Every Thursday, I’ll be taking you through the big NBA story heading into the weekend. Or maybe the weirdest story? Or maybe just something that makes me laugh and I think will make you laugh too. Essentially, if you’re subscribed to The Bounce and reading every day, we’re going to have the same fun here as we do in that space.
On top of that, I’ve culled the weekend schedule for you to know what to pay attention to. Weird bad streaks against teams? Beefs you need to track? Just fun games with matchups you may not have known were happening? We’ve got that for you. On top of that, we’ll have a good old-fashioned Throwback Thursday to hit you with that feel-good nostalgia.
Let’s have fun by starting with some resolutions a few teams around the NBA should adhere to in 2025.
Story to Watch: New Year’s Resolutions!
Over at The Bounce, we submitted 12 NBA New Year’s resolutions for 2025, portioning six for teams in the Western Conference and six for teams in the Eastern Conference. But that doesn’t mean we didn’t think up a resolution for every NBA team! We whittled it down to 12 for real-estate purposes, but we actually have quite the extensive list. Let’s put each resolution in here and offer up a little more explanation for what we want from NBA squads in 2025:
East resolutions
1. Cleveland Cavaliers — Give Ty Jerome more minutes and opportunities to challenge Payton Pritchard for Sixth Man of the Year.
I don’t think he can actually surpass what Pritchard has done this season, but I love the ascension for Jerome. He’s the type of player we should celebrate when it comes to Most Improved Player. The Cavs have so many great performances this season, but their backup guard is a massive success story.
2. Boston Celtics — Force feed Jayson Tatum more so he can really launch himself into future MVP conversations.
I’m not quite sure what it takes because his numbers are really good and the team is super successful. We’re in a land of absurd stat lines for our MVP candidates (Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokić, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, etc.), and Tatum will probably never have that. And maybe the Celtics are too good and deep to suffer when he’s not on the floor.
3. New York Knicks — Make Karl-Anthony Towns double his 3-point volume so he’s taking 10 per game instead of five.
Towns is one of the most special shooters in a league full of special shooters. And yet, we only see KAT taking 4.9 triples per game. The most he’s ever taken was 7.9 per game, and he should be up around 10, especially with this Knicks attack.
GO DEEPER
Inside the Mikal Bridges-Josh Hart brotherhood forged by competition: ‘He didn’t like me’
4. Orlando Magic — For the love of god, do whatever exercises and training you have to do to protect your obliques. We want to see Paolo Banchero and Franz Wagner back.
The Magic were so resilient and successful without their best player before their second-best player went down with the same injury. We need these two guys healthy for the second half so we can see how good this fully healthy squad is.
5. Milwaukee Bucks — Do not let Giannis start shooting jumpers. We’re all enjoy the Shaq version of Giannis too much.
Nobody has scored in the paint like Antetokounmpo this season since Shaquille O’Neal’s 1999-2000 MVP season. Antetokounmpo is averaging 21 points per game in the paint. The 2000 version of O’Neal averaged 22.5 interior points. Ditch the jumpers. Be a monster.
6. Atlanta Hawks — Please, don’t be the Hawks again. You’re over .500 this late into the season, and it’s fun. Keep doing the good stuff.
I’ve been so frustrated with the Hawks since their 2021 conference finals appearance because it felt like they were finally figuring things out, and their success proved to be a fluke. Since then, they’ve been mediocre at best. They’re finally playing winning basketball and matching their talent. Hopefully, this keeps going.
GO DEEPER
With three letters, Jalen Johnson is helping to mold Hawks’ new identity
7. Miami Heat — Spice up the trade deadline. Trade Jimmy Butler. Bring some chaos into the mix.
Heat fans will hate this, but I do want chaos at the deadline. And I think trading Butler will give us the most chaos possible. The Heat can also start retooling their roster with Bam Adebayo and Tyler Herro and look for flexibility to add a new star alongside them.
Jimmy Butler drives past Pistons guard Malik Beasley. (Rick Osentoski / Imagn Images)
8. Indiana Pacers — You’ve had a bit of a downturn the past couple games because of the schedule, but the turnaround looks to be here in the last couple weeks. Keep being fun on offense.
Since Dec. 6, the Pacers are 7-4 (with a brutal last four games against the Oklahoma City Thunder, two versus the Celtics and then the Bucks) and have the sixth-best offensive rating in basketball. This is the team we expect to see.
9. Chicago Bulls — Trade Nikola Vučević before the deadline. Trading for him should’ve never happened, and you need to capitalize on his play the best you can.
I hated giving up two first-round picks for Vučević at the time, and I still hate it all these years later. He’s had a very good individual season so far, and the Bulls are pretty decent on the court. But they need to move him for what they can get and keep this youth movement going.
10. Detroit Pistons — Now that he’s healthy, I want to see a lot more Ausar Thompson on the court with Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey.
I love the energy Thompson has when he’s on the floor and the athleticism he brings on both ends. He’s a perfect complement to what Cunningham and Ivey can do, in theory. But we’ve only seen them together for nine minutes this season. Unfortunately, Ivey suffered a leg injury against Orlando on Wednesday, so it may be a while before this trio logs extended time.
11. Philadelphia 76ers — Get healthy and stay healthy is too obvious. I want to see the Ben Franklin 2002 NBA All-Star Game figure brought in as the mascot.
Yes, this has nothing to do with basketball because all of the other potential basketball resolutions for this squad involve health. And we’ve beaten that subject into oblivion. I don’t have much memorabilia, but I do have the Ben Franklin All-Star bobblehead.
GO DEEPER
Joel Embiid and the Sixers are beginning to look like what we thought they’d be
12. Brooklyn Nets — Give Cam Thomas the ball and get out of the way.
After missing 13 straight games, we’re hoping Thomas is back to full strength and able to stay on the court. We love guys who can cook and get a lot of points in flurries. Thomas is one of those guys, and I am hoping the Nets let him put on a show the rest of the season, especially as they trade away more and more veterans.
13. Charlotte Hornets — No offense to LaMelo Ball, but I want to see a lot more offense going through Brandon Miller.
It doesn’t have to be an either/or situation for the Hornets, who already do run quite a bit of offense through Miller. The second-year pro has been really good, but I wouldn’t mind seeing more of him on the ball.
14. Toronto Raptors — I’m really enjoying all these RJ Barrett 30-balls, so let’s get him the ball more.
This team has been terrible. Some of it has been due to injuries, and some of it has been about the Raptors just not being good. I thought they were competitive for a while, but they recently lost by 54 to Boston. Just give me more 30-point Barrett performances. He’s got eight of them so far this season, and I enjoy when he’s scoring.
GO DEEPER
In 2024, the Toronto Raptors finally took their medicine. It tasted awful
15. Washington Wizards — Force Jordan Poole to shoot 30 times a game. Enough is enough. You’re supposed to be a gunner! Be a gunner!
They can’t really have normal games. Weird stuff happens when Poole has the ball a lot. All I’m asking is for them to maximize their entertainment value when being this bad.
West resolutions
1. Oklahoma City Thunder — When everybody joins the postgame interview, maybe dress up in cool Starter jackets behind whoever is being interviewed.
Is it corny when a group of Thunder players stand behind the postgame interview? Yes. Is it rightly ridiculed on the internet? It seems to be. But can they really make it fun and a better bit? Absolutely. Get some cool jackets to throw on immediately. Maybe the same hat?
2. Memphis Grizzlies — Start heavily hammering the PR for Santi Aldama as Sixth Man of the Year and Jaylen Wells as Rookie of the Year.
I’m not saying either of these guys should outright win these awards, but they should be in the respective running for them. Aldama has been one of the best role players in the league on a great Grizzlies squad. Wells has been one of the better rookies, and Philly’s Jared McCain being out opens up an opportunity. Promote these guys more.
3. Houston Rockets — I want to see them trade for Jimmy Butler before the trade deadline. I need a Butler-Ime Udoka tandem.
My two top landing destinations for Butler are the Rockets and Golden State Warriors. I wouldn’t mind these two teams getting into a bidding war to land Butler. Yes, there are risks, but this Rockets team is already really good and in desperate need of what Butler would bring. Acquiring him could be the difference between a first-round appearance and a surprise run to the conference finals.
4. Dallas Mavericks — I know it’s a bit of a numbers crunch, but I think they’d benefit from using Quentin Grimes a lot more.
Dončić’s injury makes this doable for now, but I have always appreciated what Grimes brings to the table. He’s a good shooter, smart player and a good defender. With Dončić, Kyrie Irving, Klay Thompson and Spencer Dinwiddie, they already have a full backcourt rotation. I just want Grimes to get more chances.
GO DEEPER
Mavericks have built deepest roster of Luka Dončić era. It will be tested in January
5. Los Angeles Lakers — Make the big trade. Stop pretending you have two timelines to care about. Move the picks for another significant player.
The Lakers just landed Dorian Finney-Smith. It was a great pickup, especially for what they gave up. They could still use their first-round picks to land another significant player (maybe even a star). They are not a contending team as currently constructed. The Lakers need to swing for the fences.
6. LA Clippers — Do whatever you can to get Norman Powell to the All-Star Game, and if he isn’t selected, let him go on the revenge tour of his dreams.
It’s always a numbers crunch in the West, and Powell would only be able to make it as a reserve. Coaches might be lazy and vote James Harden over him just for name recognition. But Powell has been excellent.
7. Denver Nuggets — I kind of want to see the Michael Porter Jr. for Zach LaVine trade. Make it happen!
We recently reported on the idea, and I couldn’t believe how ridiculous a proposal it was for a team that was too cheap to keep Kentavious Caldwell-Pope this past summer. With that said, I don’t think Porter is going to get any better or more consistent as-is. Bring in LaVine to make things weird.
8. Minnesota Timberwolves — Move Julius Randle to the sixth-man role and start Naz Reid at power forward. It’s time to maximize the offense around Anthony Edwards.
I’m not the only person to suggest this. Some people have been banging this drum since the bad (in my opinion) trade that happened before training camp. Randle would have to swallow his ego in this scenario, and that’s risky to expect. But the spacing and play of Reid just makes more sense with the starters.
9. San Antonio Spurs — Don’t let Wemby go a single game the rest of the year in which he doesn’t take 20 shots. Feed him like he’s the gluttony guy in “Se7en.”
Victor Wembanyama has taken 20 shots in a game only 12 times this season. And it’s not because he’s taking a bunch of free throws, although that does happen sometimes. He’s a superstar and one of the best players and scorers in the league already. Force feed him and ride that offensive excellence.
10. Golden State Warriors — Get Stephen Curry some help. This is ridiculous. Go get Jimmy Butler. Move on from Jonathan Kuminga to do it. You don’t have two timelines. You have now.
This is the other spot where I want to see Butler land. Kuminga has been coming on strong lately and used some great performances to try to help them. It’s not really working, though. The Warriors don’t actually have a No. 2 guy. Butler can fix so much of what they want to do while keeping their defensive mentality. You have one timeline: Curry’s. Maximize it.
11. Phoenix Suns — It sounds so corny, but please get (and keep) Devin Booker, Kevin Durant and Bradley Beal completely healthy. I’m still intrigued by this whole thing.
I couldn’t help myself with a health-related resolution here after avoiding it with the Sixers. The Suns still don’t have a ton of time on the court with their three stars healthy and available. The trio has played only 12 games together this season. And the offensive rating has been surprisingly awful with the three of them on the court together. It’ll get better, but they need health.
12. Sacramento Kings — Publicly apologize to Mike Brown if you don’t make the postseason. Publicly apologize to him if you do make the postseason.
I still can’t believe Brown is the scapegoat for the Kings’ struggles. And De’Aaron Fox’s comments about it have been kind of odd. I hope Doug Christie is successful here because I do enjoy this roster. At some point, though, they need to apologize to Brown for this firing.
GO DEEPER
Mike Brown’s final days with Kings: Disastrous play, tension with star and an awkward firing
13. Portland Trail Blazers — Scoot Henderson has been hoopin’ lately, and I want to see as much of him and Shaedon Sharpe in the fourth quarter as possible.
I guess this technically makes two? Henderson had really good games against the Utah Jazz and Mavs, reminding everybody why he was so highly regarded. Consistency has been his issue, but I believe in a guy who can get into the paint as easily has he does. And Sharpe is one of the most fun fourth-quarter guys in the league. More of them.
14. Utah Jazz — I know he’s been bad so far, but I want to see more opportunities for Cody Williams. I think this rookie has real potential, and they need to play him with Lauri Markkanen.
I was so high on Williams going into the draft, and he has not delivered. It’s almost incomprehensible how bad he’s been at making shots. But I think getting more reps with the best players on the team will help him a lot. A strong second half should come.
15. New Orleans Pelicans — Don’t overreact and fire Willie Green and/or David Griffin. Make some moves at the deadline, draft well and come back next season how you were supposed to play this season.
Moving Brandon Ingram needs to happen. I have no idea what you do with Zion Williamson. That doesn’t feel like a deadline deal. It feels like a summer decision. I think Green is still a good coach and believe Griffin still makes good moves. It just hasn’t worked out.
Brandon Ingram slaps hands with Zion Williamson after a play in November. (Stephen Lew / Imagn Images)
Games on the Radar
Do you plan out your weekend around your sports-viewing schedule? You’re not alone. Are you the type to want to look like a sports savant by going to your local sports bar, suggesting a game to put on and then reveling in the praise from fellow patrons you’ll get for knowing what to watch? You’re home. Are you the type to just fly by the seat of your pants and wing it last minute when you remember games are on? Bookmark this post and refer to it later! These are the best games to pay attention to this weekend.
(All times Eastern)
Thursday
Boston Celtics at Minnesota Timberwolves, 7:30 p.m. , TNT: These two teams had an incredibly fun game at the Target Center last season. Anthony Edwards seems to really get up for playing against Boston. The Celtics want to quiet his trash talk by winning.
LA Clippers at Oklahoma City Thunder, 8 p.m., League Pass: Two of the deepest teams in the league going at it, and I wouldn’t expect a lot of points.
Philadelphia 76ers at Golden State Warriors, 10 p.m., TNT: This is a great test for the Sixers if they’re able to play everybody in this one. They’ve been playing well while the Warriors have not.
Friday
Boston Celtics at Houston Rockets, 8 p.m., League Pass: This is the second night of a back-to-back for the Celtics, so maybe it gets a little strained, but I’m excited to see two defenses like these. Also, Joe Mazzulla against Udoka is a great quote battle.
New York Knicks at Oklahoma City Thunder, 8 p.m., NBA TV: The Knicks bring their offense to OKC. The Thunder will also be completing a back-to-back, but that doesn’t seem to affect them too much. This will be a great contrast of styles.
San Antonio Spurs at Denver Nuggets, 9 p.m., League Pass: It’s Wemby against Jokić. I don’t need to sell this to you in another way.
Saturday
Phoenix Suns at Indiana Pacers, 7 p.m., League Pass: Last time I tried to sell Grizzlies-Warriors (who will match up again on this night), it ended up as a historic loss. Let’s keep it simple with Durant and the Suns going against Tyrese Haliburton and the hot-scoring Pacers.
Sunday
Boston Celtics at Oklahoma City Thunder, 3:30 p.m., League Pass: This might very well be an NBA Finals preview.
New Orleans Pelicans at Washington Wizards, 6 p.m., League Pass: The two worst teams in the league! Let’s see if you’re truly the big basketball nerd you think are.
Sacramento Kings at Golden State Warriors, 8:30 p.m., League Pass: Both of these teams desperately need wins right now, and I want to see what that desperation manifests for this I-80 showdown.
Throwback Thursday: Donovan Mitchell’s 71
Throwing back just two years doesn’t often bring up a ton of nostalgia, but I wanted to remind everybody of the game Cavaliers star Donovan Mitchell had back on this date in 2023.
We’ve normalized ridiculous scoring efforts and numbers in the last five years or so, as scoring has exploded at a historic rate. That doesn’t mean we should just brush away a 70-point game, even if over a quarter of the 70-point games in NBA history (four out of 15) have happened in the past two years. Mitchell’s 71-point outing kicked off this run of 70-point games.
It was a 145-134 overtime victory against the Bulls, though some people might scoff at the extra points in overtime pushing Mitchell past this historic barrier. But that wouldn’t do justice to what he was able to do. This wasn’t a game Mitchell came out scoring all over the place. He had five points after the first quarter and took 16 points into halftime. That’s it. Then the special stuff started happening in the third quarter. He scored 24 of the Cavs’ 44 points in the third period, enjoying 6-of-9 shooting from the field and making all 12 of his free-throw attempts in the quarter. It was a clinic of getting where he wanted and putting the defense at a grave disadvantage.
After scoring 15 points in the fourth quarter already, Mitchell was at the free-throw line for two attempts with 4.7 seconds left. The problem was the Cavs were down by three, so Mitchell needed to make some magic happen. He made the free throw for his 56th point on the night, then intentionally missed the second, got his own rebound and scored to tie it all up at 130. Through regulation, Mitchell had 58 points and 11 assists. That’s an absurd performance. On its own, Mitchell would have joined James Harden as the only two players in league history to have at least 58 points and 11 assists in a game — but he wasn’t done.
Mitchell went off in the overtime period, scoring 13 points on four shots in five minutes of action. He hit three 3s, a 2-pointer and a couple free throws. He outscored the Bulls 13-4 by himself in OT.
Almost two months later, Damian Lillard dropped 71 in a game. By the next season, we’d have two separate nights of a player getting 70 points (Joel Embiid for 70, Dončić for 73) while another player on the schedule scored 60 (Towns and Booker each had 62, respectively).
Yes, scoring has gotten a little out of control, but Mitchell’s night was historic. He’s the only player in league history to get 70 points and double-digit assists in the same game.
(Top photo: Brian Fluharty / Getty Images)
