5 NBA teams to watch out right now

As the NBA season charges forward, we find ourselves at the thrilling two-thirds mark, eagerly anticipating the upcoming matchups. As the tournament resumes after the 2024 All-Star break, all eyes will be on some teams that will try for a final jump ahead of the final round. With the end of the season on the horizon, the spotlight is on the top-performing teams that consistently dominate the league. In this listicle, we delve into the current powerhouses of the NBA—five teams that have consistently showcased exceptional prowess over the past few years. As the competition intensifies, these teams stand out, promising exciting games and potential playoff contention.

Here we look at the top 5 NBA teams to keep a close eye on:

5. Minnesota Timberwolves

The Minnesota Timberwolves had a tough time against the Bucks but bounced back strong, beating the Nets decisively. Although they face some challenges in scoring, they remain one of the league’s most sturdy teams. This week, they played five games in seven nights, winning against weaker teams and losing to tougher ones. However, they maintained the total point difference at only five. Since the All-Star break, they hold a 4-3 record, scoring a bit less than usual. Notably, when Anthony Edwards, Karl-Anthony Towns, and Rudy Gobert are on the court together, they maintain a positive net rating for the season, showing the team’s resilience under coach Chris Finch.

4. Philadelphia 76ers

The 76ers are doing pretty well this year—not the absolute best, but there’s a lot of promise in their game. Keep an eye on them because they have some exciting players. Tyrese Maxey is like a basketball superstar, scoring an impressive 28 points per game lately. Joel Embiid’s positive words about coming back this season seem to boost the team’s spirits. Recently, they won against the Hornets and Mavericks. Tobias Harris is stepping up, helping out Tyrese Maxey with 24 points and six rebounds in recent games. The 76ers might not be at the very top, but they’re definitely a team worth watching.

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

The Oklahoma City Thunder team is doing great! After the break, they won against the Clippers, Wizards, and Rockets. Chet Holmgren is a big star, scoring about 24 points in each game. However, they had a bit of a tough week, with two wins and two losses, including one against the Spurs. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is still doing awesome, scoring 29 points per game and helping with rebounds and assists. Even though they faced some challenges, the Thunder are working hard, and their star players are giving it their all on the court.

2. Boston Celtics

Right now, the  Boston Celtics are the strongest team in the NBA. They keep winning a lot, and it’s not new for them. They have amazing players like Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Derrick White, making them a powerful group. It’s tough for any other team to beat them. They even beat the Warriors by 52 points, making it their 11th straight win and the third time they won by 50 or more points this season—something no NBA team has done before. The Celtics are doing so well that their performance is even better than the 2016–17 Warriors with Kevin Durant and Steph Curry.

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1. Denver Nuggets

The Denver Nuggets have been on fire since the All-Star break. They’ve been winning every game, and Nikola Jokic, their star player, is scoring around 27 points per game. Something magical must have happened during the break because they’re playing like champions. In the last six games, they’ve shown incredible teamwork and determination. Even when they were down by 15 points, you could feel they wouldn’t give up. In their last game, they scored on every single possession in the final five minutes, beating the Lakers. The Nuggets are playing the Beautiful Game at its best, and fans can’t wait to see more of their winning streak!