Record: 20-5

OffRtg: 115.2 (8) DefRtg: 103.1 (1) NetRtg: +12.1 (1) Pace: 100.3 (10)

The Thunder have won five straight games (all by double-digits) and are heading to the NBA Cup final, making it clear that they have the league’s No. 1 defense on Saturday.

Three takeaways

• Over the previous 28 seasons for which we have play-by-play data, the best defense belonged to the 2003-04 San Antonio Spurs, who allowed 8.3 fewer points per 100 possessions than the league average. The Thunder have been much better than that, allowing 9.4 fewer than the league average. The context is that they’ve played a relatively easy schedule regarding opposing offenses and have had a rest advantage in two of their six games against teams that currently rank in the top 10 offensively.

• With the win over the Rockets on Saturday, the Thunder have held their opponent under a point per possession 11 times, two more times than any other team and almost as many times as they did all of last season (13). Going back to April of 2022, the Thunder have won their last 37 games in which they’ve allowed less than a point per possession.

• Thunder opponents have taken 44.6% of their shots from 3-point range, the league’s third-highest opponent rate. They could be vulnerable against the Bucks, who rank third in 3-point percentage (38.9%). The percentage of OKC opponent 3-pointers that have been wide open (50%) is a little below the league average.

With their wins over the Mavs and Rockets last week, the Thunder have the best record (11-4) in games played between the 17 teams currently over .500. The Bucks are tied for the third worst (4-8), though they won the one head-to-head meeting last season in which Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard were available.

Week 9: vs. MIL*, @ ORL, @ MIA

Record: 22-4

OffRtg: 120.2 (1) DefRtg: 110.6 (9) NetRtg: +9.6 (3) Pace: 100.7 (8)

Playing without Evan Mobley on Friday, the Cavs handled their business against the Wizards, maintaining their one-game advantage in the loss column over the Celtics.

Three takeaways

• According to Second Spectrum tracking, that win over Washington was just the fourth time this season that the Cavs shot less effectively than expected (given the quality of their shots). That’s the fewest such games for any team, and overall, only the Knicks have overshot their expected affected field goal percentage more than the Cavs this season.

• The first three times where the Cavs shot less effectively than expected, they lost. But they had 18 more shooting opportunities than the Wizards on Friday, with the differential in free throw attempts (40-11) being the second biggest differential in any game this season. That differential took their season-long shooting-opportunity differential into the positive numbers, so they’re right in the middle of the pack regarding possession math.

• Though they didn’t shoot well (30%) from 3-point range, 50 (55%) of the Cavs’ 91 field goal attempts came from beyond the arc, with that being their highest rate of the season. So they still outscored the Wizards (45-42) from deep and are now 16-0 (the Grizzlies are the only other undefeated team) when outscoring their opponent from 3-point range.

The Cavs won the possession math both nights as they swept their home-and-home series with the Bucks (by a total of just three points) in early November. They’ll host Milwaukee on Friday after another multi-day break.

Week 9: @ BKN, vs. MIL, vs. PHI

Record: 21-5

OffRtg: 119.9 (2) DefRtg: 109.7 (8) NetRtg: +10.2 (2) Pace: 98.9 (20)

The Celtics took care of business against the Pistons and Wizards last week, improving to 12-1 against teams that currently have losing records.

Three takeaways

• The Celtics were without Jayson Tatum against Detroit and without Al Horford (rest) on Sunday when Kristaps Porzingis left early with a foot issue. They’ve still had just one game where they had all of their top six guys (starters plus Horford) available.

• In addition to destroying opponents from 3-point range, the Celtics also rank second (behind the Nuggets) in free throw differential, having outscored their opponents by 3.6 points per game at the line. They lead the league in opponent free throw rate (19.8 attempts per 100 shots from the field) for the second straight season, with Detroit and Washington totaling just 18 free throw attempts last week.

• Payton Pritchard shot 12-for-25 from 3-point range over the two games, becoming the second player (Anthony Edwards was the first) with 100 made 3s this season. The Celtics have scored 121.9 points per 100 possessions with Pritchard on the floor, even though only 115 (15%) of his 745 minutes have come alongside both Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

The only game in which the Celtics have had all six of their top guys was a single-digit win in Chicago less than three weeks ago. They’ll have a home-and-home set with the Bulls this week.

Week 9: vs. CHI, @ CHI

Record: 17-9

OffRtg: 117.6 (4) DefRtg: 111.1 (11) NetRtg: +6.5 (6) Pace: 101.0 (7)

The Mavs’ loss in Oklahoma City in the NBA Cup quarterfinals was their worst offensive performance (104 points on 100 possessions) of the season. Their win at Golden State on Sunday was their best (143 on 101).

Three takeaways

• The Thunder took the ball out of Luka Dončić’s hands and he had more turnovers (six) than assists (five), while also shooting just 5-for-15 from the field. Oklahoma City can rotate out of two-on-the-ball situations better than most teams and overall, the Mavs have scored more efficiently when the opponent has used blitz or show coverage against Dončić (1.18 points per possession) than they have otherwise (0.99), according to Second Spectrum tracking.

• The Warriors couldn’t take anything away, with Dončić scoring 45 points and assisting on another 34. That total (79 points scored or assisted on) is the highest for any player in a game this season, though just the ninth-highest of his career.

• P.J. Washington missed the loss in Oklahoma City but returned on Sunday when the Mavs’ current starting lineup (with Dereck Lively II at the five) eclipsed the 100-minute mark. It was a plus-20 in the 10-point win at Golden State and has now outscored opponents by 22.5 points per 100 possessions, the best mark among the 29 lineups that have played at least 100 minutes.

Having traversed the country multiple times as they’ve played 13 of their last 17 games on the road, the Mavs will now have four days off. That is followed by a four-game homestand that begins with their first two meetings with the Clippers.

Week 9: vs. LAC, vs. LAC

Record: 18-9

OffRtg: 116.3 (5) DefRtg: 108.6 (5) NetRtg: +7.7 (4) Pace: 104.9 (1)

A 10-1 stretch took the Grizzlies into second place in the West and was capped by their first win (in three tries) against the Nets. But they came up empty offensively in L.A. on Sunday, falling to 0-3 in California.

Three takeaways

• The Grizzlies aren’t a jump-shooting team (in a relative sense), taking just 45% of their shots (the league’s fourth-lowest rate) from outside the paint. But they’ve still been rather inconsistent offensively, holding the league’s biggest differential in how effectively they’ve shot in wins (59.4%) vs. losses (49.0%). Ja Morant and Desmond Bane shot a combined 18-for-33 (55%) against Brooklyn but were 9-for-29 (31%) two nights later in L.A.

• Zach Edey returned from a 12-game absence on Sunday and played almost twice as many minutes off the bench (24:20) as starting center Brandon Clarke (12:47). The Grizzlies still don’t have a lineup that’s played more than 82 minutes, because their current starting group (which has been playing together for more than a month) has averaged just 10.3 minutes per night together. The Grizzlies are getting 111.2 minutes per game from reserves, 83% more than the Knicks (60.9) and what would be the most for any team with a winning record in (at least) the last 43 seasons.

• Though they scored just a point per possession, never led, and trailed by as many as 23 points on Sunday, the Grizzlies lost by only six. So while they’re in second place in the stronger conference, they continue to look better regarding point differential (that of a team that’s 21-6) than wins and losses. They’re the only team in the top five (or in the top seven) on both ends of the floor.

The first two of the Grizzlies’ California losses (the other was at Golden State) came in mid-November without Morant. Their second of four meetings with the Warriors is Thursday in Memphis, where the Grizzlies have won 11 of their last 12.

Week 9: vs. GSW, @ ATL

Record: 17-9

OffRtg: 111.3 (18) DefRtg: 105.3 (2) NetRtg: +6.0 (7) Pace: 99.5 (14)

The Rockets scored less than a point per possession in both of their NBA Cup games last week but were able to win ugly against the Warriors before coming up short in Las Vegas.

Three takeaways

• The Rockets were maybe fortunate to have Jalen Green sent to the line with a one-point deficit and 3.5 seconds left on Wednesday, but they also defended the Warriors’ ensuing inbounds play well. They seamlessly switched three straight back-screens and Jabari Smith Jr. reacted well to block Brandin Podziemski’s shot at the buzzer. Houston has won four of its last five games that were within five points in the last five minutes, having allowed just 47 points on 52 clutch possessions over that stretch.

• Shooting remains an issue. The Rockets are the only team that ranks in the bottom 10 in field goal percentage in the paint (53.6%, 25th), mid-range field-goal percentage (38.5%, 22nd) and 3-point percentage (32.2%, 28th). The two Cup games last week were the 18th and 19th times they shot worse than expected based on the quality of their shots, according to Second Spectrum tracking. That total (19 games) leads the league.

• Missed shots are rebound opportunities and the Rockets had 15 more offensive boards than the Thunder (19-4) on Saturday, winning the possession battle against the team with the best turnover differential in NBA history. They continue to lead the league in shooting opportunity differential (plus 5.8 per game).

The Rockets are just 6-2 against the 11 teams that currently have losing records but will play their next four games against that group. That stretch includes their first two meetings with the Pelicans.

Week 9: vs. NOP, @ TOR

Record: 16-10

OffRtg: 119.7 (3) DefRtg: 113.1 (16) NetRtg: +6.6 (5) Pace: 97.3 (28)

The Knicks were the only home team to lose in the NBA Cup quarterfinals, but they responded with an important win in Orlando to climb past the Magic into third place in the Eastern Conference.

Three takeaways

• The loss to the Hawks was the Knicks’ worst offensive performance of the season (100 points on 99 possessions), and may be a testament to how much their offense depends on Jalen Brunson (who was covered pretty well by Dyson Daniels). Though the Knicks added offensive talent in the summer, Brunson has seen a slight drop from last season in the percentage of his minutes on the floor in which he’s had possession of the ball (from 24.3% to 23.8%).

• The loss was also the first time the Knicks lost (they were previously 12-0) after winning the first quarter. After holding the Hawks to 47 points on 53 possessions in the first half, they allowed 61 on only 47 after halftime. Overall, the Knicks are 6.0 points per 100 possessions better before halftime (plus-9.6) than they’ve been after (plus-3.6).

• The Knicks played just eight guys in both of their wins last week, with the eighth guy (Cameron Payne) totaling less than 23 minutes over the two games. For the season, the Knicks have gotten an average of just 60.9 minutes per game from reserves, which would be the lowest mark for any team in the last 19 seasons and 10 minutes per game fewer than any other team this season (Denver is 29th at 71.0).

The Knicks are 3-3 against the Western Conference, with five of the six games coming on the road. They’ll visit the Wolves and Pelicans (who they beat by 33 points on Dec. 1) this week.

Week 9: @ MIN, @ NOP

Record: 14-11

OffRtg: 113.6 (11) DefRtg: 112.3 (13) NetRtg: +1.4 (14) Pace: 99.3 (16)

The team that lost eight of its first 10 games will compete for the Emirates NBA Cup on Tuesday.

Three takeaways

• The Bucks haven’t been dominant statistically as they’ve won 12 of their last 15 games. While that’s tied for the league’s best record, they rank just ninth in point differential per 100 possessions (plus-5.7), over that stretch. But 10 of the 15 games have been within five points in the last five minutes and they’ve won eight of those 10, having held their opponents to just 84 points on 95 clutch defensive possessions (88.4 per 100).

• Khris Middleton has played no more than 23:08 in his four games back, but all four have been within five in the last five and he’s been on the floor down the stretch every time. The Bucks have been at their best with reserves on the floor over those four games. Middleton already has more assists to Giannis Antetokounmpo (15) in just 81 minutes together than everybody on the team except Damian Lillard (52).

• Per Second Spectrum tracking, the Thunder lead the league (by a wide margin) with 59.3 drives per 100 possessions The Bucks have allowed 49.9 per 100, the league’s seventh-highest opponent rate, but they rank third in opponent field goal percentage in the paint (53.7%), having seen the league’s third biggest drop from last season. Brook Lopez has the fifth-best rim-protection mark (opponents have shot just 51% when he’s been there) among 78 players who’ve defended at least 75 shots at the rim.

Oklahoma City has the best defense that the Bucks have seen this season, but they won ugly against the second-ranked Rockets four weeks ago.

Week 9: vs. OKC*, @ CLE, vs. WAS

Record: 14-11

OffRtg: 111.0 (19) DefRtg: 106.8 (4) NetRtg: +4.2 (8) Pace: 98.1 (24)

The Wolves have won six of their last seven games, climbing from 12th to seventh place in the West.

Three takeaways

• They’ve also climbed from 12th to fourth in defensive efficiency, having held their opponent under a point per possession in all six wins. The Wolves have been playing good teams, but none of the opponents currently rank higher than 14th offensively. heir game against the third-ranked Knicks on Thursday (with Karl-Anthony Towns making his return to Minnesota) will be a good test.

• Amazingly, the Wolves rank 27th offensively over the 6-1 stretch, with Naz Reid, Mike Conley and Donte DiVincenzo all having shot below 40% on at least 45 field goal attempts. But the stifling defense has allowed them to survive some rough shooting nights. They had lost their first eight games in which they shot below 37% from 3-point range, but are 4-0 in those games this month.

• The defense ranks first by wide margins in both opponent effective field goal percentage (46.8%) and opponent turnover rate (19.7 per 100 possessions) over the seven games. Over their two wins last week, the Wolves committed 15 fewer turnovers than the Lakers and Spurs.

Two nights after Towns visits, the Wolves will play an even bigger game against the Warriors (one of the two West teams with whom they’re currently tied at 14-11). The much bigger difference when they split two games at Golden State the week before last was on the Warriors’ end of the floor.

Week 9: vs. NYK, vs. GSW

Record: 13-10

OffRtg: 114.1 (10) DefRtg: 111.1 (10) NetRtg: +3.0 (12) Pace: 97.4 (27)

The Heat have won four straight after a comeback victory over the Raptors on Thursday.

Three takeaways

• The Heat continue to have first-quarter issues and have won the opening period in just six of their 23 games. But they turned a 16-point deficit into a seven-point lead with a 33-10 run to close the first half on Thursday. It was their second win (they’re 2-8) in games they trailed by double-digits.

• They would have been in a bigger hole if it weren’t for Duncan Robinson, who was doing everything — passing, cutting, rolling to the rim — but shooting 3-pointers in that first quarter on Thursday. Robinson has seen another jump in the percentage of his shots that have come inside the arc and the Heat offense has been at its best (117.7 points scored per 100 possessions) with him on the floor.

• With Jimmy Butler in trade rumors, the Heat have won eight of the last 10 games he’s played in. They’ve been outscored by a single point (scoring just 107.9 per 100 possessions) in 267 total minutes with Tyler Herro and Bam Adebayo on the floor without Butler.

The Heat have split two games against the Pistons, with the home team winning both by single digits and with Detroit having a 24-point advantage (36-12) on second chances over the two. The third meeting is Monday in Detroit.

Week 9: @ DET, vs. OKC, @ ORL

Record: 17-11

OffRtg: 110.0 (24) DefRtg: 106.1 (3) NetRtg: +3.9 (10) Pace: 97.5 (26)

The Magic were less than a minute from reaching the NBA Cup semifinals, but couldn’t close the deal in Milwaukee. Then, they fell to fourth place in the East with their first home loss of the season on Sunday.

Three takeaways

• The Magic scored relatively efficiently (112.6 points per 100 possessions) over their first two games without Franz Wagner. But their loss to the Knicks on Sunday was the seventh time they’ve scored less than a point per possession. They had just nine such games last season.

• One bright spot on Sunday was Tristan da Silva, who scored a career-high 20 points, more than he had in his previous four games combined. The rookie has been a bit of a token starter (like Anthony Black last season) in the Magic’s makeshift lineups, but the latest lineup — with a frontline of da Silva, Wendell Carter Jr. and Goga Bitadze — has allowed less than a point per possession in its 48 minutes over the three games since Wagner’s injury.

• The Magic have still played the league’s most road-heavy schedule (17 of 28 on the road), and they still have the league’s biggest home-road differentials regarding both winning percentage (10-1 vs. 7-10) and point differential per 100 possessions (plus-12.9 vs. minus-2.0).

Their loss to the Knicks was the start of the Magic’s longest homestand of the season, seven games over 16 days. But it’s a tough stretch regarding the strength of the opponents, with the first six games coming teams no worse than the 13-10 Heat.

Week 9: vs. OKC, vs. MIA

Record: 13-10

OffRtg: 115.3 (7) DefRtg: 112.7 (15) NetRtg: +2.6 (13) Pace: 102.0 (5)

The Nuggets have won two straight games for the first time in more than a month and are back in the top five in the West.

Three takeaways

• Their win over the Clippers on Friday was just the ninth time the Nuggets had Jamal Murray (who returned from a two-game absence), Aaron Gordon and Nikola Jokić in the lineup. They’re still just 4-5 in those games, even though they’ve outscored their opponents by 10.9 points per 100 possessions in 226 total minutes with those three guys on the floor together.

• The Nuggets don’t shoot a lot of threes (ranking last in 3-point rate by a healthy margin), but they can still dominate inside. They were plus-22 in the restricted area and plus-16 at the free throw line on Friday, even though Jokić had a relatively quiet night (16 points and two assists). For the season, only the Magic (plus-9.1) have outscored their opponents by more points per game than the Nuggets (plus-8.9) when you total restricted-area points and free throws.

• The Nuggets’ bench no longer ranks last in the league. That distinction now belongs to the Jazz’s bench after Denver outscored the Hawks and Clippers by 13 points in 31 minutes with Jokić off the floor over these last two wins.

Two other benches in the bottom five are those of the Blazers and Pelicans, who the Nuggets will face on a three-game trip that begins in Sacramento on Monday.

Week 9: @ SAC, @ POR, @ NOP

Record: 14-11

OffRtg: 112.6 (14) DefRtg: 108.6 (6) NetRtg: +4.0 (9) Pace: 100.7 (9)

The Warriors had a rough finish in the NBA Cup quarterfinals on Wednesday, fell into a huge hole against Dallas over the weekend, and have have lost eight of their last 10 games.

Three takeaways

• The Warriors ranked 27th offensively over the first nine games of this 2-8 stretch. Then they broke out offensively on Sunday, shooting 27-for-54 from 3-point range and committing just 10 turnovers … and still lost to the Mavs by 10. The difference was at the free throw line (18-8), where the Warriors have one of the league’s six worst differentials (minus 3.4 points per game, 27th) for the fifth straight season.

• Even with the shootout on Sunday, the Warriors have scored an anemic 89.8 points per 100 possessions in 216 minutes with Stephen Curry off the floor over the last 10 games. So they traded for Dennis Schröder on Sunday, hoping he can keep the offense somewhat afloat.

• The question is how much the Warriors will change their offense to accommodate their new point guard. The Nets set 53.0 ball-screens per 100 possessions for Schröder, almost 10 more per 100 than the Warriors set for Chris Paul last season (43.5) and almost 70% more than they’ve set for Curry this year (31.7).

The Warriors’ slide began before they started playing some of the best teams in the league, but they have just two games left on a stretch of 10 straight against teams that currently have winning records, visiting the Grizzlies and Wolves after a three-day break.

Week 9: @ MEM, @ MIN

Record: 14-13

OffRtg: 110.8 (20) DefRtg: 113.4 (17) NetRtg: -2.6 (18) Pace: 104.4 (3)

The Hawks earned a trip to Las Vegas with an impressive comeback win in New York on Wednesday. But they didn’t have enough down the stretch against the Bucks over the weekend.

Three takeaways

• Playing their NBA Cup elimination games against the teams that currently rank third and 11th offensively, the Hawks allowed just 102.9 points per 100 possessions. They rank sixth defensively since Thanksgiving, up from 22nd before the holiday. That’s mostly about opponent 3-point shooting (34.2% vs. 39.4%), but the Hawks have also been better on the defensive glass over these last eight games.

• De’Andre Hunter shot just 5-for-16 in Vegas but is still the Hawks’ leading scorer (21.6 points per game) over their last nine games. Hunter hasn’t shot as well inside the arc as he did last season but has been on fire from beyond the arc (52% over the last nine).

• The Hawks continue to close games with Hunter on the floor instead of Zaccharie Risacher. Their two lineups with Hunter in place of Risacher (and with either Clint Capela or Onyeka Okongwu at the five) have outscored opponents by 5.0 points per 100 possessions in 156 total minutes.

The Hawks’ schedule remains pretty tough for the next month or so. After playing in San Antonio on Thursday, they’ll begin a four-game homestand with pre-Christmas visits from the Grizzlies and Wolves.

Week 9: @ SAS, vs. MEM

Record: 14-11

OffRtg: 114.6 (9) DefRtg: 114.9 (21) NetRtg: -0.3 (16) Pace: 98.6 (22)

Kevin Durant returned last week and (surprise!) the Suns won both of their games, climbing back into the top six in the West.

Three takeaways

• The two wins came over the Jazz and Blazers — and by a total of just 15 points. The defense could have been better both nights, with the two bottom-10 offenses combining to score 121.8 points per 100 possessions against what is now a bottom-10 defense. Phoenix has now allowed 1.2 more points per 100 possessions than it did last season, with only the Pelicans and Nets having seen bigger jumps. (The league average has dropped by 2.1 per 100.)

• Durant returned from a three-game absence, but Bradley Beal (knee swelling) missed both games. The Suns have had all three of their stars for just three of their last 16 games. While they’ve outscored their opponents by just 2.1 points per 100 possessions in 175 minutes with all three on the floor, they’re a plus-9.3 per 100 in 216 minutes with Durant and Devin Booker on the floor without Beal.

• Tyus Jones totaled 38 points (shooting 8-for-10 from 3-point range) over the two weekend wins, while Jones, Booker and Durant also combined for 43 assists and just six turnovers. With Jones’ addition, the Suns have seen the league’s biggest drop in turnover rate from last season.

Their win over the Blazers on Sunday began a stretch where the Suns are playing five of six at home. That stretch will get tougher after they host the Pacers and Pistons this week, though the Suns have lost their last five games (including one with Durant) against the Eastern Conference.

Week 9: vs. IND, vs. DET

Record: 14-12

OffRtg: 109.7 (25) DefRtg: 108.7 (7) NetRtg: +1.0 (15) Pace: 98.6 (21)

The Clippers have lost three straight games, sliding from fifth to ninth place in the Western Conference.

Three takeaways

• Their loss in Denver on Friday was the sixth time that the Clippers have scored less than a point per possession. They did so just three times all of last season. Overall, they’ve scored 8.2 fewer points per 100 possessions than they did last season, with only the Pelicans, Sixers and Pacers having seen bigger drop-offs.

• The loss in Denver was also his second straight game in which James Harden had more turnovers (nine) than assists (six). In addition to registering the lowest effective field goal percentage of his career (46.7%), Harden has the second-highest turnover rate of his career (14.2 per 100 possessions used).

• Kawhi Leonard appears to be getting closer to his season debut. Last season, Leonard was one of three players who played at least 1,000 minutes with their team at least five points per 100 possessions better on both offense and defense when they were on the floor (119.3, 111.1) than when they were off the floor (114.1, 117.9).

After hosting the Jazz on Monday, the Clippers will play eight of their next 10 games on the road, a stretch that begins with their first two games against the team — Dallas — that beat them in the first round of the 2024 playoffs. Their 36 meetings over the last five seasons (in which the Clippers were 20-16) were the most for any pair of Western Conference opponents over that stretch.

Week 9: vs. UTA, @ DAL, @ DAL

Record: 13-13

OffRtg: 116.2 (6) DefRtg: 112.6 (14) NetRtg: +3.5 (11) Pace: 99.0 (18)

Having held on to edge the Pelicans on Thursday, the Kings have won three straight games to climb back to .500 for the first time since they were 8-8.

Three takeaways

• The Kings are now 4-2 since moving Malik Monk into the starting lineup on Dec. 1. They have the league’s No. 1 offense over that stretch, with six players averaging at least 12.3 points and four averaging at least 3.7 assists.

• The difference in the offense has been more about turnovers and rebounds than shooting. The Kings rank first in turnover rate and fifth in offensive rebounding percentage this month, up from 13th and 19th through November. Monk has an assist/turnover ratio of 41/8, while De’Aaron Fox is one of three starters with at least 13 offensive boards over the six games.

• With fewer turnovers and more offensive boards, the Kings have averaged 9.4 more shooting opportunities than their opponents over the six games, having averaged 0.2 fewer through their first 20. Second-chance points were 21-10 in favor of the Kings in their two-point win in New Orleans.

The Kings are one of two teams — the Bulls are the other — with a winning record (7-6) on the road and a losing record (6-7) at home. They play eight of their next nine games at Golden 1 Center, which includes their final three games (two at home) against the Lakers (whom they lost in Week 1).

Week 9: vs. DEN, vs. LAL, vs. LAL, vs. IND

Record: 14-12

OffRtg: 111.7 (16) DefRtg: 115.4 (24) NetRtg: -3.8 (22) Pace: 99.1 (17)

LeBron James returned from a two-game absence on Sunday and the Lakers got a quality, wire-to-wire (and much-needed) win over the Grizzlies.

Three takeaways

• Before the win on Sunday, the Lakers had lost eight of their last 11 games. That slide was about the strength of schedule as much as anything else. The Lakers are 10-1 against the 13 teams currently at or below .500, but just 4-11 against the 17 teams that are currently over .500. That’s the league’s biggest such differential and all four wins against the good teams (two of them over Memphis) have been by seven points or less. Six of the 11 losses have come by 17 points or more.

• While the Lakers’ biggest issues have been on defense, the bigger difference vs. the good teams has been on offense. They’ve scored just 106.1 points per 100 possessions over those 15 games against teams currently over .500, compared to 119.8 per 100 against everybody else. The win on Sunday was the Lakers’ fastest-paced game of the season and not all that efficient for either team. L.A. committed a season-high 23 turnovers and shot just 10-for-34 (29%) from 3-point range.

• Sunday also brought another lineup change, with Max Christie starting alongside James, Austin Reaves, Rui Hachimura and Anthony Davis for the first time. The other four guys (who’ve all started every game they’ve played in) have now played 237 total minutes over 15 games together. The Lakers are 9-6 in those games but have been outscored by 5.6 points per 100 possessions in those 237 minutes with all four on the floor.

James had a triple-double when the Lakers beat the Kings (who are currently on that .500 line) in Week 1. Their last three meetings with the Kings are in the next two weeks, with a two-game series in Sacramento beginning Thursday.

Week 9: @ SAC, @ SAC

Record: 13-13

OffRtg: 111.4 (17) DefRtg: 113.8 (19) NetRtg: -2.4 (17) Pace: 99.4 (15)

The Spurs remain just outside the Play-In Tournament group in the West, having split their two games last week.

Three takeaways

• Having recorded 66 assists on their 81 field goals last week, the Spurs have an assist rate of 71.3%, the highest rate for any team in the last 21 seasons (topping their mark of 71.2% last season).

• The Spurs’ lineup of Chris Paul, Stephon Castle, Julian Champagnie, Harrison Barnes and Victor Wembanyama has outscored opponents by 18.4 points per 100 possessions. That is the second-best mark among 15 lineups that have played at least 150 minutes. But when Castle returned from a one-game absence on Sunday, he came off the bench for the first time since Nov. 4, with Jeremy Sochan starting in his place. The Sochan lineup was good (plus-12 in 13.2 minutes), but bench minutes from Castle and Devin Vassell (who combined to shoot 3-for-19) were rough.

• Vassell’s effective field goal percentage for the season (56.5%) is still the best mark of his career. But the Spurs have been outscored by a brutal 17.5 points per 100 possessions in his 271 minutes on the floor, and that number is even worse (minus 20.5 per 100 with anemic offense) in his 125 minutes alongside Wembanyama.

The Spurs are one of three teams — the Hornets and Blazers are the other — that have played just two games against the opposite conference. They’ll host the Hawks on Thursday, having lost both meetings with Atlanta last season.

Week 9: vs. ATL, vs. POR

Record: 12-15

OffRtg: 112.2 (15) DefRtg: 115.3 (22) NetRtg: -3.1 (20) Pace: 101.1 (6)

The Pacers have losses to the Raptors, Nets and Hornets this month, but they may finally be trending in the right direction.

Three takeaways

• The opponents haven’t been great; The Pacers’ last six (and 10 of their last 11) games have come against teams with losing records. But their two-weekend wins — over the Sixers and Pelicans — came with their two largest margins of victory this season (14 and 15 points). Ten days ago, they didn’t have a single win that wasn’t within five points in the last five minutes. Now, they have three.

• The strength of the opponents (including three teams that rank in the bottom five offensively) is one reason why the last five games have been the Pacers’ best stretch of defense this season (109.0 points allowed per 100 possessions). But the Pacers themselves have had something to with it too. Philly and New Orleans combined to shoot just 46% in the paint, Obi Toppin had eight deflections over the two games, and Myles Turner had four blocks on Sunday.

• Toppin had been the backup center before Sunday when the Pacers traded for Thomas Bryant. They needed another big body, but they haven’t been bad (plus-3.2 points per 100 possessions) in 239 minutes with a frontline of Toppin and Pascal Siakam. Improving in Turner’s minutes on the floor will be more important than what Bryant gives them going forward.

If the Pacers are indeed improving, we’re going to find out in the next few weeks. Their next nine games — a stretch bookended by games against the Suns — are all against teams currently at or above .500, with seven of those nine against teams that rank in the top 10 offensively. They’ll have a rest advantage in Sacramento on Sunday.

Week 9: @ PHX, @ SAC

Record: 7-16

OffRtg: 106.8 (28) DefRtg: 112.2 (12) NetRtg: -5.4 (25) Pace: 97.2 (29)

Joel Embiid is injured again, and he isn’t the only one. Embiid suffered a sinus fracture and Jared McCain tore the meniscus in his left knee in the Sixers’ loss to Indiana on Friday.

Three takeaways

• Embiid, Paul George and Tyrese Maxey have played in three games together and in two of those three games, one of the three guys (George or Embiid) has been unavailable for the second half. They’ve played 45 minutes together total, with ugly offense on both ends of the floor (83.8 combined points scored per 100 possessions) in those 45 minutes.

• Embiid and George were on the floor for all of the 14-0, first-quarter Indiana run that the Sixers never fully recovered from on Friday (Maxey was off for just two of those 14 points). They’ve lost the first quarter by at least nine points in five of their last eight games and are now 1-16 in games they’ve trailed by double-digits.

• McCain will be missed. The Sixers’ offense has been much better with him on the floor and he would be the first rookie guard in the last 15 seasons to average at least 20 points per 36 minutes (minimum 500 total minutes) with an effective field goal percentage of 55% or higher.

The Sixers had won four of five before the loss to the Pacers, they still have the best record (6-3) in games played between the eight East teams currently below .500, and they’ll get two games against the Hornets this week. Embiid is listed as out for their game in Charlotte on Monday.

Week 9: @ CHA, vs. CHA, @ CLE

Record: 11-15

OffRtg: 113.3 (12) DefRtg: 116.4 (26) NetRtg: -3.0 (19) Pace: 104.8 (2)

The Bulls are 1-2 on a stretch of four straight games against other East teams with losing records, picking up a relatively ugly win over the Hornets on Friday.

Three takeaways

• The win over Charlotte was comfortable, despite the Bulls (playing without Nikola Vučević) scoring just 109 points on 105 possessions. It was just their second victory (the first was in October) in a game in which they’ve scored less than 118 per 100. They had 16 such victories last season, even though they had a bottom-10 defense overall.

• The Bulls shot 27% from 3-point range and still outscored the Hornets by 18 points from beyond the arc, with the two teams combining to miss 75 3-pointers. The Bulls have taken more than half of their shots from 3-point range in five of their last six games and they’re about to play the Celtics twice this week. It should be noted that the record for combined 3-point attempts in a game is 111, set by the Bucks and Hawks (in an overtime game) in March of 2019. These two teams came six short of the record when the Celtics won in Chicago less than three weeks ago.

• Lonzo Ball has played (106 total minutes) in six of the last seven games. He hasn’t shot well (38%), but has 20 assists, 10 steals (3.4 per 36) and just three turnovers over that stretch, with the Bulls scoring 118.7 points per 100 possessions with him on the floor.

The Bulls will finish this stretch within the bottom eight in the East with a visit to Toronto on Monday. Then they’ll play five straight games against the East’s top seven, with four of those five against the Celtics and Bucks.

Week 9: @ TOR, @ BOS, vs. BOS

Record: 10-15

OffRtg: 113.1 (13) DefRtg: 117.1 (27) NetRtg: -4.0 (23) Pace: 97.0 (30)

The Nets have lost five of their last six games and just traded their most important player regarding their somewhat surprising start.

Three takeaways

• The Nets made a trade with the Rockets in the summer to get their own 2025 first-round pick back, so it’s no surprise that they would lean into losing more games at some point. But they wasted no time in sending Dennis Schröder to the Warriors, doing so on the first day that the injured De’Anthony Melton (coming back with some second-round picks) was trade-eligible.

• The Nets’ offense, which ranked in the top 10 just two weeks ago, has been at its best with Dorian Finney-Smith on the floor. But it’s scored just 107.1 points per 100 possessions in 102 minutes with Finney-Smith and Cam Johnson on the floor without Schröder.

• Starting Ben Simmons at point guard (and assuming that Nic Claxton remains the starting center) would mean having two non-shooters on the floor. Simmons hasn’t made a shot from outside the paint since Feb. of 2023 and has played just 85 (19%) of his 447 minutes with Claxton or Day’Ron Sharpe.

The Nets have played just five of their 25 games against teams that currently rank in the bottom 10 defensively. They’ll play two more this week, visiting the Raptors and hosting the Jazz.

Week 9: vs. CLE, @ TOR, vs. UTA

Record: 10-16

OffRtg: 110.4 (23) DefRtg: 113.8 (18) NetRtg: -3.4 (21) Pace: 98.5 (23)

The Pistons have lost four of their last five games, and they’ve lost 12 straight to the Celtics after getting clobbered in Boston on Thursday.

Three takeaways

• It’s been a tough, five-game stretch, with four of the five against the Celtics (x 2), Bucks and Knicks. And it’s been the Pistons’ worst five-game stretch, both offensively (107.1 points scored per 100 possessions) and defensively (120.6 allowed per 100) this season.

• Cade Cunningham has averaged 24.3 points (on an effective field goal percentage of 57%), 8.0 rebounds and 10.8 assists over the 1-4 stretch. But he missed the Pistons’ loss to the Sixers and the team has scored just 95.5 points per 100 possessions in his 102 total minutes off the floor in the last 16 days.

• Jaden Ivey has shot a career-best 36.7% from 3-point range, but the Celtics were willing to let him to shoot on Thursday, going under screens and backing off him in transition. That 3-point percentage breaks down to 30-for-71 (42.3%) on catch-and-shoot attempts and 16-for-56 (28.6%) on pull-ups. That’s the fifth biggest differential among 48 players with at least 50 attempts of each, with Malik Beasley (44.7% vs. 33.8%) having the sixth biggest.

The Pistons and Heat have split their two meetings thus far, with Detroit winning at home last month when Erik Spoelstra called a timeout he didn’t have. Their third meeting is back in Detroit on Monday and will be the Pistons’ fourth straight game against a team that ranks in the top 10 offensively.

Week 9: vs. MIA, vs. UTA, @ PHX

Record: 7-19

OffRtg: 110.7 (21) DefRtg: 115.5 (23) NetRtg: -4.8 (24) Pace: 100.1 (11)

Still awaiting the return of Immanuel Quickley (who last played Nov. 10), the Raptors have lost Scottie Barnes again, this time to a badly sprained ankle suffered in their loss to the Knicks last Monday.

Three takeaways

• With their loss in Miami on Thursday, the Raptors are 2-10 without Barnes, though they’ve been better offensively in those games (112.4 points scored per 100 possessions) than in the 14 he’s played (109.2). That difference has been about turnovers more than shooting and they did win the turnover battle (while shooting poorly) against the Heat.

• The Raptors continue to rank last in both opponent free throw rate (30.6 attempts per 100 shots from the field) and free throw differential (minus-4.8 points per game). They were outscored by 10 points at the line in their 10-point loss on Thursday when Davion Mitchell fouled out in less than 21 minutes. Mitchell (4.0) and Jamal Shead (4.7) are two of the 13 guards who’ve played at least 300 minutes and committed at least four fouls per 36.

• The Raptors erased an 11-point deficit against the Knicks on Monday, but couldn’t get the stop they needed in the final minute and remain one of three teams — the Pistons and Jazz are the others — that haven’t won a game they’ve trailed by double-digits (0-16).

The Raptors are back home for a three-game homestand this week, facing the Bulls, Nets and Rockets all for the first time. They’re currently 3-3 (3-1 at home) in games played between the eight East teams with losing records.

Week 9: vs. CHI, vs. BKN, vs. HOU

Record: 7-18

OffRtg: 108.3 (26) DefRtg: 114.3 (20) NetRtg: -5.9 (26) Pace: 97.6 (25)

The Hornets are 1-1 in a stretch of five straight games (four on the road) within the bottom eight in the Eastern Conference, having lost an ugly one in Chicago on Friday.

Three takeaways

• Over their first five games without LaMelo Ball, the Hornets scored just as efficiently (109.1 points per 100 possessions) as they did over their 18 games with him in uniform. But they scored just 95 on 105 possessions on Friday, their worst shooting night (8-for-46 from 3-point range) of the season. Overall, they’ve scored just 102.6 per 100 in 596 total minutes with Ball off the floor.

• Mark Williams has played in four of the last five games and got his first start on Friday. He’s still played just 47 total minutes (in which the Hornets have been outscored by 38 points), but has averaged 28.1 points (on 68% shooting), 16.7 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per 36.

• With Williams and Moussa Diabaté, the Hornets have two of the top five players in offensive rebounding percentage. They’ve outscored their opponents by 4.7 second-chance points per game, the league’s best differential.

The Hornets still have a winning record (5-4) in games played between the eight East teams that are currently below .500, and they’ve yet to face the last-place Wizards, who they’ll visit on Thursday.

Week 9: vs. PHI, @ WAS, @ PHI

Record: 5-19

OffRtg: 110.4 (22) DefRtg: 119.8 (30) NetRtg: -9.5 (28) Pace: 99.6 (13)

The Jazz were competitive against the Suns on Friday, but they’ve lost 11 of their last 13 and remain tied in the win column with the last-place Pelicans.

Three takeaways

• The loss on Friday was the second time in their last three games that the Jazz have scored more than 130 points per 100 possessions. Their 13 corner 3-pointers (including four from John Collins) against the Suns are tied for the fifth most for any team in any game (including playoffs) in the 29 seasons for which we have shot-location data. Jordan Clarkson returned from a seven-game absence and scored 23 points in less than 31 minutes off the bench.

• Alas, it was also the second straight game in which the Jazz allowed more than 140 per 100 and the only time in NBA history that both teams made at least 22 3-pointers. Going back to last January, the Jazz have been the opponent in six of the last 20 regular-season games in which a team has scored more than 140 points per 100 possessions. Those two games (along with some not-so-terrible defense from the Wizards) has the Jazz last in defensive efficiency for what would be the second straight season.

• The Suns are a potent offensive team (especially with Kevin Durant back in the lineup), but the Jazz defense was also pretty porous. There were several instances of miscommunication on switches and the Utah zone yielded open shots pretty easily.

The Jazz will play their next five games on the road, with three of the five against bottom-10 offenses and another — Saturday in Brooklyn — against a middle-of-the-pack offense that just lost its point guard.

Week 9: @ LAC, @ DET, @ BKN

Record: 8-18

OffRtg: 107.1 (27) DefRtg: 116.2 (25) NetRtg: -9.1 (27) Pace: 99.8 (12)

The Blazers have been relatively competitive (no 40-point losses) over the last eight days, but they’ve dropped six straight games, becoming the sixth team that’s at least 10 games below .500.

Three takeaways

• The Blazers’ top three centers — Deandre Ayton, Donovan Clingan and Robert Williams III — have all missed a bunch of games over the last several weeks. Jabari Walker started at the five against the Spurs on Friday, when the Blazers closed with a frontline of Deni Avdija and Jerami Grant. They’ve played 71 total minutes with Grant at the five (no Ayton, Clingan, Duop Reath, Walker or Williams on the floor), and have only been outscored by four points (with the Blazers and their opponents combining to scored 125 per 100 possessions) in those 71 minutes.

• Avdija totaled 36 points on 13-for-20 shooting in the Blazers’ two games over the weekend. After registering an effective field goal percentage of just 39.3% through the Blazers’ first 13 games, he has a mark of 60.0% over the last 13.

• With the younger guards that the Blazers need to develop, 25-year-old Dalano Banton is somewhat of an afterthought on this roster. But Banton has been playing regular minutes off the bench and the Blazers (who have the league’s fourth-worst point differential overall) have somehow outscored their opponents by 32 points in his 400 total minutes on the floor. The much bigger difference between his minutes on and off the floor has been on offense.

The Blazers have played just two games against the Eastern Conference, but still have five games left on a stretch of 12 straight against the West. Their first meeting of the season with the Nuggets (to whom they’ve lost seven straight) is Thursday in Portland.

Week 9: vs. DEN, @ SAS

Record: 5-22

OffRtg: 106.3 (29) DefRtg: 117.8 (28) NetRtg: -11.5 (29) Pace: 98.9 (19)

Brandon Ingram and Zion Williamson remain on the shelf, and the Pelicans have lost 19 of their last 21 games.

Three takeaways

• The four healthy guys in the Pelicans’ top six – Dejounte Murray, CJ McCollum, Herb Jones and Trey Murphy III – have still played only 82 total minutes together (over five games). But the Pels have also been outscored (by 1.6 points per 100 possessions) in those 82 minutes. So they’re not yet winning when they have their best (available) players on the floor.

• Murray has an effective field goal percentage of 51.9% over his last five games, up from 31.8% over his first four games back from an extended absence. But he also had 16 turnovers over the Pels’ two losses last week, and that doesn’t count him getting stripped on his way up with the team down two in the final seconds against the Kings on Thursday.

• The loss to the Kings dropped the Pels to 4-6 in games that were within five points in the last five minutes, with four of the six losses having come at home. Overall, they’ve only been outscored by 4.8 points per game at Smoothie King Center, but their minus-17.6 per game on the road would be the worst road mark for any team in the last 32 seasons.

The Pels’ longest homestand of the season (five games over 10 days) begins Saturday, but their next seven games are against teams with winning records and they’ll be at a rest-disadvantage against the Nuggets on Sunday.

Week 9: @ HOU, vs. NYK, vs. DEN

Record: 3-21

OffRtg: 103.7 (30) DefRtg: 118.7 (29) NetRtg: -14.9 (30) Pace: 103.5 (4)

The Wizards got the Cavs and Celtics for their two extra games and actually brought their season-long point differential down, losing the two games by a total of just 24 points.

Three takeaways

• The Wizards have actually had the league’s best defense vs. Boston, having allowed just 110.3 points per 100 possessions over three meetings. The defensive numbers weren’t too bad in Cleveland (or in their win against Denver the week before), and the Wizards have climbed out of the basement on that end of the floor. But they continue to get clobbered on the glass, having allowed their last five opponents to retain 35.7% of available offensive rebounds.

• Bilal Coulibaly has averaged a team-high 21.0 points and 5.0 assists over the last three games (against three top-10 defenses), and only 11 of his 24 buckets over that stretch have been assisted. He’s averaged 2.7 minutes of possession (7.7% of his minutes on the floor) this season, up from 1.2 minutes (4.4%) last season.

• The Wizards’ point differential (minus-15.8 points per game) is still the worst in NBA history, but only three of their 24 games have come against the other 10 teams that currently have losing records.

They’ve lost all three of those games (by 12 points or more), but they’ll play the shorthanded Hornets twice (at home) in the next two weeks, with the first meeting on Thursday.

Week 9: vs. CHA, @ MIL