The NBA completes the first two weeks of the 2024-25 season this Tuesday, but there will be no on-court competition to encourage Americans to vote in the presidential elections, in which the current vice president, Kamala Harris, and former Republican president Donald Trump They are opting to be the successor of Democrat Joe Biden.
In view of the pause this Tuesday, the NBA held a day on Monday with the thirty franchises at play that confirmed the trend of these first two weeks, with the Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder unstoppable and undefeated, and the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers sunk in the last places in the Eastern Conference.
The destinies of the Cavs and Bucks crossed precisely on Monday and the Cleveland team took the victory in a tight finish to increase their balance to a spectacular eight wins and zero losses.
Giannis and Lillard, without prize
The Bucks barely won one game out of seven this year, despite Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo averaging 27.6 and 31 points respectively.
Giannis missed Monday’s game against the Cavs, but in the previous games he had averaged a double-double, adding 12.3 rebounds to the aforementioned scoring mark.
The Philadelphia 76ers have more justifications, who until now have not been able to count on their leader, Joel Embiid, who has knee problems. Furthermore, the star signing for this season, Paul George, was only able to make his debut on Monday in the traumatic last-gasp defeat against the Phoenix Suns.
But in Philadelphia there are very difficult times, with a modest balance of one win and five losses and with a series of problems off the court, where Embiid made headlines.
The center is being investigated by the NBA following reports of an alleged shove to a journalist following an argument in the 76ers locker room after a loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.
The Celtics, 7-1
If the Cavs have had an unbeatable start, the Boston Celtics, current champions and top favorites to repeat this year, also stepped on the accelerator.
They only lost one game, against the Indiana Pacers at home, but they had dominant performances, the last of which this Monday at the Atlanta Hawks field. Their balance is 7-1.
In an East in which several franchises are having ups and downs, such as the New York Knicks (3-3), Miami Heat (3-3), the Brooklyn Nets of Jordi Fernández, the first coach born in Spain to lead an NBA team, added four victories and four losses.
The Brooklyn franchise was far from the favorites, even in the fight for a place in the postseason, but Fernández’s team has shown a good defensive mentality and has achieved a valuable victory against Santi Aldama’s Memphis Grizzlies on the night of the Monday.
The Warriors press
In the West the Thunder rule, with a perfect balance of 7-0 and a complete team on both sides of the court that gives them the right to get excited.
More surprising is the 6-1 of the Golden State Warriors, who were starting a campaign of many changes, after the departure of Klay Thompson to the Dallas Mavericks.
The fact that their absolute leader, Steph Curry, has missed three of those seven games due to an ankle injury, increases optimism in the Bay Area, as his teammates have been able to stand up for themselves even without the three-point prodigy.
The Mavericks (4-3), in which Slovenian Luka Doncic averages 28.9 points, 8.3 rebounds and 7.4 assists, and the Los Angeles Lakers (4-3) had more ups and downs.
LeBron James, 39, crowned the dream of competing with his son, Bronny James, and continues to be the visible face of the Los Angeles franchise. He averages 21.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 7.7 assists per game.
New York / EFE
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**Interview with Sports Analyst John Mitchell on NBA 2024-25 Season Updates**
**Interviewer:** Welcome, John! Thanks for joining us today to discuss the latest NBA standings and developments. It’s been an exciting start to the 2024-25 season, especially with the unique pause for the presidential elections. What are your thoughts on the NBA’s decision to encourage voter participation?
**John Mitchell:** Thanks for having me! I think it’s commendable that the NBA is using its platform to promote civic engagement. With the elections being such a pivotal part of American democracy, it’s great to see a major sports league taking a stand and encouraging fans to exercise their right to vote.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely. Now, let’s talk about the standings. The Cleveland Cavaliers and Oklahoma City Thunder have both started undefeated with 8-0 records. What do you think has contributed to their success so far?
**John Mitchell:** Both teams have shown remarkable consistency and strong teamwork. The Cavaliers, in particular, have been impressive, and their victory over the Bucks highlights their defensive and offensive synergy. It seems they’ve really capitalized on their strengths while minimizing their mistakes. The Thunder, too, have been a pleasant surprise; their young core is stepping up and showing growth.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of the Bucks, they’ve had a rough start with only one win in seven games. With star players like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damian Lillard, how do you assess their performance so far?
**John Mitchell:** It’s puzzling, to be honest. Both Giannis and Lillard are putting up remarkable individual stats, but basketball is a team sport, and it seems the Bucks are struggling to find their rhythm. Giannis’s absence in key games and the lack of cohesion on the court have certainly contributed to their challenges. They need to figure out how to leverage their star power more effectively.
**Interviewer:** On the other hand, the Philadelphia 76ers are also facing difficulties. With Joel Embiid sidelined and recent off-court issues, what do you think needs to change for them to turn things around?
**John Mitchell:** The 76ers are in a tough spot right now. They don’t just need to overcome the on-court issues; they also have to navigate the turmoil off the court. Getting Embiid back is crucial, but they also need to rally around each other during these challenging times. Paul George’s recent debut will hopefully help, but they also need to focus on solidifying their defensive strategy during this period.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, the Boston Celtics look strong at 7-1 this season. Do you think they are on track to repeat as champions?
**John Mitchell:** The Celtics certainly look like a dominant force right now. Their ability to bounce back from their lone loss and their overall depth makes them serious contenders. If they maintain this level of performance and stay healthy, they have a great shot at repeating as champions. However, the competition is tough, and consistency will be key.
**Interviewer:** Fantastic insights, John! Thank you for taking the time to discuss these developments in the NBA. We’ll definitely keep an eye on how the season unfolds!
**John Mitchell:** My pleasure! Exciting times ahead in the NBA, for sure.
