How will KD's injury affect the Brooklyn Nets
The Brooklyn Nets have been one of the best teams in the NBA due in part to the coaching change from Steve Nash to Jacque Vaughn as well as the duo of Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving. Kevin Durant has been an MVP candidate this season averaging 29.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 5.3 assists per game. The Nets have found great success after some early season challenges but now face arguably their toughest stretch of the season as Durant will miss a month due to a knee injury suffered in a win against the Miami Heat. Their first couple matchups without KD have been a struggle as both were home games where they lost by double digits. The first loss came to the conference leading Boston Celtics and the second was a disappointing loss to Oklahoma City Thunder. After the back to back losses, the Nets are now 4 games behind the 1st seeded Celtics and just a half game ahead of the Milwaukee Bucks. For the Nets to avoid falling in the standings, they will need Irving to be more aggressive offensively but they will also need more offense from other players on the roster. Outside of the brilliance of Durant and Irving who average a combined 55.7 points per game, the 3rd leading scorer is Nic Claxton who averages just 11.8 points per game. Without improved scoring, the Nets will need to rely even more on their top five defense which could be a challenge without Durant as he is arguably one of the best defenders on the team. Ultimately, without Durant I do see the Nets sliding a bit in the standings but I still expect them to remain a top 4 seed in the east when Durant returns.
Next week, the Nets will go on the road and look to end their two game losing streak as they take on the San Antonio Spurs, Phoenix Suns, Utah Jazz, and Golden State Warriors.
Are the Clippers still a contender in the west?
So far this season, the Los Angeles Clippers have been great example of how it can be hard to find consistency despite having a talented roster; if positive habits and cohesion is not built in the regular season. Roster wise the team is built for a post season run as they are one of the deepest teams in the NBA and have arguably the most talented wing duo in the league in Kawhi Leonard and Paul George. However, they are not able to keep their best players on the floor for long as injuries and load management has made it hard for head coach Tyronn Lue to know who he can rely on from game to game. With the Clippers currently 45 games into their season only Marcus Morris and Ivica Zubac have played 40 or more game. The only other players to play at least 30 games is Paul George and Reggie Jackson which so far has led to disappointing results. Currently, the Clippers are just the 6th seed in the west and are just a half game ahead of the Minnesota Timberwolves. With Paul George missing the last five games due to a hamstring injury along with injuries to Luke Kennard and John Wall plus the uncertainty of Leonard's availability due to load management, it's hard to justify the Clippers as a contender in the west.
Next week, the Clippers will take on the Philadelphia 76ers, Utah Jazz, San Antonio Spurs, and Dallas Mavericks.
Will Middleton's health cost the Bucks another chance to win the east?
This season, the Milwaukie Bucks are once again one of the best teams in the NBA and are short list of teams who have the best odds to win an NBA title, thanks in part to their MVP candidate Giannis Antetokounmpo. So far they have played well despite missing a huge piece in their All-Star in Khris Middleton who has struggled to stay healthy this year. However, last season a primary reason one could argue they weren't able to get back to the finals last year was because they did not have a healthy Middleton in the playoffs. That issue could arise again this season as Middleton has played just seven games and averaged just 11.1 points per game while shooting just 32.5% from the field. While he clearly was not at his best due to not being in a rhythm after missing so much time the concern would be high if Middleton is not able to get back to his All-Star form come playoff time. At his best, Middleton is an excellent mid range scorer and a reliable option in clutch situations and make the Bucks arguably the best team in the NBA when he is healthy. Though he still has plenty of time to get healthy, the Bucks will need Middleton at his best to make it out of the east which we have not seen since last season.
Next week, the Bucks play the Indiana Pacers, Toronto Raptors, and Cleveland Cavaliers. Also, The Bucks reportedly are close to seeing the return of Khris Middleton to the lineup after his extended absence.
Game of the week- Luka Doncic drops a game high 35 points in yet another triple double performance and hits multiple clutch threes to lead the Mavericks to the win on the road in double overtime.
Comments