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Charlotte Bobcats – It’s Been a While
After four terrible years the Charlotte Bobcats have made the NBA playoffs, clinching the spot with a 96-94 overtime win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, barely hanging on with Kyrie Irving storming through their defense for most of the game, but getting just about enough from Kemba Walker and Al Jefferson.
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Houston Rockets – James Harden Doing What Jeremy Lin Can’t
The Houston Rockets finally beat the Oklahoma City Thunder, as James Harden outscored Kevin Durant in an interesting individual duel that was simply about making more shots and not playing better basketball. In the 111-107 win, Jeremy Lin failed to stand out in another so-so game from the point guard who wants to play like one, but also isn’t making the most of the opportunity given to him in the starting lineup.
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Indiana Pacers – Problems That Won’t Go Away
One rough over a bad Eastern conference team made the Indiana Pacers feel like their slump is over. Then came another bad offensive display while the Toronto Raptors got in their way and once again exposed the problems that are holding back the would-be NBA champions, beating them 102-94.
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Miami Heat – Trouble in a Former Paradise
No matter how you try and spin, the Miami Heat look like an inferior bunch to the one from last season. Following their 122-121 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves which slightly falls on the shoulders of Mario Chalmers and his free throw misses they’re still leading the Eastern conference, but mostly because their rivals for that spot are in an even bigger slump.
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Houston Rockets – Jeremy Lin & James Harden Pulling in Different Directions
It has been proven over the two seasons in which James Harden and Jeremy Lin have been teammates that there are rare moments the two can co-exist on the floor and bring out the best in each other, but most of the time it’s more like a one way street. The question is – what’s best for the Houston Rockets?
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Dallas Mavericks – Playoffs Not Getting Away
For the Dallas Mavericks, no slip up is affordable in the race to make the Western conference playoffs and they took a big step towards it with a 113-107 win over the Los Angeles Clippers, led by Dirk Nowitzki in an excellent performance, while their opponents find it difficult to keep players healthy, be it luck or something completely different.
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Oklahoma City Thunder – Stopping the Streak
The Oklahoma City Thunder complete a season sweep of the San Antonio Spurs with a 106-94 win that also ends a 19-game winning streak, but despite some great defense and an aggressive night on offense from both Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant, it probably won’t be enough to win the top seed in the Western conference.
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Los Angeles Clippers – Winning the Meaningless Division Title
No team in the NBA cares about winning their division, and the Los Angeles Clippers are no different. Their 112-108 win over the Phoenix Suns meant that they get the meaningless title, but for Chris Paul and Blake Griffin the real goal is simply doing better than they did last year in the postseason.
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San Antonio Spurs – Hopefully Not Peaking With Streak
The San Antonio Spurs aren’t stopping or slowing down for anyone, beating the Golden State Warriors 111-90 to bring their winning streak to 19 games thanks to another very efficient performance from both Tim Duncan and Tony Pakrer, while hoping that this isn’t the best they have to offer this season.
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Houston Rockets – Jeremy Lin Can’t Save What James Harden Ruins
The Houston Rockets keep slipping with key injured players, and the combination of James Harden and Jeremy Lin isn’t getting them through this rough patch, as it seems like one of the most selfish players in the league is influencing his backcourt partner instead of it being the other way around, although the Rockets were still better off with Lin on the floor.