With the Milwaukee Bucks topped NBA Cup champions and the vacation season in full swing, the halfway level of the NBA schedule is shortly approaching. Whereas some groups have struggled to seek out their rhythm, just a few are displaying indicators of a possible surge.
We’ll spotlight three organizations which can be able to climb the standings within the coming weeks.
Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers’ begin to the season hasn’t been catastrophic, nevertheless it’s removed from best. Sitting at 14-12, they maintain the tenth spot within the ultra-competitive Western Convention. Nonetheless, they’re only one recreation behind the fifth-place Nuggets and solely 3.5 video games again from the second-place Grizzlies. Whereas the nationwide media has been fast to criticize the Lakers’ roster, calling it ill-equipped to compete at a excessive degree, a lot of that narrative feels overstated.
D’Angelo Russell’s efficiency has been a key consider L.A.’s success. Since his arrival on the 2023 commerce deadline, the staff boasts a 26-10 document when he scores 20 or extra factors.
Russell has struggled mightily this season, however we’ve seen this act many occasions all through his profession. Simply final yr, he endured a sluggish begin, highlighted by a dreadful December by which he averaged simply 10.2 factors per recreation on 32.7% capturing from the sector. Nonetheless, he rebounded in January, averaging 22.7 factors per recreation whereas connecting on 45.9% of his makes an attempt from deep.
As one of many streakiest gamers within the league, Russell tends to rally strongly from tough stretches. Presently capturing his lowest area aim proportion since his second yr within the NBA, he appears primed for an additional important bounce-back because the season progresses.
In the meantime, the Lakers protection, ranked twenty fourth total, has proven indicators of life just lately. Over their last 10 games, they sit at thirteenth in defensive score (111.7), because of improved fundamentals and power. Crew rebounding, limiting second-chance factors, preventing by screens and shutting out on shooters have all been key to this progress, laying the muse for a stronger second half.
Milwaukee Bucks
The Bucks just lately claimed the 2024 NBA Cup with a 97-81 victory over the Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder. After stumbling to a 2-8 begin to the season, Milwaukee has flipped the script and now boasts the league’s greatest document over their final 15 video games at 12-3.
A significant catalyst for the Bucks’ resurgence has been head coach Doc Rivers’ resolution to insert Andre Jackson Jr. into the beginning lineup for Gary Trent Jr. in early November. Since that transfer, Milwaukee has reworked right into a top-10 defensive staff, with Jackson Jr. emerging as a game-changer on the perimeter, holding stars like Cade Cunningham, Trae Younger, Jayson Tatum, Tyler Herro, Donovan Mitchell, Darius Garland and Tyrese Haliburton to beneath 43% capturing as their main defender.
The Bucks tackle the Cavaliers Friday night time, adopted by one of the crucial favorable schedules within the league. Over their subsequent 10 video games, they’ll face the Bulls twice, the Nets twice, in addition to the Wizards, Raptors and Path Blazers — all groups out of the playoff image. Given this gentle slate, it wouldn’t be stunning to see Milwaukee go 9-1 throughout this stretch.
Denver Nuggets
After a disappointing loss to the Wizards on Dec. 7 dropped their document to 11-10, the Nuggets have regarded like a totally completely different staff. They’ve since rattled off three straight wins in opposition to stable opponents within the Hawks, Clippers and Kings.
An enormous motive for this turnaround has been the resurgence of Jamal Murray, who’s starting to recapture the explosiveness that had been lacking for a lot of the season. Over his final 5 video games, Murray has averaged 22.3 factors per contest whereas capturing a powerful 43.8% from past the arc. His sturdy play has reignited the dynamic two-man recreation with Nikola Jokic — a mixture that has been the cornerstone of Denver’s success in recent times.
The Nuggets additionally sorely missed Aaron Gordon, one of many league’s premier defenders, who was sidelined for 11 video games with a strained calf. Now again within the lineup, Gordon has teamed up with Christian Braun to type a formidable defensive duo. Their influence has helped elevate Denver’s protection to a good 15th in the league (112.9 DEFRTG), complementing their top-10 offense and making the Nuggets a tricky staff to deal with.
Just like the Bucks, Denver faces a positive schedule within the coming weeks, with winnable back-to-back units in opposition to the Suns and Spurs and matchups in opposition to the Path Blazers, Pelicans, Pistons and Jazz. Denver is well-positioned to climb out of play-in territory and push towards securing a top-six seed within the Western Convention.
