There Is A New Triple Double King And A Brandon Ingram Trend To Watch

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Here is the latest from all 15 Eastern Conference teams.

Catch up on the Western Conference here

1) Detroit Pistons (25-9, 1st in the East) via Adam M

• The Pistons faced a tough stretch to end the year. They have lost their last 3 of 4 games, falling to the Jazz, Clippers, and Heat. However, the Pistons still remain first in the East over New York by 1.5 games. 
• Through its recent stretch, Detroit’s defensive rating over the last 10 games sits at approximately 110.8, showcasing one of the stingier defenses in the league and helping keep them competitive in close contests. 
• In the Pistons win vs the Lakers, they outscored LA 58-41 in the second half. In a game where reserves combined for 67 points, 20 rebounds, and 10 assists, highlighting depth beyond the starters. Marcus Sasser 19 points and 5 assists of the bench.
• Jalen Duren left the Heat game Thursday night with a right ankle injury. The team isn’t expecting anything long term, but with a tough stretch of games coming up, the Pistons will need production out of Stewart and Paul Reed to remain atop the East.
• The Pistons host 6 of their next 7 contests in Detroit after returning home from a brutal west coast trip. 5 of these 7 include Eastern Conference opponents. Expect heightened intensity out of the team, as Coch JB Bickerstaff will treat these as playoff like games to keep the Pistons atop the conference. 

2) New York Knicks (23-10, 2nd in the East) via Rebecca C

• Since the cup win, the Knicks regulars have battled injuries, but that has allowed them to expand their rotation and showcase the entire roster. They went 4-3 but shined in the spotlight with a comeback win on Christmas Day. Here’s a recap:
• Against Philly, Mitch Robinson was huge: 21 pts and 16 rebounds in 26 minutes. Early in the game he responded to being intentionally fouled by making 7 consecutive free throws. He went on to shoot 3-3 from the line in the next game (Heat) for a streak of 10. Jalen Brunson scored 47 against the Heat for his MSG high and a great team win. Jalen and OG were out for the trip to Minnesota, allowing Tyler Kolek to get his first career start. He responded with 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists in 31 minutes. It wasn’t enough to win, but it was a preview of Christmas heroics to come.
• Christmas day is always big in the NBA, and the Knicks were the first of five nationally televised games. Their opponents, the preseason eastern conference favorite Cavaliers. The Knicks had their regular starting five, but were still missing Deuce McBride and Landry Shamet. Cleveland jumped out to a big opening lead (20-5), but the Knicks battled back in the 2nd quarter. In the 3rd, the Cavs built a 16 point lead, but the Knicks bench responded again. Bolstered by the defense and rebounding of Mitch (8 offensive rebounds in 16 minutes) along with timely scoring from Tyler (16 points, 9 assists) and Jordan Clarkson (25 points) the Knicks battled back. Of course, down the stretch they were led by Captain Clutch - Brunson finished with 34 points.
• Kevin McCullar Jr. is getting the first significant minutes of his career due to Josh Hart’s injury. Against Atlanta, he was the first off the bench and had an immediate impact, diving out of bounds for a rebound to then get it back for a corner three. He ended with 13 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals, very reminiscent of Josh Hart numbers and playing style.
• Rookie Mo Diawara, who the Knicks selected 51st in the draft, has moved to the starting lineup the past three games. His biggest night was against the Pelicans where he went 4/4 from behind the arc. He totaled 18 points and had 2 steals to help secure the win. Deuce McBride made his return against the Pelicans. In his two games back he’s averaged 22 minutes, 17.5 points, 3 rebounds and 3 assists. 
• The Knicks rotation has expanded, on most nights playing an 11-man rotation (12 vs Pelicans). After the Christmas comeback win, Mike Brown told the press, “Josh said to the young guys, 'If we starters don't have it you gotta try to uplift us, hold us accountable, and when you get your opportunity be aggressive.' and our bench was fantastic, basically won the game for us.”The Knicks have back to back home games starting tonight against the Hawks and the Sixers.

3) Boston Celtics (21-12, 3rd in the East) via Daniel F

• The Celtics are 6-1 in their last seven games, averaging 120 PPG, ending December with a record of 9-3. The C’s also boast a 121.1 offensive rating thus far, good for 4th best in the league.
• Jaylen Brown scored 30+ in nine straight games from 12/2-12/28, tying Larry Bird’s Celtics record of consecutive games with 30+ points. Brown also took home Eastern conference player of the week honors twice in December, putting a bow on perhaps the best month of his career. Brown absolutely deserves to be in the MVP conversation as he has taken a team with low expectations coming into the year and propelled them to third place in the East (3.5 GB of the first-place Pistons)
• Derrick White is averaging a career-best 1.5 blocks per game. On Tuesday in Utah, White put up a career-high 7 blocks to complement his 27 points, 5 rebounds, and 7 assists. Anyone who thought the Celtics would lose a one-two punch without Tatum clearly weren’t aware of the best two-way guard in the NBA.
• Hugo Gonzalez has seen a strong increase in minutes, going from 11.4 MPG in his first 19 games to 22.5 MPG in his last 9. Hugo has been solid on the glass, averaging 6 RPG since December 11th (10+ twice in that span). He simply makes a winning impact anytime he’s on the floor. Gonzalez topped all rookies with a +103 plus/minus in December. It’s become increasingly difficult to predict what rotations the C’s will throw out on any given night, but Gonzalez’ efforts should keep him in the fold going into the second half of the season.
• The C’s bench squad (AKA the “stay ready group”) have been instrumental in Boston's success. Outside of Gonzalez, guys like Luka Garza, Sam Hauser, and Anfernee Simons have all contributed important minutes for the C’s. In last night's win in Sacramento, the bench shot 81.2% from the field and 90% from deep, contributing 35 of the team's 62 first-half points. In December, the second unit held a league best +88 plus/minus as well as a 9.2 net rating.

4) Toronto Raptors (20-15, 4th in the East) via Shay M

• The Toronto Raptors wrapped up December with a 3–3 record since December 22nd, but the more important takeaway was how clearly defined the pecking order became. Close games shortened the rotation, usage concentrated at the top, and a few betting trends quietly emerged.
• Scottie Barnes continues to operate as the center of everything Toronto does.
• Over this six-game stretch, Barnes averaged 22.8 points, 11.6 rebounds, and 7.4 assists while playing just under 38 minutes per game. He recorded multiple triple-doubles in this span and has now been within two rebounds or assists of a triple-double in the majority of competitive games.
• From a betting standpoint, Barnes’ triple-double line has been worth small, sprinkle-style units rather than full exposure. The minutes are locked in, the rebound volume is consistent, and his assist chances rise sharply in close games where Toronto runs everything through him late. Barnes rebound and assist overs have also been more reliable than his point totals during this stretch.
• Brandon Ingram’s usage is becoming more predictable.
• Ingram averaged 20.1 points on 17.3 shot attempts, with his three-point volume climbing to nearly six attempts per game. The trend is clear: when Toronto is trailing or playing from behind, Ingram’s shot attempts jump noticeably in second halves.
• That makes his points overs and three-point attempt props more attractive in games where the Raptors are underdogs or expected to trail. In closer games, his assist numbers dip slightly as Barnes handles more of the late-game creation, making Ingram scoring markets the cleaner look.
• Up front, Toronto found unexpected stability without Jakob Poeltl.
• With Poeltl sidelined, Collin Murray-Boyles stepped into extended minutes and produced quietly but effectively. On a per-36 basis, Murray-Boyles posted double-digit rebounding numbers, brought defensive versatility, and stayed on the floor late in smaller lineups.
• His value has been strongest in rebounding props and undersized frontcourt matchups, especially against teams that don’t punish the paint. When his minutes climb into the high-20s, his rebounding floor becomes much safer than the market often reflects.
• The overall trend from this stretch is simple. Barnes’ workload makes his all-around markets consistently live, Ingram’s scoring rises with negative game script, and Murray-Boyles has become a sneaky rebounding option whenever the Raptors are thin inside. The record may have hovered around .500, but the betting profile of this team has become much clearer heading into January.

5) Philadelphia 76ers (18-14, 5th in the East) via Devin C

• The first few months of the season should be viewed as a success for the Philadelphia 76ers. Despite inconsistency in player availability and a constantly changing rotation, the team has managed to stay competitive largely thanks to major leaps from key players and the emergence of a future backcourt cornerstone.
• The Positives. Tyrese Maxey Continues His Ascension: Maxey has taken yet another major leap forward. His scoring has jumped nearly five full points—from 26.3 ppg to 30.9 ppg—but what stands out even more is the improved efficiency:
• FG%: 42.7% → 47%
• 3PT%: 33.7% → 39.6%
• Assists: up to 7.2 APG
• Maxey’s defensive improvement is especially notable; he’s no longer a liability targeted in opposing scouting reports. He has evolved into a true two-way guard whose nightly impact is undeniable. Tyrese has placed himself in the top 10 for STOCKS (Steals + Blocks) per game @ 2.67. The only other guard in the top 10 is Derrick White; a well respected defensive player.
•  VJ Edgecombe Exceeds Expectations: Rookie VJ Edgecombe has already altered the trajectory of the franchise. His immediate impact gives the 76ers a long-term foundation with Maxey. Over his last seven games, Edgecombe is averaging: 20.4 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists, while playing 37 minutes per night. His conditioning, durability, and instinct for making winning plays have helped keep the 76ers afloat despite the inconsistent availability of nearly everyone not named Tyrese Maxey. Edgecombe punctuated his strong start with a game-winning three in overtime vs. Memphis to close out 2025. A Maxey–VJ backcourt now looks like the team’s future, regardless of how this year’s postseason plays out.
• Embiid and Paul George’s Managed Seasons: What appears to be the team’s long-term plan is unfolding: Joel Embiid and Paul George have effectively been able to “rest” for much of the year while the team remains competitive. George: 16 games played & Embiid: 15 games played. Both are ramping up conditioning heading into 2026, and the 76ers are finally beginning to resemble the version of the team projected for the playoffs. The coaching staff has used 17 different starting lineups in the first 29 games, but recently the group of Maxey, VJ, Embiid, George, and Barlow has started three of the last four. Progress is already visible—especially in the Maxey–Embiid two-man game. In recent wins over Dallas and Memphis, the duo combined to average: 62 points, 12 rebounds, and 18 assists per game. If that becomes the baseline for the team’s two superstars—and the supporting cast of Edgecombe, George, Grimes, and Jared McCain continues to complement them—Philadelphia’s ceiling becomes legitimately exciting.

6) Orlando Magic (19-15, 6th in the East) via Mason M

• The Magic have been keeping at .500 since the Franz Wagner injury 4-4 since December 18th
• Franz Wagner is still without an expected return date. Report from Beede stated Franz hasn’t started running or cutting and has been limited to spot shooting. Expecting to miss minimum the current 3 game road trip, maybe more
• Jalen Suggs provided a much needed boost in his return Dec 31st vs the pacers especially on the defensive end with 3 steals
• Anthony Black has been a very bright spot in Franz and Suggs absence avg 23.37 points per game including a 38pt game vs Denver where Black went 7/11 from 3
• Magic Face off vs Chicago tonight so Magic parlay for the day: Paolo O23.5 pts, Anthony Black O14.5 pts, Bane O 1.5 3ptm Suggs O1.5 3ptm #DKpartner 

7) Miami Heat (19-15, 7th in the East) via Nicky Smokes

• THE HEAT IS ON!! The Miami Heat have won four straight games—and they’ve done it without a certain someone (cough cough, Tyler Herro). I’m not saying Tyler was the reason for the slump, but it does appear the Heat might be better without him. Or at least, our role players are.
• Jaime Jaquez has been on an absolute tear over his last six games, averaging 21 PPG. Nikola Jovic, since almost breaking his arm, has turned into a completely different player. What started as a nightmare season has begun to heat up, as he’s averaging 14 PPG over his last four games—a substantial jump from what he’s given us most of the year.
• The best part about this team is that everyone contributes. We’re not a star-reliant squad; we’re a cohesive unit (when we’re winning). In four of the last five games, five or more players have scored in double figures. That’s Heat basketball.
• This team is starting to look like it did at the beginning of the season—and that’s a problem for everyone who isn’t a fan of the Miami Heat.

8) Cleveland Cavaliers (19-16, 8th in the East) via Joe R

• Cleveland has found a groove. Sitting at 8th in the eastern conference standings, Over their last 5 games, the Cavs are 3-2. Doesn’t sound too great, but the numbers reflect the Cavs may have found their identity again. 
• Over the last 5 games, the Cavs have shot 48.2% from the floor, and 37.2% from the three. Both strong marks that reflect the success of the Cavs last year, and the team seems to have found some joy again. 
• Sam Merrill and Jaylon Tyson continue to be huge for Cleveland. Last game against the pelicans, they both combined for 34pts off the bench. Becoming a nice spark for Cleveland 
• Darius Garland matters. His last 5 games he’s averaging 24.2ppg, 3.2rpg, 7.8apg. When he’s feeding Allen and Mobley, the Cavs are a problem. Especially when Donovan is consistently doing his thing. 
• Something to watch is Lonzo Ball. He’s been a healthy scratch the last two games. 0 mins. Craig Porter Jr has filled the roll perfectly, averging 10ppg, 3.6rpg, 8.2apg. 
• Cavs play the nuggets tonight. The nuggets will be without Jokic. Should be another game where the Cavs play through their big and continue this recently found success.

9) Chicago Bulls (16-17, 9th in the East) via Anthony T

• Josh Giddey injured his hamstring in Mondays loss to the Timberwolves and will be re-evaluated in 2-3 weeks
• Coby White has also missed time recently with calf tightness and will be re-evaluated in 1 week
• With Giddey and White out Matas Buzelis 15+ points will be a decent prop bet
• Isaac Okoro had his best game by far as a Bull in Wednesdays win over the Pelicans
• Bulls were on a 5 game winning streak until the 12/27 loss to Milwaukee where the team tried to pick a fight with Giannis at the end of the game because Giannis did a fast break windmill with time expiring and the Bucks up 7. Unwritten rules or not you can’t try to fight someone because that person didn’t give up on the play where the whole Bulls team did. Very uncalled for by the Bulls.
• Still stuck in mediocrity at 16-17 hovering around the bottom 9-10 play in seed

Mikey Bets take on the Bulls

The Bulls are the NBA's favorite experiment in committed mediocrity. Over their last 10 games, they’ve managed to go 6-4 which is just enough success to trick the front office into thinking they shouldn't blow the whole thing up. After a 136-101  beating by the Timberwolves followed by a vintage 152-150 shootout win over Atlanta where defense was clearly treated as an optional suggestion. Now that Giddey is hurt and not chasing triple-doubles like he's trying to make everyone forget he’s on a team that’s 27th in ppg the Bulls are perfectly positioned at 16-17 comfortably nestled in the 9th seed, exactly where hope goes to die and late lottery picks are born. This stinks. 

10) Atlanta Hawks (16-19, 10th in the East) via Josh W

• It's been a bad couple weeks for the Hawks, after dropping 7 straight they end 2025 with a big victory over the T-Wolves.
• Sitting at 16-19 they have dropped all the way to the 10 seed and are now on the verge of missing the playoffs all together.
• Jalen Johnson had a terrific month of December even if the Hawks as a whole did not. He averaged a triple double for the month with 25 points 11 rebounds and 10 assists. 
• Trae Young came back for a few games but found himself back on the injury report. He played in 5 games in December and average 20 points and 10 assists. 
• Nickeil Alexander-Walker continues to score consistently and be a big part of the offense averaging 20 points for the last month. 
• While the Hawks struggle on the court, off the court there are a lot of trade rumors going around, Trae Young's name has been thrown around quite a bit along with Kristaps Porzingis and Zaccharie Risacher. The Hawks clearly wanna make a move but haven't seen anything good enough to pull the trigger. Trading Trae Young would be a blockbuster deal so I hope they proceed with caution and dont just make a trade to make a trade. 
• The Hawks start the new year off with a game against the Knicks tonight.

11) Milwaukee Bucks (14-10, 11th in the East) via Colin B

• It has been an up-and-down week for the Bucks, winning games against the Chicago Bulls and Charlotte Hornets, but losing to the Washington Wizards at home. This is the team's second loss to the lowly Wizards in the month of December. 
• On the bright side, Giannis Antetokounmpo has returned from his perfectly legitimate calf strain, and is back to his dominant ways, albeit his minutes have been restricted. Look for his minutes to gradually increase, and with that, his statistical contributions. Giannis is averaging 28.7 PPG, 9 RPG and 3.7 APG in the three games since his return.
• While the guard tandem of Kevin Porter Jr and Ryan Rollins continue to contribute each night, the lack of any other production is a major issue, particularly from Myles Turner. Turner, whom the Bucks signed this summer, was supposed to become a more athletic, versatile version of Brook Lopez, providing production from three while also protecting the rim. However, while Turner has showcased his three point shooting ability, the interior defense and rebounding is lackluster at best. The Bucks are currently DEAD LAST in the league in rebounding per game, with little hope for change at this point.
• The lack of big man and wing depth are a huge issue. Backup Center Jericho Sims is essentially unplayable, leaving just Turner and Bobby Portis Jr. as options. Furthermore, players like Gary Trent Jr., Gary Harris, and Cole Anthony, all signed to have big roles role, have become largely invisible on both ends of the court, forcing KPJ and Ryan Rollins to play 40 min a night. 
• At this point, change is inevitable. Based on the product on the court, this team is far from being competitive. However, the front office and leadership seem desperate to do SOMETHING to appease Giannis and hopefully extend the team's championship window. Recent names linked to the Bucks include Zach LaVine and Michael Porter Jr., neither of which would personally move the needle for a team struggling to even remain in Play-In contention. If a deal is made, look for Bobby Portis Jr. to be the key piece in a return.
• This week, the Bucks finish their two-game homestand against the Charlotte Hornets tonight (1/2) before heading out west for a 4 game road trip, beginning with the Sacramento Kings on Sunday (1/4) and the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday (1/7).

12) Charlotte Hornets (11-22, 12th in the East) via Jake L

• The young Hornets team is coming off a tough loss to the Warriors on NYE, but they’ve been showing a lot of promise over the past 5 games. They’ve averaged 123 points per game over that stretch, with back to back wins over the Wizards and Magic. They’ve had the highest 3pt % in the league over their last 5 games, but they’ve struggled on defense, especially without their rookie Ryan Kalkbrenner who’s been out with a left elbow injury but should return next week.
• Brandon Miller has been on fire! He’s averaging 26.3 points per game this past week, which is good for 22nd in the league. He looks healthy and has been great in the half court offense.
• Kon Knueppel continues to play great, only averaging 18 points per game over his last 3 games but shooting 71% from 3 over that stretch. He’s trying to find more shots, with Lamelo and Brandon both back full time, Kon has only been able to get 9 shots a game. Coach Charles Lee will have to find a way to get more shots for his rookie phenom.
• Lamelo has been averaging 25 points per game (I told you scoring isn’t a problem for this team) over the last 3 games, but he’s also averaging 5.7 turnovers during that stretch. Lamelo’s ball security and defense usually dictate what kind of a night it’s going to be for the Hornets.
• Chares Lee has used a lot of different starting lineups this year, rotating in guys like Sion James and Colin Sexton at the 2 and 3 spots. Last game against the Warriors, they played a lineup that was the Summer League championship starting lineup of; Liam McNeeley, Kon, Sion James, PJ Hall, and Tidjane Salaun. The lineup was +4 in the close to 5 minute stretch. It shows how young and how much upside this team has.

13) Brooklyn Nets (10-21, 13th in the East) via Justin S

• The Nets had a great month of December in terms of actual basketball play, not for the tank, as they put together a solid 7-4 record for the month. They were the leagues best defensive team last month ranking 1st in Defensive rating. Jordi Fernandez is a great coach. 
• Michael Porter Jr. over his last 5 games is averaging 26.8 PPG, 8.2 RPG, 3.6 APG, 49.0% FG, 45.1% 3P, 81.0% FT, 34.6 MPG. Was the only player in the NBA to average at least 28.0 PPG on 45.0% 3PT in December. As he continues to rip it, I see his name popping up online more and more as a trade candidate. The Nets’ GM has a history of being patient with trades and MPJ makes life easier for the rest of the roster, which in turn supports the development of the team’s rookies. I still don’t see the Nets moving him this year. 
• Egor Demin set a Nets single game rookie record with 7 made 3s against the Warriors this past week. Over the last 6 games, the 11th youngest player in the league is averaging 16.2 PPG, 40% from 3 on 9.2 attempts per game and is an average +8.8 in those games. He is only the second rookie this season to have more than 60 3pt makes. 
• Cam Thomas returned from injury this past week and immediately scored 30 points in just 20 minutes against the Timberwolves. He’s one of the most exciting players in the league to watch when he is on but the Nets just view him as their sixth man. They reinforced this on New Year’s Day against the Rockets, when he still came off the bench despite three of their starting wings missing the game. 

14) Washington Wizards (8-24, 14th in the East) via Robbie G

• The Wizards have been hot lately winning 3 of their last 4 games. Bub Carrington has returned to his scoring ways and is averaging 14.3 points across the past four games. If Bub can continue to score and develop, the Wizards may have a true starting PG for the future.
• Alex Sarr has been incredible as of late. He has dominated defensively while also scoring at an elite level. The Wizards may have gotten the best pick out of the 2024 draft.
• Another young player who is really starting to put it together is Tre Johnson. He’s averaging 16 points across the past 4 games while shooting 55% from 3 during these games. 
• Kyshawn George has been out with a left hip flexor and has missed the last three games. The Wizards hope to bring him back soon. Once he’s back, the Wizards will have their full young core back to develop. While this team is not going to win a lot of games this year, I am very hopeful for the future of this team. 

15) Indiana Pacers (6-28, 15th in the East) via Ryan S

• Pacers losing streak hits 10 games in a row and they now have the worst record in the NBA. 
• The game against the Rockets on Monday night was the first that Andrew Nembhard, Benn Mathurin, Aaron Nesmith, Pascal Siakam, and T.J. McConnell were available in the same game this season. Having Nesmith back on the floor has been nice, he’s played in the last 3 games. Averaging 10.7 points and 6 rebounds in 25 mpg since returning. He brings a toughness to the team that they desperately need.  
• Pacers signed center Micah Potter on December 26th and waived Garrison Matthews/released James Wiseman. Potter played 26 minutes against the Magic on Wednesday and finished the game +23. If he shows consistency he may end up sticking around on the team. Who knows with how many players have come and gone. 24 different players have played minutes in a Pacers jersey this season. 
• Trying to find a consistent center has been difficult for the Pacers. Jay Huff has gone cold on offense after showing success earlier in the season. Averaging 8.1 points shooting 28.2 FG% and 25.0 3PT% during this 10 game losing steak. Isaiah Jackson has been out since December 22nd after suffering a concussion playing against the Celtics and Tony Bradley hasn't seen significant time on the floor. 
• In the 10 game losing streak, Siakam (21.2/5.6/2.9), Nembhard (16/2.8/6.8) and Mathurin (14.6/5.4/1.9) have all had decent games but haven't looked like all-stars that Pacer fans believe they can be.
• Pacers can't stop opposing teams’ best players. Banchero had 29 and 10 with a game winner for the Magic, KD dropped 30 in the Rockets win and Jaylen Brown scored 30 in the Celtics win. Pacer fans are starting to look forward to the NBA draft next summer (as well as having Haliburton back on the court). 

Thanks for reading and enjoy all the basketball this weekend!