DOG BAG (3/7)

A few, current storylines in the Association…

Streaking!

3 teams. 3 streaks. 33 combined victories.

Houston (16), New Orleans (9) & Portland (8) keep racking up Ws.

Let's line up the victims:

HOU (since 1/28) • Phoenix, Orlando, San Antonio, Cleveland, Brooklyn, Miami, Denver, Dallas, Minnesota, Sacramento, Minnesota, Denver, Utah, LA (Clippers), Boston, Oklahoma City

NOP (since 2/10) • Brooklyn, Detroit, LA (Lakers), Miami, Milwaukee, Phoenix, San Antonio, Dallas, LA (Clippers)

POR (since 2/14) • Golden State, Utah, Phoenix, Sacramento, Minnesota, Oklahoma City, LA (Lakers), New York

Given the makeup of Houston's roster + James Harden's dominance, this sort of play is expected. Portland & New Orleans on the other had, were near the bottom of the playoff race a couple short weeks ago. Now, both are in prime position to secure (ever-pivotal) homecourt advantage in Round 1.

And, by virtue of outstanding performance mixed with team success, both Damian Lillard & Anthony Davis have crept into the MVP discussion - does Harden have legitimate competition?

Yesterday's Notes

• D. Howard (CHA): 30! pts v. PHI
• T. Satoransky (WAS): 19!, 7 & 3 boards v. MIA
• Jr. Holiday (NOP): 19 & 17! dimes @ LAC
• A. Davis (NOP): 41! & 13 boards @ LAC
• TOR: 5th straight victory
• GSW: 6th straight victory
• PHI (35), TOR (46), WAS (37), HOU (50), DAL (20), POR (39), GSW (50) & NOP (37) all picked up Ws

If the Season Ended Today...

• HOU (1) would face DEN (8) in the first round
• NOP (4) would face SAS (5) in the first round
• MEM (18-45) would have the highest odds at the 1st pick