We’re hitting the home stretch of the 2024-25 NBA regular season. This can often be the part of the schedule that feels like it can drag on a bit as we anxiously await the playoffs. Everyone has their eyes on the postseason, the draft lottery or something else, and this last month-and-a-half can become a blur. But with a trade deadline that brought so many seismic moves, and tons of postseason spots hanging in the balance, there’s some increased importance placed on these last handful of games as the regular season comes to a close.
With that in mind, with 25-ish games left on the schedule, here’s the biggest goals for each team in the Western Conference over the next six-plus weeks.
Goal: Get healthy
The shock is still wearing off from the Mavericks executing the most stunning trade in NBA history, but as painful as saying goodbye to Luka Dončiċ may be for the fanbase, that’s in the past and the current roster is now the focus. With two dozen games left, the goal for this team should be to get healthy. Dallas is without all four of its big men, including Anthony Davis. Despite having a stellar showing in three quarters of his Mavericks debut, Davis picked up an adductor strain which is expected to keep him out for at least another week. Getting at least two of their four big men will be a massive boost to a team that has the pieces to make life difficult for some of the top teams in the West, but that won’t happen if this roster can’t get healthy as the regular season closes.
Where to watch Lakers vs. Mavericks: TV channel, live stream for Luka Dončić’s showdown vs. Dallas, time, odds
Jasmyn Wimbish
Goal: Secure the No. 2 seed
The Nuggets were one of the hottest teams entering the All-Star break. Though their nine-game winning streak was recently snapped by the Lakers, the Nuggets seem to be peaking at the right time. They…
..
