Embiid was absent, and Philadelphia lost 107-113 to the Kings on the road. In the final quarter, with a 9-point lead, the Kings suddenly made a surge in the last three minutes, scoring an 11-0 run to instantly dismantle Philadelphia. George played well in the first three quarters today, but in the fourth quarter, he only managed 2 rebounds in 7 minutes, going 0-for-1 from the field without scoring, which was a high start and low finish that couldn't be relied upon. Fox is indeed very capable, especially in the clutch, where he made every shot, particularly from mid-range. Fox has something special. Recently, there have been many rumors about Fox leaving the team, with the Rockets being the hottest potential destination for Fox, as he is from Houston. Moreover, the Rockets' configuration is not only similar to the Kings but also stronger. The Kings have Sabonis, the fire dragon, while the Rockets have Shen Jing, the little fire dragon. Additionally, the Rockets have abundant frontline resources, so it can be said that the Rockets meet the standards for an All-Star to move in directly. If the Rockets could replace Van Jordan with Fox, they could compete for the championship this year. Fox is the scorer the Rockets need and the role the team dreams of having, someone who can deliver the decisive blow in critical moments. Standing at 1.91 meters tall, Fox also shines defensively. If Fox were to join the Rockets, the team could perfectly leverage their top-three defense in the league. The Rockets' defense would not decrease…

Smith Asks Lakers for $100 Million Extension Contract, Decides to Opt Out of Contract, Puts Forward a Condition to Redick According to the latest report by journalist Jovan Buha from the "Los Angeles Times," newly traded Lakers small forward Finney-Smith has informed management that he plans to decline his player option at the end of the season and seek a renewal contract worth around $100 million over four years, with the hope of securing a starting position. The Lakers' acquisition of Finney-Smith is expected to aid in their playoff push, as he can significantly alleviate the pressure Davis faces in the paint defensively, allowing LeBron James to focus more on offense. In his debut game with the Lakers, Finney-Smith came off the bench for 20 minutes, contributing only 2 points, 2 assists, and 2 rebounds, not particularly impressive statistically. However, head coach Redick appreciates his performance on the court and believes he has the ability to switch and defend against opposing centers when necessary. Redick stated that Finney-Smith's defensive execution, physicality, and intensity are all excellent, making him a reliable role player. Redick has assigned Finney-Smith to come off the bench behind Hachimura, often playing alongside James, Davis, and Reeves, and has effectively defended against Jarrett Allen or Mobley while maintaining good foul control, not allowing the Cavaliers many free throw opportunities. It will take time for Finney-Smith to fully integrate into Redick's tactical system, and it will require more games to develop chemistry with James and Davis. Redick also plans to increase Finney-Smith's playing time. However, Finney-Smith is not…

A crushing defeat by 41 points! This is no laughing matter; such a margin could rival the score of a small basketball game! The Lakers suffered a humiliating loss to the Heat, leaving them stripped bare. Despite LeBron James' impressive performance with 29 points, 5 rebounds, and 8 assists, these numbers seem insignificant against the gaping 41-point deficit. This match was akin to a tragicomedy, where LeBron's individual brilliance brought joy, while the Lakers' defeat brought sorrow. The experience was like chewing on durian-flavored gum—initially sweet but ultimately leaving a strange aftertaste. However, today we're not just discussing victory or defeat; let's delve into something more human. As the final 8 seconds ticked away and the outcome was sealed, everyone thought LeBron should take a break. But he didn't. Instead, he casually strolled over to the Heat's bench. What was his purpose? To catch up with an old comrade! He embraced Kevin Love with such warmth, as if reuniting with a long-lost brother, a scene that moved fans to tears. Back in their days with the Cavaliers, these two were a force to be reckoned with, winning championships and carrying the team together. Their bond was as cold as a Northeastern winter and as hot as a Hainan summer—undeniably strong! Their embrace was not just a casual greeting; it encapsulated countless stories. It embodied the countless nights of fighting side by side and the numerous critical moments of supporting each other. This was not an act; it was a genuine outpouring of emotion, a true reflection of LeBron's character! After…

Houston Rockets Secure a Dominant Home Victory Over the Mavericks, Maintaining Their Position in the Western Conference The Houston Rockets secured an impressive home victory against the Dallas Mavericks, solidifying their position as third in the Western Conference. In this match, the Rockets limited the Mavericks to just 99 points while scoring 110 themselves, showcasing both their defensive prowess and offensive capabilities. Despite veteran Fred VanVleet's subpar performance, with only 5 points from 1 out of 8 shots, the rest of the team stepped up, including the typically underperforming bench players. Notably, the Rockets' strong second-quarter and third-quarter comebacks were largely attributed to the efforts of several key bench players. Among them, small forward Whitmore stood out, scoring 18 points in just 24 minutes on the court, with a shooting efficiency of 7 out of 9 attempts, including 3 out of 4 three-pointers. His game-high plus/minus rating of +12 underscored his significant contribution to the team's victory. However, in a post-game interview, Whitmore appeared less than thrilled despite being the second unit's top scorer. He modestly suggested that his contribution was minimal and expressed curiosity about what the future holds. While he was pleased with the win, Whitmore also conveyed a desire for more consistent playing time. When asked if he had secured stable playing time, he responded negatively. Whitmore's comments hinted at deeper concerns. His outstanding performance in this game demonstrated his value to the team, yet he remained resentful over coach Udoka's initial lack of faith in him. Although he harbored no ill will towards Udoka, Whitmore, as…

In a recent game, Clippers guard Powell performed outstandingly, scoring 26 points with 10 out of 20 shots, showcasing his potential as the team's new core. The news of Leonard's imminent return has further boosted the team's hopes. Here is a detailed analysis of Leonard's season debut and Powell's performance: Game Performance Review Powell's Key Performance: In the game against the Warriors, Powell played for 40 minutes, shooting 10 out of 20, including 2 out of 7 three-pointers and 4 out of 4 free throws, scoring the highest 26 points in the team, along with 3 rebounds, 1 assist, 2 steals, and 1 block, with a plus-minus value of +18, the highest in the game. Overall Team Performance: The Clippers won against the Warriors with a score of 102-92, completing their third consecutive victory over the Warriors this season. Powell's excellent performance laid a solid foundation for the team's victory. Leonard's Return Expectations Return Time: It is reported that Leonard plans to make his season debut on January 5th at home against the Hawks. This will be his first appearance since last season, and fans are eagerly looking forward to it. Team Chemistry: Harden stated that Leonard's return will not affect the rhythm and chemistry already established by the team. Leonard also believes that his return will not disrupt the existing team cohesion. Leonard's Role Positioning Contributions on Both Offense and Defense: Leonard is hailed as an elite-level offensive and defensive player, and his return will significantly enhance the Clippers' strength on both ends of the court. Harden believes that…

This season of the CBA league is already halfway through, yet Wang Lanqin's situation with Liaoning Men's Basketball Team has become a sigh. The dazzling glory of the number one draft pick seems to be fading away in this powerhouse team. In the game against Fujian Men's Basketball Team, this player worth 5.5 million yuan was only on the court for a minute before being substituted, which can't help but make people feel emotional. Throughout the game, he spent most of his time sitting on the bench, silently watching his teammates fight on the court. It is understood that Beijing Men's Basketball Team once extended an olive branch to Wang Lanqin, offering quite attractive conditions. But in the end, he chose Liaoning Men's Basketball Team. Now this decision seems to have put him in an awkward position. Behind the astronomical annual salary lies heavy expectations and pressure. One minute on the court, dozens of minutes off the court, such treatment forms a stark contrast with his astronomical annual salary. On the court, his performance has never been able to impress the coaching staff, and fans are quite critical of the performance of this high-priced player. Those once stunning performances seem to have become fleeting memories. On the other side, Zhou Qi of Beijing Men's Basketball Team is still plagued by injuries. In the upcoming battle against Shandong Men's Basketball Team, he will miss the game again. This is not the first time he has missed a game due to injury this season, and the team and fans seem to have…

With the trade deadline approaching, the market has once again heated up. Following the Warriors and Lakers' trades to strengthen their teams, the Rockets have become a focal point of attention due to the rumors surrounding the departure of Kings' backcourt core, De'Aaron Fox. American media outlets have proposed a 9-for-3 trade deal for the Rockets, which local Houston media have praised with a high B+ rating. They also suggest a more perfect three-party trade, advocating for the sale of Green and retention of the "White Wizard." The reason behind Fox's involvement in trade rumors is primarily due to contract renewal issues and the Kings' poor performance. The Kings had hoped to complete an early contract extension with Fox during the offseason, which could have been worth $165 million over three years. Under the guidance of his agent, Rich Paul, Fox rejected the contract as they aimed for a 229milliondealoverfouryearsinthe2025offseason.IfFoxweretomaketheAll−NBAteamthisseason,hewouldevenbeeligibleforasupermaxcontractworth229 million deal over four years in the 2025 offseason. If Fox were to make the All-NBA team this season, he would even be eligible for a supermax contract worth 229milliondealoverfouryearsinthe2025offseason.IfFoxweretomaketheAll−NBAteamthisseason,hewouldevenbeeligibleforasupermaxcontractworth345 million over five years with the Kings. However, following the acquisition of DeMar DeRozan in the offseason, the Kings' performance has not improved; instead, there are signs of collapse. In the first 34 games, they only managed 15 wins, ranking fourth from the bottom in the West, and may not even qualify for the play-in tournament. In mid-December, Rich Paul flew to Sacramento to meet with the Kings' management to discuss the future of the team and Fox. Subsequently, head…

End of 4-game winning streak! Maxi 22 out of 9, Fox 35+5, George fouled out with 6 fouls, 76ers face reality On January 2nd, Beijing time, the NBA 2024-25 season regular season continued, with the Sacramento Kings hosting the Philadelphia 76ers. This was the first matchup between the two teams this season, and they had split their two meetings last season, showing similar strength. It's remarkable that after a recent four-game winning streak, the 76ers' overall record reached 13 wins and 17 losses, rising to 11th in the Eastern Conference. With one more win, they would enter the Eastern Conference play-in tournament area, finally getting back on track. Moreover, according to the latest power rankings released by the NBA, the 76ers ranked 18th, making it into the top 20 for the first time since the initial rankings, which could be considered a double celebration. In contrast, the Kings have been on a downward spiral, currently holding a record of 14 wins and 19 losses, ranking fourth from the bottom in the West, which is quite surprising. In the latest power rankings, the Kings have fallen to 23rd in the league, basically at the level of tanking teams, which is absurd. After all, during the last offseason, the Kings just brought in their third superstar, DeRozan, with no intention of aiming for the number one draft pick. Now, they can't even reach the threshold of the play-in tournament. Additionally, the team's best coach in the league, Mike Brown, was fired by management, becoming the scapegoat for poor performance. Before the game,…

The NBA regular season has been underway for over two months, and the league is experiencing severe polarization in both the East and West conferences. In the West, the Thunder have taken an early lead, with a tightly packed group of teams from fourth-placed Mavericks to ninth-placed Spurs, separated by only three games. However, several teams have effectively dropped out of playoff contention, including the rebuilding Kings, tanking Trail Blazers and Jazz, as well as the Pelicans, who are forced to tank. The East is no different, with the Cavaliers starting off strong at 29 wins and 4 losses, leaving the Celtics and Knicks to battle for second place. The remaining Eastern Conference teams, such as the Magic, Bucks, Hawks, and Heat, offer some competition, but most are essentially giving away points to the top teams like the Cavaliers, Celtics, and Knicks. At the bottom of the East, the Wizards have long planned to rebuild, hoping to trade away Kuzma and Poole for some rebuilding assets. The Hornets' LaMelo Ball has been impressive this season, averaging 30 points and 7.4 assists per game, but he has been unable to lead his team to victory and is plagued by injuries, limiting him to being a regular-season stat-padder. Another team that spent hundreds of millions of dollars this summer with the intention of making a playoff push or even contending for a championship has started with a disappointing record of 7 wins and 26 losses, a win rate of just 22%! Even so, in the East, the last-place Wizards are only eight…

I'm the Clippers, and on January 1st, Beijing time, I had to go away to compete against the Spurs. This game really wore me out; playing back-to-back games, my physical strength was really drained. That Wenyamana is just too strong; no one on our team could stop him, watching helplessly as he helped the Spurs take the lead. Powell's offense wasn't effective either, making it difficult for us to catch up. And I kept making mistakes; when the Spurs were scoring from multiple angles, I was beaten to pieces, and by the third quarter, there was no more suspense in the game. In fact, losing this game isn't something the Clippers can't accept. After all, this was a back-to-back game, so it's understandable that the Clippers' offensive state was low. Take Powell, for example; he's been playing great recently, so his occasional dip in form in this game should be forgiven, especially since even Harden has had several slumps this season. Moreover, this game wasn't just about Powell's slump; Zubac and the others didn't play well either. In the end, Powell shot 4 of 12 for 15 points, 5 rebounds, and 2 assists, while Zubac shot 2 of 7 for 5 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 assists. For the Clippers, a crushing defeat isn't actually the most terrifying thing; what really worries them is a major change in Harden. At the beginning of the season, Harden couldn't control his mistakes. Fortunately, as the season progressed, Harden gradually got better at controlling them. But who knew that in recent games, Harden's…