NBA Week 14 Review
As every week, Westport reviews the past week in the NBA, including the delights and disappointments. This week, the Celtics continued to string together victories despite their incomplete workforce. In the West, the Nuggets haven’t always given up in the wake of a stronger Nikola Jokic. Back to week 14 of the NBA competition.
NBA Eastern Conference: Celtics unstoppable, 76ers gain momentum
Peaks of the week
The 2022 NBA finalists has really been the best team in the league since the start of the season. With a balance of 35 wins and 12 lossesthey Boston Celtics keep pace at the top of the Eastern Conference. On 9 ranks wonthe Massachusetts franchise is carried by its duo Jayson Tatum (31.2 pts and 8.5 rebounds) and Jaylen Brown (26.9 pts and 7.1 rebounds) that within a year found their automatisms to play together. 2nd attack of the NBA (118.5 pts per game), the Celtics are also holding their opponents to less than 113 pts. All the assets are there to give this franchise its 18th title!
After a difficult start to the season marked by injuries, the Philadelphia 76ers clearly gaining momentum (30 wins and 16 losses). On 5 wins in a row, Philly is now runner-up to the Celtics in the Eastern Conference. The connection James Harden – Joel Embiid with the former Rocket handing out caviars (11.2 assists per game) to the Cameroonian pivot (33.6 points). A unity that develops and makes it possible to imagine the rest of the season in the best conditions, if injuries keep him on the bench…
Flop of the week
One more creature is missing and everyone is depopulating! Surprise early in the season, the Indiana Pacers (23-25) has a problem with 7 losing streak. A bad series explained by the damage of Tyrese Haliburton (20.2 pts and 10.2 assists), best player in the franchise. Without it, it is difficult to find the same balance, and real weaknesses are shown (almost 117 pts were collected) in front of everyone. But the Pacers will see the return of their leader at the end of the month, which will make it possible to consider the rest of the season in good spirits.
NBA Western Conference: the Nuggets do not blow, the Kings of California?
Peaks of the week
In 33 wins and 14 lossesthey Denver Nuggets stay regular as usual. While away performances are still questionable (11 wins in 21 games), teammates of Nikola Jokic (25.1 pts, 11 rebounds and 9.9 assists) and best passer in franchise history, however dominated the Colorado Rockies with 20 wins in 24 games. With a Jamal Murray still far from its pre-injury level, the Nuggets are making slow but steady progress.
Should we hope? Kings this season? Now 3rd in the Western conference with 26 wins for 19 lossesthe partners of De’Aaron Fox and domantas Soap guide the best attack of the NBA (120 pts registered on average) towards the height. If the defense is still suspect (over 117 pts collected), there is no doubt about that mike brown wants to work on this aspect of the game, he is known to have a defensive approach to basketball. But Sacramento is in its place because of the level of play it has shown!
Flop of the week
After starting the season with perfection 9 wins in 12 matchesthey Portland Trail Blazers since then it has been a chain of defeats. Now 13th in the Western Conference with 21 wins for 25 losses, with 3 in a row, Damian Lillard’s franchise could not find the solutions to find a second wind. Despite the outbreak by Anfernee Simons (21.8 pts), the Oregon players were in their place and had to fight to reach the play-in. A new disappointment to come Damian Lillard, which will still need reinforcements next summer. Unless it moves before February 9, the deadline to make workforce adjustments.
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