In a recent intense NBA game, the Nuggets defeated the Magic with a score of 113-100. In this match, the Nuggets performed brilliantly, and the four truths behind the game are worth our in-depth analysis. Low-Salary Westbrook, Playing Second Fiddle Strength Westbrook, who joined the Nuggets on a low salary, was originally positioned as a supporting role, but he played the part of the second fiddle on the court. On the offensive end, Westbrook scored and connected the team with both hands. He and Jokic had a perfect understanding between them, and in the fast-paced counterattacks, Westbrook did not covet credit, always passing the ball at the right moment. In the third quarter, his assist to Braun for an alley-oop dunk set the atmosphere ablaze. Defensively, Westbrook was equally commendable, running all over the court with a positive attitude and not letting go of any defensive opportunity. In this game, Westbrook made 5 out of 9 shots, scoring 12 points efficiently, and also contributed 5 rebounds and 6 assists. Jokic's Efficient Triple-Double, Easily Controlling the Whole Game Jokic didn't take many shots in this game, but his efficiency was extremely high, making 7 out of 9 shots to score 20 points, and also adding 14 rebounds and 10 assists, easily achieving a triple-double. In the first quarter, when his teammates were not feeling their best, Jokic took the initiative to step up, using his strong personal ability to take over the scoring and open up the situation for the team. By the third quarter, the opponent strengthened their defense against…

The Denver Nuggets are proving that they are in the best position to defend their championship this season. Led by reigning Finals MVP Nikola Jokic and supported by a strong core, the Denver team is ready to win again. Of course, the team's lineup has already shown its talented side. However, it is clear that some strategic moves can push this team to even greater heights. With the approach of the 2025 NBA trade deadline, the Nuggets have the opportunity to address their bench depth issues and perfect their rotation. By adding a sharpshooting wing and an experienced center, Denver can significantly increase their chances of reclaiming the title. Here are two trades the Nuggets should consider before the deadline. So far, the 2024-25 season has been successful for the Denver Nuggets. They currently have a record of 25 wins and 16 losses. Nikola Jokic continues to assert himself as one of the most dominant players in the league. That said, even for the most experienced observers, it remains a mystery how long his peak will last. Jokic is undoubtedly the best player in Nuggets history. That being said, he will turn 30 on February 19, just weeks after the NBA trade deadline. However, there are some challenges for Denver's management. Note that, aside from Jokic, Michael Porter is the only player on the list with an annual salary over 10millionwhoiseligibletobetraded.ZekeNnajiandDarioSaricaretheonlyothertwoplayerswithsalariesover10 million who is eligible to be traded. Zeke Nnaji and Dario Saric are the only other two players with salaries over 10millionwhoiseligibletobetraded.ZekeNnajiandDarioSaricaretheonlyothertwoplayerswithsalariesover4 million who can be traded. Yes, Porter…

In the midst of the NBA season, as the league landscape shifts and teams fiercely compete for rankings, there are three star players who stand out with their exceptional leadership and consistent performance. They steer their teams forward like steady captains through the competitive waves. James Harden: The Helmsman of the Clippers' Comeback This season, Harden, earning a salary of $33.65 million, is undoubtedly the backbone of the Clippers. During the difficult period when Kawhi was out for an extended time, Harden took on the responsibility of leading the team. Surrounded by players who may not seem particularly outstanding, Harden has managed to unite the team and deliver impressive results. The Clippers currently hold a record of 23 wins and 17 losses, ranking fifth in the West, far exceeding expectations for a team without its main star. Harden's personal performance is equally remarkable, averaging 21.4 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 8 assists per game. His sharp breakthroughs, accurate shooting, and skillful passing have become the driving force behind the Clippers' continuous progress. Nikola Jokic: The Core Power Behind the Nuggets' Rise Jokic, with a salary of $51.42 million this season, fully justifies his high pay with his performance. As a consecutive MVP winner, Jokic is considered the top player in the current league. At the start of the season, the Nuggets struggled, but Jokic single-handedly brought the team back on track. Currently, the Nuggets are fourth in the West with a record of 25 wins and 16 losses. Jokic's personal statistics are comprehensive and astonishing, averaging 30.1 points, 13.2 rebounds, and…

On January 15th, Beijing time, the Nuggets defeated the Mavericks 118-99 on the road, securing their fourth consecutive victory. Their record now stands at 24 wins and 15 losses, closing in on the top three in the Western Conference, just half a game behind the Grizzlies, with the potential to overtake them soon. The Nuggets were in top form, leading by 26 points at halftime, making the second half almost a garbage time. If not for their relaxation in the fourth quarter, the margin of victory would have been even greater. The Mavericks, without Doncic, suffered their second consecutive loss, dropping to sixth in the West with a record of 22 wins and 18 losses, only half a game ahead of the Lakers, risking falling out of the play-in tournament. In this game, Murray was the standout performer for the Nuggets. He fought hard for 37 minutes, shooting 18 times out of 26 attempts, scoring an impressive 45 points, 2 rebounds, 6 assists, and 2 steals. This marks the fifth time in his career that he has scored 40+ points in a regular-season game, setting a new high for the season. With the season nearing its halfway point and the entire Nuggets team back in action, they are expected to further improve their ranking, undoubtedly becoming one of the top contenders for the championship. Jokic willingly played a supporting role, shooting 4 out of 7, securing an economical triple-double with 10 points, 14 rebounds, and 10 assists. Porter shot 5 out of 9, scoring 13 points. Westbrook also contributed with…

Victory! Jokic with 20+14+10, Banchero 17 for 4, Westbrook Makes a Big Contribution, Western Conference Landscape Changes Beijing time January 20, 2025, the 23-20 Magic hosted the 25-16 Nuggets. The Magic were missing the Wagner brothers, Suggs, and Bitadze, suffering a significant loss in combat power. On paper, they were not considered strong opponents for the Nuggets. However, the Magic are an iron-blooded team known for their tenacity and strong defense. Could the Magic pull off an upset against the Nuggets today? The Magic's starting lineup featured Anthony, Pope, Silva, Banchero, and Carter, while the Nuggets started with Murray, Westbrook, Braun, Porter, and Jokic. In the first quarter, Carter and Pope opened with a 4-0 lead. Westbrook hit a three-pointer, followed by Carter and Pope scoring another four points, putting the Magic ahead 8-3. After a timeout, Jokic and Murray scored, to which Silva and Carter responded, maintaining the Magic's lead at 13-7. Braun scored four consecutive points, Banchero made a putback, and the Magic led by four. Jokic made a layup, Silva responded with a three-pointer, and the lead was five. Porter hit a three-pointer, Pope responded in kind, and the lead remained at five. Jokic and Westbrook scored again, while Quinn and Xiustan hit three-pointers, extending the lead to seven. Jokic and Strasser narrowed the gap to one point, and the first quarter ended with the Magic leading 29-28. In the second quarter, Quinn made a layup, giving the Magic a three-point lead. Gordon also made a layup. Banchero, Quinn, and Xiustan combined for seven points, extending the…

On January 20th, Beijing time, in an NBA regular season game, the Denver Nuggets defeated the Orlando Magic 113-100 on the road. The team has won six out of their last seven games and is currently only one game behind the Memphis Grizzlies as they strive to reach the top three in the Western Conference. In the first half of this game, both teams played back and forth, with the Nuggets not having a significant advantage. They only managed a two-point lead at halftime against a depleted Magic squad, failing to create a substantial gap. However, in the third quarter, Nikola Jokic began to distribute assists aggressively, dishing out seven assists in the quarter alone. Jamal Murray, Michael Porter Jr., and Bruce Brown combined for 29 points, leading the team to a 39-25 scoring run in the quarter. The Nuggets extended their lead to 16 points thanks to their performance in the third quarter. In the fourth quarter, the Nuggets further increased their lead to 20 points, effectively ending any suspense in the game. Ultimately, the Nuggets secured an easy victory on the road, continuing their recent strong momentum. Jokic once again delivered a dominant performance, playing only the first three quarters of the game. He shot 7-for-9, accumulating 20 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists, 3 steals, and 3 blocks while committing just two turnovers. He showcased his all-around skills on both offense and defense, effortlessly dominating the paint against the Magic's interior defense. It's worth noting that this marks the third consecutive game in which Jokic has recorded a…

On January 20th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with the Nuggets visiting the Magic. The two teams were locked in a seesaw battle, with the Magic able to take some initiative and even lead by as much as 10 points at one point. However, Murray and Jokic led the team to turn the tide, and they further widened the gap in the following quarters, with the fourth quarter quickly losing suspense. Ultimately, the Nuggets defeated the Magic 113-100, securing their second consecutive victory while maintaining their position as fourth in the West. The Nuggets have been in excellent form recently, but they initially found themselves in a passive situation. However, the team's multi-point scoring and the outstanding performance of Murray and Jokic helped them reverse the situation. They took control of the game in the third quarter, finishing with a 16-point lead. In the fourth quarter, the Nuggets extended their lead, allowing Jokic to rest early, and the game lost its suspense early, resulting in a 13-point victory for the Nuggets. The Nuggets' outside shooting was not impressive this time, only making 7 three-pointers throughout the game. According to current league trends, such a performance would be difficult to win a game. Surprisingly, the Nuggets achieved a big win. This is largely due to their dominance in the paint, with Jokic anchoring the team, giving them an absolute advantage inside and ultimately helping them secure the victory. The Nuggets shot 40 out of 77, with a field goal percentage of 51.9%, encountering little trouble. Jokic played exceptionally well,…

On January 20th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season saw the Nuggets defeat the Magic away from home. Jokic played for 30 minutes, shooting 7-for-9 and 6-for-7 from the free-throw line, scoring 20 points, grabbing 14 rebounds, dishing out 10 assists, making 3 steals, and blocking 3 shots. He led the team to avenge the Magic with an all-around performance, clocking out after three quarters while also setting new records, with a plus-minus of +20 on the court. The Nuggets' victory over the Magic secured them their second consecutive win. Jokic once again delivered a triple-double with an all-around performance, living up to his title as the most versatile center in NBA history. The double MVP combination of Jokic and Westbrook played with great chemistry, with the "Six Double Brothers" becoming the engine driving the Nuggets' offense. In today's game, Jokic played the entire 12 minutes of the first quarter, showing a hot offensive form by going 5-for-5 and scoring 12 points while also grabbing 7 rebounds and dishing out 2 assists. Despite his heroic efforts, the Nuggets trailed by 1 point at the end of the first quarter with a score of 28-29; Westbrook scored 5 points and 2 assists in the first quarter. In the second quarter, after trailing by 10 points, Murray provided firepower for the Nuggets. Jokic and Westbrook continued to organize the offense, leading a charge that turned the tide. At halftime, the Nuggets led 54-52. In the first half, Jokic scored 15 points, grabbed 11 rebounds, and had 3 assists. During this time, Jokic…

This game between the Nuggets and the Clippers was a mixed bag of emotions. The score difference of 98 to 120 is glaring, like stepping on dog poop by accident, making one feel uncomfortable. Especially when you think about the Clippers' comeback against the Nuggets in last season's playoffs and compare it to their current state, it's hard to swallow. James Harden, once a scoring champion, now has 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 6 assists, which looks decent, but it feels like something is missing. It's like the fish-flavored shredded pork my wife makes; the taste is there, but it lacks the authentic wok flavor of a Sichuan restaurant. Harden's signature moves, such as his aggressive drives and iconic step-back three-pointers, have become more restrained over time. Time waits for no man, and perhaps we must accept the reality of heroes growing old. However, we can't blame the loss solely on Harden. The entire Clippers team seems disorganized, lacking in tactics and cohesion. On the other hand, the Nuggets' passing, led by Jokic, is ghostly precise, almost like they can hit any target. Looking at the Clippers' defense, it's full of holes, like a sieve. Watching this game made me shake my head in frustration, feeling my blood pressure rise. When I was young, I enjoyed watching team basketball where everyone actively moved and cooperated, creating a beautiful spectacle. But the current Clippers, well, they're becoming hard to watch. As for Powell, scoring 16 points is commendable, but he still seems out of sync with the team. It's like my…

On January 18th in the NBA, two shocking news stories emerged off the court. The Clippers have set their sights on Pascal Siakam of the Toronto Raptors, according to local media in Los Angeles. Siakam, standing at 206 cm tall and born in 1993, currently has a contract worth $35.25 million over three years. This season, he averages 10.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game, with an impressive three-point shooting accuracy of 36.2%. On the court, Siakam's defensive skills are outstanding, with quick lateral movement and top-notch help defense, often causing significant disruptions to opponents' offenses. However, he is not without flaws; his limited post-up offensive moves and older age restrict his potential. To successfully bring in Siakam, the Clippers may have to offer Terance Mann as part of the trade package. This potential trade has sparked widespread speculation and discussion among fans, who are closely watching the Clippers' next moves and the future direction of Mann. Meanwhile, The Daily Mail reports that the Denver Nuggets are in active discussions with Russell Westbrook about a contract extension, with the team keen to keep him in Denver long-term. Since joining the Nuggets, Westbrook's performance has steadily improved, seemingly finding his peak form. Coach Michael Malone appears to have found the right way to use Westbrook, allowing him to fully leverage his strengths on the court. Westbrook and Nikola Jokic have developed a complementary synergy, with their partnership significantly contributing to the team's victories. Currently, the Nuggets hold the fourth spot in the Western Conference, with Westbrook playing a crucial role in…