Are the streaking 76ers the beast of the east?
After a slow start to the season, the Philadelphia 76ers seem to have found a winning formula. That formula starts with Joel Embiid who is having another dominant season leading the league in scoring at 33.1 points per game. The Sixers have now won eight games in a row with their most recent being an impressive Christmas day road win in New York where Embiid lead the way dropping 35 points. Embiid has had plenty of help during this streak as his co star James Harden has done an excellent job of finding the balance between being a great facilitator and perimeter scorer when needed. Harden is currently averaging a double double averaging 21.8 points and 11.1 assists per game. With the Sixers playing their best basketball of the season and being just 3 games behind the 1st seed in the east, many wonder where they can stack up with top teams of the east. As far as the Milwaukee Bucks and Boston Celtics, I would say they are a tier below those two. However, I do feel they could win a series against any of the other teams in the east come playoff time.
Next week, the Sixers look to continue their win streak with a 3 game road trip against the Washington Wizards, New Orleans Pelicans, and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Are the Magic showing signs of a bright future?
The Orlando Magic are far from being a contending team in the east but they are showing a lot of signs of what they could be in the near future. They have won 8 of their last 10 games including back to back wins in Boston with several of their young players playing quality basketball in this recent stretch. The #1 overall pick Paolo Banchero has been as good as advertised currently leading the team in scoring and assists at 21.7 points and 4.0 assists per game. His best games have occurred over this recent stretch of games where such as his brilliant 31 point performance on the road against Boston. Other players have stood out such as Franz Wagner, Cole Anthony, and Bol Bol. Wagner has been especially improved over the last 10 games upping his scoring average from 19.8 to 21.7 points per game. Despite the Magic being a young team they already of showing signs of a bright future and if they can continue to build around Banchero.
Next week, the Magic plan on continuing their positive recent play as they match up with the Los Angeles Lakers, Detroit Pistons, and Oklahoma City Thunder.
Is Pascal Siakam having an underrated season?
The Toronto Raptors have had a disappointing season thus far as they are currently the 10th seed in the east sitting just inside the play in scenario at 15-18. Still, that hasn't stopped the Raptors all star Pascal Siakam from quietly having the best season of his career so far. The Raptors forward is having an all-NBA type season despite the Raptors unfortunate start to the season. Siakam is currently leading the team in scoring, assists, and rebounds averaging a career high 26.2 points, 8.5 rebounds, 6.9 assists per game. Siakam recently had the best game of his career to help the Raptors put an end to a six game losing streak. He exploded for a career high 52 points along with 9 rebounds and 7 assists on the road to break the New York Knicks 8 game win streak leading the Raptors to a 113-106 victory. With the way Siakam is playing, the Raptors still have a great chance of moving up the standings but as of now his brilliant season is flying rather under the radar due to his team's lack of success so far.
Next week, the Raptors will look to move up the east standings as they begin a 3 game homestand with matchups against 3 western conference playoff contenders in the Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Phoenix Suns.
Game of the week- Nikola Jokic has an incredible triple double performance dropping 41 points 15 assists and 15 rebounds leading the Nuggets to a 128-125 win in OT over the Suns on Christmas day
Source- NBA YouTube Channel
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