I think a lot of fans are still surprised that they were able to win six games in a row. I mean, it's a really great result, especially for a team like the Rockets. Nevertheless, I agree with you, and the Rockets probably won't be able to finish the regular season even in the 10th spot to be able to participate at least in the play-in tournament.

Blazers are expected to continue struggling as CJ McCollum suffered a lung injury. Recent reports suggests that it's not as serious as what was initially feared but he'll still be out for a few weeks to recover and get back in shape. Bad timing for Blazers management who might be thinking of trading him for Ben Simmons.

That's too bad, I hope that CJ McCollum can recovered quick, yes the Portland TrailBlazers are suffering right now, no Dame time, and now no CJ, I guess it's not that bad to bet against them in every game. Last time they try to get the game very close against the Clippers, but the LA blow them in the 4th quarter and win in double digits.

And so I guess the question of trading CJ and Simmons are not going to push through anymore, And Ben is still unlucky.

Many times already I see the Nets come back from a huge deficit, this team is legit, I always do live betting and I have some success betting on them when they are down with a huge deficit. They are up against the Rockets, it's a back-to-back game for them but I think they can do it and they'll end the win streak of the Rockets.

I remember Bradley Beal's tweet saying "CJ (pray meme)". So this was it. I am late with the news.
Here are the details about the lung problem that he is suffering now.
https://sports.yahoo.com/trail-blazers-cj-mccollum-suffers-collapsed-lung-no-timeline-for-return-012212329.html
Trail Blazers injuries are piling up, and the drama is now back to Lillard about pairing him with a defensive player. It happened before the season starts and the issue is back. Bad timing for Coach Chauncey Billups too as this could hurt his 1st season being a coach.
Anfernee Simmons is also being checked day to day after missing games with a sprained ankle. Worst case, they are in the 10th seed. Ouch!

Even though lakers won their matchup against the celtics yesterday, i still think that there is reason for concern.

It's clear that LeBron is slowing down in his 19th season and isn't the same player as a couple of years ago.

They'd only be able to win anything of Russ and AD steps up big time and don't hurt themselves which is a huge ask.

I'm not denying the brilliance of Lebron and Russ in that particular game.

However just in aggregate, Lebron has regressed (as he should) quite drastically compared to his prime, and Russ perhaps even more so given his younger age.

AD as you said is so inefficient it's not funny. You touch him once, and his body crumbles. It's truly a shame as he has such talent.

CJ will not be traded, I doubt that is even on the table, but Blazers are not doing that well neither and when they have to players like Dame and CJ and they still fail to be decent for nearly a decade now, that shows how horrible the management rules over the team. In any other situation I would expect Blazers to have 2 stars like this, and add more and more players around them, maybe get a third star, and then a defensive good player, a great rebounding big, all of that.

Most champions have that, and they already have 2 players who are at championship level, they just failed to put other 3 players around them and failed to do that for decades. I am not even sure if they have that talent anymore, sure they are looking fine but that's it, they could have been managed a lot better. I suppose not every FO is the same and we just have to realize there won't be any contending Blazers team at all.

That was the subject of discussion on some sports discussion communities and even the former NBA greats.

According to them, Anthony Davis seems not to be playing in his prime. Let's face the fact that he is no doubt a great addition to the Lakers and even help them to win the championship last NBA bubble but he should be the new face of the team instead of an aging LeBron James or the newly added stat-padding king as considered by others, Russell Westbrook.

My take on that topic is, just trust the process. Maybe others are just expecting too much for Anthony Davis to carry the Lakers. I really didn't expect and hope that when the Lakers landed him, he will be the main gunner of the team. We can also conclude that the glory days of big men dominating the league are nowhere to be found now. The main point of offense now is perimeter and rainbow shots in most cases.

You are right. It seems impossible to think that the Sixers will just trade Ben Simmons without something valuable in return. Sixers think that Simmons can't be dealt with just receiving several future 1st round picks. It should include a good player and the closest candidate is CJ McCollum as we know it's not Lillard.

With what happened to CJ recently, let's see if the wind will now be changed and Blazers will now be out of the next possible teams that Simmons will go in.