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Chicago Bulls – The Best Team in the NBA When Everyone is Healthy
The team most synonymous with injuries in the NBA over the last few seasons are the Chicago Bulls. However, when their regular lineup of Derrick Rose, Jimmy Butler, Mike Dunleavy, Pau Gasol and Joakim Noah is healthy and playing, they just might be the best team in the league.
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San Antonio Spurs – Winning is Easy Against the Worst Team in the NBA
The Philadelphia 76ers aren’t just the worst team in the NBA this season, still win-less after 17 games; they might also be the worst team in the history of the league. The San Antonio Spurs didn’t really find beating them a problem at all, despite having Kawhi Leonard do some extra work because of his resting and injured teammates.
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Washington Wizards – Dwyane Wade & Chris Bosh Face Them Without any Help
The Miami Heat usually struggle when playing on the road against the Washington Wizards, but losing by 21 points (107-86) isn’t something that’s ordinary, with an excellent shooting night for the home team, led by John Wall and Rasual Butler as opposed to the cold shooting from anyone not named Chris Bosh or Dwyane Wade on the other side.
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Los Angeles Lakers – Kobe Bryant Overshadows Jeremy Lin & Everyone Else
Just like Kobe Bryant likes it, the Los Angeles Lakers beating the Toronto Raptors 129-122 in overtime was all about him and his statistics. Not that the others played badly, but it’s hard for Jeremy Lin especially to shine when Kobe Bryant takes over so dominantly.
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Chicago Bulls – Jimmy Butler & Derrick Rose Have Them Thinking Championship
The Chicago Bulls keep beating teams with an excellent combination of inside and outside scoring, led by the ever improving Jimmy Butler together with a good game from Pau Gasol and Derrick Rose, beating the Brooklyn Nets 102-84.
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Miami Heat – Chris Bosh Is Happy Dwyane Wade is Back
After missing seven games in which the Miami Heat greatly struggled, Dwyane Wade had a triumphant return to join Chris Bosh in their 86-79 win over the sad New York Knicks, playing with Carmelo Anthony again but looking terrible nonetheless.
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Cleveland Cavaliers – Kevin Love Finally Outplays LeBron James
If there was one thing the Cleveland Cavaliers were waiting for to happen it was Kevin Love finally going out of his way and having a big game. In a 109-97 win over the injury-ravaged Indiana Pacers, LeBron James and Kyrie Irving took a backseat to the third angle of the Big Three’s shooting, while David Blatt was mostly impressed with his defense.
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Los Angeles Lakers – Jeremy Lin & Kobe Bryant Need a New Defense
On one of the few occasions in which Kobe Bryant shoots and doesn’t miss more than he makes while not keeping Jeremy Lin out of the loop and the Los Angeles Lakers still lose 120-119 to the Minnesota Timberwolves because playing defense is just as important as putting points on the board.
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Grizzlies Over Blazers – Best in the West, For Now
The title for best team in the West and the NBA can change daily when it’s such a small margin. The Memphis Grizzlies take the crown, which includes having the best record, beating the Portland Trail Blazers 112-99 thanks to a dominant second quarter and great games for both Marc Gasol and Mike Conley.
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Chicago Bulls – Derrick Rose & Jimmy Butler Are the Best Backcourt in the NBA
The Chicago Bulls got Derrick Rose up and healthy once again, and the combination of him and Jimmy Butler was enough to overcome a resilient Boston Celtics team 109-102, with Rajon Rondo once again struggling to show why he should be considered one of the best point guards in the NBA in a direct showdown with one that has proven he belongs in that group.