Should you have a look at NBA standings for the Jap Convention, you’ll see the Atlanta Hawks on the perimeter of a playoff spot at No. 7. That’s extremely deceptive.
At 7-10, the Hawks are clearly not staff, however their file — and standing in a foul convention — doesn’t inform the total story of how unhealthy they really are. If groups have been ranked by internet score as an alternative of file, the Hawks could be eleventh within the East, which falls exterior of even the play-in event. The identical goes for his or her common level margin, which is all the way down to minus-5.1 after the Hawks misplaced their final two video games by a mean of 18.5 factors.
The Hawks clearly aren’t the worst staff within the NBA however actually I’m unsure if there’s a staff I feel much less of https://t.co/jqhdZq2Orl
— Jason Patt (@Bulls_Jay) November 23, 2024
Nobody is happier to listen to this than the San Antonio Spurs, who personal Atlanta’s first-round decide in subsequent summer season’s draft from the Dejounte Murray commerce.
Atlanta’s futility permits San Antonio to chase wins with out fully abandoning a tank for the elite expertise that exists within the upcoming draft. If it was fully as much as the Spurs, they’d be doing a horrible tank job at 9-8. The Hawks permit them to dream.
Now, there’s for positive work to be performed. The East is so unhealthy that the Hawks rank increased of their convention than the Spurs do with a greater file within the West. San Antonio is only a half-game away from sliding out of a play-in spot itself. But when the Hawks proceed to stink it up, they’ll begin to fade too. And meaning the Spurs can not less than attempt to compete for the playoffs unencumbered by the considered lacking out on a lottery decide. That’s a lovely place to be in.
Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper
Chris Coduto/Getty Photographs
The newest updates on Cooper Flagg.
Nov. 22 (at 17 Arizona): 24 pts, 10-22 fg, 2-5 (3-pt fg), 6 reb, 3 ast, 2 blk
It was a one-game week for Flagg and the No. 12 Blue Devils, however it wasn’t a recreation they might take simple. The Arizona Wildcats have been ranked No. 17 forward of Friday’s recreation.
Irrespective of. Duke strapped up and held Arizona to beneath 40% capturing, together with simply 26% from three, and rode a game-high 24 factors from Flagg to a 69-55 win on the street.
This was Flagg’s second profession 20-point recreation after he scored 26 in opposition to Kentucky per week earlier. Each video games have been in opposition to ranked opponents, which is encouraging to see him deliver his finest for the most important video games. Particularly figuring out No. 1 Kansas is arising this week. It was additionally Flagg’s first true street recreation.
Phoenix Suns guard and former Duke star Grayson Allen was capable of attend the sport in Tucson and had excessive reward for Flagg earlier than the sport: “It’s like he does just about every little thing on the courtroom to impression the sport. He might be a man that has 15-5-5-5 … He seems like a extremely good teammate and good man to play with.”
Former Duke No. 1 decide Paolo Banchero was additionally complimentary of the freshman: “You may inform he simply performs actually unselfishly for the betterment of the staff. And that’s what you need out of your finest participant. He’ll make them excessive heights this 12 months. And I’m excited.”
Tank Rating
Geoff Burke-Imagn Photographs
1. Washington Wizards (2-13)
It’s nearly staggering how a lot worse than Wizards have been the final three weeks than they have been opening week. However with three rookies enjoying vital minutes, it shouldn’t be a shock. Their dropping streak is as much as 11 straight video games.
2. Philadelphia 76ers (3-13)
Joel Embiid or not, the Sixers are struggling to get wins. With a 1-3 file final week, they’ve gone 5 straight weeks and not using a successful file to begin the season. We’ll discover out Monday if Embiid or Paul George are coming again quickly to show the tank round.
The Sixers dropped to 3-13 on the season, the 2nd worst file within the NBA.
Joel Embiid, Tyrese Maxey, and Paul George have performed simply 6 minutes collectively by 16 video games. pic.twitter.com/P07VQNN20e
— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) November 25, 2024
3. New Orleans Pelicans (4-13)
The Pelicans are losers of 4 straight, and with Shams Charania reporting Zion Williamson isn’t near a return, their tank is wanting an increasing number of like the true factor.
Reporting for NBA Countdown with the most recent on injured Pelicans star Zion Williamson: pic.twitter.com/KUKoi1mEZb
— Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) November 23, 2024
4. Utah Jazz (4-12)
Utah snapped a four-game dropping streak with a win over the Knicks on Monday. Ah effectively. All of us slip up on occasion.
5. Toronto Raptors (4-13)
Toronto was doing so effectively to carry down the highest spot, then turned a primary instance of why none of those groups can afford to win a number of video games in a single week. The Raptors slide from No. 1 to No. 5 after going 2-1, although they not less than saved their street dropping streak alive.
Raptors fall to 0-9 on the street, their worst street begin since they began 0-10 on the street in 1997.
Raptors are the one staff and not using a street win this season.
— Keerthika Uthayakumar (@keerthikau) November 25, 2024
Mitchell Leff/Getty Photographs
The most effective second in a tanking effort.
If there was one recreation the Sixers might have discovered forgiveness from tank truthers for going all out in, it was Sunday’s matchup in opposition to the Clippers. Although Paul George missed the sport, I’m positive he would have beloved to see his former staff return residence to LA with a loss after they failed to fulfill his contract calls for this summer season.
To not point out, this was James Harden’s newest return to Philadelphia, and no Sixers fan needed to see him stroll away with a win after the way in which he compelled his approach off the staff. They positively do nonetheless harbor unfavourable emotions about him based mostly on the boos Harden heard when he touched the ball.
They’re booing James Harden on the contact
— Legislation Murray 🕯️ (@LawMurrayTheNU) November 24, 2024
HARD3N gettin’ us began in Philly 👌 pic.twitter.com/wLV1YW7FIn
— LA Clippers (@LAClippers) November 24, 2024
The Sixers determined that didn’t matter. With George and Joel Embiid out, they bought smoked by 26 factors, and Harden led the way in which for the Clippers with a game-high 23 factors and eight assists.
James Harden tonight:
23 PTS
8 AST
+30Did not play within the fourth quarter. pic.twitter.com/96JiBcoQYc
— StatMuse (@statmuse) November 25, 2024
The tank rolls on.
Gregory Shamus/Getty Photographs
A fast look at a staff not tanking laborious sufficient.
The primary staff to ever to make my Half-Workers part, the Bulls are again, although not merely for taking part in their approach out of the Flagg sweepstakes.
At 2-2 of their final 4 video games and 7-11 general, it’s true the Bulls might stand to lose a bit extra, however it’s turning into much less about Flagg and extra about simply getting something out of the draft. The Bulls solely retain their first-round decide subsequent summer season if it lands within the high 10. Something after that conveys to the Spurs (sure, them once more).
That’s vital to know as a result of as issues stand immediately, the Bulls have the league’s ninth-worst file. They’re strolling a high quality line.
Cup Evening win on the UC final night time 🔥@Plus500 | #SeeRed pic.twitter.com/7DXWKPCIas
— Chicago Bulls (@chicagobulls) November 23, 2024
On the brilliant aspect, it’s not as if the Bulls have performed notably effectively in these first 18 video games. Regardless of the seven wins, their -6.2 internet score is third-worst within the East behind solely the Wizards and 76ers.
Once you play that poorly, the loses will quickly comply with.
The Week Forward
Cooper Flagg video games
Tuesday vs. No. 1 Kansas
Friday vs. Seattle U
NBA video games (to keep away from)
Monday: Raptors at Pistons
Tuesday: Bulls at Wizards
Wednesday: Raptors at Pelicans
Saturday: 76ers at Pistons
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