Translation of the article content into English: On January 2, 2025, Beijing time, the NBA regular season witnessed a crucial match between two Western Conference powerhouses, the Rockets and the Mavericks. In this pivotal battle for positioning, the Rockets successfully defeated the Mavericks with a score of 110-99, ending their two-game losing streak and intensifying the Western Conference standings. In this game, five players from the Rockets stood out with their key performances, not only contributing critical statistics but also playing irreplaceable roles on the court. Let's take a detailed look at the outstanding performances of these five players. Shen Jing: The Core on Both Offense and Defense In this game, Shen Jing once again demonstrated his comprehensive abilities as the team's core. He not only scored the highest among the team but also played a significant role on both the offensive and defensive ends. With a shooting percentage of 56%, he contributed 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists throughout the game, bringing a positive impact to the team in almost every possession. Although he made some mistakes during the game, it did not affect his overall performance. Shen Jing's key steals and offensive coordination allowed the Rockets to firmly control the rhythm of the game after halftime. Dillon: The Efficient Scoring Engine of the Offense Dillon was undoubtedly an important engine for the Rockets' offense in this game. With a high efficiency of 6 out of 15 shots made, he contributed 19 points, 6 rebounds, and 1 steal, especially in moments when the team needed scoring, Dillon's performance…

On January 1st, Beijing time, the Spurs hosted the Clippers. In the first quarter, Wenyamadu scored both inside and outside, leading the team to establish a lead. On the Clippers' side, only Harden struggled to support, with the entire team scoring only 17 points in the quarter. At the end of the first quarter, the Spurs had already led by 14 points; in the second quarter, the Clippers' offense warmed up, launching a counterattack with consecutive three-pointers, but they were still unable to stop the Spurs' offense, and the point difference was further widened. At halftime, the Spurs led the Clippers 63-43; after changing sides again, the situation remained the same, with the Clippers completely lost on the offensive end, and the game almost lost its suspense; in the final quarter, the Clippers surrendered early, but the Spurs' bench continued to output, and the game ended with the Spurs defeating the Clippers 122-86. Who would have thought that the first tragedy of the new year would happen to the Clippers. This game clearly shows the gap in talent between the two sides. Under Harden's single-core leadership, it is already very difficult for the team to achieve sixth place in the West. The Clippers now urgently need a second scorer who can sustain output. Good news came as the Clippers' core Leonard welcomed news of his return. According to Law Murray of the Clippers, Leonard aims to return on January 5 (Beijing time) at home against the Hawks. Leonard averages 25.4 points per game in his career with the Clippers, along…

Embiid was absent, and Philadelphia lost 107-113 to the Kings on the road. In the final quarter, with a 9-point lead, the Kings suddenly made a surge in the last three minutes, scoring an 11-0 run to instantly dismantle Philadelphia. George played well in the first three quarters today, but in the fourth quarter, he only managed 2 rebounds in 7 minutes, going 0-for-1 from the field without scoring, which was a high start and low finish that couldn't be relied upon. Fox is indeed very capable, especially in the clutch, where he made every shot, particularly from mid-range. Fox has something special. Recently, there have been many rumors about Fox leaving the team, with the Rockets being the hottest potential destination for Fox, as he is from Houston. Moreover, the Rockets' configuration is not only similar to the Kings but also stronger. The Kings have Sabonis, the fire dragon, while the Rockets have Shen Jing, the little fire dragon. Additionally, the Rockets have abundant frontline resources, so it can be said that the Rockets meet the standards for an All-Star to move in directly. If the Rockets could replace Van Jordan with Fox, they could compete for the championship this year. Fox is the scorer the Rockets need and the role the team dreams of having, someone who can deliver the decisive blow in critical moments. Standing at 1.91 meters tall, Fox also shines defensively. If Fox were to join the Rockets, the team could perfectly leverage their top-three defense in the league. The Rockets' defense would not decrease…

The competition in the Eastern Conference is becoming increasingly fierce, with the Cavaliers currently firmly occupying first place in the league, their form being overwhelmingly strong. Honestly speaking, the Cavaliers have become increasingly invincible in recent times. Even if you are a strong team, you will probably have to give it your all if you want to challenge their top spot. In contrast to the Celtics, their health situation has made fans' hearts skip a beat, especially with the consecutive injuries to Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, leading to a losing streak at home. Injuries have indeed caused a decline in their overall performance, but don't forget that this team is still considered one of the biggest contenders for the championship even during an injury-riddled period. The core lineup of the Celtics remains formidable, especially Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who are simply irreplaceable. The Celtics are not giving up, while the Knicks are taking advantage of the momentum, their recent performances are like they've been injected with a shot of adrenaline, having already achieved an eight-game winning streak, and are steadily making a push for the second spot in the East. Although they are still some distance away from the Celtics, who dares say that this competition is settled? It's really worth everyone's deep thought that the Knicks can pull off such a winning streak at this time. The young Magic team has also shown great tenacity, despite suffering from injuries, they remain firmly in the top four in the East. The resilience of this team is truly impressive,…

Smith Asks Lakers for $100 Million Extension Contract, Decides to Opt Out of Contract, Puts Forward a Condition to Redick According to the latest report by journalist Jovan Buha from the "Los Angeles Times," newly traded Lakers small forward Finney-Smith has informed management that he plans to decline his player option at the end of the season and seek a renewal contract worth around $100 million over four years, with the hope of securing a starting position. The Lakers' acquisition of Finney-Smith is expected to aid in their playoff push, as he can significantly alleviate the pressure Davis faces in the paint defensively, allowing LeBron James to focus more on offense. In his debut game with the Lakers, Finney-Smith came off the bench for 20 minutes, contributing only 2 points, 2 assists, and 2 rebounds, not particularly impressive statistically. However, head coach Redick appreciates his performance on the court and believes he has the ability to switch and defend against opposing centers when necessary. Redick stated that Finney-Smith's defensive execution, physicality, and intensity are all excellent, making him a reliable role player. Redick has assigned Finney-Smith to come off the bench behind Hachimura, often playing alongside James, Davis, and Reeves, and has effectively defended against Jarrett Allen or Mobley while maintaining good foul control, not allowing the Cavaliers many free throw opportunities. It will take time for Finney-Smith to fully integrate into Redick's tactical system, and it will require more games to develop chemistry with James and Davis. Redick also plans to increase Finney-Smith's playing time. However, Finney-Smith is not…

On January 2nd, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continues, let's take a look at the performance of the Western Conference teams and the latest standings changes. The main information is as follows: The Rockets defeated the Mavericks 110-99, sending them to their third consecutive loss; the Nuggets defeated the Hawks 139-120 for their third consecutive win; the Kings reversed the 76ers 113-107; and the Pelicans lost to the Heat 108-119, suffering their eleventh consecutive loss. The competition in the West is very fierce, and the rankings can change every day. The Thunder and Grizzlies did not play today and remain in the top two spots. The third-placed Rockets won 110-99 at home against the Mavericks without Doncic, ending their two-game losing streak and improving their record to 22 wins and 11 losses, just half a game behind the Grizzlies and 5.5 games behind the Thunder. The losing Mavericks suffered their third consecutive loss with a record of 20 wins and 14 losses, falling out of the top four to fifth place. In fact, the teams ranked fourth to seventh, the Nuggets, Mavericks, Clippers, and Lakers, have a maximum difference of only one win between them. The Nuggets played a 41-24 offensive wave at home in the third quarter, defeating the Hawks 139-120 for their third consecutive win. Jokic shot 8 for 16, easily scoring 23 points, 17 rebounds, and 15 assists. Murray and Porter Jr. scored 21 points each, and Westbrook shot 5 for 6, scoring 16 points and 11 assists with only 1 turnover. Although the Nuggets are…

A crushing defeat by 41 points! This is no laughing matter; such a margin could rival the score of a small basketball game! The Lakers suffered a humiliating loss to the Heat, leaving them stripped bare. Despite LeBron James' impressive performance with 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists, these numbers seem insignificant against the gaping 41-point deficit. This match was akin to a tragicomedy, where LeBron's individual brilliance brought joy, while the Lakers' defeat brought sorrow. The experience was like chewing on durian-flavored gum—initially sweet but ultimately leaving a strange aftertaste. However, today we're not just discussing victory or defeat; let's delve into something more human. As the final 8 seconds ticked away and the outcome was sealed, everyone thought LeBron should take a break. But he didn't. Instead, he casually strolled over to the Heat's bench. What was his purpose? To catch up with an old comrade! He embraced Kevin Love with such warmth, as if reuniting with a long-lost brother, a scene that moved fans to tears. Back in their days with the Cavaliers, these two were a force to be reckoned with, winning championships and carrying the team together. Their bond was as cold as a Northeastern winter and as hot as a Hainan summer—undeniably strong! Their embrace was not just a casual greeting; it encapsulated countless stories. It embodied the countless nights of fighting side by side and the numerous critical moments of supporting each other. This was not an act; it was a genuine outpouring of emotion, a true reflection of LeBron's character! After…

In a major trade involving Karl-Anthony Towns at the start of the season, Donte DiVincenzo and Julius Randle were sent to the Minnesota Timberwolves. However, his performance at the beginning of this season did not meet expectations. In fact, DiVincenzo has always had the problem of starting slowly. Last season, when he played for the Knicks, he could only average 8.5 points in the first two months, with a shooting percentage of 39.6% and a three-point percentage of 39.7%. He started to heat up in December, and from January to the end of the regular season, DiVincenzo's scoring average increased to 18.8 points, with a shooting percentage also rising to 44%, along with a three-point percentage of 37.8%. During the 2022-23 season with the Golden State Warriors, the situation was similar. In October and November, DiVincenzo averaged only 5 points, with a shooting percentage of 35.9% and a three-point percentage of 34.8%. But around New Year's Day, he warmed up again, and from January to the end of the season, he could average 10.7 points, with a shooting percentage of 45% and a three-point percentage of 40.4%. This season's situation is the same as the previous two seasons. With his form warming up in December, he now seems to have found his place with the Minnesota Timberwolves. In Monday's game where the Timberwolves defeated the San Antonio Spurs 112-110, DiVincenzo scored a team-high 26 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 assists. This game was also his third consecutive game scoring in double digits and his second consecutive game scoring over 20…

The NBA Teams Most Likely to Win 60 Games This Season! The Celtics Top the List, and the Knicks Make the Cut 1.Celtics (64-18 in the 23-24 season, projected 65-17 in the 24-25 season)‌ It comes as no surprise that one of the teams most likely to achieve a 60-win record in the 24-25 NBA season is the reigning champion Boston Celtics, who already accomplished a 64-18 record last season. As champions of the 23-24 season and a storied franchise with a rich history of titles, the Celtics are not content with just one championship, unlike some teams that might be satisfied after winning once and then dismantle their roster. With the most championships in NBA history, the Celtics have been preparing for consecutive titles. In the 2024 offseason, they not only retained the core of their championship-winning team from the 23-24 season but also extended a max contract to one of their key players, Jayson Tatum, signing him for an additional five years at $314 million. This decision to maintain the same lineup can be seen as the best possible reinforcement, as a team that has just gelled and won a championship will only get stronger with continued cohesion, especially without any age-related concerns. Additionally, making Tatum, who missed out on the 23-24 season's Finals MVP, the highest-paid player in NBA history sends a clear message of trust from the team. To repay this faith, Tatum is expected to work even harder in the new season to prove himself, leading the team to better results and his own Finals…

On January 1st, Beijing time, the NBA was bustling with six regular season games. Once these matches concluded, the latest rankings were officially unveiled. Let's talk about the Bucks and Pacers game, where Giannis Antetokounmpo made his return. However, what was unexpected was Damian Lillard's poor performance, shooting only 3 out of 14 for a total of 9 points. The Bucks were once down by 19 points, which had me quite anxious. Fortunately, Giannis Antetokounmpo played exceptionally well, and with the support of Lopez and Trent, they managed to pull off a great comeback. By the end of the game, Giannis Antetokounmpo's stats were impressive, scoring 30 points, grabbing 12 rebounds, and dishing out 5 assists. This victory ended their two-game losing streak, propelling them to fifth place in the East, while the Pacers settled at eighth. I'm the Celtics, and recently, I've been criticized for my excessive three-point attempts in games, with Jayson Tatum's lackluster performance also drawing harsh criticism. However, today, I finally rose to the occasion with an excellent performance! Tatum also showed signs of recovery, shooting 6 out of 13 for 23 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 assists. Ultimately, we defeated the Raptors by a record-breaking 54 points, setting a new high for the season. This 54-point margin is the largest of the season, surpassing the Grizzlies' 51-point win over the Warriors on December 20th. After this victory, we remain firmly in second place in the East, while the Raptors suffered their 11th consecutive loss, remaining at the bottom of the East in 14th place. Today,…