Around the NBA: Dec. 4
Host Zech Lambert alongside Ben Serfass, Logan Bourandas and Gabe Angeiri break down Carmelo Anthony on the Blazers and give their MVP picks:
The NBA season continues to roll on, and the title contenders are starting to rise to the top. The Los Angeles teams are dominating the West, while the Bucks are doing their best to get the top seed in the East again this year.
Team of the Week
The Bucks are by far the NBA’s hottest team right now, currently riding a 12-game winning streak to improve their record to an NBA best 18-3. Last season’s MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has come back even better this year - increasing in points and rebounds, while still averaging six assists a night. Giannis also took home the NBA’s most recent Player of the Week award.
Milwaukee has looked like the best team in the East all season, and possibly the best in the NBA. Their depth, combined with the elite play of Antetokounmpo, has them as the favorite in the East for the rest of the season. They will be tested later this week when they host the Clippers on Friday. The Bucks are rolling right now and look to be in a good position to make a deep run this year.
Player of the Week
When the Portland Trailblazers signed Carmelo Anthony, there was a lot of question as to what his role would be. These questions only intensified after a tough first game for Melo, but he has turned the corner and not looked back. Since joining the Blazers, he has averaged 17.7 points per game while shooting 46.2 percent. Portland is also 3-3 since signing Melo, but are currently on a three game winning streak.
Anthony has been a big lift for Portland who was searching for a third option behind Damian Lillard and CJ McCollum. Whether he will be able to keep this level of play up remains to be seen, but Carmelo Anthony’s play since joining the team has been spectacular.
Upcoming Games
The NBA is full of great games this week. Tuesday night will feature the Nuggets against the Lakers and the Heat and Raptors. The Heat will then play the Celtics on Wednesday and the Lakers and Jazz. Then Thursday, the Rockets will travel north of the border to face the Raptors. The game of the week comes Friday, though, when the Clippers go to Milwaukee to face Giannis and the Bucks.
Injury News
Clint Capela of the Houston Rockets has missed the past few games due to an illness, but is expected to return Tuesday night. It will be a nice lift for Houston to get their big man back who is second in the NBA in rebounds per game at 14.7.
Memphis’ star rookie Ja Morant will miss a few weeks with back spasms.
Zech Lambert is a sophomore majoring in broadcast journalism. To contact him, email zbl5146@psu.edu.