The NBA kicks off its second half tonight with a full slate of games. Teams are rested and ready to go following the All-Star break. Here are a few storylines to watch as the second half unfolds.
Cav’s Chemistry: Any team with Lebron has a chance we all know that. But with such a huge roster overhaul at the deadline there are many questions to be answered. Ty Lue and the Cavs will have to use the second half wisely to figure out playing time and roles and get all these new pieces meshing. They’ll need to be firing on all cylinders to compete with the heavy hitters out west.
Jazz Development: Can the Jazz keep the ball rolling after ending the first half on fire? If so, it’ll be on the back of there defense which has been one of the best in the league so far. If they can stay hot they’ll make a serious push for one of the lower playoff seeds.
Who Will Host the Fourth Eastern Conference opening series?: The top three spots re all but locked up in the East. Toronto, Cleveland and Boston will be 1,2,3 one way or another. The fourth spot is still up for grabs. Only three and half games separate Washington in fourth from the eighth place Heat. Getting into that fourth seed and avoiding the top three teams in the first round would be huge for all those contending for it.
Middle of The West: The Western Conference has a similar outlook. Houston and Golden State are 9 games out in front of the Spurs who sit in third but the rest of the race is jam-packed. Only three games separate third and eighth, and the Jazz are only four and a half games back of third in 10th. New Orleans is still holding onto eighth currently but it will be difficult for them keep pace with Boogie Cousins out. That leaves six teams battling for playoff seeding and a chance at winning a first round series. All of them will be looking to avoid Houston and Golden State.
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