1. Going streaking (Part I): At 15-3, the Bucks are off to their best start since 1973-74 and have a nine-game win streak working, too. The last time Milwaukee rang up 10 straight wins, it was 1986 and Sidney Moncrief was their best player. The Bucks have a shot at matching that feat tonight (7:30 ET, League Pass) against the Cavs, who have lost two in a row and eight of their last nine games. On paper, this seems like an easy win for the Bucks, given the Cavs’ 23rd-ranked defense and that Cleveland couldn’t slow the Bucks in an Oct. 28 matchup.
2. Going streaking (Part II): The Lakers are 16-2 and just slightly better record-wise this season than the Bucks. They, too, are seeking their first 10-game win streak (which last came for L.A. during the 2009-10 season). A matchup with the Wizards (10:30 ET, NBA TV) and their No. 2-ranked offense (113.5 Off. Rating) will provide a stiff test for the Lakers’ solid defense (No. 8, 103.3 Def. Rating). Big man Anthony Davis is listed as probable tonight as the Lakers try to keep Bradley Beal and Washington in check.
3. Siakam on a hot streak: You have to feel for the Magic. Not only are they one of the NBA’s worst road teams, but in their next game (7 ET, League Pass), they get to try and slow down Pascal Siakam. Toronto’s star forward is averaging 25.6 ppg over his last five games and, more impressively, is shooting better than 50% from the field and 3-point range. The Raptors are riding high and staying in the conversation for the East’s best team as they seek their sixth straight win, too.
4. Clippers roll into San Antonio: Another year, another Kawhi Leonard return game to San Antonio. Version 2.0 of Leonard heading back to Texas has a decidedly different flavor (8:30 ET, League Pass) given Leonard has another new team (the Clippers), the state of the Spurs (they’ve lost 10 of 11) and the state of the Clippers (they’re on a seven-game win streak). Since the win streak started on Nov. 16, the Clippers lead the NBA in rebounds, rank third in points and steals, second in plus/minus differential (14.1) and ninth in assists.
5. Celtics, Nets meet again: The Celtics went into Thanksgiving with a win, dominating the Nets in a 121-110 victory on Nov. 27. Kyrie Irving (shoulder) missed that game and will reportedly miss this afternoon’s edition as well (Noon ET, League Pass). Brooklyn will have to do a better job on Kemba Walker, who lit up Brooklyn for a season-best 39 points and showed no ill effects from his neck injury suffered last week. Of particular interest in this game will be rebounding: the Nets are solid at it (50.2 rebound percentage, 12th in NBA) and the Celtics have struggled with it this season.
6. Pacers starting to find rhythm: Don’t look now, but Indiana has won four in a row and is within reasonable striking distance of the Bucks, Celtics and Raptors for the East’s upper crust. A date with the struggling Hawks is next (8 ET, League Pass) as Indiana tries to go 4-0 in its recent home stand. The Pacers are definitely figuring things out after their 0-3 start: they’ve won 11 of 14 since then and are outscoring opponents by an average of 7.7 ppg during that span.
7. When the Mamba retirement tour began …: On Nov. 29, 2015, Lakers legend Kobe Bryant announced his plans to retire at the end of the 2015-16 season via a poem on The Players’ Tribune. After that, Bryant began one of the most memorable farewell tours in NBA history. Bryant received standing ovations, gifts and more from opposing fans, players and teams around the league as he played his final games.
