2024 NBA Season

[Oasisman]

Game 2 should be a good one.  The Timberwolves have had a bit of an up and down season but they're a talented team.  The Clippers have been playing pretty well since the addition of Russell Westbrook so this will probably be a good game to watch.  There was some criticism over Russell Westbrook being benched towards the end of their last game even though he had a great game, so it seems like things aren't all roses over in Clipperland.

The Timberwolves won against the Clippers.
They are truly a different team now after acquiring Mike Conley. Rudy Gobert is being used more in the offensive end since there will be a partner that knows his game. Their run in Utah is being shown now in Minnesota. I was a bit surprised at how they are not letting the Clippers have the lead. They had a good run in the last minutes with PG13 heating up, but it was short-lived. Westbrook made a crucial three to cut the lead to 4 but their next possession was a waste.
Lost my bet here but it was fun watching both teams trying to play like it's the playoffs.

 I don't usually watch the Clippers game, but I'm just curious since they were 0-3 since the Westbrook acquisition, does Westbrook have something to do with these losses? Or is it just they're playing terribly as a team lately even before the Westbrook arrival?
I've got mad respect for Westbrook, he's a good PG and a great addition to any of the team he's in. Maybe he's just battling a mental stress as people are making fun of him as a jinx to the team.

[1714607327]

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[yazher]

Yes, saw that news too, and it's going to hurt the Lakers chances to make it to the playoffs. When you think that everything is working on their end, and we saw James still plays during their massive comeback and then limping out, and this could be the price to pay for that comeback of them.

He is getting old and became injuries prone to hunt him nowadays even though he takes care of his body more than any other NBA player right now. Too bad for them and they've just easily lost tonight against the Grizzlies. Maybe this year will not be their destiny to be playing in the NBA playoffs and even though they can manage to get to the play-in tournament, surely they will gonna struggle and probably will gonna be knockout without Lebron James to help them inside the court.

[Kelvinid]

Yes, saw that news too, and it's going to hurt the Lakers chances to make it to the playoffs. When you think that everything is working on their end, and we saw James still plays during their massive comeback and then limping out, and this could be the price to pay for that comeback of them.

He is getting old and became injuries prone to hunt him nowadays even though he takes care of his body more than any other NBA player right now. Too bad for them and they've just easily lost tonight against the Grizzlies. Maybe this year will not be their destiny to be playing in the NBA playoffs and even though they can manage to get to the play-in tournament, surely they will gonna struggle and probably will gonna be knockout without Lebron James to help them inside the court.

Without LeBron and Davis, or either of them not playing, will certainly hurt the Lakers. With what happened, I'm sure their chances of winning will drop, as they have lost their leaders. Let's wait for more updates regarding the injury. If he will miss games, hopefully it won't be for too long.

[Yaunfitda]

Yes, saw that news too, and it's going to hurt the Lakers chances to make it to the playoffs. When you think that everything is working on their end, and we saw James still plays during their massive comeback and then limping out, and this could be the price to pay for that comeback of them.

He is getting old and became injuries prone to hunt him nowadays even though he takes care of his body more than any other NBA player right now. Too bad for them and they've just easily lost tonight against the Grizzlies. Maybe this year will not be their destiny to be playing in the NBA playoffs and even though they can manage to get to the play-in tournament, surely they will gonna struggle and probably will gonna be knockout without Lebron James to help them inside the court.

Without LeBron and Davis, or either of them not playing, will certainly hurt the Lakers. With what happened, I'm sure their chances of winning will drop, as they have lost their leaders. Let's wait for more updates regarding the injury. If he will miss games, hopefully it won't be for too long.

And as what have been expected, without Lebron they have a hard time winning and it's a tough team in the West in Memphis. They still hold on though till the 2nd quarter of the game.

But Ja Morant erupted with 39 points in the game, but still good to see the Lakers with AD at the lead, trying to push and get a win.

Maybe against a low team, this Lakers will have a good chance to take a win without the injured Lebron.

[Ziskinberg]

Maybe against a low team, this Lakers will have a good chance to take a win without the injured Lebron.

Maybe but let's see.

As per the latest news, Lebron will likely miss at least two weeks, and that's a lot of games for the Lakers to play.
https://www.nba.com/news/report-lebron-expected-to-miss-extended-period-with-foot-injury

I hope they will still win even without LeBron, but a team that loses its best player is not the same, just like the Warriors not having Curry.

[Pamadar]

Maybe against a low team, this Lakers will have a good chance to take a win without the injured Lebron.

Maybe but let's see.

As per the latest news, Lebron will likely miss at least two weeks, and that's a lot of games for the Lakers to play.
https://www.nba.com/news/report-lebron-expected-to-miss-extended-period-with-foot-injury

I hope they will still win even without LeBron, but a team that loses its best player is not the same, just like the Warriors not having Curry.

With a healthy AD maybe or they might win games even without LeBron, we really don't know what might be the output from those incoming games that they'll be playing without their main alpha.

If they are pushing their chance to be in the next round, maybe they will find ways together to win
games and try to push closer either to a playoff spot or a chance for a play-in position.

[inthelongrun]

After many months, the betting favorite Boston Celtics is finally overtaken by the Milwaukee Bucks as the NBA's leading team. I thought Denver would do it but then Milwaukee is now on a 15-game win streak and most likely it will continue to about 20.

Meanwhile, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers joined by stars Kyrie Irving and Russel Westbrook seemed struggling to win or to seal close games. And the Pelicans continued to lose games. I thought they are still okay inside the top 6 even without Zion but CJ after they acquired CJ McCollum. Now they might not even enter the playoffs.   

[LogitechMouse]

Maybe against a low team, this Lakers will have a good chance to take a win without the injured Lebron.

Maybe but let's see.

As per the latest news, Lebron will likely miss at least two weeks, and that's a lot of games for the Lakers to play.
https://www.nba.com/news/report-lebron-expected-to-miss-extended-period-with-foot-injury

I hope they will still win even without LeBron, but a team that loses its best player is not the same, just like the Warriors not having Curry.

It will be hard for them to win without him.

Some sources says that Lebron might be out for 2-3 weeks and Russell on the other hand, is also injured and is on a day-to-day currently. Let's say the worst scenario happens and Lebron will miss 3 weeks. That will be 10 game starting tomorrow until the 22nd of March and on that span, they will be playing ten times. On that 10 games, 5 are against the top 8 teams currently (Memphis, Golden State, Minnesota, Phoenix, and New York) and the other 5 are against bottom teams (OKC, Toronto, Orlando, New Orleans, Houston). On that 5 bottom teams, Toronto and New Orleans are trying to at least get a play-in spot. Overall, most of these teams are fighting for either a playoff spot or a play-in spot so expect that they are hungry for wins.

Now for the side of the Lakers, it will be a hard 3 weeks for them especially without Lebron and Russell (hope he will come back soon). On the other hand, I'm not underestimating the Lakers, and I believe that they still have tools to get some wins, but it will be hard for them especially now. Either way, I expect the best for the Lakers, and I hope they can still get a play-in spot after this regular season.

[arwin100]

Maybe against a low team, this Lakers will have a good chance to take a win without the injured Lebron.

Maybe but let's see.

As per the latest news, Lebron will likely miss at least two weeks, and that's a lot of games for the Lakers to play.
https://www.nba.com/news/report-lebron-expected-to-miss-extended-period-with-foot-injury

I hope they will still win even without LeBron, but a team that loses its best player is not the same, just like the Warriors not having Curry.

With a healthy AD maybe or they might win games even without LeBron, we really don't know what might be the output from those incoming games that they'll be playing without their main alpha.

If they are pushing their chance to be in the next round, maybe they will find ways together to win
games and try to push closer either to a playoff spot or a chance for a play-in position.

They need to find ways to win specially every games is very crucial to them since if they continue to lose then maybe they will be out on playoffs again for second time around. They need to push all they can since if they successfully acquire some spot on playoffs this could give big honors to Lakers organization. AD and the remaining cast should remain consistent as well as healthy since if AD will get injured then this is end of Lakers this season.

[Marvell1]

Dallas Mavericks had a close game. It was absolutely winnable for them.
But in the end, they could not truly hold on to their nerves. And this was a match I thought they should have won.

Los Angeles Clippers match was also close. I really don't understand what's up with them.

Pelicans have lost four in a row. And they are even below the top 10.
So it's easy to understand if someone thinks that they are not going to make it to the playoffs.

After many months, the betting favorite Boston Celtics is finally overtaken by the Milwaukee Bucks as the NBA's leading team. I thought Denver would do it but then Milwaukee is now on a 15-game win streak and most likely it will continue to about 20.

Meanwhile, Dallas Mavericks and Los Angeles Clippers joined by stars Kyrie Irving and Russel Westbrook seemed struggling to win or to seal close games. And the Pelicans continued to lose games. I thought they are still okay inside the top 6 even without Zion but CJ after they acquired CJ McCollum. Now they might not even enter the playoffs.   

[danherbias07]

The Warriors also won their game against the Trail Blazers. They are down by 23 but got it back at a long run in the 3rd quarter. Klay, Poole, and DiVicenzo, these guys never gave up and it's a rewarded effort.

A few years ago, the Warriors are known for being the kings of 3rd quarter, and they just showed it again on this one.

Yeah, the 3rd quarter boys. 

Coach Steve Kerr is known for being very good when it comes to 3rd quarter. They made some adjustments that helped them win on the 2nd half. Warriors are now 25-7 on their home. DiVincenzo is becoming a factor for the Warriors offensively now that Curry isn't playing. He got 21 points and 5 threes on this game. Poole, Thompson and DiVincenzo combined for 73 points and all of their starters + Kuminga are in double figures.

DiVincenzo actually a big factor here. In defense especially, if you watched the entire game he is never leaving Damian Lillard's side. He is just there and all credit to Coach Kerr for initially thinking that kind of defensive play. Trail Blazers don't have Simons so the biggest threat will only be Damian, once they shut them down, they will have a hard time to make an offensive play.

I don't usually watch the Clippers game, but I'm just curious since they were 0-3 since the Westbrook acquisition, does Westbrook have something to do with these losses? Or is it just they're playing terribly as a team lately even before the Westbrook arrival?
I've got mad respect for Westbrook, he's a good PG and a great addition to any of the team he's in. Maybe he's just battling a mental stress as people are making fun of him as a jinx to the team.

I tell you bro, it's not Russell Westbrook which is the problem. I think Coach Ty Lue is still having a hard time adjusting to the new player rotation.
With the addition of Eric Gordon, Mason Plumlee, Hyland, and WB, it went crazy how the combination will be and the chemistry is all wack.
Plumlee is making a lot of errors too, I have seen him a lot of times trying to bring the ball to the other side of the court by himself. A center dribbling means a turnover unless you are Jokic.
They will learn from their mistakes watching their tapes and I think they will be a better team afterward.

[OgNasty]

Kevin Durant plays basketball today for the first time in months for a brand new team. I’m not sure I’ll be able to watch the game as it’s being televised on some pretty small networks. I’m actually surprised that ESPN didn’t pick up the game. Hopefully I can find it somewhere or I’ll have to settle for highlights. Tonight is definitely a big night for the NBA. Durant is back!

[carlisle1]

Yes, saw that news too, and it's going to hurt the Lakers chances to make it to the playoffs. When you think that everything is working on their end, and we saw James still plays during their massive comeback and then limping out, and this could be the price to pay for that comeback of them.

He is getting old and became injuries prone to hunt him nowadays even though he takes care of his body more than any other NBA player right now. Too bad for them and they've just easily lost tonight against the Grizzlies. Maybe this year will not be their destiny to be playing in the NBA playoffs and even though they can manage to get to the play-in tournament, surely they will gonna struggle and probably will gonna be knockout without Lebron James to help them inside the court.

Without LeBron and Davis, or either of them not playing, will certainly hurt the Lakers. With what happened, I'm sure their chances of winning will drop, as they have lost their leaders. Let's wait for more updates regarding the injury. If he will miss games, hopefully it won't be for too long.

And as what have been expected, without Lebron they have a hard time winning and it's a tough team in the West in Memphis. They still hold on though till the 2nd quarter of the game.

But Ja Morant erupted with 39 points in the game, but still good to see the Lakers with AD at the lead, trying to push and get a win.

Maybe against a low team, this Lakers will have a good chance to take a win without the injured Lebron.

They might have difficulty, but in terms of winning games without LeBron the chance is still decent, with AD trying everything
to help the team, it's just so happen that Ja' take this game aggressively,

With a good squad to support him, it's really hard for every team that will meet them in each game to beat a strong squad like Memphis now.

But, moving back with the Lakers, they need to win. Even without LeBron, they need to find ways.

[Japinat]

They really change a lot when their rooster changed, it seems their trades are pretty much effective because they overhaul their rooster and get a good supporting cast to help them on their important run to reach their target. Its good to see them to reach on playoffs since this current rooster is now what we can say a title contender compare before.

Now the curse is on the Clippers because they have Westbrook. Two consecutive losses in overtime - that hurts. I guess the most important thing is the plays in the dying minutes; it looks like they are struggling in those moments. They should improve in that area, otherwise their ranking will slide down.

I don't call Westbrook as a curse he still give solid contribution to Clippers. Maybe they are just finding ways to create good chemistry and if Westbrook got his confidence back which has been broken on Lakers provably we can see him back on his old form. They really need to find ways to win on crunch time because they always get upset there, also for Westbrook he needs to be more careful on turnovers and taking unnecessary fouls so that he can help the team on 4th quarter or even on overtime.

Lol, we don't believed such curse though, perhaps it just a coincidence that they lost again. But as you have said, the did contribute to the Clippers just unfortunately that they just fall short. On critics will find a way to blame Westbrook for their lost.

Lakers though, was surprised that they make a good comeback. For he they beat a good them in Mavericks with Luka and Irving both playing, and they beat them at their home court no less.

Poor Westbrook, always on the headlines everywhere he goes and now the Clippers just because the team is now 0-3 since the trade happened. I reckon that they are still adjusting to what they have now as Westbrook was added to the new equation and let's give them more time to adjust as their current standing is still safe but they should really win more games in the future. In my perspective, I bet the Clippers will be more of a threat once they found the right chemistry.

Lakers though, was surprised that they make a good comeback. For he they beat a good them in Mavericks with Luka and Irving both playing, and they beat them at their home court no less.

Good for them because they thrived real hard to cover the gap between them and the Mavs, it was sure not an easy game for them but still they managed. But earlier against the Grizz, the Lakers were in a much different form because even if AD didn't explode that much and Jarred only scored low. Next match-up is against the Thunders, it will be interesting if they can handle it well.

[OgNasty]

But, moving back with the Lakers, they need to win. Even without LeBron, they need to find ways.

Ya, I wish them good luck with that.  At least Anthony Davis is healthy for the moment.  That gives them a chance.  No idea how the big man is going to stay healthy playing his heart out through the end of the season and god forbid the playoffs if it comes to that... 

In other Lakers news...  I'm reading reports now that Patrick Beverly is claiming he asked for a trade from the Lakers.  I think I'll have to take that with a grain of salt and await confirmation from the Lakers GM on that one.  Maybe he did and thought the Lakers were a sinking ship that wasn't going to make the playoffs.  I remain skeptical.

[rhomelmabini]

Maybe against a low team, this Lakers will have a good chance to take a win without the injured Lebron.

Maybe but let's see.

As per the latest news, Lebron will likely miss at least two weeks, and that's a lot of games for the Lakers to play.
https://www.nba.com/news/report-lebron-expected-to-miss-extended-period-with-foot-injury

I hope they will still win even without LeBron, but a team that loses its best player is not the same, just like the Warriors not having Curry.

Looks like aging makes a toll now on LBJ, in his prime days he could still be back in the game even with that kind of incident. I think that will be a huge loss now to the Lakers if he'd gone for weeks, there are only a few games remaining before the play-in tournament. Lebron has a huge impact on both offense and defense and it was apparent on their recent loss with Memphis, they should have made a 4 win streak if Lebron was out their playing.

[bittraffic]

Will OKC have a better chance this time against the Lakers now that Lebron is not playing?  Or will it still be the LAL still?  
I have the feeling they will be disorganized because AD and Lebron are out in this match against Thunders. So tragic that is very timely where they needed the win.

If SGA is not going to be there as said on YouTubers, the Lakers might still be winning hopefully.

[FanEagle]

Lebrons injury turns out to be "at least" 2 weeks, and he could of course come back with pain if he wants to, but the reality is that he should be out at least 2 weeks, after that it could be coming back if they are doing fine, like if there is a chance that they could be in playoffs, because he will want that and he could play through the pain if that's a possibility. However, if they are still very far away, then he will sit out the season and watch the playoffs at home and then come back next season.

It's sad that his last years are spent in a terrible Lakers team, just like how Kobe was, he got injured trying to carry the team and he never recovered and the team couldn't built anything around him, same way to say goodbye to Lebron by the looks of it, a team that's not even playoff levels to say goodbye to Lebron will be sad. Wish we could have seen him leave with a ring.

[EFS]

Will OKC have a better chance this time against the Lakers now that Lebron is not playing?  Or will it still be the LAL still?  
I have the feeling they will be disorganized because AD and Lebron are out in this match against Thunders. So tragic that is very timely where they needed the win.

If SGA is not going to be there as said on YouTubers, the Lakers might still be winning hopefully.

Thunder is very unpredictable this season. Sometimes you see them winning games in a row and sometimes the exact opposite. There is no consistency. If SGA won't play again then their chances are very low. Lakers can do well without LeBron but Thunder rely on SGA more. Jalen Williams has some good games but it's not enough to win games apparently.

[wheelz1200]

Is everyone in this thread really this concerned with the Lakers?  It does really sound like a Lakers fan board so let's switch it up eh...

How bout them NY Knicks!!!  No honestly this is another big game for them.  With the Nets right behind them in the standings they need to spend the last 20 games getting some space between them and the teams right behind them to lock in the 4/5 spot.  Don't really care which one since the Knicks are actually almost better on the road then they are at home...dare I say they sneak into the 3 hole?  Knicks win tonight and Miami beats Philly it almost gets into range.

Gonna be a good last quarter of the year finally as a Knicks fan