As the 2024-25 NBA season approaches its midpoint, several teams find themselves at critical junctures.

One such team is the Boston Celtics, the reigning champions, who — despite being fully healthy — suffered a frustrating loss against the struggling Toronto Raptors, who had only nine victories going into the match. Although the Celtics boast exceptional talent, they are grappling with a significant dilemma that they cannot seem to overcome.

On a more positive note, the Houston Rockets are also at a turning point, but in a hopeful direction. They have shown impressive offensive capabilities, winning five consecutive games after previously struggling with efficiency.

Here’s a look at the winners and losers from the 11th week of the NBA season.

WINNERS

Oklahoma City Thunder

Despite the Cavaliers ending Oklahoma City’s 10-game winning streak last week, the Thunder (33-6) rebounded strongly with decisive victories, including a 25-point win over the Knicks, a 41-point demolishment of the Wizards, and an 18-point triumph over the 76ers.

The highlight of the week is a rematch against Cleveland scheduled for Thursday in Oklahoma City, which promises to be an exciting game and a potential NBA Finals preview. The Thunder have demonstrated remarkable consistency, displaying a methodical offense led by star player and MVP contender Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, who has topped the scoring charts for the team in 18 of the last 19 games. A positive development for Oklahoma City is the return of injured center Chet Holmgren (pelvic fracture) to light basketball activities, hinting at a comeback soon.

Houston Rockets

The Rockets (27-12) have unleashed a potent offensive attack, securing five straight wins, marking the longest active winning streak in the NBA. Their recent victories include wins against the Nuggets (24-16) and two victories over the Memphis Grizzlies (26-15).

During this impressive stretch, Houston has averaged 124.1 points per game, with no game dipping below 119 points. In their matchup against Denver, the Rockets controlled the pace, and critical to their success has been their defense, which has allowed them to capitalize on opportunities; they secured five more offensive rebounds than the Nuggets and forced an impressive 20 turnovers, resulting in 34 points from those mistakes. This efficiency could transform a promising young team into a formidable opponent.

Orlando Magic, Paolo Banchero

On Wednesday evening, Paolo Banchero, who began the season on a strong All-Star trajectory, played in only his eighth game after returning from a torn oblique that had kept him out since late October.

Although the Magic have recorded a 1-2 record since Banchero’s return, both losses coming against the Bucks, his offensive contributions have been significant; he has scored 34, 20, and 22 points in his three outings back, even as the team allowed the bench to play extensively in a heavy loss on Wednesday. His seamless shooting range, dominance inside, offensive rebounding skills, and driving ability have notably enhanced the Magic’s offensive capabilities.

LOSERS

Boston Celtics

The fully-healthy Celtics dropped a 13-point game to the Raptors, who had only nine wins entering the night. The Celtics (28-12) have now lost seven of their last 14 games over the past month. Their defensive efforts have notably faltered, appearing as if players are trudging through the game with a sense of boredom, possibly indicative of a talented team coasting through the season’s early phase.

However, the Celtics’ main challenge remains consistent with issues from previous seasons: their performance hinges on their 3-point shooting. When they’re making 3s, they are virtually unstoppable, but when they fail to connect, frustration sets in and defensive energy wanes. Currently, Boston leads the NBA in 3-point attempts, averaging 49.3 shots per game, yet their shooting percentage stands at only 36.2%, placing them 16th in the league. Notably, 51.3% of Jayson Tatum’s 745 field goal attempts are 3-pointers, while Derrick White has taken a staggering 70.1% of his 481 attempts from deep. For a duo shooting 35.9% and 37.4% respectively, this level of inefficiency is unsustainable.

Jimmy Butler, Miami Heat

With Jimmy Butler’s seven-game suspension set to end Friday, both he and the Heat are facing scrutiny. Reports suggest that Butler is pushing for a trade and a new contract, while Miami insists he must adhere to his current agreement. Both parties have been leaking information to various media outlets regarding trade requests and interpersonal dynamics. Meanwhile, the trade market for him seems limited, leading to teammates having to field questions about internal team issues daily, with team owner Micky Arison reportedly meeting with Butler ahead of Friday’s date.

Consequently, without any resolution, this saga could extend beyond the Feb. 6 trade deadline, diverting attention away from the actual performance of the Heat on the court.

Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers (15-24) have faced a rough stretch, dropping four consecutive games and seven of their last nine amid injury woes. The key missing piece has been Joel Embiid, who has sat out 26 of the 39 games this season due to various injuries.

Despite some disappointment with Paul George’s performance, it is Embiid who significantly changes the game; the 76ers had won seven of the last nine games he played. As the trade deadline looms, dismantling the team may not be wise; despite their current difficulties, Philadelphia is only six games away from the sixth seed in the Eastern Conference, which is the last guaranteed playoff position.