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The NBA has entered the home stretch of the season with the 2022 All-Star Weekend in the bag. All teams have around 20-plus games left on their schedule and it will be all about getting into the best position possible heading into the playoffs.
The All-Star break will officially end on Thursday as the Cleveland Cavaliers visit the Detroit Pistons at Little Caesars Arena. As fun as the first half of the season was, let's take a look at the five most interesting storylines to watch out for during the remainder of the regular season.
#5 Who will win the NBA MVP Award?
For the first time in years, there is no clear favorite to win the NBA MVP Award. Joel Embiid is arguably the most dominating presence in the league today, while Giannis Antetokounmpo is having a better season than when he won his previous two MVPs.
The reigning MVP Nikola Jokic is having the best season ever in terms of Player Efficiency Rating (PER). While everyone is aware that Steph Curry is capable of going on monster scoring runs, as seen in the recent All-Star game when he exploded for 50 points. Kevin Durant, Ja Morant and DeMar DeRozan will all likely get some consideration too, which makes the MVP race really interesting.
#4 Can the Phoenix Suns hold the fort while Chris Paul recovers?
The Phoenix Suns entered the All-Star break with the best record in the NBA at 48-10. Chris Paul has been the best player for the Suns all season long, but he's expected to miss the next six to eight weeks. This is due to a hand injury he suffered in the Suns' final game before the break.
With the Golden State Warriors just 6.5 games behind the Suns, one question looms large. Will Devin Booker and the rest of the Suns be able to hold the fort until Paul returns, possibly towards the end of the season?
Booker will surely get more time at point guard and the Suns' depth is among the best in the league. For what it's worth, the Suns are 2-0 without Paul since he arrived in Phoenix last season.
#3 Can Joel Embiid and James Harden co-exist?
Joel Embiid is having an MVP-caliber season, leading the Philadelphia 76ers to a 35-23 without Ben Simmons. At the trade deadline, the Sixers pulled the trigger to deal Simmons, Seth Curry, Andre Drummond and two first-round picks to Brooklyn in exchange for James Harden and Paul Millsap.
Harden is one of the best offensive players in the NBA when healthy, but his capability of fitting in alongside Embiid will be tested. The Sixers have a legitimate chance of winning the title this season, but it will depend if their two superstars can co-exist and build chemistry immediately.
#2 Can Kevin Durant and Ben Simmons save the Brooklyn Nets?
Since Kevin Durant suffered a knee injury on January 15th against the New Orleans Pelicans, the Brooklyn Nets have gone on to post a record of 4-13. The Nets' season will resume with them holding the eighth seed in the Eastern Conference standings with a record of 31-28.
The question now is: Can Durant and the newly-acquired Simmons save the Nets' season? While their other superstar Kyrie Irving can't really be counted on to build any momentum following the All-Star break. Irving is only eligible to play in eight more games for the rest of the season, as he is currently only permitted to play away games.
However, Simmons has not played a game all season long and Durant is coming off a knee injury, both factors might play a role in how they fare for the remainder of the campaign.
Nevertheless, the Nets are one of the best teams in the league, on paper, and are serious favorites to win the NBA title.
#1 What will happen to the LA Lakers?
It is no secret that the 27-31 LA Lakers have been struggling this season, and one imagines they will be hoping to turn their campaign around post-All-Star break.
However, things have gotten off to a rocky start as sports agency Klutch Sports have seemingly started a silent war with the Lakers management. LeBron James has also appeared to take subtle shots at Lakers GM Rob Pelinka in interviews and on social media.
Despite Rich Paul trying to put out the fire via Stephen A. Smith, the Lakers are going to be the most interesting team to watch for the rest of the regular season. They have one of the toughest schedules remaining as they try to at least reach the play-in tournament.
James is still playing at a high level and it appears that he will be forced to find another gear, with Anthony Davis out for at least four more weeks following his latest injury. While Russell Westbrook, who is notorious for playing much better after the All-Star break, will be looking to turn his season around.
To all NBA fans around the world, sit back, relax and enjoy the rest of the regular season.
