The NBA season is well underway. However, there are still quite a few questions surrounding several teams. For example, the Boston Celtics started the year 0-3, but have since won five of their last eight and are one game away from a .500 record. Are they still a competitive team even without Jayson Tatum?
Are the Chicago Bulls showing their true colors, having lost three games in a row, or are they just in a slump and will re-emerge as the surprise contender of 2025?
Are the Portland Trail Blazers ready to compete for a playoff berth, despite the massive gambling scandal they’ve found themselves in the midst of? After all, the Blazers have already defeated four of the Western Conference’s toughest teams with wins over Oklahoma City, Denver, Golden State, and the Los Angeles Lakers.
Although this season is still early, so many teams seem to be coming out of nowhere to make a serious impact on the league standings. So, now is the time to determine if those teams are what we’re seeing or if they’re just hot teams that will melt into irrelevance as the season progresses.
NBA Games to watch, 11/11-11/16
Golden State Warriors at Oklahoma City Thunder – Tuesday, Nov. 11
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: FanDuel Sports Network
Stream: Fubo
The Oklahoma City may have recently suffered their first loss of the season, but they are still the team to beat across the league. They face a rather tough opponent, though, in Golden State, fresh off a win over the Indiana Pacers, in which Steph Curry was able to rest. Can a well-rested Curry take over this game and hand the Thunder their second loss of the season? Given the Warriors’ 1-5 road record this season, it would take a monumental effort.
Chicago Bulls at Detroit Pistons – Wednesday, Nov. 12
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: FanDuel Sports Network
Stream: Fubo
The Chicago Bulls were the shock of the NBA season to start the year, but after three straight losses to the Spurs, Cavs, and Bucks, fans are starting to lose faith. The Detroit Pistons currently hold the best record in the Eastern Conference, meaning a win for Chicago could get the fanbase feeling good again.
Los Angeles Lakers at Oklahoma City Thunder – Wednesday, Nov. 12
Time: 9:30 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN, ESPN Deportes, FanDuel Sports Network
Stream: Fubo
Despite the absence of LeBron James, the Los Angeles Lakers have amassed an 8-3 record thanks in large part to the emergence of Austin Reaves. However, can Reaves and Doncic overcome the defending NBA champs?
The Thunder will be playing their second of back-to-back contests in this one, meaning the Lakers will have every opportunity to make their mark on the Western Conference standings.
Portland Trail Blazers at Houston Rockets – Friday, Nov. 14
Time: 8 p.m. ET
TV: FanDuel Sports Network
Stream: NBA League Pass, Fubo
The Portland Trail Blazers come into the week with a 5-5 record. Despite being the center of the NBA’s gambling scandal, the team has still found ways to win against good competition. The team already has wins over Oklahoma City, Golden State, Denver, and the Los Angeles Lakers. Houston has looked great to start the year, but what happens when they run into the giant-killer that is Portland?
Los Angeles Clippers at Boston Celtics – Sunday, Nov. 16
Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
TV: FanDuel Sports Network
Stream: NBA League Pass, Fubo
After an 0-3 start to the year, the Boston Celtics have started to turn their season around. The Los Angeles Clippers, however, are in need of the hokey pokey. They need to turn themselves around. Both teams have been disappointing, the Clippers especially so, going 0-3 on the road to start the season. Something has to give, and a win over the Celtics could start pushing L.A. in the right direction.