Around the NBA: Week of Feb. 12

With the NBA All-Star festivities coming up and the first half of the NBA season coming to a close, let’s take a look at what is going on around the NBA.

Eastern Giants

The Boston Celtics have won their last six games, and own the first seed in the East by a considerable margin. The Lineup of Derrick White, Jrue Holiday, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Kristaps Porzingis should make for the strongest lineup of any Eastern Conference team come playoff time.

Despite the Milwaukee Bucks being the third seed in the East, the Doc Rivers era has been nothing short of a disappointment. Since Rivers took over the coaching duties for the Bucks, they have gone 3-7 including their most recent loss to the depleted Grizzlies as 14-point favorites.

Splash Bros

When it was announced that Klay Thompson would be coming off the bench for the Warriors, nobody could’ve expected the performance that he would put up. Thompson would put up a season-high 35 points, shooting 7-12 from the 3-point line.

Stephen Curry has continued his excellent streak of scoring, becoming the first NBA player to have four straight consecutive games making seven three-pointers. His hot shooting could be the deciding factor in his 3-point contest matchup against Sabrina Ionescu.

Four Horse Race in the West

The Timberwolves are first in the west, followed by the Thunder, Clippers, and Nuggets. Karl-Anthony Towns, Anthony Edwards and coach Chris Finch will represent them in the All-Star game. The other teams in the top four are all within three games of the top spot.

Despite not being in the top four, the Suns, Pelicans, Mavericks and Kings have shown the ability to compete with the teams at the top. The Mavs are on a six-game win streak. The Suns and Pelicans are both six games back of the Timberwolves, currently at the fifth and sixth seed. This gap is the same as the Cavs' distance behind the Celtics for first in the East.

Games of the Week

Feb. 12: 76ers 123, Cavaliers 121.

The newest sixer Buddy Hield was the leading scorer for the team in this upset over the Cavs in which they entered the game as 11.5-point underdogs. This snapped the Cavs’ nine-game winning streak.

Feb. 14: Pacers 127, Raptors 125.

In Pascal Siakam’s return to Toronto, he scored 23 points, leading the Pacers for the game. Siakam hit a go-ahead three with 25 seconds remaining, which would be enough for the Pacers to hold on and win.

Stat Lines of the Week

1. Victor Wembanyama vs. Raptors: 27 points, 14 rebounds, five assists, 10 blocks

2. Domantas Sabonis vs. Suns: 35 points, 18 rebounds, 12 assists

3. Jayson Tatum vs. Nets: 41 points, 14 rebounds, five assists

4. Luka Doncic vs. Wizards: 26 points, 11 rebounds, 15 assists

5. De’Aaron Fox vs. Suns: 40 points, nine rebounds, six assists

Will Harrison is a first-year majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, please email wbh5205@psu.edu.