LeBron James becomes only member of 50K points club
LeBron James became the only person to tally 50,000 points in the regular season and playoffs combines, and Jeff Zillgitt discusses the significance.
Sports Pulse
It feels like, over the past month or so, the balance of power in the NBA has shifted significantly.
Perhaps that shouldn’t come as a surprise, with massive moves headlining an active trade deadline and key All-Stars suffering injuries recently. With that in mind, no outlooks have changed more than those of the Los Angeles Lakers and Dallas Mavericks.
The Lakers have shot up to the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference, and it might not be for the reasons you think. And the Mavericks, with Kyrie Irving set to miss the rest of the season, might be due for months (years?) of irrelevance.
Here are the winners and losers from Week 19 of the 2024-25 NBA regular season.
The Lakers keep winning, and it’s not be for the reason you think
Owners of the longest winning streak in the West at seven games, L.A. has lost only three times in its last 20 games. Over that span, the Lakers have shot up from the No. 6 seed in the conference all the way to the second slot. And while Luka Dončić and his scoring prowess may draw all the headlines, it’s the team’s defense that has been stellar.
The Lakers (39-21) have played with more effort and intensity on the defensive end, closing out perimeter players and rotating help seamlessly. Role players like Dorian Finney-Smith and Jarred Vanderbilt have stepped up. Over the last 15 games, the Lakers have posted the best defensive rating in the NBA, allowing 107 points per 100 possessions.
With Giannis back on the floor, new-look Bucks are surging
After battling a left calf strain that kept him out of the All-Star Game, Giannis Antetokounmpo is back on the floor and the Bucks (36-25) are peaking at the right time. Milwaukee has won eight of its last nine and Antetokounmpo has returned to form. Yet, it might be some of the underrated moves general manager Jon Horst swung at the trading deadline that have the Bucks surging.
Milwaukee shed the age and bloated contract of Khris Middleton and Kyle Kuzma has elevated the minutes when Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard have been off the floor. The additions of Kevin Porter Jr. — who recorded a triple-double Wednesday night against Dallas — and Jericho Sims have also sneakily improved Milwaukee’s defense. And, perhaps most important of all, it has relieved the pressure on Antetokounmpo to be a stopper.
Nearing record-setting pace, can anyone in the East catch the Cavaliers?
The all-time record for offensive rating was set last season by the eventual-champion Boston Celtics, who scored 123.2 points per 100 possessions. This year’s Cavaliers, through 62 games, have posted a rating of 122.2. What’s scariest is that Cleveland is getting even better.
The Cavs (52-10) are on a 12-game winning streak after taking down the Heat Wednesday night. Over the last 15 games, the team’s offensive rating is actually 125. As it has all season long, Cleveland continues to lead the NBA in true shooting percentage (61.5%). Donovan Mitchell and Darius Garland are controlling the backcourt and Evan Mobley has fully broken out under coach Kenny Atkinson.
The Mavericks simply cannot catch a break
Regardless of your take on the trade, losing Anthony Davis, in his third quarter as a Maverick, for several weeks was bad enough. Losing Kyrie Irving to a torn anterior cruciate ligament, when he had been willing Dallas (32-31) to remain somewhat competitive, is destabilizing, should obliterate any hope the team had to stay in the playoff picture and could even impede the team’s progress next season.
Skidding Grizzlies falling into similar mistakes
Memphis has had a turnover issue all season. It’s one of the marks of a young team that plays quickly. Yet, as the playoffs near, protecting the ball becomes even more crucial — especially in tight games. The Grizzlies (38-24) are on a four-game losing streak (longest active skid in the West), have lost seven of their last nine and turnovers have played a critical part. In Monday’s loss against the Hawks, it was a Desmond Bane turnover — after Hawks forward Dyson Daniels picked his pocket — that led to Caris LeVert’s game-winning Eurostep layup at the buzzer.
In fact, going back to the team’s loss Friday against the Knicks, the Grizzlies have committed 68 turnovers against the 45 combined from their opponents. Making matters worse, the average margin of defeat during this losing streak has been just 5.5 points.
Not getting much from role players, Magic are sputtering
Through the first month-and-a-half of the regular season, the Magic were one of the surprises of the NBA season. Then oblique injuries to Orlando’s best players — Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner — derailed the season. Yet, both have been back for a little more than a month, but the Magic (29-34) are in freefall, having lost four consecutive. Going back to Jan. 15, Orlando has actually lost 16 of its last 22 games. Aside from Banchero and Wagner, the Magic are not getting much offense from anyone else.
During Orlando’s four-game skid, Banchero and Wagner have combined for 230 — or 55.8% — of the team’s 412 points. Adding to that, closing has been another issue; over the last 15 games, the Magic rank 27th in second half scoring, with only 52.3 points after halftime over that span.
