LeBron James and the Los Angeles Lakers are still coasting at the top of the Western Conference even after last night’s first defeat in ten to the Dallas Mavericks.

Early MVP (Most Valuable Player) candidate Luka Doncic hit a cold step-back three pointer over the outstretched arm of LeBron James in the fourth quarter to close out the win for the Mavericks.

The Lakers’ fans have only seen one other home defeat this season at the Staples Center to the reigning NBA Champion Toronto Raptors.

The Champs have picked up after back-to-back defeats early on to the Chicago Bulls and the Houston Rockets. The Rockets sit in the fifth seed, but have the back-court firepower to thrust themselves to the top of the West.

The biggest disappointment this season comes in the form of the Golden State Warriors. Without the Superstar ‘Splash brothers’ Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, the ‘Dubs’ sit bottom of the Western Conference at a record of 4-17.

Pictured – Klay Thompson
Photo By Keith Allison (Under creative commons license)
Pictured – Stephen Curry
Photo By Keith Allison (Under creative commons license)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steve Kerr’s team were participants in the last five NBA Finals, winning the Larry O’Brien Trophy three times. It would be a miracle in San Francisco for the Warriors to keep the string of finals appearances alive, they are on a current course to lose more games this season then they have in the last two regular seasons (49 losses).

In the Eastern Conference, The Milwaukee Bucks and current MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo sit 1.5 games clear of their rivals in the weaker Conference.

The Bucks have won eleven straight games propelling them to the first seed, which they captured last season winning 60 games, the most in franchise history since 1980-81.

Photo By Keith Allison
(Under creative commons license)

Antetokounmpo, known as ‘The Greek Freak’, for his extraordinary length and monstrous build but the 6 ft 11inch, 240lb, Power Forward can play too.

Giannis is currently averaging 30.9 pointer per game coupled with 13.4 rebounds per game, this puts him in the top five across the league in these categories.

Four time NBA All Star Jimmy Butler has settled well in his new home of Miami, The Heat are third in the East with Butler leading the league in steals (2.47 per game).

Lastly, Carmelo Anthony is back on an NBA Roster.

Anthony playing for the New York Knicks in 2013.
Photo By Keith Allison (Under creative commons license)

The former scoring champion signed a one-year, non-guaranteed deal for the Portland Trail Blazers on November the 19th.

Since his signing, the Blazers are 4-2 with ‘Melo’ looking back to his old-self averaging 17.7 points per game and an impressive 37% from behind the three point line.

 

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