The NBA enters the home stretch after the All-Star Game. The Bucks boast the league's best record, and the Clippers are making moves to overtake the Lakers in the west. As the race to the playoffs begins, what's at stake for the rest of the year? Doris Burke breaks down some of the most intriguing storylines in basketball.
Which teams are set to climb the standings, and which teams are fighting for playoff spots?
LeBron James posted a triple-double and Anthony Davis scored seven of his 33 points in overtime to push the Los Angeles Lakers past the Denver Nuggets 120-116 Wednesday night.
Jamal Murray scored 14 of his 26 points in the fourth quarter to help the Denver Nuggets rally from 23 down to beat the San Antonio Spurs 127-120 on Monday night.
The Raptors, Nuggets and Celtics extended winning streaks to maintain their spots near the top of our rankings.
Jamal Murray scored 36 points, Nikola Jokic added 23 and the Denver Nuggets beat the Phoenix Suns 117-108 on Saturday night.
The Nuggets have requested waivers on guard Gerald Green, whom they acquired from Houston as part of the 12-player, four-team trade with the Rockets, Timberwolves and Hawks.
For the second year in a row, leading All-Star vote-getter LeBron James drafted Anthony Davis -- now his teammate on the Lakers -- first overall. Giannis Antetokounmpo took Philadelphia big man Joel Embiid with the No. 2 pick.
Just after the trade deadline, Brian Windhorst, Rachel Nichols and Kevin Pelton gather to discuss the Timberwolves/Warriors trade (10:03), the Clippers' acquisition of Marcus Morris Sr. (19:45), the surprising Andre Drummond trade (25:31) and some significant contender moves (36:00).
Jordan McRae, who is averaging 12.8 points and 3.6 rebounds this season, has been traded from Washington to Denver in exchange for Shabazz Napier.
| TEAM | W | L | PCT | GB | STRK |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denver | 38 | 17 | .691 | - | L1 |
| Utah | 36 | 18 | .667 | 1.5 | W4 |
| Oklahoma City | 33 | 22 | .600 | 5 | W1 |
| Portland | 25 | 31 | .446 | 13.5 | L2 |
| Minnesota | 16 | 37 | .302 | 21 | L2 |
| RD(PK) | PLAYER | POS | SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2(14) | Bol Bol | C | Oregon |
| YEAR | W | L | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | 38 | 17 | .691 |
| 2018-19 | 54 | 28 | .659 |
| 2017-18 | 46 | 36 | .561 |
| 2016-17 | 40 | 42 | .488 |
| 2015-16 | 33 | 49 | .402 |
