NBA Trends: Caruso’s Rise and 76ers’ Struggles

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — The NBA is seeing some significant trends as we approach the end of February 2025, particularly with the performances of role players like Alex Caruso and the challenges faced by teams such as the Philadelphia 76ers.

Over the past week, Caruso has emerged as a pivotal figure for the Oklahoma City Thunder, utilizing his skills to make an impact on both offense and defense. In a recent game against the Utah Jazz, he set crucial screens that allowed MVP candidate Shai Gilgeous-Alexander to create plays, demonstrating a strategic approach that has become a staple of the Thunder’s offensive strategy.

During this game, with the Thunder leading, Caruso quickly recognized the defensive play and transitioned effectively, setting a screen before heading to the hoop. His ability to read the game has been complemented by Gilgeous-Alexander’s sharp performance; he’s turning the ball over only 8.6% of the time under double-team pressure, putting him among the best in the league, according to analytics provided by Second Spectrum.

Caruso has adapted his game significantly, averaging 8.5 drives to the basket per 100 possessions, a leading statistic among smaller guards this season and indicative of a broader trend—undersized players are increasingly integral to their teams’ offensive schemes. “If you wanna be out there, you gotta do it,” said Cason Wallace, another solid contributor for the Thunder.

Meanwhile, after suffering its ninth consecutive loss, the Philadelphia 76ers are mired in turbulence. Having fallen 142-110 to the Chicago Bulls, they now sit at 20-37, placing them firmly in the Eastern Conference’s lower ranks. The defeat at the Wells Fargo Center marked a particularly grim outing, characterized by defensive struggles and poor shooting.

The 76ers started the game strong but collapsed in the second and third quarters, allowing Chicago to score 75 points in the first half. Tyrese Maxey led Philadelphia with 13 points, alongside Paul George and Kelly Oubre Jr., who each added 19 points. The team’s recent slide reflects both a difficult season compounded by injuries to key players like Joel Embiid and a lack of consistency across the roster.

“It’s a tough period for us,” Maxey remarked after the game. “We need to find a way to pull together and push through this.” As the season progresses, the team’s 18 percent chance of making the Play-In Tournament appears increasingly compromised.

In stark contrast, teams like the Lakers have been on an upward trajectory. After recent acquisitions, they have shown significant improvement and remain optimistic about their playoff chances. The performance of Dorian Finney-Smith has become crucial as he complements stars like LeBron James and Austin Reaves, not only as a scorer but also in defensive schemes.

Each matchup now is critical for teams navigating their playoff aspirations or draft positioning, and the outcomes of these games will shape decisions as the season winds down.