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The Bounce will take a break on Thursday and Friday to enjoy Thanksgiving. In the meantime, happy birthday to Shawn Kemp (Wednesday) and Nick Van Exel (Thursday)!
Happy Thanksgiving
Why every team in the West should be thankful
Ah, I can smell it now! The turkey baking. The mashed potatoes in a flood of gravy. Stuffing and cranberries and casseroles and pies as far as the eye can see. It’s Thanksgiving time, and every NBA team has at least one thing it’s thankful for. Yes, even the Pelicans!
Let’s start in the Western Conference.
The 17-1 Thunder’s continuity has made them even more dangerous than last year. The Nuggets (13-4) finally have depth and have a lot of time to get Aaron Gordon healthy. The Lakers’ big three of LeBron James, Luka Dončić and Austin Reaves is nearly impossible to defend.
Durant has helped the Rockets develop a legitimately great offense. The 2023 lottery gifted Victor Wembanyama to the Spurs. Ott has reset the culture for the surprising Suns. The Wolves mostly beat bad teams.
Curry is still bringing it for the Warriors. The Blazers would be lost without Avdija. The Grizzlies aren’t great, but their young role players have potential. Markkanen is an unreal scorer for the Jazz.
The Clippers would be unwatchable without Harden. The Kings get so much energy from fan favorite Monk. Flagg and the absence of Nico Harrison allow the Mavs to breathe. Finally, the Pelicans’ draft-night trade was definitely bad, but Jeremiah Fears and Derik Queen can play.
The last 24
Norman Powell finds home
🇯🇲 Call to help. Mirin Fader writes that Powell found his dream landing spot in Miami, where he’s playing at an All-Star level. He also reconnected with his roots in hurricane-ravaged Jamaica.
🏀 Deep dive. John Hollinger scouted Cooper Flagg in person. There’s a lot to clean up.
🏀 Same old Sixers? Injuries are taking their toll on Philadelphia, which looked rudderless in a loss to the Magic on Tuesday.
Stream the NBA on Fubo (try it for free!) and catch out-of-market games on League Pass.
Happy Thanksgiving, Pt. 2
Remember when Monty Williams looked like he was grifting Detroit? Bickerstaff turned the Pistons (15-2) around immediately. The Raptors (13-5) look like a new team thanks to Ingram. The Heat’s new style has given them hope post-Jimmy Butler. And the Cavs have to love the unsettled East.
The Knicks should be thankful for Brown, whose offensive system should be tough in the postseason. The Hawks have seen what wins games (defense!) while Trae Young’s out. The Sixers have a true star in Maxey. The Magic are getting going, and Black looks to be a galvanizer.
While Nikola Vučević may be frustrated, the Bulls have been in almost every game. The Celtics already appreciated Brown, but you see his talent with Jayson Tatum out. The Bucks must thank modern medicine for allowing Giannis to get back soon.
The Hornets must agree with Adam Silver that this is a highlight league; they look fun when you only watch highlights. The Nets are 100 percent playing for lottery balls. The Pacers see light at the end of the tunnel next season. And the awful Wizards are thankful Sarr has taken a leap.
One more thing: We’re all thankful for Thanasis Antetokounmpo. I figured I should mention him before you do. Because one thing I’ve learned in the years doing this newsletter is that Thanasis is inevitable.
NBA Cupdate
Who will move on to the elimination rounds?
NBA Cup group play concludes Friday before the elimination rounds begin Dec. 8. Two teams have clinched their five-team groups. Here’s what’s still at stake among the top contenders:
East Group A:
Raptors (clinched) | 3-0 | +53 | vs. Indiana (Wednesday)
Cavaliers | 2-1 | +33 | at Atlanta (Friday)
Takeaway: The Raptors could earn the East’s top seed by beating Indiana. The Cavs are alive in the wild-card chase.
East Group B:
Magic | 3-0 | +61 | at Detroit (Friday)
Pistons | 2-0 | +27 | at Boston (Wednesday), vs. Orlando (Friday)
Takeaway: This is coming down to Detroit hosting Orlando on Friday. At worst, the Magic’s point differential has them in a great position for the wild card if they lose.
East Group C:
Bucks | 2-0 | +16 | at Miami (Wednesday), at New York (Friday)
Heat | 2-1 | +46 | vs. Milwaukee (Wednesday)
Knicks | 1-1 | -2 | at Charlotte (Wednesday), vs. Milwaukee (Friday)
Takeaway: If Miami wins, it will either clinch the group with a Knicks loss or have a chance at the wild card via point differential. The Bucks have never lost a group-play game but still don’t have Giannis.
West Group A:
Thunder | 2-0 | +63 | vs. Minnesota (Wednesday), vs. Phoenix (Friday)
Suns | 2-0 | +23 | at Sacramento (Wednesday), at OKC (Friday)
Timberwolves | 2-1 | +53 | at OKC (Wednesday)
Takeaway: OKC-PHX on Friday will likely decide the group. But a Wolves’ win could make this a point-differential situation.
West Group B:
Lakers (clinched) | 3-0 | +36 | vs. Dallas (Friday)
Clippers | 2-1 | -17 | vs. Memphis (Friday)
Grizzlies | 1-1 | +9 | at Pelicans (Wednesday), at Clippers (Friday)
Takeaway: The Lakers (13-4) clinched by beating the Clippers on Tuesday. If they blow out the Mavs, they could earn the West’s top seed.
West Group C:
Trail Blazers | 2-1 | -18 | vs. San Antonio (Wednesday)
Nuggets | 2-1 | +26 | vs. San Antonio (Friday)
Spurs | 1-1 | +10 | at Portland (Wednesday), at Denver (Friday)
Takeaway: Two wins by the Spurs give them the group. A Portland win gives it the group. Denver needs to win and have Portland lose.