Photo by Chris Elise/NBAE via Getty Images
In the spirit of Halloween, it’s time to play “Trick-or-Treat” with early season trends we’ve seen from each NBA team to determine fluke from reality.
In years past, Halloween represented one of the first few nights of a new NBA season. With recent changes to the schedule moving the start date up a few weeks, it now signals our first chance to take a look at a breakneck start to the 2018-19 campaign and identify a some early season trends.
At this point, most teams haven’t even played 10 percent of their full season yet. What happens in October rarely has any bearing on what happens come playoff time, and because we’re only dealing with 6-8 games, small sample size statistics are running rampant.
However, because NBA basketball is back and we can’t just ignore the evidence that is being provided, these early season trends are still worth examining to determine which are temporary flukes, and which are here to stay for the duration of the upcoming campaign.
Bearing all that in mind, and in the spirit of Halloween, it’s time to take a look at one major trend for each of the 30 NBA teams and play a game called “Trick-or-Treat.” If the observation from the first two weeks is something that can be expected to continue, it’ll be labeled as “treat.” If it’s just downright misleading or unsustainable, it’ll be labeled as “trick.”
Going in alphabetical order, we begin with the Atlanta Hawks and their exhilarating rookie, Trae Young.
@ATLHawks victory! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/TrueToAtlanta?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#TrueToAtlanta</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://t.co/mmn1GP2FI5">pic.twitter.com/mmn1GP2FI5
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1054170212080193541?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 22, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>His court vision and anticipation is far more advanced than most optimists thought it’d be at this stage. He’s a terrific passer and ball-handler, and although he needs to cut down on those 3.0 turnovers per game, he has all the makings of a star if Atlanta can build around him correctly.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Boston Celtics </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328398" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1055575202-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Boston Celtics</h3>
<p><strong>Horrendous offense is a problem: Trick</strong></p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/irvinky01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kyrie Irving</a> dropping 30 on the Detroit Pistons Monday night was a step in the right direction, but even after one of the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/boston-celtics/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boston Celtics</a>‘ standout performances of the season, the offense has mostly been miserable.</p>
<p>Reintegrating Irving and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/haywago01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Gordon Hayward</a> while balancing <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/tatumja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jayson Tatum</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/brownja02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jaylen Brown</a>‘s accelerated development was always going to be a challenge for last year’s 18th-ranked offense. However, with Brad Stevens’ squad currently posting the league’s third-worst offensive rating, it’s officially crossed over from “be patient” territory and into the “legitimate concern” category.</p>
<p>However, there’s simply too much talent here for the offense to <em>not </em>turn around. The Celtics were a respectable offense last year before Irving went down, so once he shakes off the rust, that should be the case again — whether Hayward is able to look more like his former self or not.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Brooklyn Nets </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328352" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1055341064-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Nathaniel S. Butler/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Brooklyn Nets</h3>
<p><strong><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/leverca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Caris LeVert</a> is the new face of the franchise: Treat</strong></p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/russeda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">D’Angelo Russell</a> has snapped back to life after a lackluster first few games, but there’s no question the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/brooklyn-nets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Brooklyn Nets</a>‘ alpha dog is now Caris LeVert. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/allenja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jarrett Allen</a> has immense two-way upside, but a big developmental summer for LeVert is already paying off for a franchise in need of a designated star.</p>
<p>Though he’s just under 20 points a night, his 18.9 points per game lead the team and he’s also throwing in 4.6 assists and 4.4 rebounds for good measure. LeVert is a committed defender, so really the only area of his game that needs refining is his 3-point stroke, since he’s only converting 29 percent of his 4.4 long range attempts per game.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Clutch Caris! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeGoHard?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#WeGoHard</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://t.co/hIT34mkKnS">pic.twitter.com/hIT34mkKnS
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1053465666861350912?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 20, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Brooklyn finally owns its own draft pick this year, so maybe general manager <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/marksse01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Sean Marks</a> cashes in on a potential top-10 selection to lead the charge. For the time being, however, it’s starting to look like LeVert will assert himself as the franchise star Russell was supposed to be.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Charlotte Hornets </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328402" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1055575300-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Kent Smith/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Charlotte Hornets</h3>
<p><strong>Balanced scoring is enough to support <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/walkeke02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kemba Walker</a>: Trick</strong></p>
<p>Through eight games, Kemba Walker is averaging 30.1 points per game for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/charlotte-hornets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Charlotte Hornets</a>. His next closest teammate, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/monkma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Malik Monk</a>, is averaging 12.1 per game. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lambje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jeremy Lamb</a> (10.9) and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/batumni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Nicolas Batum</a> (10.8) round out the list of players scoring in double figures.</p>
<p>To be fair, the Hornets have balance in the scoring department after Kemba. Charlotte has eight players averaging between 7-12 points per game, and currently ranks second in offensive rating. No matter who’s on the floor, this offense has been humming so far.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kemba Walker drops a <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hornets?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@hornets franchise record for a season-opener with 41 PTS at home. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/Hornets30?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#Hornets30</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/KiaTipOff18?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#KiaTipOff18</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://t.co/qWqI2Q3UKS">pic.twitter.com/qWqI2Q3UKS
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1052774327580577793?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 18, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>The problem has mostly been on the defensive end, but at some point, the lack of an established second banana is going to turn this team’s record to mush. By the time Monk and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bridgmi02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Miles Bridges</a> are capable of filling that role, Walker may already have one foot out the door for his upcoming free agency.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Chicago Bulls </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328360" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1055142256-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Chicago Bulls</h3>
<p><strong><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lavinza01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Zach LaVine</a> will live up to his criticized contract: Treat</strong></p>
<p>People forget this because of his injury history and the rust he showed in limited time last season coming off that ACL tear, but Zach LaVine was heading toward go-to scoring territory during his last healthy season, when he averaged 18.9 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game on .459/.387/.836 shooting splits with the Minnesota Timberwolves.</p>
<p>LaVine could always do more than dunk, but with <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/markkla01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Lauri Markkanen</a> sidelined, he’s completely shaken off the cobwebs as the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/chicago-bulls/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Chicago Bulls</a>‘ go-to scorer. He’s obliterating his career high in scoring with 28.1 points per game, but he’s also chipping in 5.0 rebounds and 3.1 assists a night on .519/.386/.821 shooting splits.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zach LaVine posts 32 PTS, 5 AST in the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/chicagobulls?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@chicagobulls W, giving him his 4th straight game with 30+ points! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/BullsNation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#BullsNation</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/KiaTipOff18?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#KiaTipOff18</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://t.co/vK3jcAwyes">pic.twitter.com/vK3jcAwyes
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1055356601471823872?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 25, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Seven games is a small sample size, but LaVine has reached 30 points in four of those seven contests already. The defense is still a problem, and it grows exponentially worse when he shares the floor with <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/parkeja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jabari Parker</a>, but Bulls fans should be feeling more comfortable with the contract he earned over the summer.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Cleveland Cavaliers </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328403" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1055566636-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Cleveland Cavaliers</h3>
<p><strong>This is the worst team in the league: Trick</strong></p>
<p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/cleveland-cavaliers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Cleveland Cavaliers</a> have already fired their head coach and were the last team in the NBA to get a win this season following an 0-6 start. Their lone victory also came against the Hawks, another one of the league’s expected bottom-feeders.</p>
<p>Even so, with <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/luety01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Tyronn Lue</a> gone and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=drewla01,drewla02&search=Larry+Drew&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Larry Drew</a> taking over (<a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/25130739/cleveland-cavaliers-larry-drew-headed-stalemate-interim-coaching-position" target="_blank" rel="noopener">sort of</a>), the Cavs should be a bit more competitive moving forward. Not having <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/loveke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kevin Love</a> — possibly for the long haul — obviously complicates things, but this team is better than it’s shown early on.</p>
<p>Trades and a prolonged absence from Love could quickly change matters, and it seems like <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/korveky01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kyle Korver</a>‘s time in Cleveland is running out. However, with the Hawks, New York Knicks and Phoenix Suns still out there, the Cavs have too much experience to wind up at the bottom of the totem pole.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Dallas Mavericks </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-327885" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1052795406-1-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Glenn James/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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</div>
<h3>Dallas Mavericks</h3>
<p><strong><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/doncilu01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Luka Doncic</a> is the Rookie of the Year favorite: Treat</strong></p>
<p>Again, two weeks is a small sample size, but if the season ended today, Rookie of the Year would come down to three candidates: Luka Doncic, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aytonde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Deandre Ayton</a> and Trae Young. Factoring in team success at this point is moot, but over the course of a full season, the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/dallas-mavericks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Dallas Mavericks</a>‘ superior record will more than likely give him the edge over Ayton and Young.</p>
<p>All three are going to put up insane numbers. Ayton is an absolute double-double monster and underrated passer, for all the gripes about his defense. Trae Young shares a similar flaw, but his lights out shooting when he enters heat check mode, plus his impressively advanced passing and anticipation, will keep him in the running.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Luka Doncic scores a career-high 31 PTS & adds 4 AST for the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/dallasmavs?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@dallasmavs in San Antonio. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBARooks?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#NBARooks</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/MFFL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#MFFL</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/KiaTipOff18?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#KiaTipOff18</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://t.co/9ZMt8yLi3R">pic.twitter.com/9ZMt8yLi3R
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1057138097962532864?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 30, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>However, Doncic seems to be the one generating the most buzz, showcasing himself as the Mavs’ best offensive weapon by averaging 20.4 points (first among rookies and in Dallas), 6.4 rebounds (third among rookies and second in Dallas) and 4.0 assists per game (second among rookies and third in Dallas). There’s a long way to go, but because of the hype, the Mavs’ likely advantage in the win-loss column and Doncic’s well-balanced numbers, he’s probably still the ROY favorite.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Denver Nuggets </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328203" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1059288030-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Denver Nuggets</h3>
<p><strong>Nuggets have a top-five defense: Trick</strong></p>
<p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/denver-nuggets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Denver Nuggets</a> — yes, the same Denver Nuggets that ranked 23rd in defensive rating last year — are currently a top-five defense in the NBA. They should be better on that end based on some of Michael Malone’s tweaks, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/millspa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Paul Millsap</a> being healthy and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jokicni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Nikola Jokic</a> making strides on that end, but this reeks of “small sample size alert.”</p>
<p>There is evidence to suggest the Nuggets will be much better on that end as long as Millsap stays healthy. Last year, the four-man lineup of <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/murraja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jamal Murray</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harriga01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Gary Harris</a>, Millsap and Jokic posted a superb 102.5 defensive rating. Though it came in a small, 25-game sample size, that would’ve been good enough for a top-five defensive rating last year.</p>
<p>Denver spots a 101.4 defensive rating at the moment, which ranks third in the NBA. However, even though that feels unsustainable, Nuggets fans would be more than happy with respectable defense to supplement the high-powered offense, even if they slip out of the NBA’s top five in defensive rating.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Detroit Pistons </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328434" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1052858272-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Detroit Pistons</h3>
<p><strong><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/griffbl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Blake Griffin</a> will be a serious MVP candidate: Trick</strong></p>
<p>It’s been a delight watching Blake Griffin remind the world how dominant he can be when fully healthy, but these otherworldly numbers are bound to come down sooner or later. The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/detroit-pistons/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Detroit Pistons</a> are clearly a playoff team, but they’re probably not the Eastern Conference powerhouse they appear to be early on.</p>
<p>At the moment, Griffin is averaging 27.7 points, 10.8 rebounds and 4.3 assists per game while shooting 50 percent from the floor. He’s already notched a 50-point game and is even shooting 48.4 percent from 3-point range on a whopping 5.2 attempts per game.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Blake Griffin ERUPTS for a CAREER-HIGH 50 PTS to propel the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/DetroitPistons?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@DetroitPistons to the overtime victory at home! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/DetroitBasketball?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#DetroitBasketball</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/KiaTipOff18?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#KiaTipOff18</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://t.co/igYs2dRqVe">pic.twitter.com/igYs2dRqVe
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1055096697519517697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 24, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Even if we completely ignore his injury history, those numbers seem entirely unsustainable given the fact that he’s a career 33.4 percent shooter from distance. Griffin and the Pistons should be fun under Dwane Casey, just don’t expect these MVP-caliber numbers to be the new standard.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Golden State Warriors </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328369" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1054052102-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Golden State Warriors</h3>
<p><strong><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/curryst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Stephen Curry</a> is better than ever: Treat</strong></p>
<p>Through eight games, Stephen Curry has reminded everyone how overlooked he’s been in everyone’s preseason MVP predictions. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/thompkl01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Klay Thompson</a> may have just broken his single-game 3-point record, but the two-time MVP looks better than ever to start the 2018-19 campaign.</p>
<p>Aside from averaging what would be a career-high 32.5 points, 5.5 assists and 5.4 rebounds per game, Curry has been on an absolute TEAR from 3-point range. He’s made 48 triples in eight games, which is more than the Denver Nuggets have made so far (sure they’ve played two fewer games, but the fact that this is even close is absurd).</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">👀 the BEST BUCKETS from Steph Curry as he poured in 51 PTS (11 3PM) in 32 minutes of action! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/DubNation?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#DubNation</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/KiaTipOff18?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#KiaTipOff18</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://t.co/rPeArOvAIj">pic.twitter.com/rPeArOvAIj
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1055339514766544897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 25, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>Chef Curry has served up some spicy .543/.516/.923 shooting splits, routinely cooking opposing defenses with an onslaught that has him on pace to <em>shatter </em>his previously unapproachable season record for made 3s by nearly 100. It may seem like the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/golden-state-warriors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Golden State Warriors</a>‘ stars are just trading nights where they go nuclear, but team’s blastoff starts with Curry and what looks like a third MVP-caliber season.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Houston Rockets </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_328408" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="size-large wp-image-328408" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1052724480-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Brian Rothmuller/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Houston Rockets</h3>
<p><strong>The Rockets are in serious trouble: Trick</strong></p>
<p>At 1-5, the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/houston-rockets/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Houston Rockets</a> are tied with the lowly Phoenix Suns for the worst record in the West. They have the third-worst point differential in the NBA, their lone win came against a Los Angeles Lakers team still trying to figure itself out and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/anthoca01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Carmelo Anthony</a> is struggling to fit in once again.</p>
<p>However, the underlying context is also important. Due to <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/paulch01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Chris Paul</a>‘s two-game suspension following the Lakers fight and a hamstring injury for <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hardeja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">James Harden</a>, the Rockets have only had their two floor generals on the court at the same time for two games.</p>
<p>Houston’s early season schedule has also been a brutal opening gauntlet, with contests against the Pelicans, Lakers, Clippers (twice), Jazz and Trail Blazers — all potential playoff teams in a loaded Western Conference. Once Harden is back alongside CP3 and the losing continues, <em>then </em>we can start panicking about how much worse this team got over the summer.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Indiana Pacers </a>
</div><!—pageview_candidate—><hr id="pagebreak"><div id="attachment_328411" class="wp-caption aligncenter">
<img class="size-large wp-image-328411" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1054468282-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Indiana Pacers</h3>
<p><strong><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/turnemy01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Myles Turner</a> is plateauing: Trick</strong></p>
<p>Coming off a sophomore season in which he averaged 14.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game, Myles Turner seemed poised for great things entering his third season. Instead, the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/indiana-pacers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Indiana Pacers</a>‘ new arrivals in <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/oladivi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Victor Oladipo</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/sabondo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Domantas Sabonis</a> stole the show.</p>
<p>Turner’s numbers regressed, but with a year of familiarity under his belt, there was hope he’d bounce back with a breakout campaign in 2018-19. Unfortunately, the fourth-year big man has failed to deliver on that hope thus far, posting even worse numbers at 12.0 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game on only 20 percent shooting from 3.</p>
<p>After Turner earned a four-year, $72 million extension, this has been a disappointing start. It could be that his role just is what it is on this deep team. However, at age 22, and only seven games into his second season with this particular core, it’d be too early to give up on Turner’s sky-high potential and just assume he’s plateaued. The evidence points to the contrary, but this is just a gut feeling.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Los Angeles Clippers </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328413" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1058893262-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Los Angeles Clippers</h3>
<p><strong>The Clippers are a playoff-caliber team: Treat</strong></p>
<p>One injury could rapidly change the trajectory of this team, and given the injury history of guys like <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gallida01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Danilo Gallinari</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/beverpa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Patrick Beverley</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bradlav01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Avery Bradley</a>, there’s no guaranteeing the luck will hold out on that front. However, there’s no question the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/los-angeles-clippers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles Clippers</a> have the right blend of veteran experience and young energy to shock the West for a top-eight spot.</p>
<p>Gallo and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harrito02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Tobias Harris</a> have been terrific on the offensive end, while <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/willilo02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Lou Williams</a> supplies the scoring punch off the bench. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gilgesh01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Shai Gilgeous-Alexander</a> is an intelligent and poised player well beyond his years, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/harremo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Montrezl Harrell</a> is a beast off the pine and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/riverdo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Doc Rivers</a> is doing an excellent job allocating his minutes to mix and match youth with experience, offense with defense.</p>
<p>Will the Clippers make the playoffs? It’s far too early to say, but barring injury, this team is definitely playoff-caliber and should stop being overlooked.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Los Angeles Lakers </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328371" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1054491248-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Ronald Cortes/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Los Angeles Lakers</h3>
<p><strong>The Lakers will miss the playoffs: Trick</strong></p>
<p>At 2-5, the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/los-angeles-lakers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Los Angeles Lakers</a> are off to the worst start of any <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jamesle01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">LeBron James</a> season dating back to his rookie year. They’re also off to a worse start through seven games than the Lakers were last year. They’ve been one of the NBA’s worst defenses, have made costly mistakes down the stretch of four close games and in the loaded West, they can’t afford to give up much more ground.</p>
<p>However, suggesting a LeBron James-led team will miss the playoffs just sounds ludicrous on paper — even in his 16th season, even approaching his 34th birthday, even in this vicious Western Conference landscape. The young guys and established vets will soon snap into place once everyone gets comfortable.</p>
<p>This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a new LeBron team struggle out of the gate before turning it around. The 2010-11 Miami Heat started off 9-8 before reaching the Finals in a series they probably should’ve won. The 2014-15 Cleveland Cavaliers were 5-7 before reaching the Finals. This will be the King’s greatest challenge yet, but there are too many talented pieces and too much LeBron to expect this 2-5 start to be a true indicator of what’s to come.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Memphis Grizzlies </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328415" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1059488016-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Memphis Grizzlies</h3>
<p><strong>Grit-N-Grind is back for a playoff berth: Trick</strong></p>
<p>If the season ended today, the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/memphis-grizzlies/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Memphis Grizzlies</a> would be a playoff team. Unfortunately that’s not the case, and as much as Grit-N-Grind seems to have been restored with a healthy <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/conlemi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Mike Conley</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gasolma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Marc Gasol</a> in action, it’s hard to see this team earning a playoff berth.</p>
<p>The makings of a stifling defense are there once again. The Grizz got Conley back, Gasol actually cares again and additions like <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/anderky01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kyle Anderson</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/templga01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Garrett Temple</a> and rookie <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=jacksja01,jacksja02&search=Jaren+Jackson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jaren Jackson</a> Jr. help on that end.</p>
<p>However, the West is incredibly stacked, and outside of that win over the Utah Jazz, the Grizzlies’ three other victories have come against teams with a combined 4-16 record. Once the schedule ramps up, Memphis’ record and defensive rating will adjust accordingly.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Miami Heat </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328416" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1053095338-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Miami Heat</h3>
<p><strong><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/whiteha01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Hassan Whiteside</a> is ready to bounce back: Trick</strong></p>
<p>Hassan Whiteside has silenced quite a few critics over the first two weeks of the new season. After it seemed like he and the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/miami-heat/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Miami Heat</a>‘s time together needed to come to an ugly end, the seven-footer came into the 2018-19 campaign with new life, proving he could be a high-impact player in the modern NBA.</p>
<p>Last year, Whiteside was played off the floor by small-ball lineups and grew frustrated with a diminished role late in games, when head coach Erik Spoelstra went with <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/olynyke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kelly Olynyk</a> or <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/adebaba01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Bam Adebayo</a> instead. So far this year, Whiteside has earned his uptick in minutes, posting 13.0 points, 15.6 rebounds and 3.0 blocks per game. He’s leading the league in boards, is second in blocks and has embraced his role so far.</p>
<p>However, with small sample sizes factored in, it’s hard to see this newfound prowess in the small-ball era lasting all season. The Heat have been miles better with him on the floor, but they’re still 3-4 overall and it feels like it’s only a matter of time before a couple off nights land Whiteside on the bench late in a close game, prompting the same cycle to repeat itself.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Milwaukee Bucks </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328372" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1059491356-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Milwaukee Bucks</h3>
<p><strong>Giannis and the Bucks can win the East: Treat</strong></p>
<p>The only remaining unbeaten team in the NBA is the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/milwaukee-bucks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Milwaukee Bucks</a>. Under head coach Mike Budenholzer, this team is thriving on both ends of the floor, ranking sixth in offensive rating and a drastically improved second in defensive rating. It seems as though Bud knows how to put shooters, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/antetgi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Giannis Antetokounmpo</a>‘s otherworldly talents and all that length to good use.</p>
<p>The Greek Freak is posting a demigod-like 25.0 points, 14.2 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.7 blocks per game, and although he still can’t shoot 3s, he’s an early MVP frontrunner thanks to Milwaukee’s 7-0 start. Meanwhile, the supporting cast is doing its part on both ends, as the Bucks rank first in 3-pointers made, second in 3-pointers attempted and sixth in 3-point percentage.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Giannis (32 PTS, 18 REB, 10 AST) & Ben Simmons (14 PTS, 13 REB, 11 AST) duel in Milwaukee, each posting triple-doubles! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/FearTheDeer?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#FearTheDeer</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/HereTheyCome?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#HereTheyCome</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://t.co/G7No0mD1Go">pic.twitter.com/G7No0mD1Go
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1055469074594103297?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 25, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>The Celtics are nowhere near as good as they’ll be in April. The Raptors are probably the favorites to win the East right now, and the Sixers should continue to improve as well. However, if the question is “<em>Can</em> the Milwaukee Bucks win the East as a conference dark horse?” then the answer is a definitive “Hell yeah they can.”</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Minnesota Timberwolves </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328374" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1055310640-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Minnesota Timberwolves</h3>
<p><strong>Fans should be worried about <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/t/townska01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Karl-Anthony Towns</a>: Treat</strong></p>
<p>Karl-Anthony Towns isn’t going to look this <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://theathletic.com/616198/2018/10/27/wolves-lose-to-bucks-jimmy-butler-problem-karl-anthony-towns/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">dead inside</a> all year long, and even for a player who’s looked completely lethargic and out of sorts aside from two games, he’s still averaging 17.6 points, 9.9 rebounds and 2.3 blocks per game. His most recent contest, a big win over the visiting Lakers, featured 25 points, 16 boards, six assists and four blocks from KAT.</p>
<p>However, this one might be bigger than his on-court production, which includes 42.1 percent shooting, high foul totals and declines in scoring and rebounding compared to last year. This issue reflects back on the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/butleji01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jimmy Butler</a> situation, and how Tom Thibodeau risks alienating his franchise star by refusing to trade one of his disgruntled TimberBulls.</p>
<p>Thibs not wanting to trade Butler makes sense, but his own interest in making the playoffs and preserving his job should not come at the cost of Towns’ happiness. The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/minnesota-timberwolves/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Minnesota Timberwolves</a> are dysfunctional as a team and an organization right now, so even with KAT locked in for five more years, the longer this chaotic situation continues, the closer tortured Wolves fans will get to losing yet another generational talent.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> New Orleans Pelicans </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328376" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1058892300-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>New Orleans Pelicans</h3>
<p><strong><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/davisan02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Anthony Davis</a> is the MVP favorite: Treat</strong></p>
<p>Like Giannis in the East, Anthony Davis could have a legitimate MVP case as long as his team keeps winning ball games. The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/new-orleans-pelicans/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New Orleans Pelicans</a> are 4-2 now, but they were a perfect 4-0 and were running opponents out of the gym before AD’s elbow injury sidelined him.</p>
<p>Assuming it’s nothing serious and the Brow can keep the injury bug at bay like he has for the last two years, he’s going to be deadlier than ever. Davis is being deployed at his most dangerous position as a center, and it’s showing on the stat sheet, where he’s averaging 27.3 points, 13.3 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 3.8 blocks and 2.5 steals per game. He’s also shooting 52.1 percent from the floor and has made four of his seven 3-pointers.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Anthony Davis (32 PTS), Nikola Mirotic (30 PTS), Julius Randle (25 PTS), and E'Twaun Moore (21 PTS) guide the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/PelicansNBA?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@PelicansNBA to victory in Houston! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/DoItBIG?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#DoItBIG</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/KiaTipOff18?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#KiaTipOff18</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://t.co/rpPhyftiy1">pic.twitter.com/rpPhyftiy1
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1052942436908101633?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 18, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>This should come as no surprise after Davis made a similar transformation last year when <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/couside01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">DeMarcus Cousins</a> went down and the team traded for stretch-4 <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mirotni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Nikola Mirotic</a>. Curry, Antetokounmpo and a few other challengers could become obstacles here, but a healthy Anthony Davis should still be considered the MVP favorite.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> New York Knicks </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328379" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1059442040-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>New York Knicks</h3>
<p><strong>Tanking is still the best option: Treat</strong></p>
<p>This may seem like common sense, but based on everything we know about the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/new-york-knicks/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">New York Knicks</a> and their meddlesome owner, this franchise can’t be trusted. Hopefully the revamped front office will continue to stick with its long-term approach, but with <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/porzikr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kristaps Porzingis</a> and now <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/knoxke01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kevin Knox</a> sidelined, that shouldn’t be a problem.</p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=hardati01,hardati02&search=Tim+Hardaway&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Tim Hardaway</a> Jr. has been low-key terrific after a disappointing first season back with the Knicks, while <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/k/kanteen01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Enes Kanter</a> is putting up big numbers whether he’s starting or coming off the bench. Still, this isn’t some underrated team that can hang around in the playoff picture until the Unicorn returns; it’s a young one in need of heavy developmental minutes.</p>
<p>So far, head coach David Fizdale has done a great job on that front. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/robinmi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Mitchell Robinson</a> has started the last two games, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/ntilila01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Frank Ntilikina</a> has shown real signs of progress in his seven starts and one-year fliers like <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hezonma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Mario Hezonja</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/v/vonleno01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Noah Vonleh</a> are getting plenty of run. Prioritizing their development (and Knox’s once he’s back) should be the goal here, and that goes hand-in-hand with tanking for another franchise cornerstone to pair with the Zinger.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Oklahoma City Thunder </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328419" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1055632192-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Zach Beeker/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Oklahoma City Thunder</h3>
<p><strong>The Thunder are in trouble: Trick</strong></p>
<p>Starting the season at 0-4, the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/oklahoma-city-thunder/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Oklahoma City Thunder</a> were one of the NBA’s most disappointing teams coming out of the gate. They missed <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/westbru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Russell Westbrook</a> for the first two contests, but even so, this wasn’t the start anyone was expecting after trading away Carmelo Anthony and bringing in <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/schrode01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Dennis Schroder</a> to be their designated sixth man.</p>
<p>Fortunately, OKC was able to bounce back with a win against a Suns team notorious for getting teams back on track. From there, the Thunder notched their first notable win of the season by beating an underrated Clippers side.</p>
<p>Their record may read 2-4, but no one should be sleeping on a team with Westbrook, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/georgpa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Paul George</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/adamsst01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Steven Adams</a>. Schroder will get acclimated soon enough, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/n/noelne01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Nerlens Noel</a> is showing signs of life and guys like <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/grantje01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jerami Grant</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/diallha01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Hamidou Diallo</a> still have room to grow. It won’t be long before the Thunder is rolling again.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Orlando Magic </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-326636" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1052416558-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389" srcset="https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1052416558-850x560.jpeg 850w, https://hoopshabit.com/wp-content/uploads/getty-images/2018/08/1052416558.jpeg 1600w" sizes="(max-width: 590px) 100vw, 590px"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Orlando Magic</h3>
<p><strong><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gordoaa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Aaron Gordon</a> is not a franchise player: Treat</strong></p>
<p>This probably isn’t much of a “treat” for <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/orlando-magic/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Orlando Magic</a> fans, especially after watching their team shell out $80 million for him over the next four years, but Aaron Gordon will probably never be “the guy” for this core. Re-signing him was necessary, but AG just doesn’t look like a franchise player.</p>
<p>On the surface, Gordon has the qualities of a great two-way force, bringing athleticism, defensive effort and a little bit of everything you need to win games … from a second or third fiddle. As the go-to guy, however, he still somehow falls behind <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/v/vucevni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Nikola Vucevic</a>, just as he does behind <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/isaacjo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jonathan Isaac</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bambamo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Mohamed Bamba</a> in terms of defensive ability and all-around potential.</p>
<p>So far, Gordon is averaging a respectable 15.0 points, 8.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists and 1.0 blocks per game — good numbers, but certainly not “franchise star” territory, especially once his .421/.308/.643 shooting splits are factored in. Unless he can improve that efficiency and his jump shot, it’s unlikely he’ll ever materialize as the face of the Magic franchise.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Philadelphia 76ers </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328421" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1060725672-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Philadelphia 76ers</h3>
<p><strong><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/fultzma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Markelle Fultz</a> will decide the Sixers’ ceiling: Treat</strong></p>
<p>The <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/philadelphia-76ers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Philadelphia 76ers</a> have more issues than just figuring out the enigma that is Markelle Fultz. Their 3-point shooting is a concern now that <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/i/ilyaser01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Ersan Ilyasova</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/belinma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Marco Belinelli</a> are gone. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/saricda01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Dario Saric</a> hasn’t gotten off to a great start, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/chandwi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Wilson Chandler</a> is still out and the Sixers are still a tier below the elite teams in the East.</p>
<p>With that being said, most of Philly’s issues trace back to Fultz in some way. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/r/redicjj01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">J.J. Redick</a> looks like a heavy favorite to take home the Sixth Man of the Year award, but it only works if Fultz can stay in the starting lineup, spread the floor and allow Redick to feast on opposing second units.</p>
<p>So far, defenses are sagging off the No. 1 pick of the 2017 NBA Draft. He’s had some terrific flashes of individual brilliance, particularly in transition, but the Sixers have also recorded a -6.9 Net Rating with him on the court compared to a +4.4 Net Rating with him off it. He’s shooting a respectable 36.4 percent from 3, but until he can consistently spread the floor and prove to be a legitimate difference-maker, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/simmobe01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Ben Simmons</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/e/embiijo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Joel Embiid</a> will be missing the third member of a Big 3.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Phoenix Suns </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328385" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1052529948-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Phoenix Suns</h3>
<p><strong>The Suns desperately need a point guard: Treat</strong></p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/canaais01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Isaiah Canaan</a>, second round rookie <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/o/okoboel01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Elie Okobo</a> and second round rookie <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/meltode01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">De’Anthony Melton</a>. Yeah, the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/phoenix-suns/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Phoenix Suns</a> still desperately need a starting-caliber point guard, and it’s a bit absurd they haven’t even been able to trade for a stopgap option yet.</p>
<p>The time of year and the firing of GM Ryan McDonough obviously complicates matters, but it’s inherently clear this team cannot afford to pigeonhole a scorer like <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=bookede01,bookede02&search=Devin+Booker&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Devin Booker</a> into the point guard role, even if he <em>is </em>the team’s best facilitator. Point Book only works to close out games, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/crawfja01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Jamal Crawford</a> can only do so much at this stage and empowering secondary playmakers like <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/j/jacksjo02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Josh Jackson</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/arizatr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Trevor Ariza</a> isn’t producing favorable — or even acceptable — results.</p>
<p>Booker has been too turnover-prone and the Suns need him as a scorer. Canaan is a decent second- or third-stringer, but not a starter. Okobo could be the answer, but he’s going to struggle. If the goal is to start making progress with this never-ending rebuild, it starts with trading for a point guard. It won’t fix this team’s myriad of problems, but it’s the most important first step.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Portland Trail Blazers </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328423" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1053980240-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Portland Trail Blazers</h3>
<p><strong>Rip City will avoid expected regression: Trick</strong></p>
<p>After the way the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/portland-trail-blazers/">Portland Trail Blazers</a> flamed out in four quick games in the 2018 NBA Playoffs, and given their uneventful summer, it was fair to assume they’d be a major candidate for regression this year. Even as the 3-seed in the West last season, they only won 49 games.</p>
<p>So far, Rip City has avoided that expected regression, starting off the new campaign with a 5-2 record that has them smack-dab in familiar territory as the early 3-seed in a loaded conference. In terms of support for the star backcourt, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/stausni01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Nik Stauskas</a> has been a flamethrower off the bench, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/curryse01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Seth Curry</a> is still efficient from 3 and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/colliza01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Zach Collins</a> looks poised for a breakout year.</p>
<p>However, we’ve seen this too many times to not know how the story ends. The Lakers, Rockets and Thunder have all gotten off to slow starts, and once they wake up, Rip City’s journey back to the postseason will become increasingly difficult. The Blazers could still make the playoffs, just don’t expect another top-three seed or anything approaching 50-win territory again.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Sacramento Kings </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328166" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1054057762-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Hector Amezcua/Sacramento Bee/TNS via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Sacramento Kings</h3>
<p><strong>The Kings have franchise cornerstones now: Treat</strong></p>
<p>Between <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/labissk01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Skal Labissiere</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/search/search.fcgi?pid=jacksju01,jacksju02&search=Justin+Jackson&utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Justin Jackson</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mclembe01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Ben McLemore</a>, there are plenty of <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/sacramento-kings/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Sacramento Kings</a> draft selections to lament over still. The good news is, unlike in years past, they also have more than just one guy (usually DeMarcus Cousins) to feel good about.</p>
<p><a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/c/caulewi01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Willie Cauley-Stein</a> is becoming the two-way interior presence the Kings have needed since Boogie left. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/foxde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">De’Aaron Fox</a> looks like a legitimate franchise point guard. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/hieldbu01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Buddy Hield</a> is scoring the ball with excellent efficiency, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bjeline01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Nemanja Bjelica</a> might be their first smart free agency signing in years and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bogdabo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Bogdan Bogdanovic</a> — quite possibly Sacramento’s best player — hasn’t even suited up yet.</p>
<p>The Kings probably won’t continue to win games at their current 5-3 pace and they’re still a long shot to make the playoffs, but for the first time in what feels like forever, these fans have reasons to be optimistic about their young core.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> San Antonio Spurs </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328191" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1052791438-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Harry How/Getty Images</p>
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<h3>San Antonio Spurs</h3>
<p><strong>The offense and defense have flipped: Treat</strong></p>
<p>Last year, the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/san-antonio-spurs/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">San Antonio Spurs</a> boasted the NBA’s fourth-best defense (104.1 points per 100 possessions) but only its 17th-ranked offense (107.0). After a summer in which they lost <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/leonaka01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kawhi Leonard</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/greenda02.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Danny Green</a>, Kyle Anderson and a ton of veteran leadership in <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/parketo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Tony Parker</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/ginobma01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Manu Ginobili</a>, the Spurs have completely flipped the script in 2018-19.</p>
<p>It’s still early, but San Antonio currently ranks ninth in offensive rating (111.1) and a disastrous 27th in defensive rating (114.5). It’s jarring to see a Gregg Popovich team hemorrhage points like this, but with <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/d/derozde01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">DeMar DeRozan</a>, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/aldrila01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">LaMarcus Aldridge</a> and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/gayru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Rudy Gay</a> all in the starting five, plus no <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/murrade01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Dejounte Murray</a> on the court, it’s probably not surprising.</p>
<p>The Spurs have historically been a terrific defensive team, but based on their personnel, it seems as though Pop is going to have to accept a few more defensive lapses than he’d normally be comfortable with. They could wind up being average on that end, but more than likely, they’ll continue to ride their stars’ offense to compensate for a lackluster defense.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Toronto Raptors </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328429" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1055633452-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Mark Blinch/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Toronto Raptors</h3>
<p><strong>Raptors are the team to beat in the East: Treat</strong></p>
<p>The Celtics will be a much better team come April. The Bucks sit atop the conference standings with a revamped offense and defense, a bona fide MVP candidate and a former Coach of the Year at the helm. The Sixers are only going to continue to develop, and the Pacers are a deep and potentially dangerous first round opponent.</p>
<p>With that being said, the top dogs in the East right now appear to be the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/toronto-raptors/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Toronto Raptors</a>, who only lost their first game of the season because Kawhi Leonard was resting. Sure, the Bucks were missing the Greek Freak in the same game, but Toronto has been incredibly impressive on both ends of the floor.</p>
<div class="embed ">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Kawhi Leonard paces the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/Raptors?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>@Raptors win with a season-high 35 PTS! <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/WeTheNorth?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#WeTheNorth</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/hashtag/KiaTipOff18?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>#KiaTipOff18</a> <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://t.co/KRdjm7W9WL">pic.twitter.com/KRdjm7W9WL
<p>— NBA (@NBA) <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://twitter.com/NBA/status/1055350334753832960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%22>October 25, 2018</a></p></blockquote>
<p><script async src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></p></div>
<p>To be fair, the Raptors’ record may have been bolstered by a favorable early schedule featuring six games at home and only two on the road, but Leonard doesn’t look rusty in the slightest, <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/s/siakapa01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Pascal Siakam</a> is on the verge of a breakout year, coach Nick Nurse seems competent and the constantly shifting starting lineup keeps opponents guessing. Everyone’s buying in, and as long as <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/l/lowryky01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Kyle Lowry</a> stays healthy, he’s got a superstar next to him to take the pressure off come playoff time.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Utah Jazz </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-327934" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2018%2F08%2F1052815888-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
<p class="wp-caption-text" style="width:590px;">Photo by Rocky Widner/NBAE via Getty Images</p>
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<h3>Utah Jazz</h3>
<p><strong>Utah is a Western dark horse: Treat</strong></p>
<p>The Nuggets and Pelicans are the more popular dark horse picks in the West because of their hot starts, but don’t overlook the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/western-conference/utah-jazz/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Utah Jazz</a> either. <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/m/mitchdo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Donovan Mitchell</a> has already shaken off a rough first week, a healthy <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/g/goberru01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Rudy Gobert</a> is a two-way monster and this team has continuity on its side.</p>
<p>Quin Snyder is perhaps the most underrated coach in the league, Utah’s defense is going to be stifling once again and rookie <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/a/allengr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Grayson Allen</a> is already contributing in his bench role. The Jazz have depth, chemistry and all the pieces you’d need to try and slay some giants.</p>
<p>The West is absolutely loaded this year, so the Jazz won’t get nights off and they won’t be taking anyone by surprise. Still, they might be good enough for that to not even matter, even as the Warriors stay miles ahead of the rest of the league.</p>
<div class="next-slide slider"> <a class="next-slide-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="next-slide-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"#"> <span class="title">Next:</span> Washington Wizards </a>
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<img class="size-large wp-image-328181" src=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/fetch/c_fill,g_auto,f_auto,h_389,w_590/http%3A%2F%2Fhoopshabit.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2Fgetty-images%2F2016%2F04%2F1053195572-850x560.jpeg" alt="NBA" width="590" height="389"><div class="fs-center-img">
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<h3>Washington Wizards</h3>
<p><strong>The Wizards need <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/howardw01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Dwight Howard</a> back to turn it around: Trick</strong></p>
<p>Imagine starting off a season so poorly that Dwight Howard is suddenly being viewed as the potential savior. That is the horror currently facing the <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/eastern-conference/washington-wizards/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Washington Wizards</a> after a 1-6 start, and though he’ll definitely help with a few problem areas on the glass and the defensive end, this team has been heading toward an ugly demise for awhile now.</p>
<p>Last year, the Wizards were able to blame their finish as the 8-seed in the East on <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/w/walljo01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">John Wall</a> missing half the season. This year, he and <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/bealbr01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Bradley Beal</a> are already <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://theathletic.com/616725/2018/10/27/john-wall-bradley-beal-call-out-teammates-weve-got-guys-thats-worried-about-whos-getting-shots-you-should-never-worry-about-that/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">speaking out</a> about teammates not being willing to sacrifice and worrying about their shots. In poor <a href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://www.basketball-reference.com/players/p/porteot01.html?utm_campaign=Linker&utm_source=direct&utm_medium=linker-%22 target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener" ref="nofollow">Otto Porter</a> Jr.’s case, however, a look at his field goal attempts and Wall’s diminishing assist totals on the stat sheet reveals a pretty valid argument.</p>
<div class="fs-shortcode" data-type="StoryLink" data-theme="dark" data-text="Week 3 NBA Power Rankings" data-url="https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/29/2018-19-nba-power-rankings-week-3/" data-call-to-action="Next"> <div class="story-link-next"> <a class="story-link-next-btn" style="background:#bb2c32" data-track="shortcode" data-track-action="story-link-next-shortcode" href=https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/31/nba-halloween-playing-trick-treat-teams-early-season-trend/"https://hoopshabit.com/2018/10/29/2018-19-nba-power-rankings-week-3/"> <span class="call_to_action">Next:</span> Week 3 NBA Power Rankings </a> </div>
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<p>With all this early finger-pointing and Howard’s literal pain in the ass being a figurative pain in Washington’s ass, this season may already be broken before D-12 returns. He’ll gobble up boards and help improve the defense a bit, but if the Wizards are counting on him to fix a divided locker room and a broken on-court product, they’re going to be very disappointed.</p><!—pageview_candidate—>">