1 NBA Team Has Fallen Hard Lately

The NBA season is officially halfway over and we have seen a lot of success and failures so far.

There have been many changes within the league in 2022-23 and there will be many more in the weeks ahead.

It’s a good time to check in and see which teams are thriving and climbing and which are struggling and falling.

Efficiency check-in (last 10 games)

Best Offense:
1. SAC—125.2
2. LAC
3. PHI
4. POR
5. TOR

Worst Offense:
1. NOP—106.0
2. HOU
3. IND
4. PHX
5. SAS

Best Defense:
1. MIA—109.8
2. CHI
3. MIA
4. OKC
5. MIN

Worst Defense:
1. SAS—125.1
2. POR
3. IND
4. NYK
5. DET

What stands out?

— NBA University (@NBA_University) January 30, 2023

NBA University did a study of the best and worst offenses and defenses in the league over the last ten days.

The Miami Heat have surged in the last two weeks and currently have the best defensive output in the NBA.

Meanwhile, the Sacramento Kings continue to impress with the league’s best offense.

Surprisingly, the New Orleans Pelicans – who were the best team in the West just weeks ago – have the worst offense in the NBA right now.

Their 106 rating is far worse than it was just a couple of weeks ago and anyone can see the impact of this downfall.

The team is eighth in the Western Conference at the moment and is barely hanging onto .500 with a 25-26 record.

The Pels have now lost eight games in a row, including tough defeats to the Washington Wizards, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, and most recently the Milwaukee Bucks.

Obviously, the absence of Zion Williamson has hurt New Orleans a lot.

His hamstring injury is still ongoing and the latest reports said that he will be re-evaluated again in a couple more weeks.

What the team truly needs is the return of Williamson and a fully healthy roster that is ready to play like it was a few weeks ago.

The Pelicans are digging themselves into a deep hole and they need to find a way to climb out.