The first quarter of the NBA season is done. Most teams have already played their 21st game and have 60 plus games to go. So if you find your favorite team in the bottom half of the standings, you can relax because there’s a lot of basketball left to play. Let’s take it one week at a time and see some of the games or news to digest in Week 8 (December 6 to 12) of the NBA.
December 7
There are only three games on this date so it’s easy to spot the match of the day. All eyes will be on the Los Angeles Lakers when they host the Boston Celtics. Aside from enjoying the rivalry, it will be interesting to see how Dennis Schroder plays in this game or to see how fans will react as he returns to Staples Center. Schroder turning down an opportunity to sign a big deal with the Lakers was a big story in the basketball world. Did he think he could get a bigger deal after declining that offer? Maybe he knows something we don’t.
December 10
The Oklahoma City Thunder already beat the Lakers twice this season. Can you imagine how big the social media explosion would be if they lost for a third time? This is what Frank Vogel should be thinking of right now. Adjustments have to be made and based on their last few games, where the Lakers have gained a little bit of momentum, it looks like the Thunder could be facing a different beast this time.
December 11
Stephen Curry vs Seth Curry. Any “brother versus brother” game is a must-watch. Seth wants this game so bad. His Philadelphia 76ers were up by 19 points but somehow lost the game by 20 during their first encounter this season. That’s how dangerous the Golden State Warriors can be. You’ll think about their scoring highlights all the time but their defense can stun any opponent.
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Reduced Excitement
Some games out there were supposed to give us a higher level of excitement until injuries got in the way. The Warriors versus the Portland Trail Blazers game was on everyone’s radar until news came out regarding Damian Lillard’s abdominal injury. Other high-profile players who’ll be missing some time are Devin Booker and Bam Adebayo. Booker’s hamstring injury was classified to be “minor” but Adebayo’s thumb injury could have him on the sidelines for several weeks.
All Healed Up?
The practice sessions of the Warriors and the New Orleans Pelicans are something that fans have to keep an eye on next week. Klay Thompson was given the green light to increase his basketball-related training which is encouraging news for the Bay Area fans. The same can’t be said about Zion Williamson. News regarding Williamson can be deceiving right now. They’ll announce that he’s coming back soon but will follow it up by saying there’s been a delay in his rehabilitation.
Viral Interruption
Other players will be missing time even if they are still capable of playing. Players like Austin Rivers and Coby White will be away from their respective teams as they go through health protocols. The world is no longer in lockdown so news about players contracting the coronavirus shouldn’t come as a surprise. Studies have shown that vaccines work and are keeping us safe. If that’s the case, then the NBA show must go on.
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