Takeaways From the First Quarter of the NBA Season

As the 2022-23 NBA season is well underway, viewers have learned many eye-opening things that have caused NBA odds to change constantly. From surprising team success to team failures, as well as incredible individual performances from players, both good and bad. Below is a list of takeaways and things that have taken notice in the first quarter of the NBA season. a

#5 Timberwolves (so far) losing blockbuster trade with Jazz

Over the summer, the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Utah Jazz made a big splash trade, with the Timberwolves trading away multiple unprotected first-round picks and role players for one of the league’s best defensive players Rudy Gobert. Already a bubble playoff team, the Timberwolves were looking to add Gobert as a piece to help bolster their already talented roster. So far this season, the Timberwolves have struggled to stay consistent and have not been as dominant as expected with the added size of Gobert. Despite being top five in rebounding this season, Gobert has not yet found chemistry with his new teammates, which has led to losing games and going back where they were last year, a bubble team.

#4 Cavaliers (so far) winning blockbuster trade with Jazz

Another trade involving the Utah Jazz traded star player Donovan Mitchell to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Lauri Markkanen, Collin Sexton, Ochai Agbaji, and draft picks. Unlike the Timberwolves, the Cavaliers came out on top as Donovan Mitchell has been proven to be the player they needed. Currently, in the top five in the Eastern Conference, the Cavaliers have gone from a bubble team to a playoff contender. Paired next to Darius Garland, the Cavaliers have one of the best backcourt duos, as both are 20-point scorers almost every night. With the NBA lines now in their favor, the Cavaliers won this trade.

#3 Lakers did not fix any problems from last season

Throughout the offseason, rumors swirled around trading Russell Westbrook, but that never happened, and the Lakers (for the most part) stuck with the same team. Many thought a team built with LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and Russel Westbrook would be one of the best recipes for success going into last season, but after struggling all season and missing the playoffs, things didn’t work out as expected. Now well below .500, the Lakers have struggled this season and will likely continue throughout the rest of the season. Now Anthony Davis is being mentioned in trade rumors. This Lakers team is closer to a lottery pick than a playoff spot, which is unlikely to change.

#2 Celtics still dominant despite on and off-court hurdles

Since giving up a 2-1 lead in the 2022 NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics have been through quite a lot to this point, including losing their head coach to off-court drama and their starting center and one of their best role players to long-term injuries. Without coach Ime Udoka, the Celtics have been the league’s best team this year through the season’s first quarter. Besides their great team play, star player Jayson Tatum is considered one of the top MVP candidates, as he is currently top three in points per game this season. Players like Marcus Smart and Jaylen Brown have had great seasons outside Tatum. This team will only get better with the return of Robert Williams in January or February and possibly Danilo Gallinari for the playoffs. 

#1 Nets not dominant due to distractions

It was a drama-filled summer for the Brooklyn Nets involving their superstars, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving, both asking for trades, Steve Nash resigning as head coach, and the questions surrounding Ben Simmons’ play. With no trades happening and Durant and Irving still with the team, the drama has continued as Kyrie Irving’s social media caused problems with the masses and resulted in a suspension. Additionally, Ben Simmons struggled to start the season at the level many Nets fans expected him to be. All the talent on the team says the Nets are still a great team, but it all comes down to avoiding the distractions they seem to be constantly surrounded with this year. NBA betting has been frustrating for Nets bettors.