Week 3 has been filled with nerve-wracking thrillers, successful (and almost-but-not-quite) comebacks, and game-winning plays. Here are the Top 5 teams that you should check out on NBA League Pass!
5. Indiana Pacers
Okay before you leave, just hear me out.
I know the Pacers aren’t exactly must-see TV. My question is: why not? You want creative offense? Malcolm Brogdon has you covered. A dominant player in the paint? Domantas Sabonis is your guy. A potential stud and Rookie of the Year candidate? Look no further than Chris Duarte. Heck, Myles Turner is even shooting 3s at a 40 percent clip this season!
What are we missing? Are we taking Indiana for granted? What will it take for you to be sold that this team is a ton of fun, as well as a gritty, competitive squad despite not having a surefire superstar on the team?
Give them a chance. The Pacers rock.
4. Sacramento Kings
With each passing season, the Sacramento Kings follow a certain cadence- they start out winning a lot of games, getting everyone excited about a potential Playoff run and snapping the longest active postseason drought in the league.
True to form, the Kings are looking mighty impressive early on. With a 5-4 record including back to back wins, Sactown is showing that this could potentially be the year that they finally put things together. But aside from bonafide studs in De’Aaron Fox and Tyrese Haliburton, who else could be the game-changer that takes them over the hump? The answer to that question could be rookie Damion Jones, who gives the Kings a dose of nasty on the defensive end that they’ve been missing for years. For those reasons, Sacramento could be a must-watch all season long. We need cowbells back in the Playoffs!
3. Phoenix Suns
Here comes the Sun(s)!
With a 1-3 start to the season in their rearview mirror, Devin Booker and company can go back to rediscovering what made them such a difficult team to face last season – a perfect combination of unselfish basketball and gritty defense. Paul continues to give them an identity on the defensive end, while D-Book continues to see just how far he can go diversifying his game. Add to that the stylings of rapidly improving Mikal Bridges and Cameron Johnson, and it’s safe to say the Suns are worth watching once again.
2. Miami Heat
Defense won’t make highlight reels, nor Twitter and Instagram posts. But seriously, how awesome are the Miami Heat on that end of the floor?
It’s ridiculous. In each position, Coach Erik Spoelstra can trot out rottweilers that overwhelm and snarl when they’re communicating picks, switches, double teams and defensive schemes. Kyle Lowry has fit in like a glove, looking like he’s been playing with that squad forever. Not since LeBron James and Dwyane Wade prowling on the perimeter has Miami had a defensive duo quite like Kyle Lowry and Jimmy Butler.
1. Dallas Mavericks
I mean, do we need a reason to put Luka on this list?
His off-balance game-winner against the Boston Celtics just reminded everyone why Doncic had MVP buzz early this season. And with a 6-3 record, Dallas has quieted whispers that Luka doesn’t have enough around him to be competitive. Yes, there will be games where Luka will feel stuck on an island with piranhas surrounding him. But as long as Kristaps Porzingis, Tim Hardaway Jr., and company can chip in just enough, Luka should be the finishing kick that helps them put away opponents.
Luka’s bag of tricks knows no expiry date. Feel free to indulge.
