On December 29th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Sacramento Kings. The Kings were on a five-game winning streak and had just fired their head coach, Mike Brown; the Lakers had won four of their last five games, but LeBron James was out due to illness. The game started with both teams fiercely attacking each other, with the Lakers scoring 40 points in the first quarter to take the lead, and the Kings responding with 35 points in the second quarter to even the score. In the third quarter, the Lakers scored another 42 points, building a massive 20-point lead at one point. In the final quarter, the Kings managed to reduce the gap to 10 points, but ultimately fell short. The Lakers defeated the Kings 132-122. The Kings' situation is precarious, relying on star players for offense and leaving defense to fate, aiming to win in chaos! In this game, the Kings made full preparations on the offensive end, shooting decisively and fighting fiercely! Throughout the game, the Kings outrebounded the Lakers 39-33, dominated the offensive rebounds 13-4, outscored the Lakers in the paint 62-58, and also had the upper hand in fast-break points (22-14) and points off turnovers (13-7), achieving their goal of winning in chaos. However, the problem was that the Kings' chaotic punches couldn't defeat the Lakers, as the Lakers easily broke through the Kings' defense with their exceptional three-point shooting. Throughout the game, the Lakers shot 14 out of 26 from beyond the arc, with a high…

On December 29th, Beijing time, the Mavericks played their second back-to-back game without Luka Doncic, who continued to be absent and will be re-evaluated in a month. The Blazers once led by as many as 21 points, but Kyrie Irving refused to give up and went on a furious scoring spree in the second half. In the final quarter, Irving scored 20 points, unwilling to concede defeat, but unfortunately, the comeback attempt fell short, resulting in a regrettable 122-126 loss. American media wrote: "Kyrie, say help me again!" Due to it being the second game of a back-to-back, the entire team was somewhat fatigued, having just flown from Phoenix to Portland. It seemed that only Irving had his energy levels intact. In the first quarter, Irving shot 6 for 4 with 1 three-pointer made, scoring 9 points. He took advantage of a screen and immediately launched a shot, while the Mavericks as a team scored only 25 points in the first quarter, with their defense collapsing, allowing the Blazers to score 36 points. It was an all-out offensive battle. Sharpe scored 16 points in the first half, Simmons had 10, Grant had 6, Ayton had 14 points and 7 rebounds, Avdija had 11, and Henderson had 12. By halftime, five Blazers players had already scored in double figures. Irving single-handedly challenged the entire Blazers team, shooting 9 for 5 with 1 three-pointer made, scoring 15 points, 1 rebound, 1 assist, and 1 block in a single quarter. By halftime, Irving had already accumulated 24 points. In the third quarter, Irving…

In the continuous progress of this season's regular season, some teams in the league inevitably encounter bottlenecks in their development. Taking the Kings as an example, they were once a dark horse team in the West that attracted attention, but recently they have experienced a disappointing five-game losing streak. This series of defeats directly led to the sudden departure of head coach Mike Brown, and at the same time, the team's core members were also placed on the cusp of trade. The situation of the Suns is also noteworthy. Although they boast the most luxurious lineup in the entire league, the combination of top scorers Durant, Booker, and Beal should have made the team invincible, but in reality, their record has never reached expectations, hovering just at the edge of the playoffs, appearing somewhat unworthy of their reputation. The Bulls have been mired in trade rumors since the beginning of the season. Star player Zach LaVine is in an awkward position due to contract issues, and his high salary, which is considered unreasonable, makes him rarely sought after in the transfer market. The Bulls are thus caught in a dilemma, finding it difficult to achieve transformation through rebuilding, and also struggling to improve their record based on their current roster. If not adjusted in time, it may miss the development opportunities for the next few years. In addition, the Warriors and Heat, two traditional powerhouses, are also facing unprecedented challenges. The Warriors showed strong strength at the beginning of the season, achieving a record of 12 wins and 3 losses…

The Denver Nuggets have finally put an end to their losing streak with a 134-121 victory over the Detroit Pistons. The team was in desperate need of a win after being defeated by the Cleveland Cavaliers in their previous game, which had significantly affected their morale. However, the good news is that the Nuggets no longer solely rely on Nikola Jokic, as Jamal Murray has shown signs of recovery. In today's game, Murray delivered an impressive performance with 34 points, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 1 steal, and 3 blocks, achieving a +24 plus-minus rating and shooting at a high efficiency of 12 out of 21 from the field and 4 out of 7 from beyond the arc. We previously mentioned that Jokic is the foundation of the Nuggets, while Murray is the key to igniting the team's potential. The reason behind the Nuggets' inconsistent form this season can be attributed to Murray's injuries and his lackluster performance following his max contract. However, since the start of the season, Murray's condition has gradually improved, especially in December. Over the course of 9 games, he has averaged 22.2 points, 3.9 rebounds, 6.5 assists, 1.6 steals, and 0.9 blocks, with a shooting accuracy of 49% and a three-point percentage of 43.4%. After the game, Nuggets head coach Michael Malone discussed Murray, stating that if he continues to play at this level, the Nuggets will be unbeatable. Malone acknowledged that the outside world is harsh on Murray due to his max contract, which raises expectations for him. Murray's underperformance was a significant factor in…

It's the end of the year, and thieves are trying to meet their targets, even stealing from NBA players' homes. Recently, Luka Dončić's home was burglarized. Fortunately, he and his family were not at home at the time, so no one was in danger. The incident has been reported to the police, and an investigation is underway. According to the report by the local police, an unidentified individual broke into Dončić's home between 5 PM and 9 PM by smashing a window in the main bathroom. They stole jewelry worth approximately $30,000. Some might say that 30,000isnothingforDoncˇicˊ,whoearnsastaggering30,000 is nothing for Dončić, who earns a staggering 30,000isnothingforDoncˇicˊ,whoearnsastaggering43.08 million this season. However, it's not about the money; it's about the lack of personal safety. Before Dončić's theft, Milwaukee Bucks player Bobby Portis was also targeted in November. Many of his valuable items were stolen, and he had to post a plea for help on social media. The NBA has already taken measures in response to these thefts but has only issued a memo to all players as a warning. The league cannot take substantial action against such incidents. It's no secret that the United States has poor security, and NBA players' homes have been targeted by thieves for some time. It's best not to rely too much on the police; instead, one must rely on their own luck. Almost simultaneously, the Dallas Mavericks officially announced Dončić's injury, which is a left calf strain, and he will be out for at least a month. This means he won't be able to play in…

On December 29th, Beijing time, the NBA's 2024-25 season regular season's Western Conference focus match took place, with the Los Angeles Lakers hosting the Sacramento Kings at their home court. This was the fourth meeting between the two teams this season, with the Lakers winning all three previous encounters, showing a significant advantage. Apparently, the Lakers are still relying on veterans to perform this season, as statistics show that after an eight-day rest and returning for five games, James averaged 25.6 points, 7.2 rebounds, 8.4 assists, 1.4 steals, and 0.8 blocks, with shooting percentages of 50.0%/34.6%/79.2%, and only 2.8 turnovers. During this period, he led the Lakers to a record of four wins and one loss, propelling the team to sixth in the West (with a total record of 17 wins and 13 losses), which is truly remarkable. You see, next Tuesday in U.S. time, James will enter a new stage of life at 40 years old, and it's amazing that he can still be so efficient at this age. On the other hand, the Kings have recently had a bumpy road. In the last game, they were about to win but were defeated by the Pistons with an extreme 3+1 buzzer-beater, unfortunately suffering a five-game losing streak. As a result, Kings coach Mike Brown became the scapegoat and became the first coach to be fired this season, while Doug Christie was appointed as the interim head coach in a critical situation. However, the problems facing the Kings are not just with the coach. The newly introduced DeRozan this summer…

On December 29, 2024, Beijing time, the recent losing streak of the Kings has caused significant internal issues within the team. The team's core player, Fox, has been at the center of trade rumors. If Fox chooses to leave the team, it seems that the Rockets are the most likely destination for him. Recently, the American media Fadeaway World proposed a trade plan in which the Rockets would send out Sheppard, Dillon Brooks, Whitmore, the 2025 first-round pick, the 2027 first-round pick, the 2028 first-round pick, and the 2029 first-round pick in exchange for Fox and Ellis. If this trade were to succeed, the Rockets would be able to retain young players like Amon Thompson and Ethan while acquiring Fox, which would indeed be an acceptable outcome for the team. The starting lineup would consist of Green, Shen Jing, VanVleet, Thompson, Smith, Ethan, and Fox, with seven players in total. If we expand the roster further, players like Yasang Temple Adams, Landale, Tate, and Holiday could also step up. This seven-man main rotation lineup boasts excellent offensive and defensive capabilities as well as transition speed. Fox should be able to seamlessly integrate into the team. Therefore, from the current perspective, this trade is very favorable for the Rockets. It remains to be seen whether the Kings will accept such an offer.

The Western Conference is in chaos as the Denver Nuggets lose to the Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors fall to the Los Angeles Clippers, causing a shift in the standings. The Clippers rise to fifth in the West, while the Nuggets drop to seventh and the Warriors plummet out of the play-in tournament area to eleventh place. In contrast, the Lakers are in a favorable position with a 17-13 record, ranking sixth in the West. Their next game is against the Sacramento Kings, who just fired their head coach, and the Lakers have already defeated the Kings three times this season. If the Lakers win this game, they could climb to fifth in the West, indicating that things are looking up for them. Notably, in the latest NBA power rankings, the Lakers have climbed from 17th to 12th in the league. It's no wonder they're being so highly regarded, having won four out of their last five games, including victories over strong teams like the Memphis Grizzlies, the Kings, and the Warriors. They've shed their previous weak state entirely. Some may wonder why the Lakers have suddenly improved so much when their roster hasn't changed and there are no returning injured players. Two reasons are crucial. Firstly, James' state has returned, proving that the Lakers' decision to give him eight days off to recharge was correct. After sufficient rest, James averaged 35 minutes per game in his first five games back, scoring 25.6 points, grabbing 7.2 rebounds, dishing out 8.4 assists, making 1.4 steals, and blocking 0.8 shots,…

On the night of December 28th, a CBA regular season game concluded with Beijing Men's Basketball Team securing a victory over Nanjing Team at home with a score of 110-109. The team was filled with joy after the win. However, one individual who did not participate in the match due to rest became the focus of media attention during the post-game interview. This person was Zhou Qi, a senior figure in the locker room. Despite being exempt from playing and having unlimited rest rights as the center for Beijing Men's Basketball Team, Zhou Qi appeared in the team's locker room after the game. Looking slightly thinner and still in the process of recovery, Zhou Qi became the main subject of the interview. He stated, "This illness has been quite severe. Although I am no longer feverish, I still need some time to recover." Recently, Zhou Qi has missed five consecutive games due to influenza. Adding to this, he had previously sat out for an extended period at the beginning of the season due to a foot injury. As a result, Zhou Qi has only played in seven regular-season games for Beijing Men's Basketball Team this season. In his average 24.6 minutes on the court, he contributes 12.9 points, 6.6 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game. Zhou Qi's situation is severe, but so is Xiao Long's. Xiao Long, also known as Wells, was severely underestimated! On December 28th, during the late-night battle where Liaoning defeated Xinjiang 115-89 at home, Wells scored 50 points, 2 rebounds, and 6 assists with 17 out…

On December 29th, Beijing time, the NBA regular season continued with the New York Knicks visiting the Washington Wizards. The Knicks, ranked third in the Eastern Conference and currently on a six-game winning streak, faced off against the Wizards, who are comfortably at the bottom of the East with little to lose or gain from this game. The Wizards started strong at home, taking a 16-7 lead, but the Knicks quickly caught up and by halftime, the score was tied at 60. In the second half, both teams engaged in an offensive battle, with the Wizards going on a 15-2 run in the third and fourth quarters to build an 11-point lead. However, the Knicks managed to close the gap thanks to the outstanding performances of Brunson and Towns. In overtime, Brunson took control of the game, and the Knicks secured their victory with solid free throws, ultimately winning 136-132. The Wizards, aiming for the Flag Cup, focused on offense over defense, relying heavily on their shooting performance. They matched the Knicks' intensity with a barrage of three-pointers, making 17 shots at a 44.7% rate. In contrast, the Knicks struggled from beyond the arc, making only 10 out of 40 attempts at a 25% rate. Despite this, the Knicks turned the tide with their inside scoring and transition points off turnovers. Throughout the game, they dominated the paint with a 78-60 advantage in points and outscored the Wizards 26-18 on points off turnovers. The Knicks' comeback from an 11-point deficit to an overtime victory was largely due to the combined…