Week 13 of the 2024-25 NBA season is done and dusted so we’re looking into the notable moments with three big takeaways from the chaos.
NBA Wrap
With defeats to the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder this week, the Cleveland Cavaliers are finally starting to look human. Still, they’re playing with the best record in the NBA at 35-6. Meanwhile, the Thunder (34-7) remain at the top of the Western Conference despite their loss – without Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – to the Dallas Mavericks.
We can almost copy and paste this every week now: The Washington Wizards are the biggest losers of the week. Their losing streak is out to nine games.
In the big result of the week, the LA Clippers recorded the biggest blowout of the NBA season and their largest in franchise history while thrashing the Brooklyn Nets 126-67. In only his fourth game back in his return from injury, Kawhi Leonard made the most of the training run for 23 points in only 24 minutes.
The Los Angeles Clippers delivered a historic performance, defeating the Brooklyn Nets by 59 points, the largest win in franchise history 🔥
Kawhi Leonard in only 24 minutes of play:
◻️ 23 PTS
◻️ 8-11 FG pic.twitter.com/hKkWHw9G4y— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) January 16, 2025
Little was expected of the Clippers before the NBA season tipped off, but with James Harden playing his role and Leonard back on the court, they look good to make the playoffs at $1.30.
The Jimmy Butler drama entered another weird and wacky phase with the veteran returning to the court following his Heat-administered suspension. It is only a matter of time before he checks out or is shipped out, though.
“I know what I’m expected to do while I’m here and try to do that to the best of my ability, but we are where we are.” – Jimmy Butler
As it stands, the Heat are still struggling to find a landing spot for Butler. His contract is a monster and he’s not playing up to it on the court. Front office is “determined to continue exploring trade opportunities” ahead of the trade deadline according to Marc Stein. The Golden State Warriors have been mentioned as a possible landing spot, but with Kevin Durant dominating and the Suns hunting for a playoff spot, there’s a chance Butler lands in Phoenix before February 6th.
3 Takeaways From Week 13
Should We Be Worried About The Celtics?
Short answer: No.
The Boston Celtics have earned the right to play out a regular season slump. They entered the regular season knowing they don’t really start until the playoffs, so motivation is bound to fluctuate at times.
But as the Celtics play out an 8-8 record through their last 16 games, questions are being asked of their favoritism to win the title at $3.20.
Jrue Holiday owed the 119-115 loss to the Atlanta Hawks after two costly turnovers late. Jayson Tatum couldn’t escape blame after missing a free throw in regulation and bricking a potential game-winner. The Celtics failed to execute in the biggest moments.
Horrendous loss for the Celtics. This was a complete collapse and choke job by Boston.
Absolutely mess of a game before heading on a west coast trip.
— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) January 19, 2025
Still, Joe Mazzula is more excited now than ever. All it took was a skirmish during their latest defeat. One he thinks could have a positive impact moving forward into a West Coast trip.
“I’m actually more excited at this juncture of the season than I was at the beginning.” – Joe Mazzula
The Celtics starters haven’t spent a lot of time on the court together. Jaylen Brown conceded that he’s “had to adjust” to a new role a playmaker while Kristaps Porzingis is still figuring out his place having played little over the last season and a half.
As defending champions, we don’t need to worry about the Celtics. They’re still the benchmark of the NBA at their best. They have plenty of time to get there provided the injury bug doesn’t hit again.
NBA Championship Odds: Thunder – $3.50, Cavaliers – $6, Knicks – $15, Nuggets – $17, Mavericks – $18, Bucks – $21, Grizzlies – $26
Value In The Suns
The Phoenix Suns are 21-20 for 11th in the Western Conference. They’ve failed to live up to the hype and are outsiders to make the NBA playoffs at $2.09.
That’s where the value is with Kevin Durant playing like this though…
Kevin Durant is unguardable. 😮💨
— Hoop Central (@TheHoopCentral) January 18, 2025
Durant is averaging 27.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 4.2 assists per game shooting 52.1% from the field and 37.3% from deep. If not for LeBron James, we’d be marveling at what Durant is doing at 36 years old. He’s flying under the radar as one of the best players in the NBA right now, but the Suns are 20-11 with him on the floor.
If he can stay healthy, the Suns are a playoff team.
The move to drop Bradley Beal to the bench has paid off defensively, too. The starters played with a 77.3 defensive rating for 22nd in the league with Beal in the lineup. Since his move to the bench, the Suns starters are playing with the best defence in the NBA.
This $2.09 won’t hang around for long with the Suns only two games out of a guaranteed playoff spot and on the up.
Sixers Slump
The Philadelphia 76ers came into the NBA season with championship aspirations. While outsiders, they presented as contenders and you could see how they might be able to challenge should everything go right.
However, everything has gone wrong…
Joel Embiid has barely been on the court. Tyrese Maxey has dealt with his own injury issues, but after his breakout season, has disappointed in his moments on the court. His career-high 26.1 points per game suggests improvement, but he’s doing it on a career-low 42.1% shooting. His efficiency – again impacted by Embiid’s absence – is compounded further by his downturn in playmaking. Maxey averaged 6.2 assists and 1.7 turnovers per game last season. He’s dropped his assists to 5.8 per game while turning the ball over a career-worst 2.5 times per game.
Obviously this year has been a huge mess but I’m concerned about Tyrese Maxey…
The way he is playing right now could build bad habits for his future.
He’s playing really inefficient ball, maybe because he’s trying to overcompensate for the Sixers lack of scoring ability.
— RB (@RBPhillyTake) January 19, 2025
There is a world where the 76ers tread water without Embiid. Maxey, at his best, is good enough to keep them in the hunt for the playoffs while their superstar centre gets healthy. However, with Embiid failing to stay healthy and Maxey unable to pick up the slack efficiently, the 76ers are out to $2.59 to make the NBA playoffs.
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