The Sixers had shown they were recovering from their childhood illnesses. Against the Clippers, however, they showed they remain naïve. But the most important thing is that they waste the best season in the career of Joel Ebid, who this time saw that the 40 points he scored were not enough.

The Ben Simmons fiasco has hurt the Sixers while Tobias Harris remains annoyingly stagnant. Tyrese Maxey’s rise is a beautiful thing, but it’s not enough. Philadelphia is meant to be fighting for the title and not just be in the “foam.”

The Bucks are doing their job

The Bucks barely defeated the Bulls (94-90) and are currently fourth in the East with a record of 29-19. And yet they smile because the data so far shows that they have nothing to fear from the team trio above them (Nets, Bulls, Heath).

Milwaukee doesn’t underestimate the competition. It’s not that he doesn’t respect his opponents and doesn’t know they can harm him. But seeing that his players are now coming back one by one, Giannis Antetokoumbo is playing as MVP and their opponents are unstable, it’s logical to think he can do the repeat.

Miles Bridges is the favorite for the Most Improved award

Miles Bridges had another great performance with 22 points and 14 rebounds in the Hornets’ win over The Thunder (121-98). And he reminded everyone that many other players in the league would have to struggle to get the Most Improved Player of the Season award from him.

Bridges has been driving people crazy since the start of the season and after a little ‘belly’ he’s returned to peak performance. This season he averaged 20 points, 7.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 1.1 steals and .9 steals in 36 minutes of play while last year in 29 minutes of play he averaged 12.7 points, 6 rebounds, 2, 2 assists, 0.7 steals and 0.8 steals. Bridges combines spectacle with substance. Summer is a restricted free agent. And logically, they are looking for it.

Something is changing with the Hawks

The Hawks still have a long way to go to get back into the East top 10 as they have a 20-25 record and are 12th while the 10th Celtics have a 23-24 record. But every journey begins with the first step. Against the Heat, they made the third move after prevailing 110-108 and earning their third straight win.

Trey Young is still doing his thing, but the important thing now is that he has help in execution and creation with the return of DiAndre Hunter and the rise of Kevin Herter. Clint Capella also bottomed and is expected to rejoin the top 5 soon. Something is changing with the Hawks. Whether they continue like this remains to be seen.

Tatum looks for his shot

Jason Tatum has 0/17 three points in the Celtics’ last three games. He’s failed in the last 20 three-pointers he’s attempted. His last three came in the first half of the Jan. 16 game against the Bulls. In short: Tatum is not doing well. And the Celtics aren’t doing well either.

Boston continues to realize on a daily basis that Tatum and Jalen Brown’s coexistence takes work. With Al Horford still not recovering from the coronavirus and Marcus Smart absent, the Celtics have lost two key points of reference. But Smart will be back soon. Robert Williams makes promises. Boston is just waiting for Tatum to explode. Will he have it? The answer to this question will largely determine the end of the season for them.

The Lakers are still panting

The Lakers defeated the Magic (the NBA’s worst team) in Orlando 116-105, resulting in LeBron James having to play center (again). The Lakers are gasping, but at least they won this time. And they’re hoping for Anthony Davis’ return.

It’s clear that LA has problems and no one knows if they will be solved with Davis’ return. However, the fact of the matter is that they have never fully competed long enough this year to be properly judged. Of course, when a team is aiming for the title and is 23-23 after 46 games, it’s reasonable to be concerned. Still, the Lakers have something to hope for.

Everyone back in the spotlight

These are moments when reputation precedes action. Such is the case now with Grayson Allen, who committed an unsportsmanlike – and unprofessional – foul on Alex Caruso in the Bucks-Bulls game, with the Chicago guard miraculously avoiding serious injury and Billy Donovan catching him with statements in the Milwaukee Guard attack.

Allen is competitive. Too competitive. That’s one of the reasons he’s making his NBA career. But if your past is tainted by several similar incidents, it’s good to be careful. And — at least for the typical — asking his opponent if he was injured, something — according to Caruso — Allen never did.

Allen has built a specific profile since playing for Duke College. In recent years, he seemed to make up his own mind. However, the game with the Bulls was a good reminder for everyone that sometimes the dynamic guard escapes. But an even better reminder to everyone that people don’t forget easily.