2023 NBA Conference Previews

The GIST: There’s nothing like the start of a new year for some reflection, so let’s take a look at who’s hot (and who’s not) across the association.

• First things first, though, a caliente trend. Five players are averaging over 30 points (aka a BFD), setting the league up for what could be its best offensive year…ever. Straight fire.

Eastern Conference: The Boston Celtics are at the top of the class, leading the entire league and the Eastern Conference (EC) with 26 wins. Hot on their tail are the Giannis Antetokounmpo (pronounced YAHN-nees AH-ded-KOOM-poh)–led Milwaukee Bucks and the surging Brooklyn Nets, who are riding a 12-game win streak.

• But a few EC teams are in danger of tanking flunking out. The typically playoff-contending Atlanta Hawks are shockingly under .500. Looks like Troy Bolton was right — it is hard to balance basketball and Drama Club.

• And then there’s the Detroit Pistons, who sit at the very bottom of the league with just 10 wins this season. Time to get’cha head in the game, boys.

Western Conference: The EC boasts the best team in the NBA, but the league’s leading scorer, the Dallas Mavericks’ Luka Dončić, is making a run for valedictorian. Last week he became the first player to record a triple-double with at least 60 points, 20 rebounds and 10 assists. No wonder he’s tired.

• Meanwhile, the consistent Denver Nuggets are on top of the Western Conference, with Ja Morant’s Memphis Grizzlies and Zion Wiliamson’s New Orleans Pelicans close behind.

Record-breakers: The holiday-break hoops also brought some note-worthy history. LA Laker LeBron James now stands with Michael Jordan as the only NBA players over 35 years old to post back-to-back 40 point games.

• And don’t forget about Cleveland Cavalier Donovan Mitchell, who rang in the new year with a casual 71-point game on Monday, making him just the seventh player to eclipse the 70-point mark. That’ll do.