On January 6th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season is in full swing. The Thunder defeated the defending champions with a 15-game winning streak, while the Lakers fell short against the Rockets due to key mistakes and missed opportunities for a draw. The Warriors also suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of the Kings, despite Curry's best efforts. Here's a brief summary of the games.
[Thunder - Celtics]
The game started with both teams showing equal strength, trading blows and responding to each other's plays. However, the Thunder's efficiency dropped in the second quarter, leading to missed shots and lost rhythm, which allowed their opponents to take advantage and fall behind by 10 points at halftime, trailing 55-65. In the second half, the Celtics struggled, unable to make their trademark three-point shots or generate enough offensive power, scoring only 20 points in one quarter and being reversed. Ultimately, the Thunder defeated the Celtics 105-92, setting a new team record with 15 consecutive wins, putting them at 30 wins and 5 losses, just a step away from the top of the league. Alexander contributed steadily with 33 points, 11 rebounds, and 6 assists.
[Lakers - Rockets]
The home team Rockets were in top form, with Jalen Green scoring 18 points in a single quarter and the returning Amen finishing strong under the basket. The team was full of fighting spirit, actively grabbing offensive rebounds and creating more scoring opportunities, building an 18-point lead at halftime with a score of 77-49. In the second half, the Lakers gradually recovered, hitting nine three-pointers in a single quarter to sound the counterattack, with Davis playing both offense and defense to bring back the suspense. It seemed as though they might drag the game into overtime, but a turnover in the last 7 seconds due to a sideline ball coordination error cost them the game. The Lakers lost to the Rockets 115-119, ending their winning streak and putting their position in the top six of the West in jeopardy.
[Warriors - Kings]
The visiting Kings came in strong, with their starting lineup taking turns to perform and maintain an efficient offense. Monk and Murray were on fire from beyond the arc, while Sabonis broke through inside, with their fluid cooperation making it difficult for the opposition to keep up, leading by over 20 points at halftime. Curry was in excellent competitive form, but when he left the court, the Warriors' offensive and defensive systems crumbled instantly. Despite their tenacious pursuit, they could not achieve significant results, and Kuminga's absence greatly affected both offense and defense, with the suspense disappearing early. The Warriors suffered a crushing defeat to the Kings 99-129, with Curry contributing 26 points and 7 rebounds on 8 out of 12 shooting.
Now let's take a look at the latest rankings of the NBA Western Conference teams. Whether it's the top six or the battle for the play-in spots, the competition is fierce, with only three wins separating fourth to tenth place.