The new year is upon us, and the NBA season is heating up. As the season approaches its third month, the power dynamics among teams are becoming clearer. It’s apparent that the Cleveland Cavaliers, Oklahoma City Thunder, Boston Celtics, and New York Knicks are genuine contenders.

This sets the stage for an exciting matchup on Friday night, featuring the two teams with the longest winning streaks in the NBA: the Knicks (nine games) and the Thunder (12 games), a clash that could hint at a possible Finals matchup.

Additionally, there are other compelling games this weekend, with the Celtics scheduled to play the Minnesota Timberwolves on Thursday in Minnesota, and the Cavaliers heading to Dallas on Friday to face the Mavericks.

Let’s break down some key points from the ninth week of the NBA’s regular season.

Warriors on a Decline: What’s Wrong?

The Golden State Warriors are hitting a rough patch. One major issue is that the bench players haven’t been as effective as they were at the season’s start. Early in the season, during their first 14 games, the Warriors had an impressive 11-3 record, with their bench contributing an average of 55 points per game. However, now that they are 32 games into the season, that average has dropped by 8.3 points.

Moreover, Golden State (16-16) has managed to win only four of their last 17 matches. Star player Stephen Curry is struggling, averaging merely 22 points per game, a disappointing figure that would mark his lowest full-season average since 2011-12.

The Warriors have also seen a decline in their 3-point shooting percentage, moving from seventh last season (38%) to 17th this year (35.9%). Additionally, their offensive rating is ranked 20th (110.7), their worst since they were also 20th in the 2020-21 season, which had a rating of 110.5.

The team’s aging roster is a concern, indicating a need for additional scoring support. The upcoming trade deadline will be crucial; otherwise, the season may be lost.

Knicks’ Winning Streak: Real or Just a Fluke?

The New York Knicks, with a record of 24-10, boast the longest winning streak in the Eastern Conference at nine games. However, their opponents during this streak have generally been weak, as evidenced by a combined winning percentage of just .357.

The Knicks have faced struggling teams like the Washington Wizards (6-25), Utah Jazz (7-25), Toronto Raptors (8-26), and New Orleans Pelicans (5-29), with their strongest victories against the somewhat better Orlando Magic (20-15), who were without their top two players.

Despite this, the Knicks remain a formidable team and could challenge the Celtics (24-9) in the Eastern Conference, especially since Boston has encountered some difficulties recently.

Standing fourth overall in net rating (8.4), the Knicks have developed great chemistry among their starters. They excel at team play, and the addition of Karl-Anthony Towns has relieved some of the offensive pressure from Jalen Brunson.

Don’t let the easy opponents of late deceive you. The Knicks are efficient offensively, good at sharing the ball, solid defensively, and exceptional at rebounding, all of which contribute to their winning streak.

Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s MVP Credentials

Though it’s still early in the season, Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander has been outstanding over the past month, making a strong case for MVP and positioning the team (27-5) as a possible championship contender.

Gilgeous-Alexander has been phenomenal, averaging 33.4 points per game during the Thunder’s last 12 games, all victories. Over the past 22 games, he’s kept up an average of 33.6 points, and this has taken place without teammate Chet Holmgren. This speaks volumes about Shai’s impressive performance as he garners more defensive focus without a key player beside him.

He plays with smoothness, finding his shooting spots almost effortlessly, while also exhibiting efficient scoring, getting to the free-throw line frequently, and demonstrating excellence on defense, ranking third in the NBA in steals (two steals per game). His impact is reflected in leading the league with a plus-minus rating of 12.1.

Rockets Exhibit Growing Pains with Lack of Composure

The Houston Rockets have a colorful mix of talent and athleticism, currently sitting in third place in the Western Conference (22-11). However, their composure has been an issue, illustrated by a recent incident involving Amen Thompson interacting with Miami Heat guard Tyler Herro, which escalated into a small altercation. Coach Ime Udoka was also ejected, and there was a prior incident where guard Fred VanVleet was sent off during a critical part of a game for arguing a five-second violation.

The Rockets occasionally lose their focus and discipline, affecting their decision-making and shot selection. For instance, during the game against the Heat, after VanVleet’s ejection, it was a close game with just 47.1 seconds left, yet technical fouls allowed the Heat to extend their lead to an undesired seven points. Meanwhile, the bench seemed more focused on the scuffle than on the upcoming critical plays.

Although they rank 29th in 3-point shooting percentage (44.3%), they are only 19th in attempts (36.2 per game). Improving their efficiency and composure will be vital for their future success.

Frustrating Bulls Struggling to Find Their Identity

In the past fortnight, the Chicago Bulls (15-19) have secured victories against both the reigning champion Celtics and the NBA Cup champions, the Milwaukee Bucks.

However, on Wednesday, they faced off against the worst team in the Eastern Conference, the Wizards, who came into the game with only five wins. This defeat highlighted the ongoing challenges for Chicago this season.

The Bulls are missing a strong inside presence, and when their shooting is off – particularly from beyond the arc – their chances of winning plummet. Currently, they rank 17th in points scored in the paint (averaging 47.6 per game) and share 21st place in blocks per game (4.7). Notably, the leader in blocks is rookie Matas Buzelis, who only plays 13.1 minutes per game.

This season, the Bulls find themselves in an unusual spot, balancing between a playoff contender and a team rebuilding. They stand as the 10th seed in the East, situated at the lower end of play-in contention, yet they lack the reliability or offensive firepower needed to make a serious playoff push.

Another peculiar aspect of the Bulls’ season: they hold a record of just 5-11 at home, amplifying the frustration among fans. To make matters even more challenging, seven of their next eight games are set to take place at the United Center.