While we have already passed two thirds of the regular season, the trends are quite clear in the NBA, even if injuries disrupt the balance and turn down certain cards.
Boston (47-12) however, remains in the lead, and by a large margin. Joe Mazzulla's team displays the best attack and the third best defense of the season, and it's the same thing if we focus on the year 2024. Certainly, there were some defeats against big teams in January (Oklahoma City, Milwaukee, Denver, LA Clippers…) but Jayson Tatum and his team did not let themselves be disturbed in February, offering different things in order to prepare for all scenarios in the playoffs. The Celtics are clearly the most complete team of the season.
Behind, Minnesota (42-18), Oklahoma City (41-18) And Denver (41-19) stand in a pocket handkerchief at the top of the West. Rudy Gobert and the Wolves always rely on a physical defense, whose general size disrupts opponents. However, there remain these offensive concerns, when Anthony Edwards and Karl-Anthony Towns isolate themselves from their comrades. Problems that could be costly in the playoffs.
The Thunder are not giving up on their Gilgeous-Alexander – Williams – Holmgren trio. However, rebounding remains an important question in Oklahoma City, while management has decided to bring experience to the squad with a view to the playoffs, with the arrivals of Gordon Hayward, Bismack Biyombo and Mike Muscala.
For the Nuggets, the regular season is generally going as hoped, even if we will have to wait to know the severity of Jamal Murray's injury. And after the three defeats before the All-Star Break, the team has resumed its march forward with five victories since the restart. Mike Malone repeats that he has the best major five in the entire league, which gives him very good reasons to believe in defending the title…
Pursuers on different slopes
Cleveland (39-20) was the fittest team in the entire NBA until the All-Star Break, but the recovery is not ideal for the Cavaliers. Donovan Mitchell, ill, missed the first two outings after the All-Star game, and the Ohio squad lost three games out of six, and it could have been worse if Max Strus had not returned a miraculous shot from midfield against Dallas. In short, we will have to restart in Cleveland.
It's a bit the opposite for Milwaukee (40-21), who had gone on vacation with his head full of doubts following several defeats, including a last very embarrassing one against the Grizzlies. But Giannis Antetokounmpo and his team resumed by dominating the Wolves, then crushing the Sixers, the Hornets twice and finally the Bulls. Five consecutive victories which brought clarity to the young Bucks, and smiles.
For the LA Clippers (38-20), we can also talk about a slowdown, as for the Cavs. Except that that of the Los Angeles squad dates back to before the All-Star Game, with a defense that displays frying on the line. Result: while Tyronn Lue's troops had completely taken over the lead in the West, they have since moved away.
Particularly grouped platoons
Behind, and in both conferences, we find platoons with teams that are almost shoulder to shoulder. In the West, the difference between 5th and 8th place is tiny, Phoenix (35-24), New Orleans (36-25), Sacramento (34-25) And Dallas (34-26) having almost the same record. We can almost add Golden State (32-27) and the LA Lakers (33-28).
The Top 10 thus seems fixed but not the order, from 5th to 10th place. Year after year, despite the injuries and the group's difficulties in the last quarter, the Suns of Devin Booker and Kevin Durant come back. It's a bit of the same thing for the Pelicans, capable of crushing a lot of people behind Zion Williamson's combination of power and creation on offense, but also limited by the power forward's defensive wanderings.
The Kings still seem to be looking for their balance between attack and defense this season, which also places them in a somewhat vague zone, between great victories and ugly defeats. As for the Mavericks, the trade deadline certainly gave them size, but it did not solve their problems, particularly defensively.
The Warriors have obviously found a formula that works and are seriously moving up the standings. How far ? As for the Lakers, currently in 10th place in the conference, they are capable of imposing their power on everyone, but also of losing almost everyone, the fault of their fluctuating energy and skill. The two Californian franchises undoubtedly hope to try to reposition themselves as best as possible between now and the playoffs to then showcase their experience. But the room for maneuver is limited.
Representation of offensive and defensive efficiency since January 1
Representation of offensive and defensive efficiency since January 1In the East, the gap is also tiny from 4th to 8th place, between New York (35-25), Philadelphia (34-25), Orlando (34-26), Miami (33-26) And Indiana (34-27).
The Knicks, the hottest team in January, lost 8 of their 12 games in February but the explanation is very clear: without Julius Randle, OG Anunoby and Mitchell Robinson, three starters, the Knicks cannot keep up with the pace of the other large displacements. Tom Thibodeau is therefore waiting for the infirmary to empty. Same situation for Philadelphia, which hopes to hold out the shock long enough, hoping that Joel Embiid returns…
After a big start, then a complicated period, notably during the injury to Franz Wagner, Orlando for its part relaunched, still relying on its defense, its attack still being limited. Same case for the other Florida franchise, Miami. Obviously, on the other hand, it's quite the opposite for Indiana, which for its part can count on a fiery attack, and a defense still in dire straits, despite the arrival of Pascal Siakam. And the crazy pace imposed by Tyrese Haliburton and his comrades doesn't explain everything.
The play-in battle
Behind these two pelotons, we will fight for the “play-in”, especially in the East between Chicago (28-32), Atlanta (26-33), Brooklyn (23-26) And Toronto (22-38).
Despite injuries and checkered results, the Bulls seem to have an advantage, while the Hawks now have to do without Trae Young for a few weeks and Toronto has just lost Scottie Barnes. For the Nets, who are looking for a guideline, in their game and on their bench, the end of the season can be very complicated. Mikal Bridges and his comrades hope to save it by at least reaching the “play-in”, to give themselves a chance to play the postseason and thus avoid a completely lost year on the “Big Apple” side.
West, Utah (27-33) And Houston (25-34) They seem to have given up. All hope is not yet lost but the Jazz and/or the Rockets would need to achieve a very big series of victories to return to the Top 10 of their conference. And given what both teams have been showing lately…
In perpetual restructuring for two seasons, the Salt Lake City squad is struggling to find continuity, and in any case its primary objective is to help its young people progress. In Texas, development remains a work in progress, and Jalen Green is raising more and more questions. And frustration.
And meanwhile, at the back of the class…
For Memphis (20-40), Portland (16-42), Charlotte (15-45), San Antonio (12-48), Detroit (9-50) And Washington (9-51), the season is over for a long time, and we are already looking towards the Draft and next season. With more or less optimism.
The Grizzlies are undoubtedly hoping to quickly turn the page on an annus horribilis, marked by the suspension of Ja Morant and above all a cascade of injuries. For the Blazers, we had to digest the transfer request then the departure of Damian Lillard, with Scoot Henderson much less ready than we imagined.
On the Hornets side, we are trying to get off on the right foot, with a healthier foundation for the future, and Brandon Miller is giving very encouraging signs in this direction. San Antonio can hope thanks to the performances of Victor Wembanyama, who brightens the very gray sky of the franchise, while Detroit for its part does not want to let go of the season, if only to avoid having the worst season in history from the Michigan club…
Finally, the Wizards are perhaps the big disappointment of the group. Certainly, with the transfer of Bradley Beal, we could expect to see the capital franchise at the bottom of the class in the East, but the enormous difficulties of Jordan Poole tarnish the short and medium term future of the club, despite a few rays of light, like Bilal Coulibaly.
