NBA regular season is in full swing, with the Rockets achieving a five-game winning streak, the Warriors returning to the play-in tournament area, the Lakers ending their three-game losing streak, and the Clippers creating a 59-point super massacre. Here's a brief overview of the matches.
[Rockets - Nuggets]
Without Jokic, the Nuggets are like a completely different team, with significant reductions in both offense and defense. They couldn't hold on for too long against the spirited Rockets, with Porter struggling and Murray and Westbrook unable to make a difference. Jalen Green continued his impressive form, playing efficiently with inside-outside shots that were almost unstoppable, leading the team to an early victory after just three quarters. The game ended with the Rockets defeating the Nuggets 128-108, with Green scoring 34 points.
[Warriors - Timberwolves]
The home team Timberwolves started extremely poorly, with numerous misses that were painful to watch, already trailing by over 20 points in the first quarter. As the game progressed, they slowly recovered, with DiVincenzo and Edwards contributing from outside to bring back the suspense, gradually improving their rhythm and trailing 42-55 at halftime. The second half became increasingly intense, with Curry and Wiggins stepping up to carry the team. The Warriors never allowed their opponents to catch up, being tied in the last minute, but it was Curry's clutch three-pointer that saved the day. In the end, the Warriors narrowly defeated the Timberwolves 116-115, returning to a 50% win rate.
[Lakers - Heat]
In the initial stages, both teams had a fierce offensive display, trading blows and keeping the game close. However, in the second quarter, the Lakers' offense stalled, and they fell behind due to familiar issues, trailing 54-66 at halftime. In the second half, the Heat began to show problems, with their stability decreasing and vulnerabilities being exploited, causing them to lose their advantage and become a chasing team. In the final moments, they faltered again, allowing the Lakers to take control with a decisive run. LeBron James hit key shots to secure the victory, and the game ended with the Lakers beating the Heat 117-108, ending their three-game losing streak and returning to the top six in the West.
[Clippers - Nets]
The first quarter progressed relatively normally, with both teams struggling offensively and tied at 21. In the second quarter, the differences became clear, with the Nets lacking any semblance of organization and their defense failing to match the required intensity, resulting in a massive 23-point loss in a single quarter. The Clippers capitalized on this in the second half, with a wave of scoring that sealed the deal early, making the game lose its suspense. The game ended with the Clippers crushing the Nets 126-67, with Harden scoring 21 points, 11 assists, and 6 rebounds.
Now let's look at the latest standings for NBA Western Conference teams. The Clippers have risen to fifth place, the Lakers have stopped their losing streak, and the Warriors have returned to the play-in tournament area. There is only a difference of three wins between the fifth and twelfth positions.