Chicago (USA).– The NBA reaches its first break of the season this Thursday, on the occasion of Thanksgiving, marked by the overwhelming dominance of Luka Doncic in Los Angeles and by the unexpected rise of the Detroit Pistons and Toronto Raptors in an East that began the campaign without a clear favorite.
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The complete first season of Doncic as a Lakers player couldn’t have started better. The Slovenian has become the engine of the Los Angeles franchise, averaging
35.2 points, 8.8 rebounds and 9.2 assists per game. His most recent performance —
43 points in the derby against the Clippers— consolidated a historic start that has elevated the Lakers to second place in the West, with a record of
13-4.
Dallas Pays Dearly for the Departure of Its Star
While the Lakers shine, the situation is drastically different in Dallas. The Mavericks, who traded Doncic last February in one of the most controversial operations in recent NBA history, are experiencing a collapse that has left the franchise as second-to-last in the West with a record of
5-14.
Anthony Davis — main piece acquired in exchange for Doncic — has barely played five games due to physical discomfort. The crisis triggered the dismissal of general manager Nico Harrison, responsible for the risky decision that today generates remorse in Dallas.
The highly anticipated rookie Cooper Flagg, obtained with the first pick of the last draft despite the improbable
1.8% probability in the lottery, has yet to find his rhythm in his transition from the NCAA.
Unstoppable Thunder: Champions Rule the West
The best record in the league belongs to the
Oklahoma City Thunder, current champions and strong favorites to compete in the Finals again. With a record of
18-1 and an active streak of ten victories, the Thunder continue to build their success around MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who averages
32.6 points per game.
Pistons and Raptors surprise an open East
The absence of Jayson Tatum throughout the season due to an Achilles tendon injury left the Boston Celtics without their main figure and kept the East without a clear dominator. However, Detroit and Toronto have burst in with unexpected force.
The
Pistons, driven by a streak of
13 consecutive victories, lead the conference with a record of
15-3. They are followed by the
Raptors, who have strung together
nine straight wins to position themselves at 14-5 and secure their place in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, after winning all their group stage matches.
Miami on the rise; Milwaukee in free fall
The
Miami Heat, led by Mexican Jaime Jáquez, have climbed to third place in the East thanks to their six consecutive victories. Meanwhile, the Celtics remain in the ‘play-in’ zone with a 10-8 record.
In contrast, the
Milwaukee Bucks are going through one of their worst recent moments, dragging six consecutive defeats and being left out of postseason positions. The absence due to injury of
Giannis Antetokounmpo has left the team without direction.
