Incredible Russell Westbrook led the Nuggets to a decisive 139-120 victory over the Hawks at home. With a current record of 19 wins and 13 losses, it's clear that they're on track. Coach Malone continued to start Westbrook alongside Murray in the backcourt. The frontcourt featured Braun, Porter at the four, and Jokic at the five. Once Gordon returns, Porter will likely move back to the three, with Gordon at the four partnering with Jokic, and Braun probably coming off the bench. Westbrook is sure to keep his starting spot. Notably, when Westbrook starts this season, the Nuggets have a 9-2 record, compared to a 10-11 record when he comes off the bench. There's a stark difference between his performance as a starter versus a substitute, with the latter being less impressive and less efficient offensively. However, since moving into the starting lineup, Westbrook has transformed into a superstar, averaging 16+7+7 over the last nine games with a 57% shooting rate. This level of play is truly that of a superstar, and the Nuggets have developed great chemistry with Westbrook in the starting lineup. From the outset, the Nuggets took control, with Jokic drawing in the Hawks' defense and Westbrook focusing on defense and steals. Porter and Braun spread the floor, while Murray attacked one-on-one. The Nuggets' offense flowed smoothly, leading 40-33 after the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Hawks started to fight back, with Klayich, Hunter, and Okongwu contributing, and Trae Young igniting their offense to close the gap. But Jokic dominated both ends of the court,…

On the morning of December 24, NBA regular season continued with the Warriors hosting the Pacers. The Pacers have been in hot form recently, winning 5 out of their last 6 games. The Warriors, on the other hand, have been performing averagely, with somewhat insufficient overall competitiveness. In the first half, neither team managed to pull away, with the Pacers holding a slim 8-point advantage. In the second half, the Warriors' comeback attempt was mediocre, as they only managed to close the gap by 4 points in the third quarter and fell further behind in the fourth, ultimately losing 105-111. Curry had an average game, shooting 2 for 13 from the field, scoring 10 points with 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Kuminga came off the bench to shoot 9 for 16, scoring 26 points with 8 rebounds and 4 assists, the highest scorer for the team and the only player to score over 20 points. The Lakers hosted the Pistons, where despite a clear difference in overall strength, the Lakers lacked overall competitiveness and a stable offensive output. At halftime, the Lakers held a slight 2-point lead, but the fourth quarter saw a thrilling climax with suspense building! In the final moments, James attempted a buzzer-beating three-pointer that bounced off the rim a few times before missing, which could have potentially sent the game into overtime. The final score was 114-117. James scored 28 points with 11 rebounds and 11 assists, while Christie scored 17 points. The Pistons won due to strong bench performances from players like Beasley, Fontecchio, Osar,…

On January 2nd, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with a total of 8 matchups scheduled for the day. The specific results are as follows: Magic lost to Pistons 96-105, Bulls were defeated by Wizards 107-125, Pelicans lost to Heat 108-119, Jazz lost to Knicks 103-119, Nets were defeated by Raptors 113-130, Mavericks lost to Rockets 99-110, Hawks were defeated by Nuggets 120-139, and 76ers narrowly lost to Kings 107-113. Stars such as Ivey, Cunningham, Poole, Adebayo, Herro, Towns, Barnes, Shen Jing, Jokic, and Fox all had impressive performances. So, who will win the title of today's best player? Let's take a look together. In the game between Jazz and Knicks, Sexton and Clarkson combined for 50 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Markkanen scored 16 points and 10 rebounds. However, they still fell behind by as many as 20 points at one point and ultimately suffered a defeat. On the Knicks side, Brunson was absent, but Hart contributed a triple-double with 15 points, 14 rebounds, and 12 assists, while Anunoby added 23 points, 3 rebounds, and 2 assists, and Bridges scored 27 points. However, they were not the best performers on the team; that honor goes to Towns! Towns played 37 minutes, shooting 10-of-20 (3-of-6 from three-point range) and 8-of-9 from the free-throw line, exploding for a comprehensive stat line of 31 points, 21 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal, and 1 block. In the game between 76ers and Kings, Embiid was absent, but George exploded for 30 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Maxey scored 27…

The Houston Rockets faced off against the Dallas Mavericks in a Texas derby on January 2nd, as the NBA regular season continued with intense competition. The Rockets secured a significant victory over the Mavericks with a score of 110-99, completing their third double-kill of the season. This win not only solidified the Rockets' position but also presented favorable opportunities for the Los Angeles Lakers and Clippers to push for the fourth spot in the Western Conference standings, where there is now a two-win difference between the fourth and eighth positions, significantly altering the landscape of the conference. In the game against the Mavericks, five Rockets players scored in double figures, contributing to their third double-kill of the season. The match was intense from the start, with the Mavericks initially leading 7-2 after a three-pointer by Klay Thompson. However, the Rockets fought back with inside scoring and gradually closed the gap. Both teams engaged in fierce battles throughout the game, with the Mavericks maintaining their lead in the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Rockets managed to catch up and eventually overtake the Mavericks, leading by 9 points at halftime. The Rockets continued to expand their lead in the third quarter, ending it with a 14-point advantage. In the final quarter, despite the Mavericks' attempts to close the gap with consecutive three-pointers, the Rockets maintained a strong inside attack and secured the victory with a comfortable margin. Notable scorers for the Rockets included Alperen Sengun with 23 points, 6 rebounds, and 4 assists, and Jalen Green with 22 points and…

The Clippers Must Lose Against Thunder! Tyronn Lue Needs to Understand Human Relations Recently, the Clippers have been experiencing ups and downs, and they recently achieved a three-game winning streak against the Pelicans. This winning streak has successfully propelled them to fifth place in the Western Conference. This is a good omen, as the Clippers have gone through many fluctuations but now seem to have found some form. They still have back-to-back games ahead, with their next opponent being the Spurs. Perhaps many people are wondering if the Clippers have regained their previous firepower and can continue this momentum? But in fact, things may not be as simple as they seem, especially in the upcoming game against the Thunder, where the Clippers may have to choose to give up. Why do I say this? The Clippers have been playing well recently, but keep in mind that the Thunder is a tough opponent. In their two encounters with the Thunder, the Clippers lost both times! The Thunder's tactical style has left the Clippers somewhat at a loss; they play very fast and aggressively, which has caused considerable trouble for the Clippers' defense. If you ask me, the Clippers should consider how to avoid a fierce battle with the Thunder. How to avoid it? That is to play a little more relaxed in this game, after winning against the Pelicans, the next two games can have a strategic meaning of giving up. The focus is to reduce pressure on the main players, especially allowing Leonard to recover his form instead of burdening…

On January 2, 2025, Beijing time, the NBA regular season saw a match between the 21-11 Rockets and the 20-13 Mavericks. Both teams were on a two-game losing streak and were eager to bounce back. Who would win this battle? The Rockets' Thompson was suspended and Ison was out due to injury, with the starting lineup being VanVleet, Jalen Green, Dillon, Smith, and Shen Jing. On the Mavericks' side, Doncic was out due to injury and Marshall was suspended, with the starting lineup being Irving, Dinwiddie, Clay, Washington, and Lively. In the first quarter, Lively scored 4-0, followed by Jalen Green's layup and Clay's three-pointer, giving the Mavericks a 7-2 lead. VanVleet and Smith made free throws, while Washington and Clay continued to score, extending the Mavericks' lead to 10 points. Jalen Green, Smith, and Dillon narrowed the gap to 2 points. Gafford scored a layup, and Dillon scored 4 points in a row, leveling the game. Hardy and Kellebel scored, but Jalen Green, Shen Jing, and Dillon responded, allowing the Rockets to take a 1-point lead. Grammes, Hardy, and Powell scored 7-0 to regain a 6-point lead, ending the first quarter with the Mavericks leading 30-24. In the second quarter, Adams scored from the offensive rebound, maintaining a 4-point lead. Grammes continued to score, although Whitmore responded, the gap widened to 9 points. Holiday scored a layup, and Dinwiddie responded with a three-pointer, giving the Mavericks a 10-point lead. Shen Jing and Whitmore narrowed the gap to 2 points. Irving scored a layup, and Shen Jing, Whitmore, and Jalen…

NBA Western Conference Latest Rankings: Rockets Create NBA Miracle, Nuggets Receive Big Gift, Suns in Peril Beijing Time January 2, 2025, Today there are 8 NBA games, involving the Nuggets, Rockets, Mavericks, Kings, Pelicans, and Jazz. After the games, the Western Conference rankings have changed.‌ The Rockets hosted the Mavericks at home, with the Mavericks missing Doncic and Marshall, and the Rockets missing Amon Thompson and Ison. In the first quarter, the Mavericks suppressed the Rockets and took a 6-point lead. In the second quarter, the Mavericks once led by 10 points, but then the Rockets launched a terrifying offensive to overtake the score. At halftime, the Rockets led by 9 points. In the third quarter, the Rockets expanded their advantage, leading by 14 points after three quarters. In the fourth quarter, the Rockets stabilized their advantage and eventually defeated the Mavericks by 11 points. Shen Jing made 9 of 16 shots for 23 points, 6 rebounds, 4 assists, and 6 steals, while Irving made 7 of 13 shots for 16 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks. After the victory, the Rockets have a record of 22 wins and 11 losses, maintaining their third place in the West. This season, the Rockets have faced the Mavericks twice and won both times, faced the Clippers three times and won all three, faced the Grizzlies once and won, and also defeated the Thunder once. The Rockets' performance against strong Western Conference teams has been outstanding, and their growth rate this season can be called a miracle. After the…

On January 2nd, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with the Rockets hosting the Mavericks. Both teams had similar records, with the Rockets at 21 wins and 11 losses, and the Mavericks at 20 wins and 13 losses. Additionally, both teams were in poor form recently, having suffered two consecutive defeats. Therefore, this intra-Texas battle was sure to end the losing streak for one of the teams. In the first quarter, the Rockets started coldly while the Mavericks took an early lead with a hot hand, leading 16-6 for a 10-point advantage; however, Green and Xiao Smith's scoring helped the Rockets stop the bleeding, followed by Dillion scoring six points to tie the game. But in the final stages, the Mavericks had another small run to lead 30-24 and end the first quarter six points ahead. In the first half of the second quarter, the Mavericks relied on consecutive three-pointers to lead 40-30 by 10 points; then the game took a sharp turn as Whitmore and Shenjing played very actively for the Rockets, combining for a 17-4 run to overtake the score. Then it was Green, Whitmore, and Dillion who exploded, helping the Rockets end the half leading the Mavericks 61-52 by nine points. In the first half of the third quarter, Xiao Smith, Shenjing, and Dillion worked together to help the Rockets take a 16-point lead; after Irving and Clay scored consecutively to narrow the gap, it was again Dillion, Xiao Smith, and Shenjing who stepped up to stabilize the situation. In the final stages, Dillion and Tate's…

End of 4-game winning streak! Jokic with 23+17, Trae Young 8/17 shooting, Westbrook delivers, Nuggets face reality On January 2nd, Beijing time, the NBA 2024-25 season regular season welcomes a focus battle in the West, with the Denver Nuggets hosting the Atlanta Hawks. This is the second meeting between the two teams this season. In the previous match, the Nuggets defeated the Hawks by a margin of 30 points, showing a clear advantage. Obviously, the Nuggets are indeed inconsistent this season, capable of winning by a large margin but also losing to weak teams like the Wizards. They currently have a record of 18 wins and 13 losses, ranking fifth in the West. Moreover, according to head coach Malone, Gordon will miss the next few games due to an unresolved calf strain. The team's situation is indeed not optimistic.‌ However, after promoting Westbrook to the starting lineup, the results have been surprisingly good. The data shows that when Westbrook starts, the Nuggets have a record of 8 wins and 2 losses, while in games where Westbrook comes off the bench, the Nuggets have only 10 wins and 11 losses, a stark contrast. Additionally, in the past 8 games, Westbrook's average statistics have increased to 15+7+7+2 steals, with a high shooting percentage of 58.4%. As the American media STATMUSE puts it: Denver has found Westbrook's instruction manual!‌ Before the game, American media ESPN also provided the latest winning probability prediction for today's game, with the Nuggets' winning probability as high as 68.4%, while the Hawks' winning probability is only 31.6%.‌ Obviously,…

The Warriors suffered a crushing defeat at home to the Cavaliers, with a score of 95-113, causing their record to drop to 16 wins and 16 losses, slipping to 10th place in the standings. The Cavaliers extended their winning streak to seven games and remain atop the Eastern Conference. Stephen Curry struggled, scoring only 11 points, while Schroder also underperformed with 12 points. Trez contributed 16 points and 16 rebounds. For the Cavaliers, Mitchell scored 23 points, Garland had 25 points, and Allen added 12 points and 9 rebounds. The Cavaliers have been incredibly strong this season. Although there is still a long way to go in the season, I dare say they have virtually secured the Eastern Conference championship. To date, they have only lost four games and are likely to break the Warriors' previous record of 73 wins. In this game, the Warriors played averagely overall. The first half was closely contested, but in the second quarter, the Cavaliers pulled away. By the third quarter, they had extended their lead into double digits, and by the fourth quarter, the game entered garbage time as the Cavaliers easily secured the victory. The Nuggets defeated the Jazz 132-121 on the road, securing their second consecutive win. Jokic had an explosive performance with 36 points, 22 rebounds, and 11 assists. Wiz returned to his peak form, going 7-for-7 from the field to finish with 16 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists. Porter scored 21 points, and Murray added 20 points and 10 assists. For the Jazz, Sexton had 22 points, Clarkson…