Are the Grizzlies the best team in the west?
The Grizzlies have one of the most spectacular talents in the NBA in Ja Morant and are having an equally special season. They have won 8 of their last 10 games and are now the #1 team in the west and look like a true championship contender. Their best win of the season came earlier this week against the eastern conference leading Milwaukee Bucks where they dominated from start to finish. The Grizzlies blew out out the Milwaukee Bucks by 41 points and Ja had an impressive triple double performance in just 26 minutes played. With the Grizzlies recent play, Morant has become a bigger part of the MVP conversation. He is currently averaging 26.7 points, 6.7 rebounds, and 7.7 assists per game and has helped to raise expectations for what the Grizzlies can accomplish this season. They will be even better when they get back Morant's backcourt mate in Desmond Bane who has been out since Nov. 11th due to a toe injury. Still, they already look like the best team in the west and are currently my pick to make a run to the NBA finals.
Next Week, The Grizzlies continue their season with a 3 game road trip where they will take on the Denver Nuggets and Phoenix Suns before closing the week out with a Christmas day matchup with the Golden State Warriors.
Are the Nets the biggest threat to the Celtics?
The Brooklyn Nets have seemingly found their winning formula over the past couple weeks as they have won 9 of their last 10 games and are currently on a 6 game win streak. After a shaky start to the season and some off court drama with Kyrie Irving, the Nets are now playing their basketball of the season. Kevin Durant has been leading the way offensively and at 34 years old is having one of the best season of hall of fame career thus far. He is averaging 29.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game and is having a MVP caliber season leading the Nets to the 4th seed in the east so far. Durant's co star in Kyrie Irving has been having a special season as well and is part of one of the highest scoring duos in the NBA. He recently hit his first game winning buzzer beater of his career on the road against the Toronto Raptors to keep their winning streak alive. Despite their recent success they will still need more from other their supporting cast namely Ben Simmons before they can be considered a true threat to the Celtics.
Next week, the Nets will look to keep their win streak going with matchups against the Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks.
How far can the Knicks go with their new big 3?
The Knicks have quietly been one of the best teams in the NBA recently as they currently have the longest active win streak with 7 wins in a row. Their big 3 in Julius Randle, Jalen Brunson, and RJ Barrett have all been playing great basketball. Randle has led the way offensively scoring 25 or more in 5 of their last 7 wins. He has been the leading scorer and rebounder for the Knicks all season averaging 22.4 points per game and 9.0 rebounds per game. The Knicks major offseason acquisition in Jalen Brunson has been special especially during their current streak. Brunson has scored 30 in 2 of the Knicks last 3 games including some clutch shots in both games. RJ Barrett, the Knicks 2019 1st round pick out of Duke has stepped up by scoring 22 or more in 5 straight games slightly over his average of 19.2 points per game. With the Knicks recent success they are now a top 6 seed and if they maintain this level of play they could potentially be a fun team to watch come playoff team. Though they still have ways to go before being considered a playoff contender but this Knicks team is more than capable of being a tough out come postseason time. At best, I see them possibly making a run to the second round of the playoffs which is something the Knicks have not done for awhile now.
Next week, the Knicks will look to continue their win streak during a 4 game homestand as they take on the Warriors, Raptors, Bulls, and a Christmas day matchup with the 76ers.
Game of the Week- Fred VanVleet drops a season high 39 points in his second straight game but the Raptors fall short, Durant and Irving combine for 60 points and Irving hits his first career game winning buzzer beater as the Nets win 119-116 in Toronto.
Source: NBA YouTube Channel
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