Victory! Sabonis scores 23+28+3, Tatum shoots 13 for 5, a new record is set, and the ninth place in the West changes hands On January 11, 2025, Beijing time, the 27-win and 10-loss Celtics faced the 18-win and 19-loss Kings at home. On paper, the Celtics had the advantage, but after the Kings changed coaches, their record soared, currently on a five-game winning streak. Could the Celtics defeat such a formidable opponent? The Celtics' starting lineup was Holiday, White, Brown, Tatum, and Porzingis, while the Kings were without Fox, starting Monk, Ellis, DeRozan, Murray, and Sabonis. In the first quarter, Brown's hook shot and Porzingis' three-pointer were matched by Monk's three-pointer and DeRozan's mid-range jumper, with both teams tied at 5-5. Brown scored four consecutive points to give the Celtics a 9-5 lead, but Murray hit two three-pointers, followed by Porzingis' mid-range jumper and Sabonis' offensive rebound basket, allowing the Kings to take a 13-11 lead. Brown then scored four more points to regain the lead by two points. However, Sabonis, Ellis, and Monk's three-pointers and dunks put the Kings up by six points. Porzingis responded with a three-pointer, but Sabonis answered back with another three-pointer, maintaining a six-point lead. Kornet's layup was countered by Monk and Huerter, leaving the Kings with a nine-point lead. Tatum and Pritchard scored for the Celtics, but DeRozan and Carter responded, ending the first quarter with the Kings leading 34-27. In the second quarter, Pritchard and Porzingis closed the gap, followed by Lyles' three-pointer. Horford, Porzingis, Holiday, and White scored consecutively, giving the Celtics…

On January 11, 2025, Beijing time, there were 7 NBA games today, involving the Warriors, Nuggets, Thunder, Kings, and Pelicans. After the games, the Western Conference standings saw some changes. The Thunder played away against the Knicks, with the Thunder missing Chet and Caruso, while the Knicks were without Miro. The Thunder suffered a greater loss in combat power, and it was expected that the game would be closely contested. However, the Thunder overwhelmed the Knicks, winning the first quarter by 14 points and the second quarter by 13 points. At halftime, they led by 27 points. In the second half, the Thunder maintained their advantage, keeping a large lead throughout the game, ultimately defeating the Knicks by 25 points. Alexander scored 39 points with 3 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals on 15 of 21 shooting. Isaiah Joe scored 31 points with 1 rebound and 2 assists on 11 of 16 shooting (8 of 11 from three-point range). Towns scored 23 points with 10 rebounds on 9 of 16 shooting, and Brunson scored 27 points with 1 rebound and 5 assists on 7 of 15 shooting. After the victory, the Thunder have a stable lead in the Western Conference with a record of 31 wins and 6 losses. They are ahead of the second-placed Rockets by 6 games, holding a significant advantage. The Kings played away against the Celtics, with Fox absent for the Kings, while the Celtics had all their main players present. On paper, the Kings were not considered strong opponents for the Celtics. However, the game…

Breaking News! Fox May Join Spurs, Will the Western Conference Landscape Change?‌ This season's Spurs are like a sailboat navigating through stormy seas, with some glimmers of hope but still searching for the strong wind that will push them to the peak. So far, the team's record has significantly improved from last season, undoubtedly the result of the collective efforts of the entire team. However, a closer look at the team's lineup reveals that the guard line is still a significant shortcoming, much like a sailboat with a sail not sturdy enough to maintain stability in strong winds. In the fiercely competitive Western Conference, every game is a tough battle. Opposing guards often find themselves unopposed, scoring at will against the Spurs' defense. This not only repeatedly puts the team at a disadvantage in terms of points but also places immense defensive pressure on the frontline's Wenyama. Although Wenyama is gifted and can build a barrier in the paint while possessing the ability for outside shooting, he cannot do it alone. He urgently needs a capable backcourt partner to share the burden and create more offensive opportunities. The Spurs management is clearly aware of the urgency of this issue and their desire for change grows stronger. After all, having a potential star like Wenyama is akin to holding the key to the championship door. A good key requires a fine lock to maximize its effectiveness. Thus, rumors and speculations about the Spurs' actions in the trade market abound, with the possibility of Fox joining the Spurs receiving considerable attention from…

After a big win over the Wizards, the Rockets have secured a two-game winning streak in the regular season, maintaining their position as second in the Western Conference. Despite a 6.5-game gap from the top-ranked Thunder and only a 0.5-game lead over the Grizzlies, the Rockets have widened the gap with teams like the Nuggets, Lakers, Clippers, Mavericks, and Warriors. What's more exciting for Houston fans is the fiery form of Jalen Green, who has averaged an impressive 27.8 points and 5.5 rebounds in the last four games. The official website of the Rockets has started to promote Jalen Green, aiming to get him selected for the All-Star team. Additionally, Amen Thompson has been performing well, contributing double-doubles with 20 points and 15 rebounds in consecutive games, and he can step up whenever there's a missing starter in the Rockets' lineup. Recently, American media outlet "Fadeaway World" suggested that the Kings management should prioritize Dillon Brooks, the defensive powerhouse of the Rockets, as their main target for recruitment. The Rockets have ample personnel on the front line, with Amen Thompson and Tari Eason capable of replacing Dillon's role, while Whitmore and Tate also have the potential to enter the rotation. In contrast, the Kings have players like DeRozan, Monk, Keegan Murray, Huerter, and McDermott, all known for their offensive prowess but lacking in defense, resulting in high average points conceded by the Kings. New head coach Christie urgently needs to find a defensive expert to achieve a balance between offense and defense. The media proposed a 1-for-2 trade offer for…

The NBA regular season schedule is nearing the halfway point, and there are quite a few struggling teams in both the East and West conferences. For example, the Pelicans at the bottom of the West were touted as having four giants at the start of the season, but Zion has been out for a long time, Ingram has severely sprained his ankle, and their record of 7 wins and 31 losses has led them to decide to open a supermarket and start tanking. Another example is the Suns, whose total expenditure exceeds $400 million, going from an 8-1 start to an 8-18 record afterward. The salaries of the three giants Durant, Booker, and Beal are almost on par with the entire Thunder team in the West, yet their performance is abysmal. The Suns want to get rid of the hot potato that is Beal, who also has a trade veto power. It's unclear why Durant and Booker chose Beel in the first place; now it's too late to regret it, as Beal is unwilling to leave even if it means coming off the bench! Including the Eastern powerhouse 76ers, who started with a 15-20 record, making it difficult to even enter the top ten in the East. Embiid plays intermittently, George has become a blue-collar worker, and the team is left with Maxi, known for his stats-padding, leading Oubre, but without any guaranteed lower limit! Including the Warriors, who rebuilt after sending away Klay, starting with a 12-3 record to top the West, then falling back to reality with a…

The recent NBA Western Conference games have been a thrilling spectacle for fans, with the victories of the Kings and the Suns providing intense matchups that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. From pre-game predictions to post-game scores, the matches have been full of twists and turns, making it impossible to look away from the television for even a moment. Let's start with the Kings versus the Heat. That game was a rollercoaster of emotions. What made this match so captivating? The answer lies in two words—overtime! Not just one, but it went all the way to double overtime. Watching this game, I couldn't help but worry about the Kings' stamina. The game began with the Heat giving the Kings a wake-up call, dominating the first quarter with precise offense and stifling the Kings' attack. However, in the second quarter, the Heat's offense faltered, allowing the Kings to seize the opportunity and pull ahead. Then, in the third quarter, the Kings stumbled again, scoring only 18 points while the Heat capitalized, overtaking them and extending their lead to 10 points. Just when everyone thought the Heat had secured the win, DeRozan emerged as a savior in the final quarter, scoring an incredible 11 points to drag the game into overtime. In the first overtime, both teams exchanged blows, with the score remaining close, leading to another overtime. This time, the Kings found their momentum in the clutch moments, with DeRozan scoring 9 points alone to help his team ultimately defeat the Heat 123-118. It felt like I was…

NBA Latest Rankings Today: Lakers Beat Hawks to Rise to 4th, Clippers Get Two Boosts, Kings Give Rockets a Big Gift The fierce competition on the basketball court often drives fans into a frenzy of excitement. Just a couple of days ago, the NBA Western Conference witnessed a series of matches that sparked a thrilling and captivating battle. Let's take a look at the newly crowned Kings. After dismissing Mike Brown, interim head coach Doug Christie has led the team to an impressive three consecutive victories. In their most recent game, six players scored in double figures, with Monk putting up an outstanding 31 points as they defeated the formidable Grizzlies of the West. This victory not only showcased the Kings' new state under the new coach but also indirectly assisted the Rockets in their ranking. The Grizzlies were already second in the West, and this defeat added a touch of suspense to the subsequent ranking battles. However, the state of the Kings' flag bearer, Fox, remains perplexing. There were rumors that the Rockets were interested in trading for him using assets like Sheppard, yet in this game, he only managed to score 23 points, remaining in a slump. Whether this is due to the impact of trade rumors or other reasons, it has indeed sparked speculation among fans. Other Kings players like Sabonis, however, performed exceptionally well, proving that they are not a team that relies solely on individual brilliance. Another heavyweight team, the Clippers, received the long-awaited good news - Leonard and Harden are set to return. This…

The Golden State Warriors have suffered another crushing defeat, which has seen them drop from eighth to ninth in the Western Conference standings, making their hopes of reaching the playoffs increasingly slim. Fans' emotions have shifted from initial anticipation to disappointment and anger. In particular, the team's performance in this game can be described as "self-inflicted." The lineup featuring three or four guards was once again deployed, offering little advantage against taller opponents. By the third quarter, the Warriors were trailing by 30 points, effectively sealing their fate in the match. Ultimately, they could only watch helplessly as their opponents clinched victory, while they were forced to surrender. What is even more concerning is that head coach Steve Kerr seems unperturbed despite the team's consecutive losses. Despite the dimming prospects for the team, he remains steadfast in his three-guard strategy, treating the outcome of the game as a minor episode in life. Fans are divided in their opinions, with many calling for him to step down, believing that under the current circumstances, the Warriors need new guidance and tactical direction. In a post-game interview, Kerr did not offer a clear reflection on the situation. He stated, "Losing is a common occurrence in the NBA; you must accept defeat as much as you enjoy victory." While this statement carries some philosophical weight, fans' patience is wearing thin. Kerr himself admits that the team lacked energy during the game and did not execute according to his tactical requirements. He mentioned that the "pass-and-cut system requires players to be full of execution and…

On January 2nd, Beijing time, the NBA 2024-2025 season regular season is continuing in a lively manner. The Sacramento Kings are waiting at home to welcome the challenge of the Philadelphia 76ers. This is the first time the two teams have met this season. They each won one game last season, and their strength is not much different. Wow, speaking of the 76ers, they have been very powerful recently, winning four consecutive victories. Their total record has become 13 wins and 17 losses, and their ranking in the Eastern Conference has risen all the way to eleventh place. If they win another game, they can rush into the Eastern Conference playoff area, which can be considered back on track. Moreover, in the latest issue of the NBA's official power rankings, the 76ers ranked 18th, which is the first time they have entered the top 20 since the first issue. This is really a double happiness, which makes me so excited. Look at the Kings, it's miserable. They have been falling all the way. Their current record is only 14 wins and 19 losses, ranking fourth from the bottom in the West, which is really unexpected. Looking at the latest issue of the power rankings, the Kings have fallen to 23rd in the league, almost the same level as those teams that are tanking for the draft lottery. It's too outrageous. You know, during the last offseason, the Kings happily introduced the third giant DeRozan, hoping to make great achievements, but they were definitely not aiming for the No. 1 pick.…

NBA trade rumors have suddenly taken the league by storm as the Houston Rockets are reportedly in talks with the Sacramento Kings to acquire De'Aaron Fox. This potential deal has everyone speculating on whether it will actually come to fruition. The Rockets have had an unexpectedly successful season with a record of 21 wins and 11 losses, securing their position in the Western Conference. This young team is demonstrating that they are serious contenders for the championship. The management is undoubtedly pleased with this performance but is aware that the current roster is not yet complete. To advance further in the playoffs, they need to strengthen their lineup, particularly with a leader who can step up in crucial moments. General Manager Rafael Stone has been studying the trade market and believes that older stars like Jimmy Butler and Kevin Durant may not be the best fit for the team. Instead, he is looking for a core player who can grow alongside the young squad. Coach Stephen Silas has done a commendable job leading the team, with young players showing significant improvement under his guidance. However, recent games have exposed some issues, with the team struggling to maintain leads, indicating a lack of experience in critical situations. The Kings responded to the Rockets' interest in Fox with a hefty demand: four first-round draft picks and specific requests for players like Keon Johnson and Jaden Springer. This asking price shocked the Rockets. At just 27 years old, Fox is in his prime, averaging 26.3 points per game with nearly a 50% shooting…