The Blazers are once again remaining steady in the Western Conference playoff picture, with continuity and a talent Big Three being the reason why. Damian Lillard will make another All-Star appearance, but it’s Jusuf Nurkic‘s production that has stood out in recent games.
The Celtics, despite some warts left to address, are beginning to figure things out. Marcus Smart and Marcus Morris are doing well in the starting five, while Gordon Hayward is gradually finding his rhythm in the second unit. Kyrie Irving deserves fringe MVP hype, to some degree.
The Spurs are rolling, establishing Gregg Popovich’s wizardry in yet another NBA season. DeMar DeRozan and LaMarcus Aldridge are mid-range assassins, while the surrounding roster continues to shoot efficiently around them. Add in a solid defense, and the Spurs are surprisingly competitive.
Paul George is a top-five MVP candidate, without question. He continues to dominate on both end, creating more on offense, establishing chemistry with Russell Westbrook and ranking second in the NBA in steals. OKC boasts one of the NBA’s best defenses.
The Pacers are rolling. Victor Oladipo is working himself back from injury, while the other core pieces — Domantas Sabonis, Myles Turner, Thaddeus Young — are all stepping up. With a balanced all-around attack, Indiana could be a sneaky opponent come playoffs time.