With the second NBA Cup in the books, the thrilling five-game Christmas Day slate behind us and the 2025 calendar just days away, it's a perfect time to reflect on the most notable trends that have taken hold throughout the first third of the season.
The Boston Celtics and Oklahoma City Thunder are as strong as we thought they'd be, while the Cleveland Cavaliers and Houston Rockets have been extremely pleasant surprises, with each vying to be seen not only as good regular-season stories, but true title contenders.
And with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers, two of last season's conference finalists, joining contenders such as the Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors and Phoenix Suns in conference play-in battles, the latter half of the season could make for a wild ride -- especially with the trade deadline just six weeks away.