With just over three weeks remaining in the 2024-25 NBA regular season, teams like the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers are making strides in the standings. The Lakers are relying on Luka Dončić to lead the team in the absence of LeBron James, who is recovering from a groin injury. Meanwhile, the Celtics continue to prioritize a team-first approach amidst a string of injuries.
Here are the highlights from Week 21 of the NBA season:
**Winners:**
* **Rockets Surge Up the West Standings:**
Houston, who had a rough stretch of 11 losses in 16 games last month, have turned things around with an impressive eight-game winning streak. Despite missing forward Amen Thompson due to injury, the Rockets have shown strength and depth across their roster. They now hold the second spot in the Western Conference with a one-game lead. Houston will face tough matchups ahead, providing opportunities to prove their mettle against top teams.
* **Celtics Maintain Momentum:**
While the Boston Celtics may not catch the leading Cleveland Cavaliers in the East, their resilience and teamwork have kept them secure in the second seed. Despite key players missing games, the Celtics have stayed competitive and are poised for a strong finish with a favorable schedule ahead.
* **Lakers Thrive Despite James’ Absence:**
The Los Angeles Lakers have won three consecutive games even without LeBron James, thanks to stellar performances by Luka Dončić. Dončić’s leadership on offense has propelled the team forward, highlighted by a significant victory over the Denver Nuggets. The Lakers are proving their resilience and depth in challenging times.
**Losers:**
* **Cavaliers Face Challenges:**
While the Cleveland Cavaliers remain dominant in the Eastern Conference, their inconsistency on the boards has surfaced as a potential weakness. Despite their strong position, addressing this flaw could be crucial for their postseason success.
Overall, teams are gearing up for a competitive end to the regular season, with exciting matchups and playoff implications on the horizon.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are currently struggling this season, having lost their last three games, including a recent defeat against the Sacramento Kings. Rebounding has been a major issue for the Cavaliers, as they have been outrebounded in nearly all of their losses by an average margin of 5.54 rebounds per game. Particularly concerning is their weakness in allowing offensive rebounds, leading to second-chance points for their opponents. In fact, in their losses, Cleveland ranks last in the NBA in opposing offensive rebound percentage. In a recent game against the Clippers, the Cavaliers were unable to keep up in the second half, resulting in a significant rebounding deficit.
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets had an opportunity to secure the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference with LeBron James sidelined due to injury. However, the Nuggets have struggled in their recent games, losing four out of their last seven, including a crucial game against the Lakers. Injuries to key players like Nikola Jokić and Jamal Murray have impacted their performance, but their defensive issues have been a major concern as well.
On the other hand, the Miami Heat are currently enduring a challenging period in the post-Jimmy Butler era, with a nine-game losing streak, the longest in coach Erik Spoelstra’s tenure. Miami has struggled to close out games, experiencing numerous losses after leading in the fourth quarter. The Warriors have notably performed well in games where Butler has played since his trade from Miami.
Overall, these teams are facing various challenges and setbacks as they navigate through the NBA season.
