<script async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-7467848586067900"
crossorigin="anonymous"></script>
We have been a regular 2024-25 NBA season in recent weeks and teams are forced to postseason. But there are a lot of games left before the regular season.
Although Oklahoma City Thunder At the Western conference they dealt with seed no. 1, the plant for seed no. 2 in the west is tight. Meanwhile in the east, Cleveland Cavaliers, Boston Celtics and New York Knicks They have already secured the Play -off places.
From the contractual incentives to the tank race for selection No. 1 in the proposal, our initiates NBA Brian Windhorst, Bobby Marks, Tim Macmahon, Zach Kram and Jamal Collier have what we should watch in recent weeks of regular seasons.
Contracting incentives, which players should we watch?
Fifty -three players, including Kevin durant, Derrick White, Aaron Gordon and Dejounte MurrayHe had incentives in his contracts before the season. The incentives ranged from the selection for the game All-Star (Durant) to the 3-clerk produced in the season (white). Durant, white and Jae’sean tate (Team Wins) have achieved criteria and earn a total of $ 2 million. White also raised another $ 500,000 to play at least in 70 games.
As far as the rest of the list is concerned, ESPN only projects five players – Dillon Brooks, Jonathan Isaac, Cameron Johnson, Chris Paul and Julius Randle -They are at a pace to earn regular season bonuses.
Brooks earns $ 1 million when Houston Rockets Knepte instead of play -off. Johnson picks up $ 562,000 if his actual percentage of shooting remains above 60% – shoots 63.2%. Meanwhile, Paul is one victory out of $ 262,000. Paul also has two bonuses (net ranking and real shooting) that is to achieve at a pace. Both will protect the guard of another $ 523,000. Randle’s $ 1.4 million bonus is dependent on Timberwolves to reach the first round. Are in playing, but only half the game behind Golden State Warriors For seed no. 6.
Bonus Isaac-Dalder $ 2.6 million for appearing in 70 games in regular season for Orlando Magic – was the most likely before the season. During his career, he was engaged in injuries and played only 69 games in the last two seasons. This season he played in 65 games, at the pace to play most since 2018-19. – Bobby Marks
Which playoff-containing team has the most on this postseason line?
Memphis enlarged the list after him Fired Taylor Jenkins With less than three weeks, it remains in the season and brings two big things to the game.
First, Grizzlies risk by handing a team to Temporary coach Tuomas Iisal, a high-intensity coach and a system that was successful abroad, but does not have an experience of the playoffs of the NBA. It is fascinating to lean on it and could be inspired by the CEO of Zach Kleiman, who believes in Iisalo with a high rate, an offense with a high movement that selects NBA standards. In a month, perhaps the clarity of this step – Jenkins has retreated from an aggressive offensive style in recent weeks when Grizzlies pressed – drives Memphis to a postseason run.
Second, how do the team stars feel about this direction? This season, I more and Desmond Bane They had their minutes, shots and the points decreased. Grizzlies’ offensive efficiency improved during the season. But questions about how a morant who is eligible to sign an extension of the contract this summer feels about changes that led to some rumors of his future in Memphis and lead Kleiman to rebuke this noise after the trade closure in February.
The point is that Grizzlies did not get. After large regular periods in 2021-22 and 2022-23, the Seed 2 were in the West, but the conference with Morant’s with Morant’s out -of -court problems undoubtedly contributes. Last season it was derailed by tireless injuries and moantic suspension. Now, after they were again in the beginning of February, Grizzlies fell into the ranking and lost all dynamics when play -off access. At some point, it must prove it when it matters. – Brian Windhorst
Which Play -off location should we watch closest to the east?
Beware of the three -way battle for the fourth to sixth seeds involving Indiana Pacers, Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks. After Bucks announcement, this race has become an interesting Damian Lillard It is indefinitely due to blood clots in his right calf. Although ESPN reported that he would play optimism again this season, Lillard will play again, Bucks will be without their star guard on the extended section and has already decreased six of his last 10 games and dropped to No. 6.
Meanwhile, Indiana was one of the hottest teams in the league from the All-Star break, 13-8, while Tyrese Haliburton It looks like an all-NBA player. And then there are steep pistons who are fighting to host the first round in their first playoffs since 2019. If Bucks can’t climb out of seed no. Meanwhile, Cavs would have a much clearer way to the final of the conference with two less experienced teams in the potential series of the second round. – Jamal Collier
Which of the tanking teams needs Cooper Flagg most?
In each of the last two seasons Utah jazz Before refueling at the end of the season he remained competitive for more than half of his schedule. As a result, they chose the ninth and 10th, in the last two designs and did not land the franchise cornerstone. So this season they started to refuel soon – and were fined for violating the policy of the participation of the league players – and now it is almost guaranteed to have the best lottery chances.
Utah has a greater need to flagg than any of the other teams that Jostling for a higher lottery position. The Washington Wizards and Brooklyn network are still early in their reconstruction while Charlotte Hornets You already have a potential dynamic duo in Lamelo ball and Brandon Miller. Plus, New Orleans Pelicans and Philadelphia 76ers It should be competitive with better health next season. But jazz traded Donovan Mitchell and Rudy gobert Three years ago and are still stuck without a young star that is built around. Flagg would fill this void. And although the Duke of Nováček would be great for any team in the lottery, he looked particularly strong in Utah and created the dominant defensive front line with Walker Kessler and partnership with another large, qualified forward Lauri Markkanen. – Zach Stall
OKC is 13½ games in the west. Who will lock the seed no 2?
The second seed of the West is Houston at this point to lose, just as it seemed to be entering the season. The missiles have a pillow of two games above the nuggets and the tiebreaker among these teams will be determined on the last day of the regular season in Houston.
The Memphis grizzlies and Los Angeles Lakers They are at a striking distance, if the missiles disappear, 4½ and 3½ games sit back in the ranking. Two of the remaining eight rocket games are on the road against Lakers. – Tim MacMahon
Which players should we watch how to hit 65 games?
No need to take care of stars like they are Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Years jackson jr. and Anthony Edwards be unfit for postseason honors. All three players met 65 games. Gilgeous-Alexander is eligible to be appointed MVP and Jackson qualified to sign up for a five-year extension of Super Max $ 345 million, if appointed All-NBA or defensive player of the year. However, a group of previous winners of the award is not a short criteria. List contains Nikola Jokic (64), LeBron James (63), Jalen Brunson (61), Stephen Curry (61), Giannis Anthetocounkoupo (60), Kevin durant (61), Domantas Sabonis (62), Jaylena Brown (58) and Draymond Green (59). The player must appear in at least 20 or more minutes to calculate the game, and two games are allowed between 15 and 20 minutes. – Marks
