance of 17 points, and two steals in the Clippers 133-121 win on Nov. 29, 2018 at the Kings on TNT. “Every day he works on his craft. He’s humble as ever and just an amazing player to play with. So, I’m excited to just help him along this way and see his growth.”

In late January 2018, the Clippers dealt their other perennial All-Star Blake Griffin to the Detroit Pistons for The Clippers for Tobias Harris and Avery Bradley. 

Harris had a good season last year, and this season was having a breakout year to the point that he was on the bubble of being named an All-Star for the first time in his career.  

After missing all but 21 games last season because of injury, sharp shooting forward Danilo Gallinari (18.7 ppg, 6.0 rpg) is back and has remained relatively healthy as he is having a career shooting from three-point range at 44.7 percent clip. 

Following a 128-109 win by head coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers’ squad versus the Hornets on Jan. 8, the Clippers were 24-16 and in the middle of the playoff chase in the rugged Western Conference. Six losses in their next seven games, which included a five-game losing streak from Jan. 10-20 brought them back down to Earth but not so much so that they got back on track with four wins in their next five games, including victories at the Spurs (103-95) on Jan. 20, which was followed by three straight wins at the Heat (111-99) on Jan .23; at the Bulls (106-101) Jan. 25 and versus the Kings 122-108 on Jan. 27. 

The Clippers following two straight home losses versus the Hawks (123-118) and the “big brother” Lakers (123-120) in overtime, the Clippers embarked on a six-game road trip. 

The Clippers went 3-2 on the road trip, with all three wins coming on epic comebacks. They overcame a regular-season franchise record 25-point second quarter deficit to earn a 111-101 win at the Pistons on Feb. 2. The Clippers battled back from a 20-point deficit to earn a 117-115 at the Hornets three days later. The Clippers rallied from a 28-point deficit to win at the Celtics 123-112 on Feb. 9. 

In the comeback win at the Pistons, Williams led the charge with a season-high of 39 points in 35 minutes off the bench with 18 coming in the final period. He outscored the Pistons by himself 18-14 in the final period. 

“We just stayed the course. We didn’t play our best basketball in the first half. Played our style in the second half, gave ourselves an opportunity to win the game,” Williams, who teams outscored the Pistons 50-18 after trailing 83-60 in the third said to FOX Sports Prime Ticket’s Kristina Pink after the win. 

Before and at the Feb. 7 trade deadline, the Clippers made some bold moves that looked from the outside focused on the future and not the present. In a deal with the 76ers on Feb. 6, the Clippers acquired swingman Wilson Chandler; sharp shooting big man Mike Muscala, rookie guard Landry Shamet (8.6 ppg, 44.5 FG%, 41.4 3-Pt.%); an unprotected 2021 First-Round pick from the Heat, and the Pistons 2021 and 2023 Second-Round picks, in exchange for Harris, sharp shooting big man Mike Scott and center Boban Marjanovic. 

In a deal with the rival Lakers, the Clippers dealt Muscala for forward Michael Beasley, who they waived and second-year center Ivica Zubac (8.7 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 57.5 FG%). 

In a trade with the Memphis Grizzlies, the Clippers acquired forward/guard Garrett Temple (9.3 ppg, 35.2 3-Pt.%) and forward JaMychal Green (9.6 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 49.1 FG%, 41.3 3-Pt.%). 

With these trades, the Clippers got two very young promising player for the future in Shamet and Zubac, they accumulated assets while adding to their war chest of salary cap space of 59.7 million to use to go after some notable free agents this summer.

They also added some depth to their bench, which thanks to Harrell and Williams is No. 1 in “The Association” in points per game at 52.8. 

What the new additions also can learn from Williams and Harrell is that it does not matter if you start, that if you perform well and the team plays with a sense of cohesion you will be in the game when it counts. 

“Trez’ could start, we know that. Lou could start. The fact that they are OK coming off the bench is the first key,” Rivers said of the two reserves, who combined for 36 points in the Clippers 121-111 win at the Suns on Jan. 4, their 11^th win in a row against them. 

“I do think it takes a special mindset for a guy to want to do that and then guys who accept that. We have that.”  

For a team that was in the thick of the playoff race in the stacked Western Conference, the Clippers seemed to be throwing their great season away in a gamble to try to go after prime-time players that may not sign with them. 

Clippers Executive Vice President of Basketball Operations Lawrence Frank in a town-hall type gathering at the start of February said to those in attendance that while they will experience nights like their 130-120 loss at the Timberwolves on Feb. 11, that owner Steve Ballmer he GM Michael Winger and consultant Jerry West, one of the best executives all-time in the NBA along with being a Hall of Fame player that they are still focused on making the playoffs while keeping their best options of bettering the team available. 

“We’re still gonna do everything we can to make [the playoffs this season]” Frank told Clippers fans in attendance but added, “we’re honest, we’re realistic. There could be some short-term pain. But what we’re hoping is we’re able to then have a long run.” 

There always comes a point where a franchise after knocking on the door of championship that it never gets open and some difficult decisions have to be made. Trading Griffin and Paul, and seeing Jordan leave in free agency was tough. That said the Clippers had a plan to keep their team relevant and competitive and they have knocked on the door of the playoffs last year and are in the same position this season in a very tough as mentioned earlier Western Conference.

What must be remembered is Coach Rivers and the entire Clippers organizations in his first five seasons had to deal with the scandal of former owner Donald Sterling. Manage the conflicting superstar egos of the aforementioned Griffin, Jordan, and Paul, and they see Lakers and their newest star LeBron James on every billboard across the “City of Angels.” 

The Clippers have young players not to many people know about build around, draft picks to use in trades and $59.7 million in salary cap space to use this summer in free agency. 

The Clippers who won their first game following the All-Star break with a 112-106 win at the Grizzlies on Friday night, but lost at the Nuggets 123-96 two days later. 

When the Clippers (33-28) said goodbye to Paul, Griffin and Jordan from last summer to this summer, many thought the team making the playoffs over the next couple of years was nothing more than a dream. With the second half of this NBA season underway, they are in prime position to make the playoffs after a one -year absence, especially with just the 20^th ranked remaining strength of schedule. 

“We’re building a sustainable high-performing organization that wants to compete for championships for a long time,” Frank said to ESPN’s Cassidy Hubbarth on the June 19, 2018 edition of “NBA: The Jump” about the pitch they will make to free agents next summer. 

“So, I think it starts with our owner, with Steve Ballmer. He’s the wealthiest owner in all of professional sports and I think everyone sees the enthusiasm, and engagement. But it’s his humility. His honesty and accountability.” 

“We have a championship coach in Doc Rivers and I think everything revolves around our players and I think when you look at our players overall, their competitive, tough, hard playing, high I.Q. guys.”

Prediction: The Clippers will fall short of making the playoffs for a second straight season but will be ready for a summer of dealing to get them back in the postseason starting next year. 

Grade: B

Los Angeles Lakers: 28-29 (4^th Pacific Division) 16-12 at home, 12-17 on the road. 

-112.2 ppg-15^th; opp. ppg: 113.4-22^nd; 47.0 rpg-4^th     

In the summer of 2018, the Los Angeles Lakers signed their biggest free agent since Shaquille O’Neal in the summer of 1996. While the other signings had people shaking their heads, the new editions led by the four-time Kia MVP and three-time NBA champion got the Lakers to the No. 4 spot in the West after an uneasy start. An injury to that prized free agent along with other key personnel, a blockbuster trade that ended up being a big distraction to the young core players has the Lakers “searching” for answer to get them back above the playoff line with just 23 games left. 

Hall of Famer Earvin “Magic” Johnson, the team’s President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Rob Pelinka signed the biggest fish in the 2018 free agent pond in four-time Kia MVP LeBron James and even at 34 years of age and 16 years of basketball mileage on his tires, four-time Kia MVP LeBron James (26.8 ppg-Leads team, 8.6 rpg-Leads team, 7.6 apg-Leads team, 51.3 FG%, 35.5 3-Pt.%) through the first 34 games of this season played as good as ever. 

In the team’s first 34 games of the season, the three-time Bill Russell Finals MVP had registered 16 double-doubles and three triple-doubles, while also scoring 30-plus nine times in leading the Lakers to a 20-14 mark, which had them No. 4 in the loaded Western Conference at Christmas. 

That included scoring 51-points on 19 for 31 shooting, including 6 for 8 from three-point range with eight boards in leading the Lakers to a 113-97 win at the Heat. It was the 13^th time in his career, including Game 1 of the 2018 NBA Finals that James has scored 50-plus. Only Hall of Famers like the late great Wilt Chamberlin (118), now Hornets majority owner Michael Jordan (31), Hall of Famer to be in former Laker Kobe Bryant (25); Laker great Elgin Baylor (17) and Rick Barry (14) have more games scoring 50-plus than James.   

Unfortunately, in the Lakers biggest win of this season, a 127-101 win at the back-to-back defending champion Warriors on Christmas Day 2018 on ABC, James strained his left groin while diving for a loose ball in the third quarter that would keep him out for 16 games the longest stretch out of action of his career. 

“I take a lot of pride in (staying healthy) James said after the win. “It’s more than anything being available to my teammates, to my coaching staff—that is something I take more personal than anything. Hopefully it is not a long thing and I can get back on the floor as soon as possible.” 

Head Coach Luke Walton’s team though would go 6-11 in the 17 games he missed. They also lost another key free agent pick up in that game in another former NBA champion in top flight lead guard Rajon Rondo (8.9 ppg, ,7.6 apg, 5.1 rpg, 1.5 spg, 42.3 3-Pt.%), who missed a total of 34 games because of suspension, a sprained right ring finger and fractured hand. 

The additions of James along with Rondo was supposed to raise the level of the young core players in second-year players like guard Lonzo Ball (9.9 ppg, 5.4 apg, 5.3 rpg, 1.5 spg); forward Kyle Kuzma (19.1 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 46.7 FG%) and Josh Hart (8.5 ppg, 4.9 rpg) and third-year forward Brandon Ingram (17.0 ppg 4.8 rpg, 48.4 FG%). 

To bring this point into clearer context, the Lakers scored wins against teams like the Kings (121-114) on Dec. 30, 2018 and at the Thunder 138-128 in overtime on TNT. They also suffered tough losses versus the Knicks (119-112) on Jan. 4; versus the Cavaliers (101-95) on Jan. 13 and versus the Timberwolves (120-105) on TNT Jan. 24 without James. 

The only one out of that group that has adjusted to playing alongside James and the championship mystique he brings is Kuzma, who has scored 30 or more seven time this season, which includes a career-high of 41 points on 16 for 24 shooting, including 5 for 10 from three-point range in the Lakers 113-100 win versus the Pistons on ESPN Jan. 9. He scored 25 of his 39 points in the opening quarter of the Lakers 143-120 loss at the 76ers on ABC Feb. 10. 

Coming into this season, the Lakers hoped that Ingram would take that leap in being the Lakers second best player to James. 

The No. 2 overall pick in 2016 out of Duke in spurts has shown he can be that second banana to James like he did when he scored a career-high of 36 points on 16 for 20 from the field in the Lakers 121-105 defeat versus the 76ers Jan. 29 on TNT.  

That career-high performance came in the absence of James who was out with the previously mentioned strained groin, where Ingram was able to make plays with the ball in his hands. He has yet to show that he can be productive with James on the floor with him. 

Ball, whose inability to consistently make shots or even free throws has been even more exposed as he has connected on just 40.6 percent of his shots; 32.9 percent of his triple tries and an eye scratching 41.7 percent of his free throws. 

Other than triple-double of 16 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists with five steals he had on Dec. 15, 2018 in the Lakers 128-100 win versus the Hornets, where James also had a triple-double with 24 points, 12 rebounds, 11 assists and a few games where he had double-figures in assists or rebounds, Ball has yet to show he is the star player he father LaVar has touted him to be. 

Ball is currently is on the shelf at the moment with a sprained left ankle while Hart is out with left patella tendinitis. 

The inconsistency of Ball and Ingram is a major reason why coming into the season man in the NBA circle were scratching their heads when the Lakers signed in free agency JaVale McGee (11.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 2.0 bpg-7^th NBA), Lance Stephenson (7.5 ppg, 38.3 3-Pt.%) and re-signed Kentavious Caldwell-Pope (10.3 ppg). 

While McGee has had solid season with six double-doubles and shooting 60.3 percent from the field, No. 7 in NBA, the Lakers felt they need more depth at the center spot, which is why they signed veteran Tyson Chandler when he waived earlier in the season by the Suns. 

In need of a second star to compliment James, the Lakers pursued Pelicans six-time All-Star Anthony Davis. 

The rumor of Davis being acquired for basically everyone accept for James caused some visible frustration and even some uneasiness amongst the likes of Ball, Ingram, and a few of other Laker players. 

Things really came to ahead when the team sustained their worst loss of the season, a 136-94 defeat at the Pacers on Feb. 5. 

During that game, the Pacers fans mocked a couple of the players when they were at the charity stripe saying to the likes of McGee, “LeBron’s gonna trade you.” 

The Lakers at the trade deadline on Feb. 7 never traded for Davis, they never even got close. At the deadline, the Lakers acquired from the Clippers big man Mike Muscala (7.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg) for forward Michael Beasley and center Ivica Zubac. 

The day before, the Lakers acquired from the Pistons guard Reggie Bullock (12.0 ppg, 38.7 3-Pt.%). 

While the Lakers were unable to make that blockbuster move to improve them in a big way, they did add something that they have been missing for most of this season perimeter shooting. 

In the Lakers first game following the trade deadline, they overcame an 18-point deficit to win at the arch rival Celtics 129-128, thanks to a last second jumper by Rondo that he hit at the buzzer, finishing with 17 points, 10 assists and seven boards. 

James led the way with the 77^th triple-double of his career with 28 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists with three steals. Kuzma had 25 points on 10 for 21 shooting, including 5 for 8 from three-point range. McGee had 17 points and eight boards, while Caldwell-Pope also had 17 points off the bench. Stephenson also off the bench had 14. 

The Lakers followed up that huge comeback win, come from behind win with losses as mentioned at the 76ers three days later and an unforgivable loss at the Hawks (117-113) on Feb. 12 to finish their unofficial first half of this season in 10^th place in the West. James had his fifth triple-double on the season and 78^th of his career, which tied him with Chamberlin for No. 5 all-time with 28 points, 11 rebounds and 16 assists. 

The Lakers inconsistencies continued in their first two games following the break with a 111-106 win on Thursday night versus the Rockets on TNT, coming back from 19 points down and followed that up with a lackluster effort in their 128-115 loss at the Pelicans on Saturday night. 

The Lakers (29-30) find themselves trailing the rival Clippers by three games for the No. 8 and final playoff spot in the West. 

After 34 games as mentioned previously, the Lakers (29-29) seemed to be in the driver’s seat to end their longest playoff drought in franchise history of five seasons with the best player in the game in LeBron James the fold. Now, with the fifth toughest remaining schedule they will have to fight tooth to leap frog not just the Clippers but their other hated rival the Kings in the No. 9 spot in the West, with 14 of their final 24 games left will be against teams above .500, and 12 of those games will be either on TNT, ABC, ESPN or NBATV. 

One person who believes the Lakers will make the playoffs is Coach Walton, who said after the loss versus the Cavs about why he made that prediction, “Because I see them every day. I see the way they work. I’ve seen who we can be.”

Even with $43.1 million in salary cap space to use to upgrade the roster, not making the playoffs with James, who has made the playoffs 14 straight years, including nine consecutive appearances in The Finals would serve as a good look for Lakers’ Controlling Owner and President Jeanie Buss, “Magic” Johnson or Pelinka when they are trying to court the star-studded free agent class this summer. 

James understands that his window to win championships in these four years hinges on him and his young Laker teammates getting their act together and making sure they are still playing after the middle of this April. 

“Some guys have never played a playoff game before,” James, who had another triple-double of 28 points, 11 rebounds, 16 assists in the loss at the Hawks said about the Lakers playoffs chances. “You can’t teach them that. It’s very important to understand how important every game is, no matter who you’re playing or where you are,” adding, “We either make it or we don’t make it. Don’t worry about it.” 

Prediction: The Lakers will squeak into the postseason in the No. 8 spot and will fall at the hands of the Warriors, who have ended James’ championship hopes for two straight seasons.

Memphis Grizzlies: 23-36 (5^th Southwest Division) 14-15 at home, 9-21 on the road.  

-100.6 ppg-30^th; opp. ppg: 103.8-2^nd; 40.4 rpg-29^th

The return of their starting lead guard from injury and the return to form of their All-Star big man, the Memphis Grizzlies showed signs that they would be in the mix for the playoffs after a one-year absence. Those dreams of making their eighth postseason in appearance in the last nine seasons went up in smoke from the middle of December on and the prospect of dealing one if not both their franchise pillars was becoming reality and having to “start over” with their prized No. 1 draft choice from this past June. 

The Grizzlies began the 2018-19 season with dreams of making the playoffs and with a 15-9 mark after a 107-103 victory on Dec. 7, 2018, it seemed to be positioning themselves to make that a reality. 

That dream was in large part to the return of starting lead guard Mike Conley (19.9 ppg-Leads team, 6.4 apg-Leads team, 35.4 3-Pt.%), who last season was limited to 12 games after season-ending surgery on his heel. two off-seasons ago became the highest-paid player in NBA history signing a new five-year, $153 million deal. A very bad heel hobbled Conley a season ago as he shot career-lows of 38.1 percent from the field, 31.2 from three-point range and averaged just 4.1 assists a season ago. 

After a season to forget in 2017-18, the Grizzlies other franchise pillar Marc Gasol came in focused and was playing pretty well.  

The Grizzlies highest pick in nearly a decade in Jaren Jackson, Jr. (13.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 50.6 FG%, 35.9 3-Pt.%) has been real solid playing alongside Conley and Gasol in his first season in the NBA. 

Jackson, Jr. was very stellar in the Grizzlies 131-125 double-overtime win at the Nets when he scored a career-high of 36 points on 13 for 22 shooting with eight boards.

“Man, he’s unbelievable,” Conley said after the win of Jackson, Jr.’s performance. “His willingness to listen, to learn. He’s unselfish. He’s everything we could’ve ever wanted in a No. 4 pick. So, looking forward to his progression.” 

Unfortunately, Jackson, Jr. will be out indefinitely with a deep thigh bruise, according to an NBA.com report. He is out indefinitely. 

Since being 15-9 the Grizzlies have lost 27 of their last 35 games as their slowdown offensive philosophy where the win games at the defensive end, like they did during their “Grit-and-Grind” seasons at the start of this decade was being figured out by the opposition. 

The Grizzlies overtime loss at the Clippers (112-107) seem to be the straw that broke this camel’s back and they never recovered from that. 

“Were going through a rough patch right now,” Grizzlies head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said of his team after their defeat at 99-92 defeat at the Trail Blazers on Dec. 19, 2018. “In the NBA it happens. Our responsibility is to come up with the best way to get out of it.”

“Everybody in that locker room has to participate in our own rescue. That’s what we’re gonna do. We’re not gonna quit, we’re gonna back down. This group is going to continue to compete. We’ve just got to find out mojo.” 

With the inability to score consistently, the Grizzlies produced losing streaks of five, six, eight and three during in their last 35 games heading into the All-Star break, which includes their losses in their last four games heading into the break. 

Being ranked 23^rd rank shooting team at 45.0 percent and the No. 26 ranked three-point shooting is nothing new to the Grizzlies because of the inconsistency of last year’s rookie standout Dillon Brooks (7.5 ppg), who is out for the season now because of injury. The likes of Kyle Anderson (8.0 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 54.3 FG%) has never been known in his career as someone who can stroke it from the perimeter, neither has Omri Casspi (6.3 ppg, 53.4 FG%). 

The player they hoped would provide them with that necessary perimeter shooting in Chandler Parsons. The former Rocket and Maverick has been a bust since signing a four-year $94 million deal in the summer of 2016 was set to be cut loose earlier in the season, even though he still has $38 million in the final year of his contract. 

The Grizzlies, according to ESPN are expected to welcome back Parsons, whose been out on the West Coast rehabbing his knee in Los Angeles, CA. 

Parsons, who was cleared to play back on Dec. 21, 2018 but Grizzlies GM Chris Wallace on two occasions asked him to do extended assignments with the Grizzlies G League affiliate the Memphis Hustle without the guarantee of returning to the—active roster with no guarantee of returning. 

It was thought that Parsons days as a member of the team were over and both parties believed that at the time. 

Whether Parsons plays or not, the Grizzlies in their free fall since that excellent start felt it was time to rework the roster. 

They began that process in early January by acquiring guard Justin Holiday (10.4 ppg) from the Bulls in exchange for guards MarShon Brooks, Wayne Selden, Jr., and the Grizzlies 2019 and 2020 Second-Round picks. 

At the trade deadline on Feb. 7, the Grizzlies era with the trade of Gasol to the Raptors and acquiring center Jonas Valanciunas (13.1 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 57.7 FG%), guard Delon Wright (6.9 ppg), forward CJ Miles (5.9 ppg) and a 2024 Second-Round pick. 

In another deadline deal the Grizzlies acquired from the Clippers Avery Bradley (8.8 ppg, 35.0 3-Pt.%) in exchange for swingman Garrett Temple and forward JaMychal Green. 

Also, at the trade deadline, the Grizzlies acquired guard Tyler Dorsey in exchange for veteran guard Shelvin Mack. 

It was believed that when the Grizzlies front office brass come to Gasol and Conley near the end of last month that both would be gone but the Grizzlies decided to hold onto Conley at least for the remainder of the season. 

These new additions along with the rest of the remaining cast, that also includes youngsters in big man Ivan Rabb and rookie guard Jevon Carter and 11-year veteran Joakim Noah, who was signed early on in the season after being waived by the Knicks plan to use the rest of this season to see what they have going forward. 

“I’m really happy,” Noah, at two-time All-Star and the 2013-14 Kia Defensive Player of the Year said in his first game since Jan. 23, 2018 at the Warriors while with the Knicks. “I don’t expect anything anymore. I’ve been in this league for a while now, and sometimes you kind of take it for granted.” 

He added with the NBATV “Gametime” crew or Casey Stern, Steve Smith and Tim Hardaway, Sr., “When you’re away from the game, and you want to be there, I just didn’t want to leave the game with any regrets. I worked really hard, and just to have this opportunity, I feel so blessed and so happy to be back on that court.”

“As a 10-year vet sometimes you kind of take it for granted just how special playing in the NBA is.”

The Memphis Grizzlies (23-38) who are 0-2 following the All-Star break, with losses versus Clippers (112-106) and at the Cavs (112-107) for so long played by their famed Mantra “Grit-and-Grind.,” which they used to reach the playoffs for seven straight seasons. Now and going forward they will have to establish a new mantra with Jackson, Jr. leading the way, which he feels he is ready to do. 

“It doesn’t really matter what you do as long as you live in the gym. You live in the gym you’re prepared for whatever,” he said. “You’re prepared for a role that’s, you know, you’re supposed to take over or role where you’re supposed to do whatever it takes to help the team win. So, as long as you live in the gym, you’re prepared for whatever’s thrown at you. The goal is to win over everything else.”

Prediction: Grizzlies will finish this season under 30 wins again as they try to create a different style of play for the future. A bigger work load for Jackson, Jr. Appreciation for possibly the final games of Conley in a Grizzlies uniform. 

Grade: C-

Minnesota Timberwolves: 27-30 (5^th Northwest Division) 30-11 at home, 17-24 on the road. Lost to the No. 1 Seeded Houston Rockets 4-1 in West Quarterfinals.

-111.9 ppg-17^th; opp. ppg: 111.7-T-17^th; 45.1 rpg-17^th

The four-time All-Star they acquired last summer and the head coach they hired two off-seasons ago, who also served as the President of Basketball Operations are gone. The two talented franchise pillars, who are former Kia Rookies of the Year have not lifted the team to greater heights. You add that on top of the injuries at the lead guard spot along with one of the players the team traded for is still out injured is why the Minnesota Timberwolves are outside of the playoff picture and will finish this season as major “disappointment.”

Over the summer, four-time All-Star swingman Jimmy Butler turned down a four-year, $110 million contract extension. After a request for a traded from the T’Wolves did night happen in the off-season, a disgruntled Butler in one of the first practices of to open training camp in September 2018 really got after it and said to everyone that could hear him from former Rookies of the Year in two-time All-Star Karl-Anthony Towns and Andrew Wiggins to then head coach Tom Thibodeau and General Manager Scott  Layden, “You [expletive] need me,” according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.  

That friction continued into the regular season and the Timberwolves as a result got off to a 4-9 beginning. 

The Butler era concluded on Nov. 12, 2018 when he was dealt to the 76ers along with often second-year center Justin Patton in exchange for forwards Robert Covington (13.3 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 37.8 3-Pt.%) and Dario Saric (10.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 36.8 3-Pt.%), reserve guard Jerryd Bayless and a 2022 Second-Round pick (6.5 ppg, 3.9 apg). 

With Butler no longer in the picture, it really put the spotlight on Towns (23.1 ppg, 12.0 rpg-10^th NBA, 1.8 bpg-10^th NBA, 51.2 FG%, 38.9 FG%) and Wiggins (17.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg) as the undisputed leaders of the team, whether they liked it or not. 

After averaging 18.9, 21.6 and 23.3 points and 10.6, 13.0 and 12.1 rebounds the first three months of the season respectably, on 43.8, 51.8 and 48.5 percent from the floor, the former No. 1 overall pick in 2015 averaged 25.1 points and 12.1 boards in the first month of the new year and so far in February is averaging 27.5 points, 11.3 rebounds. 

“I trust every single person in the locker room to get the job done,” Towns said after his 21-point, nine-rebound performance in his team’s 112-102 win at the Nets on Nov. 23, 2018. 

Towns has even picked up his assists per game with averages of 3.9, 3.6 and 4.2 over the past three months. 

In the T’Wolves 113-104 loss versus the Heat on Dec. 30, 2018 Towns had perhaps the best all-around game of his young career with 34 points, 18 rebounds, seven assists, six blocks and three steals on 12 for 24 shooting. 

This game particularly shined the light on the fact that as good as Towns was in this contest, he could not lift the Timberwolves to victory they could not close the deal after holding a 30-19 after the first quarter. 

A big reason for that is the inconsistent play of Wiggins continue to be a huge problem. To bring this into clearer context, in the short career of Wiggins since being drafted No. 1 overall in his career as stated by ESPN’s Doris Burke during the T’Wolves 115-102 loss at the Celtics on Jan. 2 he has never had a game of double-digit assists. 

That one statistic in tells a lot about the low motor that Wiggins at times plays with, which is why the Timberwolves have not gained much traction even having gone just an unimpressive 23-21 since trading Butler. 

That included a disappointing 123-120 overtime loss versus the Hawks on Dec. 28, 2018 where Wiggins forgot to put his jersey on underneath his warmups. The career 74 percent free throw shooter went 5 for 12 from the line on the even, including going 1 for 4 in the closing seconds of regulation as the team went 21 for 38 from the stripe on the evening, and even heard boos from the Target Center crowd. 

“It happens,” Wiggins, who had 16 points on 5 for 14 shooting said after the loss. “It’s one of those days and one of those games.” 

He added about the fans booing, “That’s fans for you. We’ve got some (expletive) fans and we’ve got some good fans. That’s just how it works.”

It was clear in the mind of Owner Glen Taylor that another significant change was necessary to save their season.

That came after the Timberwolves second of three wins against the Lakers this season of 108-86 on Jan. 6, Coach Thibodeau, who was also the President of Basketball Operations was fired after the game from both positions as he was replaced by Ryan Saunders, who at age 32 became the youngest head coach in the league. 

The young Saunders, who is the father of the late former Timberwolves head coach Flip Saunders, the winningest coach in franchise history got his first win as his team won at the Thunder 119-117 led by the 40 points and 10 boards of Wiggins on 11 for 24 from the field and 16 for 18 from the foul line. Towns who battled foul trouble all evening finished with 20 points and nine boards. 

“Definitely didn’t expect to be standing here,” Saunders said in early January about being named interim head coach. “I’ll first of say how much I respect Coach Thibs and Coach Andy Greer as well and it’ tough when you spend so much time with people on the road or just in general, and you’re not going to se those people as much anymore. That’s a tough thing.” 

He added, “I’m thankful for the opportunity though and moving forward, I’m looking forward to seeing, you know progress on the court and helping to grow this team.” 

In a season that has had it shares of challenges for the Timberwolves, they celebrated the first career win by the young Saunders by dousing him with water as he entered the locker room after the victory. 

That win did move the proverbial needle for the team though as the T’Wolves have gone just 8-9 under the direction of Saunders.

It has not helped that the team has not had the services of Covington who has been on the shelf the last 20 games because of a knee injury. 

The one position that has been influx because of injuries for the Timberwolves this season has been the point guard position as Jeff Teague (12.2 ppg, 8.1 apg-Leads team, 35.7 3-Pt.%), Tyus Jones and 2011 Kia MVP Derrick Rose (18.2 ppg, 4.8 apg, 47.7 FG%, 40.2 3-Pt.%) have been plagued by ankle injuries.

A bruised left knee and left ankle inflammation is why Teague, who has registered eight double-doubles this season has missed 23 games this season.

Jones, Teague’s understudy has 13 straight games because of ankle injury himself but is expected back when the Timberwolves begin the second half of their season. 

One of the bright spots for a team that has dealt with as previously mentioned a lot this season has been the play of Rose. 

The former All-Star and the youngest Kia MVP at 22 years old back in 2011 is having his best season in quite a few years, even though he has continued to battle through injuries as he has the past few seasons, missing 16 games mainly because of an ankle injury. 

He produced the best scoring night of his career where he not only scored 50 but had the game-saving block of the game-tying triple of guard Dante Exum as the Timberwolves posted a 128-125 win versus the Utah Jazz on Halloween night 2018. 

Rose scored 34 of his 50 points in the second half, with 15 points in the highly contested fourth period as he 19 for 31 from the field, including 4 for 7 from three-point range and 8 for 11 from the free throw line.    

Rose turned back the clock again the night after Christmas as he scored 24 points with eight assists on 11 for 19 shooting in leading the T’Wolves to a 119-94 win at the Bulls on Dec. 26, 2018. 

Playing in just his second career game in the building, The United Center, and the city he calls home, Chicago, IL and just his fourth game overall against the team that drafted him No. 1 overall in 2008, chanted a few times, “MVP…MVP…MVP.” 

Rose said of the ovation after posting his 15^th game of 20-plus points this season he received from those in attendance after the win, “It was great, man. I didn’t expect it to be like this-overwhelming at some points. You can tell the support is still here.” 

He also said after the win to FOX Sports North’s Marney Gellner and Jim Petersen, “It was a lot love here. I’ve been dealing with tickets all day. It’s been havoc but I’m happy everyone was able to come and I’m happy [they]came out and support. So, it just shows I’m very loved here.”

With all the injuries, particularly at the lead guard spot, Saunders has had to go deep into his bench and the likes of Bayless, Saric big man Gorgui Dieng, rookie Josh Okogie (7.6 ppg), Anthony Tolliver have played meaningful minutes, and have had their moments where they have been difference makers. 

In the T’Wolves 99-97 overtime win on Jan. 30, thanks to the game-winner by Towns, Bayless, who started in place of Teague just missed his first career triple-double with 19 points, a career-high 12 assists, seven boards and two steals in 43 minutes. It was his first double-double since Nov. 7, 2015. He followed that performance with his second straight double-double of 15 points and 10 rebounds in the Timberwolves 107-106 loss versus the Nuggets on Feb. 2. 

“It’s been 11 years for me to get this opportunity and I’m trying to take advantage of it as much as I can,” Bayless, who earned just his fifth career double-double said after the game. “I know how rare and how hard it is for these to come about.”  

For much of this season, Deng, another veteran who along with Taj Gibson (10.4 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 56.2 FG%) played under Coach Thibodeau when he was with the Bulls at the start of this decade had been a bench warmer, like he was for much of his time with the Lakers the past two seasons. This month though, the 15-year veteran has played major minutes this month and has been very productive, averaging 10.8 points and 5.3 rebounds on 50.0 percent shooting. 

Okogie, like Deng in spurts has shown in his rookie season he has tools to be a solid two-way player in “The Association.” 

In the team’s 118-91 win in the backend of a home-and-home with the Suns scored a career-high of 21 points with five rebounds and two steals going 4 for 7 from three-point range. 

Okogie most notable performance came in the T’Wolves last game prior to the All-Star break where he scored 16 points with two steals and did as good a job as possible on All-Star James Harden in the 121-111 win versus the Rockets. While Harden scored 42 points to continue his scoring streak of games with 30-plus points with 31 but went 15 for 34 shooting to reach that number.

“Let me tell you something, we have a special, special, special guy on our team,” Towns, who had 25 points and nine rebounds said to ESPN’s Adam Schefter after the win of Okogie. “I can’t speak enough about Josh. He’s a pro. He comes in every day, works tremendously hard and he wants it. He want to be great. NBA fans ESPN, everyone’s gonna enjoy watching him for the next 10-plus years.”    

While they won their first game following the All-Star break 115-104 at the Knicks on Friday night, without Towns, the Timberwolves 140-128 loss at the Bucks, who shot 19-43 from three-point range on the night had their playoffs hopes basically dashed as they trail the No. 8 Seeded Clippers by four games. 

How the Timberwolves (28-31) finish this season will show if they have the right head coach in Ryan Saunders going forward and if Towns and Wiggins will ever reach their full potential and lead the Timberwolves to championship glory.

Prediction: The Timberwolves will not make the playoffs. There future will be better depending on how they finish this season.

Grade: F

New Orleans Pelicans: 26-33 (4^th Southwest Division) 17-11 at home, 9-22 on the road. 

-115.6 ppg-4^th; opp. ppg: 114.8-27^th; 47.0 rpg-5^th

Around this same time last season, the New Orleans Pelicans where about to begin a surge that would power them to their first playoff series victory in a decade. This season, the Pelicans because of injuries and the sudden bombshell of their best player dropped about wanting to be traded has made for an “awkward” feeling of how this season will finish. 

The sudden words of six-time All-Star Anthony Davis (28.1 ppg-4^th NBA, 12.9 rpg-4^th NBA, 2.5 bpg-2^nd NBA, 1.6 spg, 50.8 FG%) through his agent Rich Paul of “Klutch Sports” that he was not going to sign a five-year $240 super max extension and that he wanted to be traded. He specifically wanted to be dealt the Lakers, whose best player in four-time Kia MVP LeBron James is also represented by “Klutch Sports.” 

The Pelicans are in this pickle because both sides did not take care of their side of the ledger. 

Head coach Alvin Gentry’s team over the last seven season of Davis’ time there did not surround him with the kind of supporting cast that would allow him to lead them to the heights a player of his caliber is expected to. 

“I gave the city, organization, the fans [all] I feel like I could,” Davis said earlier this month. “Don’t know how long I’m gonna play this game. People’s careers are shot and I feel like it’s my time to move on. 

Two years ago, they signed players to contracts where they got paid like they were stars when they were just role players like former Pelicans in Omer Asik and Alexis Ajinca, and current ones like Solomon Hill, who barely plays now; and E’Twaun Moore (12.3 ppg, 48.8 FG%, 43.2 3-Pt.%), who has played well in spurts this season, when he scored 30 plus on three occasions back in November 2018-a season-high of 31 points on 13 for 23 shooting in the Pelicans 107-100 loss at the Timberwolves on Nov. 14, 2018. Since then, Moore has scored no more than 20-plus on one occasion and he has missed 12 games because of injury.  

The one player they signed or re-signed for big time money that made sense was last when Jrue Holiday (21.1 ppg, 7.9 apg-Leads team, 5.1 rpg, 1.6 spg-Leads team, 47.0 FG%) to a five-year $126 million deal the prior off-season. 

Last year, they had difference makers in All-Stars DeMarcus Cousins and Rajon Rondo, who also possesses championship experience. 

Well Cousins, who the Pelicans acquired from the Kings for Buddy Hield in February 2016 ruptured his Achilles on Jan. 26 versus the Rockets and was lost the final 34 games of the season and the entire 2018 playoffs, the chances that then GM Dell Demps was going to re-sign were very minimal. The head scratching move was letting Rondo walk without even trying like hell to re-sign him because he made a huge difference for Davis and the team. He was the extension of head coach Alvin Gentry and his high-octane offensive philosophy.

More than anything he allowed Holiday to play the shooting guard position, which allowed him to take on more of the scoring load and be the offensive initiator at times instead of all the time currently.

The Pelicans hoped that Gretna, LA native Elfrid Payton (9.8ppg, 5.8 apg, 35.1 3-Pt.%) would be the answer, but he has missed a total of 40 games because of fractured finger on his left, non-shooting hand and a sprained right ankle.

Sharp shooting forward Nikola Mirotic, who was a major factor in the Pelicans run to finish the regular-season and the 2018 playoffs last season has missed 24 games with a sprained ankle and a calf strain. 

While Julius Randle has played well in his first season with the Pelicans, averaging a career-high of 20.2 points along with 9.1 rebounds on 54.0 percent shooting, he has not been the difference maker that Mirotic or Cousins was a season ago. 

Which brings us back to Davis, who once again has spent some time on the shelf, 14 games missed, a majority of them because of an injured left index finger he sustained in the Jan. 18 (128-112) loss at the Trail Blazers. 

It was around this time when Davis through his agent in Paul said he was not going to re-sign that extension and that he wanted to be traded, specifically to the Lakers. 

The Pelicans’ worst nightmare about Davis, who has the rest of this season and next left on his contract demanding to be dealt now instead of this summer came to fruition.

“You don’t know how long you’re going to play this game, you know,” Davis said. “I feel like I’m in my prime right now. I’m playing at an elite level and, you know, I think that I want to make sure that I take advantage of that.” 

While Davis is an exceptional talent and as mentioned the Pelicans have not handle their end of things by not surrounding him with the right complimentary pieces his play has not lifted the Pelicans to the point where some of the best in the NBA were clamoring to join up with him in the “Big Easy.” 

To bring this point into context, the Pelicans are just 22-23 this season when Davis is in the lineup this season. In the 96 career games that Davis has not played because of injury or illness in his career, the Pelicans have a 31-65 record, which includes a 4-10 mark this season 

Also, when Davis said to the team that he was not going to sign that extension, they decided that they were going to do what is in their best interest for them. 

That is why the day before the trade deadline, they traded swingman Wesley Johnson to the Wizards in exchange for forward Markieff Morris, who they waived and a 2023 Second-Round pick.

In a three-team deal with the Bucks and Pistons, the Pelicans dealt Mirotic to the Bucks and acquired from the Pistons forward Stanley Johnson (7.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg), and four Second-Round picks. They acquired Bucks 2020 and the Wizards 2020 and 2021 and the Nuggets 2019.  

Davis was not dealt at the, which now opened up the major question of does he play and risk getting injured and seeing his trade value plummet or not play and have the franchise face ridicule by the fans base both in town and those who watch on television? 

The NBA front office led by Commissioner Adam Silver made it very clear to team owner Gail Benson, then GM Dell Demps that they would be fined at the most $100,000 for each game that Davis, if healthy to play is not in the lineup and performing. 

In his first game back from his injured left index finger versus the Timberwolves, he was booed by those in attendance. While he had 32 points, nine rebounds and three blocks on 11 for 15 from the field and 10 for 11 from the charity stripe, he did not play a single minute in the fourth quarter. 

Davis managed just 3 points on 1 for 9 shooting in the Pelicans 118-88 loss on Feb. 12 versus the Magic, the team’s worst home loss since 2017. 

“We sucked,” “Seemed like nobody was interested in playing,” Davis said after the loss. “When you play like that against a team who’s fighting, you should expect that result.”

In the Pelicans final game before the break, a 131-122 win on TNT, Davis left the game with what appeared to be an injury to his left arm as he left the floor before intermission. 

Before the start of the third quarter, Davis, who had 14 points in 16 first half minutes left the Smoothie King Center with Paul to get an MRI exam on his left arm. 

If there is one silver-lining if any with all the injuries and inner turmoil that the likes of Darius Miller (8.0 ppg, 37.3 3-Pt.%); rookies Frank Jackson and Kenrick Williams and Jahlil Okafor (7.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 60.1 FG%) have played, and performed well when Coach Gentry has played some consistent minutes recently.

Okafor, the No. 3 overall pick in 2015, who has basically been a bust with the 76ers and Nets has played very well when Davis was out averaging 11.6 points and 7.2 rebounds in January, on 63.5 percent shooting and 12.8 points and eight boards so far in February on 61.7 percent from the floor. He has posted during this stretch five double-doubles.

In the Pelicans 121-116 win on TNT at the Rockets on Jan. 29, Okafor led the way with 27 points and 12 rebounds on 11 for 15 shooting. This is on the heels of 24 points, 15 rebounds and three blocks in the Pelicans 126-114 loss three days prior versus the Spurs on Jan. 26 and 17 points with 10 boards and six blocks in the Pelicans 98-94 loss versus the Pistons on Jan. 23. 

In Pelicans narrow 113-108 loss at the Spurs on Feb. 2, Jackson had a career-high of 25 points on 10 for 20 shooting and no turnovers. In the Pelicans aforementioned win at the Rockets Jackson had 10 points and seven assists. 

Williams, an undrafted rookie out of TCU, who made the Pelicans roster back in training camp had eight points and 16 rebounds at the Rockets. 

In the Pelicans 105-99 loss versus the Nuggets on Jan. 30, Williams had a career-high of 21 points, eight boards going 5 for 9 from three-point range. He posted 19 points and six boards on 4 for 7 from three-point range in the team’s win versus the T’Wolves. In the Pelicans 99-90 loss at the Grizzlies one night later Williams had 10 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.  

It is hard to fathom just a year ago around this time the Pelicans were flying high in the middle of a winning streak that would reach 10 in a row as they would go on to win 20 of their last 28 games and sweep the Trail Blazers to win their first playoff series in 10 years. 

This season, the Pelicans future is influx that will led in the front office by interim GM Danny Ferry as Demps was fired last week. 

In the nine seasons that Demps was general manager of the Pelicans, their record was 311-388, making the playoffs three times and one appearance in the Western Conference Semifinals. 

The Pelicans in their first game following the All-Star break was a 126-111 loss at the Pacers, where they were outscored 68-40 in the second half as Davis had 15 points and eight rebounds in 20 minutes on Friday night. The Pelicans the next night got a 128-115 win versus the Lakers as Davis did not play. 

The future of the Pelicans (27-34) as they try to navigate the rough waters of what is left of this season will influx as everything will center on what they try to trade Davis in the off-season. For Coach Gentry he just wants the situation to play itself out and concentrate on the games remaining and try to win them. 

“We got to get to the point where we’re not bringing this up every time I step in front of the cameras,” he said. “Because to be honest with you. You know most of the answers if you guys want to have them, you’re going to have to do to him and ask him.” 

“I’m not talking about any other situation other than what’s happening on the court and who we’re playing. That’s what I’ll talk about.” 

Prediction: The Pelicans will be conducting the delicate balancing act playing Davis, while getting a good look at rest of the roster to decide who be playing alongside Holiday next season and beyond. 

Grade: D-

Oklahoma City Thunder: 37-20 (2^nd Northwest Division; No. 4 Seed in West) 27-14 at home, 21-20 on the road. 

-115.4 ppg-5^th; opp. ppg: 110.2-12^th; 47.9 rpg-2^nd    

An 0-4 start to this season, the Oklahoma City Thunder have recovered very nicely and thanks to the career season from a player they acquired the prior off-season and were able to re-sign this past off-season, the maturation of said 2017 Kia MVP and the breakout seasons from members of the supporting cast, the Thunder are showing they could be a “dangerous” team come the middle of April.

The assumption was last season that when the Thunder acquired All-Star Paul George back in the summer of 2017, he would be there for one season and bolt to join LeBron James in L.A. Well he developed a great repour with fellow All-Star Russell Westbrook and he re-signed this past summer.

The Thunder won 16 of their next 20 games after that 0-4 start behind an offense that averaged 113.0 points, which was 10^th in the NBA in that span. Were No. 2 in opponent’s point per contest at 102.9; third in rebounds at a 48.8 average and No. 4 in offensive boards per game at 12.3. Defensively, they ranked No. in steals at 10.8 and were tied for No. 8 in blocks at 5.7. 

All George, who earned his 6^th All-Star selection has done this season is average career-highs with 28.7 points (2^nd NBA), eight rebounds, 4.1 assists, and 2.3 steals (Leads NBA) on 45.3 percent from the field, and 40.6 percent from three-point range. 

To put into context what George has done this season, he has scored 30 or more 26 times, includes 11 games of 40 or more and a couple of those have been memorable. 

George in leading the Thunder back from a 23-point deficit to win at the Nets 114-112 on Dec. 5, 2018 scored 25 of his 47 points in the fourth quarter, which included the eventual game-winning three, while registering 15 rebounds on 15 for 27 from the field, including 6 for 13 from three-point range and 11 for 14 from the free throw line. 

In back-to-back victories later in the month at the Kings and Jazz on Dec. 19 and 22, 2018 respectably, George scored 43 points with 12 rebounds and seven assists on 15 for 27 shooting, with 4 for 8 from three-point range and followed that up with another 43-point night with 14 rebounds, six assists and five steals on 15 for 25 shooting, including 5 for 10 from distance. 

In the Thunder’s 120-111 win versus the Trail Blazers on Feb. 11, George recorded his third career triple-double with a season-high tying 47 points with 12 rebounds and 10 assists, on 15 for 26 shooting, including 8 for 13 from three-point range. 

For two straight seasons, Russell Westbrook has averaged a triple-double. In those two straight seasons, the Thunder have lost in the opening round of the postseason.  

Even though Westbrook’s scoring is down unlike past season, the eight-time All-Star is averaging a triple-double again of 21.7 points, 11.2 rebounds (Leads team), 11.2 assists (Leads NBA), while ranking second to his teammate George in steals per game at 2.2. 

While his shooting percentage overall from the floor at 41.7, the foul line at 65.6 and from the three-point line at 24.9 are the worst of his career, it has not deterred him from being a help to his team. 

Westbrook has throughout his career has dedicated himself to doing whatever it takes to get a win for the Thunder. That is how you garner a league-leading 24 triple-doubles on the season and 128 career triple-doubles, which is third all-time in NBA history and the Thunder all-time when Westbrook has registered a triple-double have a record of 103-25.

He moved into third place passing Hall of Famer Jason Kidd ironically enough in that aforementioned two-point win at the Nets earning his 108^th career triple-double of 21 points, 17 assists and 15 rebounds, despite going 9 for 23 from the field, including 2 for 9 from three-point range. 

Westbrook’s 15^th triple-double this season of 23 points, 16 assists and 17 rebounds in the Thunder’s 122-16 win versus the Pelicans on Jan. 24 was the fourth time in his career registering 20-plus points, 15-plus assists, and 15-plus rebounds. Only the great Wilt Chamberlin with six such games-four of which came in the 1967-68 NBA campaign and Robertson with 14 have had more. Westbrook moved passed Hall of Famer and Lakers’ President Earvin “Magic” Johnson, who had three and Celtics legend Larry Bird had two such performances in his career. 

In another Thunder comeback from a 26-point deficit to win at the Rockets 117-112 on Feb. 9 on ABC, Westbrook tied the late great Wilt Chamberlin 51-year mark with his ninth consecutive triple-double of 21 points, 11 assists and 14 rebounds. 

He surpassed Chamberlin’s 51-year-old record with his 10^th straight triple-double with 21 points, 14 rebounds and 11 assists in the Thunder’s aforementioned win versus the Trail Blazers.

Behind the budding relationship George built with Westbrook, who signed a super max extension of five years at $205 million on Sept. 29, 2017, he did not even take a visit to see the Lakers or any other team in free agency. Instead George re-signed in OKC on a four-year, $136.9 million deal. 

"My job is to make sure that I constantly keep telling him to stay aggressive, to play his game, because he's that type of guy, man," Westbrook said after the Thunder's win at the Nets back in early December 2018. "He can get hot. He's a superstar in this league; and as you seen tonight, when he get's hot, he can change the game for us."

The emergence of George and the stellar play of the supporting cast shows Westbrook’s ability to adjust and understand that the team is better when everyone plays a part in each victory by head coach Billy Donovan's squad this season. Before Westbrook, unintentionally believed that when Durant left in free agency two summers back he had to be the best player on the team, especially offensively. Last season he made a log of progress in sharing the wealth in terms of the having George and then teammate Carmelo Anthony having pieces of the offensive pie. That pie is now being shared between George, Westbrook and the Thunder's supporting cast and that more than anything has been a big help to the Thunder this season. 

"It's amazing to go out there and compete," Westbrook said after the win versus the Trail Blazers on Feb. 11 when he and George became the first pair of teammates to record a triple-double in the same game in NBA history, "to see your teammate, your brother, do amazing things, and you can be right on the side of him doing something special."

What has also helped the Thunder rise to third in the West besides the play of George and Westbrook has been the career years authored by starting center Steven Adams (14.7 ppg-career-high, 9.5 rpg-career-high, 60.7 FG%-5^th NBA), and forward Jerami Grant (13.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 52.0 FG%, 37.3 3-Pt.%), Dennis Schroder (15.7 ppg, 36.0 3-Pt.%) and second-year guard Terrance Ferguson (6.8 ppg, 38.3 3-Pt.%). 

For much of last season it was the Westbrook, George and then forward Carmelo Anthony show with Westbrook and George being in the spotlight offensively. 

There is more balance now where George and Westbrook are the top two offensive options but both have made a priority to have Adams, Grant, and Schroder, who the Thunder acquired from the Hawks in exchange for Anthony back in the summer involved in the offensive attack. 

The best example of occurred in the Thunder’s 154-147 double-overtime loss at the Spurs on Jan. 10. While George led the way with 30 points, eight boards and three steals on 11 for 25 shooting and Westbrook had a triple-double of 24 points, a career-high 24 assists and 13 rebounds, Grant had a double-double of 25 points and 12 boards, while Adams had 19 points and seven boards, and Schroder had 19 points off the bench. 

In the Thunder’s 118-102 win at the Heat on Feb. 1, George was incredible with 43 points hitting a career-high 10 threes in 16 tries and Westbrook had another triple-double of 14 points, 14 assists and 12 rebounds, Schroder made the difference scoring 24 of his 28 points in the second quarter off the bench that put the Thunder over the top in their seventh straight victory. 

The Thunder have also been helped by the addition of Nerlens Noel (5.1 ppg, 4.7 rpg) who along with Schroder and has added depth to the head coach Billy Donovan’s bench alongside Patrick Patterson.

With the team waiving reserve guard Alex Abrines, they used that open spot to sign forward Markieff Morris, who was waived by the Pelicans after they acquired him at the trad the deadline two weeks ago. 

Last year the Thunder made their mark on the defensive end and that has continued this season ranking No. 1 in steals at 10.2 and forced turnovers at 16.8; No. 6 in opponent’s three-point percentage at 34.7 and No. 8 in rebounding differential at +2.6. 

That defense, which has been without their best perimeter defender in Andre Roberson, who is still out with a serious knee injury he sustained last season has covered up the inconsistent perimeter shooting by the Thunder this season. 

In their first two games following the break though, that defense left a lot to be desired in close wins of 148-147 in double overtime versus the Jazz on Friday night on ESPN, thanks to George’s game-winning high arching shot over Jazz center Rudy Gobert in the final seconds of the second overtime. 

The Thunder suffered 119-116 loss versus the Kings, their second loss at home versus them this season and third loss in four tries against them this season the next night. 

The Thunder (38-21) pulled out that victor versus the Jazz thanks to a combined 88 points, 24 rebounds and 15 assists from George and Westbrook, whose triple-double streak ended at 11 games. 

If George and Westbrook can play bring the same offensive approach the remainder from the regular season into the playoffs, they could make some serious noise like they did three seasons back when they had the Warriors on the ropes down 3-1 with Kevin Durant but could not close the deal losing in seven games in the Conference Finals. 

"I do know the most important thing for him is to win," Coach Donovan said after the win in February versus the Trail Blazers on what is important to Westbrook. "That's what he's all about. He wants to win. I think a lot of the things he does that he gets attention for in terms of the triple-doubles are the things that impact winning for our team."  

Prediction: Thunder finish No. 3 in the West and reach the Western Conference Finals but fall to the Warriors.

Grade: A

Phoenix Suns: 11-48 (5^th Pacific Division) 7-22 at home, 4-26 on the road. 

-105.9 ppg-24^th; opp. ppg: 116.1-28^th; 40.1 rpg-30^th

The best teams in this league have cohesion from the front office, to the coaching staff to the roster. The Phoenix Suns have not had that since the start of this decade. Aside from two recent draft picks, including their first one overall last summer, they have dropped the ball in that area. Top flight free agents do not even want to take meetings with them. They do not have a legitimate lead guard in the fold currently and right before the start of this season, they gave their general manager the boot. The Suns have gone from a top-flight organization to a flat out “miserable” one.

Aside from fourth-year guard Devin Booker (24.6 ppg-Leads team, 6.7 apg-Leads team, 46.0 FG%), who signed  a five-year, $158 million contract extension in July 2018; last summer No. 1 overall pick DeAndre Ayton (16.5 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 58.8 FG%), and T.J. Warren (18.0 ppg, 48.6 FG%, 42.8 3-Pt.%), the rest of the roster is full of young players, who have shown flashes of brilliance but have been very inconsistent for first-year head coach Igor Kokoskov.

There have been nights this season where second-year swingman Josh Jackson (11.2 ppg) plays like a man that could be one of the best young two-way players in “The Association.” However, he shot from the perimeter is way too inconsistent, especially from three-point range at 29.9 percent. 

The No. 4 overall pick in 2017 had 27 points with 10 rebounds and three blocks on 10 for 18 shooting off the bench in the Suns 118-91 loss versus the Timberwolves. He followed that up with just six points going 2 for 10 from the field two nights later in the Suns 120-106 loss versus the Trail Blazers. 

Other than a four-game stretch in late January where he notched two straight double-doubles starting in the absence of Ayton because of a sprained ankle in a home-and-home set against the Timberwolves, forward Dragan Bender has continued to be a bust.   

That point has come into clearer context because forward Richaun Holmes (8.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 64.1 FG%) who has played most of Bender’s minutes this season off the bench and has brought a physicality when he has been on the floor. 

Speaking of impact, that is what Ayton has had this season with 30 double-doubles in the 53 games he has played, authoring his first one in the first game of his NBA career in the Suns 121-100 win versus the Mavericks and their rookie sensation Luka Doncic with 18 points and 10 rebounds with six assists. He joined Hall of Famer and six-time NBA champion Kareem Abdul-Jabbar as the only players to have a double-double in his rookie debut. 

Ayton has played every bit like a No. 1 overall pick with his energy and focus on both ends of the floor and has had about as positive of attitude as you possibly could have in the tough position he is in as the face in trying to lift a team back to its winning ways. 

“It’s definitely something I love to do,” he said to NBATV’s Matt Winer during NBATV’s “Open Court: 2018-19 Rookies.” “I don’t mind waking up in the morning and doing it.”

He added, “So, me just working on my craft every morning is something to wake up to, and yeah, I just work with a passion. Obviously, there’s sometimes where I’m not feeling it, or my body’s aching, or whatever. But I just find that motivation to remember where I came from and just keep going.”

Mikal Bridges (8.2 ppg), the No. 10 overall pick in 2018, who draft rights were acquired on draft night from the 76ers came in with the skills to be a solid defender and three-point shooter. He just needs more game action to realize that potential. 

That said, the team did back on Dec. 13, 2018 acquired Kelly Oubre, Jr. (14.1 ppg, 4.5 rpg), who basically plays the same position as Bridges and has been playing well for the Suns since being acquired averaging 15.4 points and 4.5 rebounds. 

With the Wizards at the start of this season Oubre, Jr. had six games scoring 20-plus points. He has equaled that in his time with the Suns. 

He matched a career-high of 26 points in rallying the Suns from a 21-point deficit to earn a 115-111 win versus the Kings on Jan. 8. He matched that career-high of 26 points with 11 rebounds on 4 for 7 from three-point range in the Suns’ 102-93 win versus the Nuggets. 

He set a new career-high of 28 points on 10 for 16 shooting in the Suns 134-107 loss at the Clippers on Feb. 13. 

“It’s very discouraging. We show signs here and there but we have to put it all together,” Oubre said after the loss at the Clippers. “The only way is up. Right now, we’re at the bottom.” 

The one position that the Suns have not fortified since they had future Hall of Famer Steve Nash in the fold five years ago is the point guard spot. 

Rookies De’Anthony Melton (5.5 ppg, 3.3 apg) and Elie Okobo (5.8 ppg, 2.6 apg) have not shown they are the future orchestrators of head coach Igor Kokoskov’s offensive attack. Reserve guard Troy Daniels (5.7 ppg, 37.9 3-Pt.%), while a solid three-point shooter does not bring the same ability to be a lead guard.  

They have had to at times play veteran Jamal Crawford (6.4 ppg) at the lead guard spot. The hope is that Tyler Johnson (10.5 ppg), who the Suns acquired at the trade deadline, along with Wayne Ellington, who they waived in exchange for veteran sharp shooter Ryan Anderson can give them stability, leadership, and a defensive presence. 

To put into context the effort the Suns have brought to the hardwood in the 2018-19 season, they are 10-5 this season when leading entering the fourth quarter and 1-39 when they trail, which includes an 0-23 mark on the road.  

“It takes a certain level of maturity to get hit and get knocked down and get back up,” Crawford said to NBA.com after a 12-point night in the Suns 109-104 loss versus the Pacers back on Nov. 27, 2018. “We’re such a different team than we were even two weeks ago. We’re better. We may not see it in the results, but we’re better.” 

The Suns are in this position of being a cellar dweller in not just the Western Conference but the whole NBA due to the instability in the front office led by Owner Robert Sarver. 

A perfect example of this is right before the start of this season he axed General Manager Ryan McDonough just nine days before the start of this season. Taking his place now is former Sun and Vice President of Basketball Operations James Jones, who currently handles the oversight of the coaching staff and while Assistant GM Trevor Bukstein who handles the other GM duties. 

To put into perspective how bad the Suns are currently, Sarver had to rebut a report back in December where he threatened to move the Suns to Seattle or Las Vegas as he was seeking money from the Phoenix City Council to renovate the team’s home arena Talking Stick Resort Arena.

“Hello Suns fans. I hope you take a minute to listen to an important message that I want to share with you. First and foremost-the Suns are not leaving Phoenix,” the Suns’ owner said in a message to fans in the middle of December. I’m 100 percent committed and have been for the last four years to find a solution to keep them in downtown Phoenix where they belong.”

Sarver earlier in the final month of 2018 asked the city for $150 of the $230 million need to renovate the arena. 

According to a report from The Arizona Republic, Sarver talked with members of the City Council about moving the team and according to another report from ESPN.com the decision by the Phoenix City Council was to postpone the decision until Jan. 23 of the new year about giving a facelift to the Suns’ arena after the citizens had their say at five schedule public meetings.

At one of those meetings a long time of the city named Greta Rogers made her feelings loud and clear about the project and how she felt about Sarver. 

Ms. Rogers said, “Mr. Sarver has done nothing to improve this team in the 14 years he’s owned it.” 

She also said, “He’s never funded or bought, paid for two or three key players, which makes any sports team-professional sports team successful or on the road to success.” 

“He’s so tight he squeaks when he walks and you have been negotiating with this kind of person, shame on you each and all of you…We are not in the business of paying taxes to support private enterprise, and especially not an entertainment enterprise. They can support themselves or fail on their own lack of diligence.”

Led by two-time league MVP Steve Nash, who was enshrined at the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Sept. 7 and All-Star Amar’e Stoudemire, the Suns won 67.5 percent of their games from 2004-10, reaching the Western Conference Finals three times. 

Those teams coached by now Rockets head man on the sidelines Mike D’Antoni and then Alvin Gentry were influences of the so-called “pace and space” offensive philosophy that was centered around ball movement as well as injury prevention and player services. 

This will mark the ninth straight season the Suns, who will start the 2^nd half of this season on a 15-game losing streak will miss the playoffs and the fourth season in succession they will miss the playoffs consecutive seasons, winning just 39.5 percent of their games. 

Booker, whose missed 15 games this season because of injury said before the All-Star break, according to the Arizona Republic, “We don’t deserve an All-Star break.” 

“We need to work on our game as players. I know me, I’m going to be at All-Star weekend but right after that, I’ve got to touch a basketball and still polish up on things. I hope that everybody has that same mind set.”The Suns (11-50) reached 17 straight losses with losses at the Cavaliers (111-98) on Friday night and at the Hawks (120-112) the next night.

While the Suns have hit the mark with Booker and Ayton, they have struck out on everyone else. The hope is the young players they have now can grow during the second half of this season. They can re-sign restricted free agent in Oubre, Jr. and they find a point guard in this summer’s draft that can be a difference maker, if they do not get the No. 1 overall pick and get a crack at drafting Zion Williamson out of Duke this June. 

In Ayton’s and Booker’s minds, the Suns will never accept losing and they will be the ones to get them to that consistent level of winning. 

After last season Booker said, “I’m done not making the playoffs. I’m serious. This is probably the last year I’m ever not making the playoffs. 

Ayton said to Winer, “Losing is not the way I go,” Ayton said. “I’m definitely not going to get use to it as well. When it comes to losing, I just try to, you know, see what I got from that game.” 

“That’s why I tell people I’m not losing really losing the game because I actually learned a lot from this game and you know, you know try not to do it again next game, and just learn from it, and just try to, you know build my future in how I play in this league.”

Prediction: More losses for the Suns. Ayton will make one of the NBA All-Rookie teams. Oubre, Jr. will make his case he is worthy of a big-time contract. Coach Kokoskov will try to continue building a system that hopefully will lead to more wins in the future

Grade: D-

Portland Trail Blazers: 34-23 (3^rd Northwest Division; No. 4 Seed in West) 24-8 at home, 10-15 on the road.  

-113.3 ppg-10^th; opp. ppg: 110.3-13^th; 47.6 rpg-3^rd 

The Portland Trail Blazers for the 6^th consecutive season find themselves in position to make the playoffs, thanks in large part to their dynamic starting backcourt. For the boys from “Rip City” though, their hopes going “further” in the playoffs are high because of the improved play of their starting center; an improved bench thanks to a couple of additions and the growth of couple of players and the understanding that things might be different in the front office going forward. 

The success begins and ends with the Trail Blazers starting backcourt of four-time All-Star and first time All-NBA First-Team selection at lead guard Damian Lillard (26.3 ppg-T-9^th NBA, 6.4 apg-Leads team, 4.5 rpg, 45.0 FG%, 37.3 3-Pt.%), and 2016 Kia Most Improved Player CJ McCollum (21.0 ppg, 45.7 FG%, 36.2 3-Pt.%). 

Lillard continues to put in great work with 19 games of 30-plus points, which includes five games of 40-plus. 

For McCollum, he continues to be a solid compliment to Lillard, especially in a six-game stretch to close out January and into February where he averaged 28.6 points on 51.6 percent from the field, including 50 percent (30-60) from three-point range. 

During this stretch, McCollum registered the first triple-double of his career with 28 points with 10 rebounds and 10 assists in helping the Trail Blazers to 120-111 win versus the Hawks on Jan. 26. 

“I just tried to be aggressive to be aggressive, play with pace, take advantage of some screens and same different situations,” he said to NBC Sports Northwest Brook Olzendam after the win. “Guys made shots. Guys set good screens and we got enough stops to win down the stretch.” 

In his team’s 127-118 win versus the Spurs on Feb. 7, McCollum had 30 points and nine boards, two steals and two block shots on 10 for 21 shooting, including 7 for 13 from three-point range. 

“I’m just trying to lock in as we get closer to All-Star break,” he said to NBA on TNT’s Ros Gold-Onwude after the win versus the Spurs. “I got a lot of games under my belt this season. So, I’m settling in to a pretty good rhythm but offensively the balls moving. Guys are setting screens for me and a lot of it is catch-and-shoot. So, the more catch-and-shoot threes I get the better.”

As good as the combination of Lillard and McCollum have been during this postseason streak, it has not helped them in the postseason as they have been one and done in the opening round the last two seasons with the most recent one stinging the most getting swept by the Pelicans 4-0 despite having home court advantage as the No. 3 Seed.

The hopes of any serious playoff run hinge on the production they get from the rest of the roster, which they have gotten as this season has progressed. 

Starting center Jusuf Nurkic (15.0 ppg, 10.2 rpg-Leads team-career-high, 1.5 bpg-Leads team-career-high, 50.1 FG%), who was re-signed in the off-season has made more of an effort to become that third consistent scorer to compliment Lillard and McCollum and has been a big a force at the defensive end with 26 double-doubles this season after registering 27 all last season. 

He authored the best statistical performance in NBA history with 24 points, a career-high 23 rebounds, seven assists, five block shots and five steals in the Trail Blazers 113-108 overtime victory at the Kings to start the new year. 

“I was trying to fight, make hustle plays and smart decisions,” Nurkic said to Olzendam, adding about his effort at the defensive end, “Like I said, I was just trying to be out there and be [a] presence on offense and defense. I couldn’t do anything without my teammates. They find me. They trust me. So, I appreciate what they do for me.

Nurkic joined All-Stars, Anthony Davis of the Pelicans (2018) and Draymond Green of the Warriors (2015) and Andrei Kirilenko (2003); Hall of Famer Hakeem Olajuwon (1993) and  former Warrior, Buffalo Brave, Net, Spur, Hawk and then Seattle Supersonic George Johnson as the only player in NBA history to have at least five-plus points, five-plus rebounds, five-plus assists, five-plus steals, and five-plus blocks in a game in a single game. 

A little over two weeks later in the Trail Blazers’ 129-112 win versus the Cavaliers, Nurkic recorded his first career triple-double with 10 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, with five blocks. 

He and McCollum are the first Trail Blazer teammates had a triple-double in the same season since the 1988-89 season when the late Jerome Kersey and the backcourt tandem of Clyde Drexler and Terry Porter did it. 

Three off-seasons ago the Trail Blazers used all of their salary cap space in their war chest where they re-signed or signed on role players like Evan Turner, Maurice Harkless Al-Farouq-Aminu and Meyers Leonard

If were going by the numbers of those deals, all three would be considered disappointments because they have no compliment the aforementioned starting backcourt of Lillard and McCollum the way the likes of Ed Davis, Shabazz Napier, and Pat Connaughton, who all left in free agency brought to the floor last season.  

This season those three have been solid and productive in their roles off the bench. Turner (7.5 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 4.0 apg 46.2 FG%) has served as a point-forward taking Lillard off the ball when he is on the floor and has taken less threes and more in between jumpers this season. 

Harkless (6.0 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 45.7 FG%), who has missed 20 games because of injury this season when he has been on the floor has given the Trail Blazers a defensive presence and a stabilizer where everyone on the floor fits into what they do best. 

Leonard (6.0 ppg, 3.9 rpg) in the minutes his minutes has also brought some grit and the ability to make shots, where he is shooting 54.2 percent from the field this season and 47.0 percent from three-point range. 

Aminu (9.4 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 35.8 3-Pt.%) when he is focused is one solid utility player who can provide scoring, rebounding and defense especially on the perimeter. 

With very little cap space to use in free agency this season, Trail Blazers President of Basketball Operations/GM Neil Olshay while also re-signing Nurkic to a new four-year, $48 million deal signed Seth Curry and Nik Stauskas to serve as understudies to Lillard and McCollum.

Curry (6.2 ppg), who missed all of last season because of a fracture of the tibia in his left leg has played very well off the bench. Only Davis Bertans of the Spurs and Joe Harris of the Nets have shot better from three-point range this season than the 46.5 percent from Curry. When he has scored nine points or more this season, the Trail Blazers are a perfect 13-0.   

“It feels great. There’s nothing better than being out on the floor-running up and down, competing, and playing these NBA games,” Curry said in early February to Olzendam about being back on the floor after missing a last season with an injury to his tibia. 

Two other young Trail Blazers who have been big contributors thanks to the work they have put in with assistant coaches David Vanterpool, Nate Tibbets, Jim Moran, John McCullough, and Dale Osbourne are Zach Collins (6.8 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 47.3 FG%) and Jake Layman (8.1 ppg, 54.2 FG%, 47.0 3-Pt.%). 

“It’s great when guys are getting open, everybody’s setting screens and being unselfish, looking for guys and not looking to go one-on-one the whole time,” Collins said after the Trail Blazers 99-92 win versus the Grizzlies on Dec. 19, 2018, where the home team’s second unit outscored the visitor’s 44-14. “It’s contagious and everyone loves playing like that.”   

After getting minimal minutes early in the season, Layman, the No. 47 overall pick in the 2016 draft has averaged 11.3 and 16.2 points on 54.2 and 64.0 percent from the field, and 36.7 and 45.0 from three-point range respectably in January and so far in February respectably. 

Layman had the first double-double of his career off the bench with 10 points and 11 rebounds in 22 minutes off the bench in the Trail Blazers 111-101 win versus the Knicks. 

The former Maryland Terrapin scored a career-high of 25 points on 11 for 17 shooting with eight rebounds in 33 minutes in the Trail Blazers 118-108 loss versus the Heat. 

The Trail Blazers even with what they have gotten from their bench this season were still a little far from the pack in terms of bench production ranking 19^th in the league with an average of 35.4 points from their reserves. 

They hope they fortified their second unit when on Feb. 4 acquired guard Rodney Hood (12.0 ppg, 37.2 3-Pt.%) from the Cavaliers in exchange for guards Wade Baldwin IV and Stauskas, and the Trail Blazers 2021 and 2023 Second-Round picks. 

Three days later at the trade deadline acquired forward Skal Labissiere in exchange for last year’s First-Round pick in forward Caleb Swanigan. 

On the waiver wire, the Trail Blazers signed former Knicks’ center Enes Kanter (14.0 ppg, 10.5 rpg, 53.6 FG%). 

“The addition of Enes Kanter fortifies our front court for this critical late season push,” Olshey said last week. “He’s an impact player with playoff experience that will be an excellent fit with our style of play.” 

In the Trail Blazers 129-107 victory versus the defending champion Warriors on ESPN right before the All-Star break, that bench unit of Layman, Turner, Hood, Curry and Collins combined for 52 points and 19 rebounds on 17 for 35 shooting. 

For much of this season, the Trail Blazers (35-23) have been front runners thanks to a sparkling record of 33-1 this season when leading going into the fourth quarter. That has not been the same when they have been behind as they have only one victory this season, when trailing at the end of the third quarter (1-22), which came against the Warriors last week. 

With the additions they made to their second unit, the consistency of Nurkic and the aforementioned dynamic backcourt of Lillard and McCollum, the Trail Blazers feel they are in position to be at least in the Semifinals this spring. 

The Trail Blazers kicked off their seven game East Coast road trip to start the unofficial second half of this season with a 113-99 at the Nets on Thursday night. 

On a night when Lillard and McCollum struggled combining for 34 points on 14 for 40 shooting, including 3 for 15 from three-point range, they got a combined 45 points and 27 rebounds from Nurkic (27 points and 12 rebounds) and Kanter (18 points and nine boards), playing in his first game since being picked up off waivers. Harkless had 13 points and eight rebounds, while Aminu had a double-double of 11 points and 10 boards.   

The Trail Blazers (36-23) followed that victory with a 130-115 win at the 76ers, handing them their worst home loss of this season Saturday afternoon. 

Right now, the Trail Blazers are fourth in the West, but are just two game ahead of the No. 5 Seeded Rockets and two games behind the No. 3 Seeded Thunder.  

With new management on the way possibly because of the passing of longtime owner Paul Allen late last year to take the Trail Blazers in a different direction if they have another early postseason exit. 

Also, Lillard is eligible for a super-max extension of $188 million if he makes either the First, Second or Third All-NBA team this season. 

And while he has not given the thought of wanting to go elsewhere another short playoff run might make him think differently or ownership if the team is sold. 

To bring that into context, Lillard during the off-season when there were whispers of Coach Stotts, whose 307 victories as the head coach of the Trail Blazers are second only to the late Hall of Famer Dr. Jack Ramsey being fired after the team’s 4-0 sweep against the Pelicans the 2018 postseason went to bat for him. That showed how committed to that he wanted to be the best Trail Blazer ever. 

How the rest of the season goes and the playoff position the boys from “Rip City” have at the beginning of the spring depends on how they do right of the gate of the All-Star break, which has them on the road for 9 of their next 11 games. To McCollum it comes down to him and his teammates getting it done specifically on the defensive end.

“We got to defend for four quarters,” he said to Gold-Onwude. “We do a good job of defending throughout most of the game, but we got to lock in and not have those mental lapses and I think that will be the difference in us getting 50 wins and home court or having to go on the road in the playoffs.” 

Prediction: Trail Blazers will win a tussle with the Rockets for home court advantage in the opening round of the playoffs. They get home court, they will advance past the First-Round of the postseason. No home court in the opening round, another early postseason exit

Grade: B

Sacramento Kings: 30-27 (4^th Pacific Division; missed the playoffs) 19-11 at home, 11-16 on the road. 

-113.4 ppg-9^th; opp. ppg: 114.6-26^th; 45.0 rpg-18^th 

It has been a long time, 12 years to be precise that playoffs and the Sacramento Kings could possibly be said in the same sentence. Thanks to the fact that they have defeated some of the elite teams in the West, thanks to the improvement of their young players that as a whole has made the team better, and a couple of key moves before and at the trade deadline that have “placed” the Kings in the best position possible to end the longest active playoff drought in “The Association.” 

The Kings dreams of making the postseason are legitimate in large part to them coming into the new year with a winning record (19-17 mark) for the first time since the 2005-05 season. 

In the first part of the new NBA season, the Kings scored two wins against the Thunder; the Jazz, Spurs, Pacers and Lakers and came close against the Warriors. 

In fact, the Kings narrowly lost to the back-to-back defending champions in their first three meetings. A 117-116 win at the Warriors on Nov. 24, 2018; 130-125 on Dec. 14, 2018 and 127-123 on Jan. 5. 

Two reasons the Kings are in contention for the postseason for the first time since 2006 is because the young starting backcourt of Buddy Hield and De’Aaron Fox. 

Fox entered the league as one of the fastest players in the league with a jump shot and floor game that needed a lot of work. He put in that work during this past off-season and is the reason why he improved his scoring average from 11.6 to 17.2. The No. 5 pick in 2017 improved his assists per game from 4.4 to 7.2 (9^th NBA). He improved his shooting percentage from the field overall from 41.2 to 46.1 and his three-point percentage from 30.7 to 36.6. He has even improved as a defender going from averaging just one steal per game as a rookie to 1.7 (6^th NBA). 

To bring Fox’s improvement into clearer focus, he had just three double-doubles as a rookie last season. He has 11 so far this season and after making just 47 threes last year, he made 60. 

The Hawks got an up close and personal look of the improved De’Aaron Fox when he had his first career triple-double consisting of career-highs of 31 points, 15 assists and 10 rebounds, going 9 for 13 from the field and 10 for 11 from the free throw line in the Kings 146-115 win on Nov. 1, 2018, ending an 11-game losing streak in Atlanta. Fox also became the first Kings’ player since All-Star Mitch Richmond to register a 30-point triple-double, while also joining LeBron James as the only player under age 21 with a 30-point triple-double. 

When the Kings acquired Hield for All-Star DeMarcus Cousins to All-Star breaks back, the feelings was the Kings were swindled. Well this season, Hield the leading candidate for Kia Most Improved Player is proving that was not the case. 

The former No. 6 pick in 2016 by the Pelicans has risen his scoring from 13.5 a season ago to 20.5 (Leads team). He rose his field goal percentage from 44.6 to 47.5 and his three-point percentage from 43.1 to 44.9 (4^th NBA). 

In his first two seasons, the Bahamas native made a combined 141 threes. He made 176 threes last season and has made 195 already this season. On 16 occasions this season Hield has made five or more threes in a game this season, hitting eight in 13 chances scoring 32 points in the Kings narrow 127-123 loss versus the back-to-back champion Warriors on Jan. 5. 

He broke the heart of the Pistons in their own gym when Hield capped his 35-point night with the game-winning triple in the final seconds to give the Kings a walk-off 103-101 win on Jan. 19, as he finished 13 for 22 from the field, including 7 for 9 from three-point range with nine rebounds. The Kings outscored the Pistons 29-19 in the final period, overcoming a 10-point deficit. 

This was one of a few comebacks the Kings have had from early double-digit deficits. They overcame an 11-point fourth quarter deficit for a 122-117 win on Dec. 23, 2018 versus the Pelicans, by outscoring them 36-21 in the fourth led by the 28 points of Hield. 

This comeback is on the heels of the Kings overcoming a 19-point deficit to earn a 102-99 win versus the Grizzlies two nights earlier to become the first team since the Pacers in 2010 to rally from 19-point deficits in back-to-back games and win. Hield had 16 of his 28 points in the fourth, making four of his six three-pointers in the final period. 

“These fans do a great job of coming out each and every night, and support us,” Fox said after the win versus the Pelicans, where he had 19 points and 11 assists. 

Fox added about making a playoff push, “We owe them something, special man, and our main goal is to try to get to the playoffs. They get loud and crazy, and I just can’t wait to see how much more crazy they can get.

Hield, Fox, Bogdan Bogdanovic (14.8 ppg, 3.6 rpg), and Nemanja Bjelica (9.9 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 48.3 FG%, 42.2 3-Pt.%) are why the Kings No. 4 in the league behind the Warriors, Clippers and Spurs in three-point percentage at 37.8 percent, even though they rank 20^th in attempts at 30.2 and 21^st in makes at 10.2. 

Head coach Dave Joerger has been able to orchestrate a high-octane fast paced offense that is No. 9 in assists per game at 25.6; 12^th in field goal percentage overall at 46.6 and takes decent care of the ball averaging 13.6 turnovers. 

“Willie Cauley-Stein can get up and down the floor, open up transition looks from threes for Buddy (Hield). We’ve got Bogdanovic who can play as a playmaker or shooter, and we brought in Nemanja Bjelica, who can stretch the floor for the No. 1 reason, which is we feel like we have one of the fastest point guards in the league (in De’Aaron Fox),” Coach Joerger said in late November about how each player fits into the Kings’ revamped offensive scheme.

That offense also has some guards in Yogi Ferrell (6.0 ppg, 44.9 FG%, 37.8 3-Pt.%) and Frank Mason III, who when they have gotten minutes have been effective.

The Kings along with having explosive guards have some big men that have a lot of promise in rookie Marvin Bagley III, Willie Cauley-Stein and Harry Giles. 

There have been times this season that the Kings front office have made it known to Joerger that they want to Bagley III, the No. 2 overall pick out of Duke starting, especially with what the consensus 2018-19 Kia Rookie of the Year in Luka Doncic is doing for the Mavericks. 

Joerger has stuck with bringing Bagley III (13.3 ppg, 6.9 rpg), who did miss 14 games this season, 11 of those from Dec. 16, 2018-Jan. 7 because of a knee injury and he has played well, registering 10 double-doubles so far in his rookie season.

In the Kings first matchup with the back-to-back defending champion Warriors, Bagley III had then a career-high of 20 points with a career-high of 17 rebounds off the bench in the 117-116 win. On that night, Bagley III became the third player in NBA history to have 20 points and 17 rebounds under the age of 20.

Two games prior in the Kings 117-113 win versus the Thunder on Nov. 19, 2018 he had 15 points and 13 boards with three block shots. Bagley III registered 14 points with 13 rebounds in the Kings 115-108 win versus the 76ers on Feb. 2. Two nights later versus the Spurs, he registered his fourth consecutive double-doubles with a new career-high of 24 points with 12 rebounds and three blocks in the Kings 127-112 win versus the Spurs. 

What has been in Bagley’s favor in his rookie season is he is a part of a team that is fighting to make the playoffs, so he is learning how to work and how to do the small things to prepare in order to take the court and to put yourself in the best position to win on that night and deal with the mental pains of trying to get through a season where the playoffs is not even thought of. 

“It’s something I still, you know can’t believe happened and I can’t put into words,” Bagley said. “So, I just try to go out and play, have fun and do whatever I can, and enjoy it.”

In his first two seasons, Cauley-Stein (12.7 ppg, 8.5 rpg-career-high, 53.9 FG%) took his lumps adjust to the NBA as a No. 6 overall pick in 2015 out of Kentucky. Last season he started to figure things out and he has been very steady this season. He had a combined 11 double-doubles in this first two seasons. He had 12 double-figure point-rebound games and has registered 17 so far this season. 

After basically redshirting his rookie season to rehab from a couple of serious knee injuries he sustained in high school and in his short time at Duke, Giles (6.2 ppg 49.6 FG%) took his impressive performance he had in Summer League and has had his moments in his unofficial rookie season. 

In the Kings 135-113 win versus the Hawks on Jan. 30, he scored 12 of his career-high of 20 points in the third quarter and seven rebounds on 10 for 12 shooting in 21 minutes. That same night Bagley III had a double-double of 17 points and 12 rebounds. 

“We’re going through the same journey. We come from similar backgrounds, too, so it’s easy to kind of feed off each other,” Giles said after the win about playing with Bagley III. “We want to see each other do good but help each other at the same time.” 

Bagley III echoed the same sentiment when he said after the win, “I like playing with Harry because he can pass the ball very well, he can dribble, he can rebound, score. He can do it all.” 

The Kings at this point in the season have posted more wins than they have in eight of the last 10 seasons. They are in the No. 9 spot currently just two games behind the Clippers for the No. 8 and final playoff spot. 

Most young teams that have reached this point normally do not have the maturity and focus to see if they can make the playoffs.

While they lost again to the Warriors 125-123 in their first game following the break on Thursday night, the Kings earned a huge win at the Thunder (119-116) on Saturday night, to pull within one game of the No. 8 Seeded Clippers.  

For the past few years, the Kings and their front office led by GM Vlade Divac, a former Kings player and Owner Vivek Ranadive have been one of the biggest jokes in the NBA the last few years along with the Suns. Things are different now because of all the work the organization from the top on down has put in and now they get a chance to see if they can end their 12-year playoff drought and be the only team in California to play past the middle of April. 

 “Guys have put in a lot of work,” Coach Joerger said in late December 2018 of what his team and the front office has done this season. “It’s also a feather in the hat of our organization and the direction that we’re going.” 

He added, “We have the vision. We know where we we’re going. We’re all on the same page. And I think that shows our fans and the rest of the nation that we’re so solid here, and the next five years are going to be really fun.”

Prediction: The Kings will end their 12-year playoff drought because they have the easiest strength of schedule and will bring playoff basketball finally to Golden 1 Center. 

Grade: B+

San Antonio Spurs: 33-26 (2^nd Southwest Division; No. 7 Seed in West) 33-8 at home, 14-27 on the road. 

-112.3 ppg-13^th; opp. ppg: 111.4-16^th; 44.1 rpg-23^rd

The 2018-19 NBA season marked the first for the five-time NBA champion San Antonio Spurs without any of the four most important players outside of Hall of Famer George Gervin who are retired on in one case now playing for the Charlotte Hornets. The player they hoped would be the face of their franchise going forward was traded to Canada in the middle of July 2018. While they struggled initially in the new era, but behind their long- time head coach and the same commitment to teamwork and supreme focus the Spurs have “performed” like a team we have come to know them as for the last two decades. 

Last season represented the first time the Spurs did not win 50 games since the 1996-97 season, which was the last time they missed the playoffs after going 20-62. It was also the last time they did not have a winning road record.

The Spurs entered this season without 2014 Finals MVP and two-time Kia Defensive Player of the Year Kawhi Leonard, who was traded on July 18, 2018 to the Raptors along with Danny Green for perennial All-Star DeMar DeRozan and reserve big man Jakob Poeltl.

The Spurs also entered the 2018-19 season without veterans Tony Parker, who signed with the Hornets and Manu Ginobili, who retired. Those losses along with Green and Leonard took 48 combined years of NBA experience and Spurs knowledge out their locker room, that also consisted of nine NBA championships. 

To put that into perspective, what was left was 18 years of Spurs knowledge between Patty Mills, LaMarcus Aldridge, Pau Gasol and Dejounte Murray and three NBA championships. 

DeRozan (21.4 ppg-Leads team), who spent his entire nine-year career with the Raptors came to the “Alamo City” kicking and screaming in figurative sense but he quickly fit right in to the Spurs culture and brought his ability to score from the mid-range, where he is shooting 46.3 percent from the floor so far this season. To play make for others as he has averaged a career-high 6.1 assists per game, which leads the Spurs and the ability to get to the free throw line consistently, where he leads the Spurs in attempts at 5.7 and is shooting 82.2 percent when he gets there. 

The lead guard skills that DeRozan has displayed in his first season with the Spurs has been a huge plus for a team that lost their starting floor general in Murray to a torn right ACL in a preseason game versus the Rockets on Oct. 7, 2018. 

DeRozan has been an excellent complement to now seven-time All-Star LaMarcus Aldridge (21.0 ppg, 9.0 rpg-Leads team, 50.9 FG%), who with his selection made it 21 straight seasons that the NBA’s unofficial mid-season classic has had representation by the Spurs. 

He provided himself worthy of that All-Star appearance when he had the best game of his 14-year career posting a career-high of 56 points on 20 for 33 from the field and 16 for 16 from the free throw line with nine rebounds and four block shots in the Spurs 154-147 double-overtime win versus the Thunder. 

Head Coach Gregg Popovich said of Aldridge’s performance after the win, “He’s been a beast all year long.” “He anchors us at both ends of the floor. He did it last year, and he’s doing it this year, too. He’s just fantastic. Obviously, he had a great night.”

The loss of Murray has provided opportunity for youngsters like Bryn Forbes and Derrick White and both have, like most players who enter the Spurs organization played their roles to a tee and have gotten better and better with each game. 

Forbes (12.0 ppg), the undrafted third-year man from Michigan State who saw a lot of action last season has provided excellent perimeter shooting hitting 41.9 percent of his threes this season, exceeding his total of 89 last season to 127 so far this NBA campaign. 

Back on Dec. 11, 2018 in the Spurs 111-86 win versus the Suns, Forbes earned the first double-double of his entire basketball career with a season-high of 24 points and a career-high 11 rebounds, hitting a career-high five three-pointers in five tries. 

It represented the 21^st time at this season that Forbes scored in double-figures, four more games than the likes of Robert Covington of the Timberwolves; Wesley Matthews of the Pacers; Justin Holiday of the Grizzlies; and Rodney McGruder of the Heat who all have had 17 games scoring in double-figures. 

“That’s important to me,” Forbes said after the win. “I’ve been playing my whole life and to accomplish something I’ve never accomplished is always pretty cool, but to get the win was bigger. We needed this win worse than I needed a double-double.” 

White (9.6 ppg, 3.6 apg, 50.0 FG%, 35.6 3-Pt.%) in the absence of Murray has become very important player in the Spurs rotation.

After the second-year guard drafted late in the First-Round of the 2017 draft out of Colorado got off to a slow start this season, he really picked his game up in January averaging 15.3 points on 59.7 percent from the field and 47.1 percent from three-point range. 

In that aforementioned double-overtime win versus the Thunder, White scored then a career-high of 23 points with eight assists on 10 for 17 shooting. White had scored four critical points in the second overtime, had a key steal as well as a key block shot on Thunder forward Jerami Grant at the rim that preserved a 148-144 lead that the Spurs would never relinquish. 

At the close of January, White scored 26 points, with six assists and two block shots in the Spurs 117-114 win versus the Nets. 

“He’s working hard,” Aldridge, who scored 20 versus the Nets said after the game about White. “He helps this team get better. He’s making the right reads, he’s growing offensively (and) he’s getting to the basket. I think he’s that difference maker right now.” 

Words have had no bigger meaning because since White has been on the shelf the last five games heading into the All-Star break because of a heel injury. The Spurs have dropped four of their first five games on their annual Rodeo Road Trip without him.

Another player that has been on the shelf for 33 games this season has been veteran big man Pau Gasol, who is averaging just 4.4 points and 4.7 rebounds, the lowest of his 18-year career. 

In his absence the Spurs have turned to the likes of Davis Bertans, Dante Cunningham and Poeltl and while by the numbers they might not look like they have been effective, in the Spurs system it is not always about numbers. 

It is about doing the little things to help your teammates succeed like boxing out so they can get rebounds. Setting solid screens so shooter like Forbes, White, Bertans (8.3 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 48.5 FG%, 47.6 3-Pt.%) Patty Mills (10.1 ppg, 40.8 3-Pt.%) and Marco Bellinelli (10.9 ppg, 38.5 3-Pt.%) to get open for the No. 1 three-point shooting team in terms of percentage in the NBA; the third rank shooting team in the league at 47.9 percent has the time to get open looks and make them count.  

One player that has had to play at the power forward position some this season has been veteran Rudy Gay (14.5 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 51.9 FG%, 43.5 3-Pt.%) and he has been solid like he was last season. 

He of anyone can appreciate being part of team that has made the playoffs as he has only played after the middle of April just twice in his now 13^th season out of the University of Connecticut. 

In the Spurs 105-101 win at the state rival Mavericks, Gay said after his 14-point performance where he reached the 15,000 mark in his return from a five-game absence due to a sprained left wrist, “Individual things, it is what it is.” 

“I’m past that. Right now, I’m just trying to win. Early in my career, I wanted these things. I just realize that things are more feasible when you don’t work about it.” 

Not worrying about individual things and focusing in on the team is what the Spurs have been all about in the Coach Popovich era. It is never about me. What can we do together to win? What are we willing to do to win? 

That is why the Spurs from the years where they won games with defense and playing inside out when they had David Robinson and Tim Duncan, and then changed to more of an offensive style that relied more on the recently retired Manu Ginobili and now Hornets reserve guard Tony Parker. 

Coach Popovich has always been about keeping things simple and doing the things that they are capable of doing well. 

While they are an excellent three-point shooting team in terms of percentage, they let the flow of the game dictate when to take them, which is why they rank at the next to last in attempts at 24.9 and No. 21 in makes at 10.2. 

They are also a team that simply does not allow themselves to have long stretches of losing. Prior to the 12-day stretch of late Nov. 22-Dec. 12, 2018 the Spurs have been under the .500 mark just 50 days in the prior 21 years.  

That way to adjust and keep things simple is why Coach Popovich is 3^rd all-time in wins with 1,230 only trailing Hall of Famer coaches Lenny Wilken (1,332) and Don Nelson 1,335. 

He passed two Hall of Fame coaches on the all-time wins list surpassing now Heat executive Pat Riley to move into fourth place with his 1,211 career-win his team’s 111-86 victory versus the Suns on Dec. 11, 2018. 

In the Spurs previously mentioned thrilling double-overtime win versus the Thunder on Jan. 10, Popovich passed fellow Hall of Fame coach Jerry Sloan into third place on the all-time wins list with his 1,222 victory. Last season Coach Popovich surpassed Sloan when two seasons back Feb. 4, 2017 recorded his 1,128 coaching victory, representing the most wins as a head coach with one team.  

Coach Popovich earlier this season became the all-time leader in wins by a head coach on the road, with now 521 victories with the Spurs 126-114 win at the Pelicans on Jan. 26. He surpassed Riley (520), Hall of Famers Don Nelson (517) and Phil Jackson (495) and Wilkins (480). 

If there is one area of the court that the Spurs feel they need to get better at is at the defensive end. 

When they lost Murray for the season; traded away Leonard and Green; and did not match the offer sheet the Grizzlies gave to Kyle Anderson over the summer, the Spurs lost four of their best defenders and as a result are tied for 23^rd in opponent’s field goal percentage at 47.0 percent and are 15^th in opponent’s three-point percentage at 36.1 percent. 

There was a five-game stretch from Nov.28-Dec. 5, 2018 that the Spurs gave up over 118 points and lost four of those five games. 

The worst loss of that stretch was a 128-89 loss at the Timberwolves on Nov. 28, 2018 where the home team shot 50.5 percent on the night; was 18 for 41 from three-point range; outscored the Spurs 56-42 in the paint; had 33 assists to just 12 turnovers and forced 19 turnovers that resulted in 26 points. 

Two nights later the Spurs were blown out by the other in-town foe the Rockets 136-105 on ESPN. 

After a 131-118 win versus the Trail Blazers, the Spurs were blown out at the Jazz 139-105 on Dec. 4 and lost by eight (121-113) at the Lakers in the front end of a home-and-home set, where they were outscored 76-58 in the second half. 

Popovich after their third of four losses this season by 30-plus points simply said of his team, “We’re very challenged defensively.”

That was definitely evident in the first four games of the team’s annual Rodeo Road Trip where in the first four games of the swing from Feb. 4-12 gave up an average of 130 points in losses at the Kings, Warriors, Trail Blazers and Jazz. The beat the struggling Grizzlies by just one-point 108-107 because they were outscored 21-14 in the fourth quarter. 

Those defensive struggles for the Spurs continued in their 120-117 loss at the Raptors on Friday night on ESPN, despite a team-high 23 points and eight assists from DeRozan in his return to the Raptors. 

A steal by Leonard on DeRozan with 15 seconds left put the Raptors on top put the Raptors ahead for good as they outscored the Spurs 32-26 in the fourth quarter.

It did not get any better for the Spurs two nights later as they lost at the Knicks 130-118 as they went just 6 for 24 from three-point range, while the Knicks were 16 for 37 from three-point range.  

The Spurs (33-28) are No. 7 in the tight Western Conference but have the same record as the No. Clippers and are within striking distance of the No. 6 Jazz and the No. 5 Rockets, trailing by one and two games respectably. The Spurs are also just one game back of the No. 9 Seeded Kings Not that far behind them are the Kings and Lakers just two and three games respectably as they are on the outside looking in. 

The Spurs, with the 26^th ranked remaining strength of schedule, win their share of games will make the playoffs for the 22^nd straight season tying the Syracuse Nationals, now the Philadelphia 76ers. 

For the Spurs it is all about avoiding the Warriors until the Conference Finals if they get that far. They have a legitimate chance against anyone else in the West, especially with a leader like Gregg Popovich on the sidelines, whose has 167 career playoff wins, the third most in NBA history and five championships as a head coach are tied for third most.  

Prediction: Spurs make the playoffs for a 22^nd straight season. If they avoid the Warriors will make it to the Semifinals and lose in a tough six-seven game series.

Grade: B

Utah Jazz: 32-25 (4^th Northwest Division; No. 6 Seed in West) 18-10 at home, 14-15 on the road. 

-109.2 ppg-19^th; opp. ppg: 105.9-4^th; 45.3 rpg-13^th    

They endured one of the toughest schedules to start the season. Their best player, the runner-up for Kia Rookie of the Year was at the top of every teams scouting report. Simply put the Utah Jazz were in a tough position to start this season and all they did was just simply “battled” and are in position to make a run to close out this season.

Last season, then rookie Donovan Mitchell took everybody by surprise has he finished runner-up to the 76ers Ben Simmons for Kia Rookie of the Year. 

The man dubbed “Spider-Man” had the attention of the entire league and shot just 42.2 and 38.1 percent from the field and 24.4 and 29.8 from three-point range respectably in the months of November and December of 2018, which is why the Jazz were one game under .500 (18-19) to close out the year. 

Jazz head coach Quin Snyder did say though a day after his team’s 90-83 loss at the Lakers on Nov. 23, 2018 that they were more than capable of getting back on track like last year when they overcame a 19-28 mark to win 48 games and reach the Second-Round of the playoffs.

“There were times last year we weren’t a good team,” he said. “We were able to work through that, and that’s why we became a good team.” 

“No different (now)-there’s always adversity, there’s always challenges. It comes in different shapes and sizes. Certainly, right now, the fact that we’re talking about this, it’s real. But at the same time, we just need to be better. A lot of it for us is just digging in.” 

That is exactly what the Jazz did. They just dug in and led by Mitchell figured things out in January with averages of 27.7 points on 45.3 percent from the field and 41.2 percent from three-point range and the Jazz as a result went 11-4 and got themselves back into playoff contention.  

Head coach Quin Snyder’s team started the new year at 2-2 and behind a five-game winning streak that began with the sweep of a four-game homestand finished the first month of 2019 winning 9 of their last 11. 

Mitchell (22.4 ppg-Leads team, 1.5 spg-Leads team) who had scored 19 and 18 points to begin January, scored no less than 22 points in the remaining 11 games of the month. He scored 33 points with seven assists on 12 for 21 shooting, including 4 for 7 from three-point range in the 106-93 win by the Jazz versus the Magic on Jan. 9. He scored 33 again with nine assists and two blocks on 14 for 24 from the field in 113-95 win by the Jazz on ESPN versus the Lakers two nights later. In a 110-102 win by the Jazz versus the Bulls the next night, Mitchell scored 34 points with six boards, six assists on 11 for 24 shooting. 

“My biggest thing is just trying to make the right reads,” Mitchell said after the victory versus the Lakers. “That’s been my thing since I first got here. Just continuing to play under control and just find guys.”

Last season on his way to winning Kia Defensive Player of the Year, Jazz center Rudy Gobert for the second straight year averaged a double-double, where he registered 31 double-doubles. This season Gobert has taken his game to an even higher-level averaging career-highs of 15.2 points and 12.9 rebounds, which is tied with the All-Star Anthony Davis of the Pelicans. He also third in “The Association” behind Davis and Myles Turner of the Pacers at 2.1 per game and leads the NBA in field goal percentage shooting 65.4. 

How well has Gobert played this season? Only two-time All-Star Joel Embiid has authored more double-doubles this season than the 46 by Gobert.

In the 100-94 win versus the Pistons by the Jazz on Jan. 14, Gobert had 18 points and tied a career-high with 25 rebounds and two blocks shots that part of streak of 10 straight double-doubles by the “Stifle Tower.” 

He and starting forward Derrick Favors (11.0 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 56.9 FG%), who has stayed healthy for a second straight season so far, continues to be play well off each other and give the Jazz that grit and toughness in the paint on both ends of the floor.

One other similarity that the Jazz have had to deal with last season as well as this season are injuries. Last season it was Gobert who was on the shelf missing 26 games because of injury. 

This season the Jazz have had to deal with injuries at the lead guard spot with injuries to starter Ricky Rubio (13.0 ppg, 6.1 apg) and understudies Dante Exum (7.4 ppg) and Raul Neto. 

Rubio missed six straight games from Jan. 9-21 after sustaining a mild strain of his right hamstring in the opening quarter of the 114-102 loss by the Jazz at the Bucks on Jan. 7. 

Exum, who has had a history of injuries since being drafted No. 5 overall in June 2014 has missed the last 17 games with a sprained right ankle and there is no timetable for his return. Third string guard Neto had missed 12 straight games due to a strained left groin. 

The Jazz without their top ball handlers were able to continue to win during this stretch because Mitchell was moved to the lead guard spot and the team’s Mr. versatile in Joe Ingles (11.7 ppg, 4.9 apg) also assumed the offensive initiating responsibilities and the Jazz as mentioned earlier got themselves back on track. 

When the Jazz scored a 106-102 win versus the Timberwolves on Jan. 25, Mitchell his only double-double on the season with 24 points and 11 assists and nearly had his first career triple-double with seven rebounds as well.  

Last month, Ingles registered five assists or more in 13 of the last 16 games, which includes four games where the Australian registered eight assists. 

In the 116-88 win by the Jazz versus the Suns on Feb. 6 Ingles had a double-double of 15 points and 11 assists.  

Another reason the Jazz were able to keep pace in the rugged Western Conference is because they maintained their identity as a team, which is playing consistent defense. 

While they rank just 11^th in opponent’s field goal percentage at 45.6 percent and 15^th in opponent’s three-point percentage, the Jazz are No. 7 in rebounding differential at +2.7; tied for No. 8 in block shots per contest at 5.5.

Earlier in the season, the Jazz had their struggles offensively with Mitchell and Rubio’s inability to make shots consistently, especially from three-point range, where they ranked No. 28 in the league in late November 2018. 

The acquisition of veteran sharp shooter Kyle Korver (8.6 ppg, 44.3 FG%) from the Cavaliers on Nov. 29, 2018 for guard Alec Burks and Second-Round picks in 2020 and 2021 added provided another sniper from distance to go alongside Ingles, Jae Crowder (11.8 ppg, 4.7 rpg) and second-year forward Royce O’Neale (5.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 49.3 FG%), who are shooting 41.3, 36.8, 33.3 and 43.9 percent respectably from distance this season. 

In the previously mentioned win by the Jazz versus the Bulls back in January, Korver who had 16 points on the night off the bench going 4 for 8 from three-point range passed Jason Terry to move into fourth place on the all-time three-pointers made list. 

While they are tied for ninth in attempts at 33.5 and are tied for 10^th in makes at 11.6, the Jazz are tied for 22^nd in percentage from distance at 34.6 percent. 

“He’s great—a sharp shooter,” O’Neale said of the addition of Korver. “He spaces the floor out eve more. Teams focus a lot on him coming off the screens, so somebody else is gonna be open.” 

“(We’re also) having that confidence passing him the ball when he’s open, knowing it’s going in the basket. He’s a great teammate. He’s fitting in really well.”

To put into context the difference Korver has made in his second stint with the Jazz, when he has made three or more triples the Jazz have a perfect 12-0 so far this season. When he makes less than three, the Jazz are 7-13.  

“It means a lot. I’m grateful and I’m going to keep on shooting,” Korver, who has made 2,310 triples in his 16-year career said to AT&T Sportnet Rocky Mountain’s Kristen Kenney after the win. 

He added about the play of Mitchell at the lead guard spot in place of the injured Rubio, Exum and Neto, “We don’t have a point guard right now but Donovan’s filling in great. So, to grind out a win on a back-to-back is really good for our team.”

On this same night, Coach Snyder, whose been the head man on the Jazz sidelines since 2014 notched his 200^th career win as an NBA head coach, all with the team that calls Salt Lake City, UT home. 

The lessons Coach Snyder has taken from the likes longtime NBA head coach Larry Brown, current Bucks head coach Mike Budenholzer, Naismith Basketball and College Basketball Hall of Famer Mike Krzyzewski, also known as “Coach K” he has put into practice with the Jazz and has earned respect from his head coach peers in the NBA as well as his player like Mitchell and Ingles. 

“He’s one of the best coaches in the NBA, not just as a coach but as a person and I think that’s what attracts us to him so much,” Mitchell said after the win versus Bulls back on Jan. 12. “I wouldn’t play for anybody else.” 

Ingles added, “What Coach brings is passion for us getting better…he’s the best coach I’ve played for, by far. He gives us so much confidence to go out there and do what we need to do.” 

It is because of that instilled confidence that the Jazz can bounce from a tough loss like the one they had at the Thunder 148-147 in double-overtime when All-Star Paul George made the game-winning high arching shots over Jazz center Rudy Gobert on Friday night, to win versus Mavericks (125-109) on the back end of a back-to-back. 

The Jazz (33-26) had a rough start to the season because of a very heavy road schedule. They managed to get through it and find themselves in the No. 6 spot in the West and are just one game behind the Rockets for the No. 5 spot. They are however just one game in front of the No. 7 and the No. 8 Clippers. 

If they happen to get home court advantage when the playoffs start this spring, the have as good a chance of making it to the Western Conference Finals. It all comes down to their ability to make perimeter shots consistently. Getting better defensively and for Mitchell to continue to be judicious with his shot selection. 

Prediction: Jazz will start the playoffs on the road and depending on the team they match up with will either have a long First-Round series and lose or make it to the Conference Finals, where they lose to the Warriors. 

Grade: B-

Information, quotations, and statistics are courtesy of www.espn.com/nba/teams/stats/schedule/transactions/standings; 10/8/18 www.nba.com story “Suns Part Ways with GM McDonough;
1/9/19 “2018-19 Midseason Report Cards: Western Conference” by Shaun Powell and “2018-19 Midseason Report Cards: Eastern Conference,” by Sekou Smith; www.google.com “NBA Playoff Appearance Streaks;” https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregg_Popovich; https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quin_Snyder; https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Dallas_Mavericks_seasons; https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vince_Carter; https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dejounte_Murray;

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Charlotte_Hornets_seasons; 11/1/18 10:30 p.m. “Pelicans versus Trail Blazers” on TNT, presented by State Farm with Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and Ros Gold-Onwude; 11/2/18, 11/30/18, 1 a.m. “Inside the NBA,” presented by Kia on TNT with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal; 11/3/18 8 p.m. “Rockets vs. Bulls” on AT&T Sportsnet Southwest with Craig Ackerman, Matt Bullard and Michelle Marqaux; NBA transaction section via www.espn.com/nba and www.nba.com; 11/13/18 7 p.m. “American Express Halftime Report” during Hornets versus Cavaliers with Kristen Ledlow, Grant Hill, and Kevin McHale; 11/18/18-2/14/19 3 p.m. “NBA: The Jump: on ESPN with Rachel Nichols, Jorge Sedano, Tracy McGrady, Zach Lowe, Jackie MacMullan, Stan Van Gundy, Amin Elhassan, Brian Windhorst, Nick Friedell, Kevin Arnovitz, Scottie Pippen, Byron Scott, Tim Bomtemps, Michael Wilbon Chiney Ogwumike, Richard Jefferson, and Paul Pierce; 11/19/18 7 p.m. “Celtics versus Hornets” on FOX Sports Southeast with Eric Collins, Dell Curry and Stephanie Ready; 11/21/18 11 p.m. “Nets Postgame,” on YES presented by Hennessey with Chris Sherian; 11/23/18-2/14/19 game previews and scores via www.nba.com; 11/20/18, 11/29/18 6 p.m. NBATV’s “The Starters” with Tas Melas, J.E. Skeets, Leigh Ellis, and Trey Kerby; 12/2/18 4:30 p.m. “Hornets Live” on FOX Sports Southeast, presented by Momentum Mazda with Ashley Shahahmadi, Stephanie Ready, Eric Collins, and Dell Curry; 12/1/18 7:30 p.m. “Warriors versus Pistons,” on NBC Sports Bay Area with Bob Fitzgerald, Jim Barnett, and Kerith Burke; 12/10/18 7:30 p.m. “Thunder Live” on FOX Sports Oklahoma, powered by COX Communications with Lesley McClasin, Antonio Daniels, Chris Fisher and Michael Cage; 12/14/19 7:30 p.m. “Knicks versus Hornets” on MSG (Madison Square Garden Network) with Kenny Albert, Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Rebecca Haarlow; 12/20/19 2 p.m. “Mavericks versus Bucks” on FOX Sports Wisconsin with Jim Paschke, Steve Novak, and Katie George; 12/25/18 12 p.m. “Bucks versus Knicks” on ESPN, presented by State Farm with Ryan Ruocco, Chauncey Billups and Tom Rinaldi; 12/28/19 7 p.m. “Nets versus Hornets,” on YES with Ian Eagle, Sarah Kustok and Michael Grady;12/30/19 3:30 p.m. “Pistons versus Magic,” on FOX Sports Detroit with Matt Dery, Greg Kelser and Johnny Kane; 12/5/18-2/13/19 NBATV’s “Gametime,” presented by Kia and State Farm with Matt Winer, Casey Stern, Ro Parrish, Richard Hamilton, Carlos Boozer, Dennis Scott, Isiah Thomas, Kristen Ledlow, Kevin McHale, Jason Kidd, Steve Smith, Tim Hardaway, Sr., Chris Webber, Tony Delk, Candace Parker, Chris Miles, Brendan Haywood, David Griffin, Mike Fratello; 1/3/19 10:30 p.m. “Rockets versus Warriors” on TNT presented by State Farm with Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and Ros Golde-Onwude; 1/4/19 1 a.m. “Inside the NBA” on TNT, presented by Kia with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, and Shaquille O’Neal; 2/2/19 5 p.m. “Clippers versus Pistons,” on FOX Sports Prime Ticket with Ralph Lawler, Corey Maggette and Kristina Pink; 1/14/19 6 p.m. edition ESPN’s “Sportscenter” with Kevin Negandhi and Keith Olbermann; 1/18/19 10:30 p.m. “Bulls versus Trail Blazers” on NBC Sports Northwest with Kevin Calabro, Lamar Hurd and Brooke Olzendam;  1/19/19 3 p.m. edition of ESPN’s “NBA Countdown,” presented by Straight Talk Wireless with Michelle Beadle, Jalen Rose, Chauncey Billups and Paul Pierce;

1/23/19 10 p.m. “Hawks versus Trail Blazers,” on NBC Sports Northwest with Kevin Calabro, Lamar Hurd, and Brooke Olzendame 1/25/19 8:30 p.m. “Pistons versus Mavericks” on FOX Sports Southwest with Mark Followill, Derek Harper, and Jeff “Skin” Wade; 2/4/19 7:30 p.m. “Bucks versus Nets” on YES (Yankees Entertainment and Sports Network) with Ian Eagle, Sara Kustok and Michael Grady; 2/2/19 5 p.m. “Clippers versus Pistons” on FOX Sports Prime Ticket with Ralph Lawler, Corey Maggette and Kristina Pink; 2/3/19 1 p.m. “Grizzlies versus Knicks” on MSG with Kenny Albert, Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Rebecca Haarlow; 2/4/19 6:30 p.m. NBATV’s “10 Before Tip,” presented by AT&T with Jared Greenberg; 2/6/19 1 a.m. “Players Only Postgame,” on TNT, presented by State Farm with Chris Webber, Candace Parker, Baron Davis, and Shaquille O’Neal; 2/7/19 10:30 p.m. “Spurs versus Trail Blazers,” presented by State Farm with Kevin Harlan, Reggie Miller and Ros Gold-Onwude; 2/7/19 1 p.m. “NBA: The Jump-Trade Deadline Special,” with Rachel Nichols, Scottie Pippen, Paul Pierce, Tracy McGrady, Zach Lowe, Bobby Marks, Tom Thibodeau and Ramona Shelburne; 2/7/19 6 p.m. NBATV’s “Gametime Live,” with Ro Parrish, Kenny Smith, Dennis Scott, and Tom Penn; 2/7/19 7 p.m. “TNT NBA: Tip-Off,” presented by Autotrader with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley, Shaquille O’Neal and David Griffin; 2/8/19 7 p.m. “NBA Courtside,” presented by McDonalds and “Nuggets versus 76ers,” on ESPN, presented by State Farm with Mark Jones, Doris Burke and Tom Rinaldi; 2/8/19 7 p.m. “Knicks versus Pistons” on MSG with Kenny Albert, Walt “Clyde” Frazier and Rebecca Haarlow; 2/8/19 7:30 p.m. “Bulls versus Nets” on YES with Ian Eagle, Jim Spanarkel, and Michael Grady; 2/8/19 8:30 p.m. “Bucks versus Mavericks” on FOX Sports Southwest with Mark Followill, Derek Harper and Jeff “Skin” Wad2/8/19 9:30 p.m. “Timberwolves versus Pelicans,” on ESPN, presented by State Farm with Ryan Ruocco and Jeff Van Gundy; 2/10/19 3:30 p.m. NBA Sunday Showcase “Lakers versus 76ers,” on ABC, presented by State Farm with Mark Jones, Hubie Brown and Israel Gutierrez; 2/11/19 11:30 p.m. “Nuggets Locker Room Report,” on Altitude Sports, presented by Toyota with Todd Romero, Katy Winge, and Bill Hanzlek; 2/14/19 1 a.m ESPN news crawl, “After the  Buzzer,” presented by McDonalds with Michelle Beadle, Jalen Rose, and Chauncey Billups, and “Sportscenter,” with Neil Evertt and Stan Verett; and 2/14/19 10:30 p.m. “Inside the NBA,” presented by Kia with Ernie Johnson, Kenny Smith, Charles Barkley and Shaquille O’Neal.