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Miami Heat – The Best Team in the East, So Far
Being undefeated at this point of the season is hardly an achievement, but there’s no denying that the Miami Heat in the post-LeBron James era are looking good. Their 107-102 win over the Toronto Raptors was an excellent example of their ability to get points from a number of sources, but obviously led by Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade and Luol Deng.
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Oklahoma City Thunder – No Stars, No Problem
There’s no chance to win without Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook, right? It turns out there’s more to the Oklahoma City Thunder than just their two superstars, winning 102-91 against the Denver Nuggets, their first of the season, led by Serge Ibaka and Perry Jones, carrying the offense despite the lack of faith from outside the organization.
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Los Angeles Lakers – Jeremy Lin & Kobe Bryant Hit Rock Bottom
Four games, no wins. Kobe Bryant keeps putting on impressive numbers, but it comes at the expense of having some sort of team game, hurting someone like Jeremy Lin, who actually makes players around him better. The Los Angeles Lakers were beaten 127-104 by the Golden State Warriors, as a new problem seems to rise each time the old one gets fixed.
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Chicago Bulls – Jimmy Butler Teaches Andrew Wiggins a Lesson
The Minnesota Timberwolves almost got away with a narrow win over the Chicago Bulls thanks to a clutch 3-pointer from Kevin Martin, but Jimmy Butler teaching Andrew Wiggins a thing or two about staying on your feet and not being overzealous to block a shot cost them the home victory.
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Los Angeles Lakers – More Jeremy Lin, Less Kobe Bryant, Makes Them Better
Following a 118-111 loss to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Los Angeles Lakers are still without a win this season. But for the first time since it began, they looked like a capable team offensively, that doesn’t only rely on Kobe Bryant to create offense. Putting the ball in the hands of Jeremy Lin worked wonders, up to a point.
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Suns Over Spurs – Champions Don’t Stay Undefeated Forever
The San Antonio Spurs weren’t going to keep on winning forever, and often it’s better to lose and learn about your faults early on. The Phoenix Suns, with their trio of point guard combination including Eric Bledsoe, Goran Dragic and especially Isaiah Thomas this time, haven’t caused their last upset of the season although at this point it’s not really a surprise.
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Cleveland Cavaliers – LeBron James Sees Derrick Rose and Explodes
In what was billed as a preview to the Eastern Conference Finals a few months from now, the Cleveland Cavaliers got their first win of the season, beating the Chicago Bulls. Maybe there’s something about seeing Derrick Rose, who picked up a worrying ankle injury, that brings the best out of LeBron James.
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Dallas Mavericks – Dirk Nowitzki & Chandler Parsons are a Joy to Watch on Offense
The Dallas Mavericks won their first game the season, walking away from their first home performance with a 120-102 win over the Utah Jazz, led by Dirk Nowitzki and Chandler Parsons, teaming up to create what might turn out to be the most fun to watch offense in the NBA.
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Oklahoma City Thunder – Russell Westbrook Out With an Injury as Well
There’s still plenty of time for things to turn around, but after losing 93-90 to the Los Angeles Clippers, the Oklahoma City Thunder find themselves not only after two losses in two games to start the season, but now without Russell Westbrook, injuring his hand and joining the team’s other superstar, Kevin Durant, on the unable to play list for now.
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New York Knicks – Carmelo Anthony Ruins a Special Night for LeBron James
Instead of LeBron James and his new big three celebrating the beginning of a brand new successful era, the New York Knicks spoiled their party with a big night for Carmelo Anthony, leading his team to a 95-90 win, enjoying the confusion among the ranks of the Cleveland Cavaliers.