NBA Atlantic Division
Boston Celtics
Kyrie Irving continues to take on more of a leadership spot for the Celtics, as we get a week closer to the All-Star break. Irving was playing with a roster full of young players on the road, and the Celtics narrowly lost to Golden State at Oracle Arena. At 35-15, the Celtics are still the best team in the East, and look like a major finals contender, and will welcome a return home from what was a brutal road trip. The Celtics get one more game on the road in Denver on Monday night, and then return home for the Knicks on Wednesday, the Hawks on Friday, and the Blazers next Sunday. It could be a 3-0 week at home for the Celtics before a huge game against Toronto on 2/6.
Toronto Raptors
The Raptors stayed even with the Celtics for the most part over the last 10 games, as they are both 5-5 over that period. Toronto lost a tough one to the Utah Jazz at home on their last outing, and look to rebound against the Lakers at home tonight. Toronto is just 3-2 in their last five games. Frustrations are brewing a bit, as DeMar DeRozan was fined $15k for criticizing the refs after their latest loss, and Kyle Lowry got into a dust up with Ben Simmons earlier in the week. The Raptors get Minnesota at home on Tuesday, and then go on the road to face Washington on Thursday. Portland and Memphis both go to Toronto to close out next weekend. A 3-1 week would be huge, but Toronto should be favored in all four games.
Philadelphia 76ers
The Sixers have won nine of their last eleven games and have closed to within 8.5 games in the division. The process is finally paying off, and the Sixers look to be in a good spot to be a competitive playoff team, regardless if the team is now seriously concerned about Markell Fultz and his inability to shoot the ball consistently. The Sixers hammered San Antonio on Friday night, and look to close out a solid week tonight on the road against Oklahoma City, who just lost their best defensive weapon. The Sixers have three road dates this week against Milwaukee, Brooklyn, and Indiana next Saturday, and have a home game sprinkled in on Friday against Miami. In reality, a 3-1 week is within their grasp, as their hot streak should continue.
New York Knicks
The Knicks have won just four of their last fourteen games, and the franchise is in full plummet mode. There were rumors of a potential Kemba Walker deal with the Knicks, but that appears to be a back burner thing now, as the Knicks look to assess if they will be buying or selling anything at the deadline. The Knicks were 2-3 on the current road trip, and continue to be a mostly awful road performer. The wins came against Brooklyn and Utah, two teams who are going nowhere. Brooklyn comes to MSG Tuesday, before the Knicks head back on the road to take on Boston on Wednesday, and Milwaukee on Friday. They come back home to face Atlanta next Sunday.
Brooklyn Nets
The Nets come into the new week on a three game skid, with losses to Minnesota, Milwaukee, and Oklahoma City, and they have now lost 10 of their last 15 games of the season. They get some time off now before heading into NYC on Tuesday to take on the Knicks, and then return home on Wednesday for their back to back, as Philly comes to town. They close out the week with the Lakers coming to Barclays on Fridayand the Bucks coming to town on Sunday.
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