The All-Star Break is Over, and the NBA Season is Back in Full Swing
The Trade Deadline is Behind Us, and the Stretch Run is Ahead
The trade deadline has come and gone, and the All-Star break is about to end. With Luka Doncic now with the Los Angeles Lakers, Jimmy Butler with the Golden State Warriors, and Anthony Davis with the Dallas Mavericks, the dust has settled. It’s time for the stretch run.
A Grueling 7 1/2-Week Sprint to the Finish Line
With 26 to 30 games remaining in the season, every team will be focused on making a push for the playoffs. And with the history of recent years, just making it into the playoffs can lead to a surprising run. In the last two years, No. 5, No. 6, No. 7, and No. 8 seeds have all made it to the conference finals.
Stephen Curry on the Upcoming Challenge
“I’m looking forward to the challenge,” said the Warriors’ Stephen Curry, a two-time All-Star Game MVP. “It’s basically a playoff game every single night, and that usually brings the best out of you.”
Some Teams are Already Planning for the Playoffs
Teams like Oklahoma City and Cleveland, with their 44-10 records, are well-positioned to make a deep run. The Boston Celtics, with their high-powered offense, remain on pace to break league records for 3-pointers made and attempted in a season. The Denver Nuggets, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Lakers are also in great shape, with winning percentages over .600.
The Other End of the Spectrum
On the other hand, teams with winning percentages under .400 at the break, such as Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Toronto, Charlotte, Utah, New Orleans, and Washington, are likely to miss the playoffs. Since the 2000-01 season, 98.8% of teams with such a record have not made the playoffs.
The Middle Ground
The remaining 16 teams are in the middle, fighting for the last nine playoff spots. Five teams will clinch their spots on or before the end of the regular season, while the other four will be determined in the play-in tournament.
What’s Ahead for the Contenders
For the teams that are in the mix, the next few weeks will be crucial. The Miami Heat, with the addition of Andrew Wiggins, will look to make a push. The Los Angeles Clippers, with a healthy Kawhi Leonard, will also be a force to be reckoned with. The Milwaukee Bucks, with their new addition of Kyle Kuzma, will aim to make a deep run. And the Phoenix Suns, with their star trio of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker, and Bradley Beal, will look to make a surprising push.
Conclusion
The stretch run is upon us, and every game will count. With 27 games left to play, teams will be looking to make a move. As Stephen Curry said, “It’s basically a playoff game every single night, and that usually brings the best out of you.” Let the stretch run begin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current state of the NBA season?
A: The trade deadline has passed, and the All-Star break is about to end. The season will resume with a 7 1/2-week sprint to the April 13 finish line.
Q: Which teams are in the mix for the playoffs?
A: The 16 teams in the middle, fighting for the last nine playoff spots, are: Boston, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles Lakers, Miami, Milwaukee, New York, Oklahoma City, Philadelphia, Phoenix, San Antonio, and Utah.
Q: What are the chances of a team making a deep run with a low-seed?
A: In the last two years, No. 5, No. 6, No. 7, and No. 8 seeds have made it to the conference finals, showing that just making it into the playoffs can lead to a surprising run.
