In recent years, the Boston Celtics have remained in the top tier of competition. However, upon closer inspection, a problem has emerged: the issue of attracting superstar players. The Celtics, once a team that shone brightly, are now finding it increasingly difficult to attract top-tier stars. Why is this? It starts with General Manager Danny Ainge, an "old-school" manager who has made some remarkable decisions. Many people believe that behind the Celtics' rise, there is a share of his credit. However, Ainge's coldness and persistence have also, to a certain extent, become the "mastermind" behind the team losing superstar players. The Celtics were once a gathering place for NBA superstars, and even today, you can see potential superstars like Jayson Tatum. But the problem is that today's Celtics seem to be less favored by those top players. You might ask, what's going on? Is it because the team isn't performing well? Not entirely. Even with strong power, the Celtics can still hold their ground in the playoffs and even compete with strong teams. Many people say this is due to Brad Stevens' coaching style, but if we really want to trace the roots, 50% of the credit belongs to Danny Ainge. Ainge is not only a calm scout but also an "old-school manager" with his own basketball philosophy. He always believes that the long-term interests of the team are more important than immediate achievements. Take the 2013 trade, for example. Many people don't understand why he gave up Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, two former superstars, in the trade market.…

On January 8, 2025, Beijing time, the 20-win and 14-loss Nuggets hosted the 26-win and 10-loss Celtics. The Nuggets were without Jokic due to illness and Gordon continued to be absent due to injury. On paper, the Celtics had a huge advantage. The Celtics lost their last game to the Thunder and were eager to bounce back strongly. Could the Celtics seize this opportunity? White was absent for the Celtics, with the starting lineup being Holiday, Brown, Tatum, Horford, and Porzingis. The Nuggets' starting lineup was Westbrook, Murray, Braun, Porter, and Saric. In the first quarter, Porzingis made a mid-range shot, while Murray and Porter responded with three-pointers, giving the Nuggets a 6-2 lead. Porzingis and Horford then hit three-pointers to overtake by 2 points. Porter and Westbrook hit three-pointers, but Porzingis, Holiday, and Tatum responded, putting the Celtics up by 4 points. After a timeout, Westbrook hit another three-pointer, but Horford responded with a three-pointer of his own. Porter and Murray scored, but Tatum and Porzingis responded, keeping the gap at 4 points. Murray made two free throws, but Tatum and Pritchard continued to score, extending the lead to 10 points. Strus and Watson scored, but Porzingis and Tatum responded, maintaining a 12-point lead at the end of the first quarter. Porzingis scored 15 points in the first quarter, setting a personal record for most points in a single quarter this season. In the second quarter, Kanter made a layup, extending the Celtics' lead to 14 points. Watson hit a three-pointer, and Porzingis made one of two free throws…

The NBA has embarked on its new journey in 2025, with the 2025 San Francisco All-Star voting in full swing. Teams across the league are gradually finding their rhythm, and their goals are becoming clearer. At the same time, star players are giving their all to compete for spots in the All-Star starting lineup! At this juncture, winning streaks not only boost morale but also garner popularity. Looking across the entire league, there is one team in each conference that is currently on a long winning streak, and their star players have also gained the favor of fans in the All-Star voting. Next, let me unveil their true identities for you. In the East, the longest winning streak does not belong to the defending champion Boston Celtics, nor does it belong to the Bucks, Knicks, 76ers, and other multi-star powerhouses; it belongs to the Eastern powerhouse Cleveland Cavaliers. At the start of the season, the Cavaliers broke their franchise record for the longest winning streak with a 15-game streak, which also established their leading position in the East. After a 10-point victory over the Hornets, the Cavaliers once again achieved a 10-game winning streak, making them the only team in the league's new season to achieve two 10+ game winning streaks. During this 10-game winning streak, the Cavaliers defeated teams such as the Wizards, Nets, Bucks, 76ers, Jazz, Nuggets, Warriors, Lakers, and Mavericks, truly demonstrating their dominance! From a 15-game winning streak to a 10-game winning streak, the Cavaliers have quietly transformed, relying on their deep roster and the pivotal…

The Houston Rockets, a battleground of the future and the present What is the Rockets' strategy: to focus on the future or to push for immediate success? This question has become a hot topic among the team and its fans after two consecutive losses. From head coach Ime Udoka's subtle suggestion that no one in the team can step up in critical moments to the continuous rumors about the potential trade of De'Aaron Fox, each piece of news has struck a nerve with Rocket fans. It begs the question: how did this team, which was supposed to make a big comeback, suddenly fall into a state of confusion? Two consecutive losses have exposed the Rockets' vulnerabilities. First, they faced the Minnesota Timberwolves, leading most of the game only to collapse in the fourth quarter; then, against the Miami Heat, they repeated the same mistake, faltering again at a crucial moment. After the game, Udoka candidly admitted, "The team currently lacks someone who can take charge in decisive moments." This statement is straightforward and quite pointed. Interestingly, in the face of offensive struggles, the Rockets' backcourt duo of Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green stood out as particularly "eye-catching." Statistics show that in these two losses, the two combined for nearly 70 attempts but only made 23 shots. In other words, their efficiency with the ball was extremely low, yet they occupied the majority of shooting opportunities. What about the frontcourt player, Alperen Sengun? Despite his hot hand, he took fewer than 40 shots but made 24, a stark contrast that makes…

The Houston Rockets narrowly defeated the Los Angeles Lakers at home with a final score of 119-115. In this game, Ethan continued to sit out, while Amen Thompson returned from suspension due to an injury that will keep Smith out for at least 4-8 weeks. Thompson was immediately promoted to the starting lineup at the power forward position. The Lakers have been on a good run recently, while the Rockets have only won one game against the Mavericks in their last four home games. They have also experienced comebacks from the Timberwolves and Heat after leading them. Against the Celtics, the Rockets were completely overwhelmed. However, there is a positive sign for the Rockets as Jalen Green's shooting touch has improved. In the previous game against the Celtics, Green was the team's saving grace. Today, he exploded against the Lakers, scoring 18 points in a single quarter with an impressive 8-of-7 shooting. Under Green's leadership, the Rockets led by 14 points in the first quarter. In the second quarter, Amen Thompson continued the momentum, using his 2.03-meter height and physique to aggressively attack Reeves and even call out Hachimura for a one-on-one matchup, leaving the Lakers with no solution as the lead extended to 24 points. But then the Rockets' old problems resurfaced; they struggled to maintain their lead, and their shooting cooled down. The Lakers began to exploit the Rockets' weakness, which was Shen Jing's inability to protect the paint and switch defenses. The Lakers repeatedly attacked Shen Jing, forcing the Rockets to bring in Thompson to assist in…

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…

On January 6th, Beijing time, in an NBA regular season game, the Thunder staged a comeback at home to defeat the defending champions. In the final quarter, they outscored the Celtics 29-12, successfully defending their home court and achieving a record-breaking 15-game winning streak; the Thunder firmly occupy first place in the West, having consecutively defeated Eastern powerhouses like the Knicks and Celtics, showcasing their championship potential with this impressive streak. During the home game against the reigning champions, the Thunder trailed by 10 points in the first half with a score of 55-65. However, in the second half, they launched a furious counterattack, narrowing the gap to 4 points in the third quarter with a score of 21-15. In the final quarter, they overwhelmed the Celtics on both offense and defense with a 29-12 run. During this period, Alexander chased down Tatum for a massive block and then assisted Hartenstein in a thunderous dunk over White. Dort contributed by hitting multiple three-pointers from outside, providing crucial firepower. Ultimately, the Thunder completed a remarkable comeback, defeating the Celtics 105-92. Alexander had an outstanding game, shooting 11 for 23 to score 33 points, grab 11 rebounds, dish out 6 assists, make 3 steals, and block 2 shots, with a +12 plus-minus rating. Alexander once again demonstrated an MVP-level performance, both offensively and defensively, leading his team to victory and extending their winning streak. This marks the 20th time this season that Alexander has scored at least 30 points in a single game, leading the league in such statistics. In the past…

NBA Regular Season: Thunder Overturn Celtics to Win 15 Consecutive Games, SGA Scores 33 Points and Tatum 26+10 On January 6th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued. In today's focus game, the defending champion Celtics visited the Thunder, who had won 14 consecutive games. The Celtics took a 3-point lead at the end of the first quarter and expanded it to a 10-point lead in the second quarter with a score of 30-23. The Thunder narrowed the gap by winning 6 points in the third quarter and took a 12-point lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter with a 24-8 run. The Celtics failed to catch up, and the Thunder eventually defeated the Celtics 105-92 at home. The Thunder has won 15 consecutive games, continuing to break their team record, ranking first in the West with a record of 30 wins and 5 losses; the Celtics' record is now 26 wins and 10 losses, remaining second in the East. Both sides' data:‌ Celtics - Tatum 26 points and 10 rebounds, Jaylen Brown 21 points, Porzingis 19 points and 9 rebounds, White 11 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists, Holiday 2 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists, Horford 6 points and 8 rebounds. Thunder - Alexander 33 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists, Jaylen Williams 10 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists, Hatten 8 points and 10 rebounds, Wallace 13 points and 3 rebounds, Dort 14 points and 6 rebounds, Wiggins 15 points. Star of the Game: Alexander Alexander played for 37 minutes, shooting 11 of 23, including 3…

On January 6th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season witnessed a strong dialogue as the Thunder staged a comeback victory over the Celtics at home, securing their 15th consecutive win. Alexander remained a stable contributor in this game, facing off against two formidable defenders, White and Holiday. Alexander played for 39 minutes, shooting 11 of 23 from the field, 3 of 6 from beyond the arc, and a perfect 8 of 8 from the free-throw line, accumulating 33 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks, filling up the stat sheet. With this victory, the Thunder extended their winning streak to 15 games, continuing to break their team's record for consecutive wins. They also maintained their undefeated record against Eastern Conference teams, achieving an 11-game winning streak against them. The Celtics only managed to score 92 points in this game, which marks the first time this season they failed to reach the century mark. Their previous lowest score was 104 points, despite averaging a high 119.3 points per game this season, ranking third in the entire league. However, they were completely stifled in this match. The Celtics' offensive struggles were also related to their opponents' tenacious defense. Including this game, the Thunder have now limited their opponents to under 100 points on 16 occasions this season, leading the league in this statistic. Currently, the Thunder's average points allowed is just 103, which is also the best in the league.

NBA regular season continued to play, the Rockets lost at home to the Celtics with a score of 86-109, missing out on consecutive victories. In this game, the Rockets started off in mediocre form, with an imbalanced offense and defense. Their attack was not stable enough, and they were slow to retreat defensively, falling behind the Celtics by more than 10 points after half a quarter. Although the Rockets managed to stabilize their footing later on, they were unable to maintain consistency and still trailed by a 9-point margin at halftime. In the second half, the Rockets' offense remained inconsistent, and in the third quarter, they briefly narrowed the gap to around 5 points but were quickly pushed back to a 15-point deficit. After the third quarter score was set at 16-17, the Rockets entered the final quarter with a 10-point disadvantage. In the fourth quarter, not only did the Rockets fail to further close the gap, but the Celtics also went on an 18-7 run, directly widening the gap to over 20 points. Coach Udoka had no choice but to concede defeat early. After the loss, the Rockets' record stands at 22 wins and 12 losses. So where exactly did they fall short in this game? Perhaps the data can provide us with some answers. Jalen Green shot 10 for 21 from the field, 5 for 13 from three-point range, scoring 27 points with 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 blocks, and 1 turnover. It seems that Green's efficiency wasn't particularly high today, but his performance was actually quite commendable.…