We're nearing the end of 2024, but nowhere close to the end of what's been an intriguing 2024-25 NBA season.

After a slow start, the Milwaukee Bucks have made a comeback in the Eastern Conference standings. Tyrese Haliburton and the Indiana Pacers, after an unprecedented run in the inaugural NBA Cup last year, are struggling this season to stay afloat in the conference standings.

In the West, the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies are making their presence known, chasing the conference-leading Oklahoma City Thunder, who seem unmovable at the top.

In addition to our weekly rankings, our NBA insiders break down the biggest issues on offense or defense for all 30 teams. From slow starts to lack of defensive paint presence, here is what is plaguing teams on both ends of the court.

Note: Team rankings are based on where members of our panel (ESPN's Tim Bontemps, Jamal Collier, Michael Wright, Tim MacMahon, Dave McMenamin, Ohm Youngmisuk, Chris Herring and Kevin Pelton) think teams belong this season.

Previous rankings: Preseason | Oct. 30 | Nov. 5 | Nov. 13 | Nov. 20 | Nov. 27 | Dec. 4

Jump to a team:
ATL | BOS | BKN | CHA | CHI | CLE
DAL | DEN | DET | GS | HOU | IND
LAC | LAL | MEM | MIA | MIL | MIN
NO | NY | OKC | ORL | PHI | PHX
POR | SAC | SA | TOR | UTAH | WAS

1. Boston Celtics

• 2024-25 record: 19-5

• Previous ranking: 1

• Next games: vs. DET (Dec. 12), @ WAS (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Elevating their defense

It's hard to find any blaring issues with the defending champions and a team that's seen as the favorites to repeat this season, but it will be interesting to see if Boston can improve on its solid, but not spectacular, showing defensively. The Celtics currently rank 10th in the league in defensive rating, well south of its No. 2 ranking last season. Kristaps Porzingis returning and getting up to speed should help. -- Tim Bontemps

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

• 2024-25 record: 21-4

• Previous ranking: 2

• Next games: vs. WAS (Dec. 13), @ BKN (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Free throw attempts per game

To be fair, the only issue a healthy team with a 21-4 record can have is that it must wait four months for the playoffs. However, ranking 26th in free throw attempts with 20.6 per game is at least mildly concerning for a few reasons. It could mean Cleveland doesn't attack the paint enough, it doesn't get a good whistle, or both -- a combo that can make postseason success more elusive. -- Dave McMenamin

3. Oklahoma City Thunder

• 2024-25 record: 19-5

• Previous ranking: 3

Biggest issue: Rebounding

Oklahoma City ranks second to last in rebounding rate (47.5%) after finishing 28th in that category last season. In this instance, however, there is a 7-foot asterisk. The Thunder have been an average rebounding team since Isaiah Hartenstein made his season debut, which was delayed by a broken hand. Hartenstein, who was signed to a three-year, $87 million deal over the offseason in large part to address this issue, averaged 12.8 rebounds in his first eight games entering Tuesday's NBA Cup knockout-round matchup with the Mavs. -- Tim MacMahon

4. Dallas Mavericks

• 2024-25 record: 16-9

• Previous ranking: 8

Biggest issue: Luka Doncic's slow start

The Mavs have the league's fourth-ranked offense despite one of Dallas' scoring staples producing disappointing results. The Mavs average 14.1 field goal attempts off seven or more dribbles -- third most in the league -- but rank 27th in effective field goal percentage (42.9) off those shots. By contrast, Dallas ranked fifth in that category (52.9% eFG) last season, when the Mavs led the league with 15.1 such shots per game. The drop-off is primarily due to Doncic's slow start after missing all of training camp and preseason due to a calf contusion. His effective field goal percentage on such attempts is a career-low 41.0%, but he's improved since taking 10 days off to rest a sprained wrist and work on his conditioning (51.9% eFG in four games). Last season, Doncic had a 56.7% eFG on 683 shots off seven-plus dribbles, the best of the 28 players with at least 250 attempts. -- MacMahon

5. Memphis Grizzlies

• 2024-25 record: 17-8

• Previous ranking: 5

• Next games: vs. BKN (Dec. 13), @ LAL (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: 3-point shooting

It's tough to nitpick a team that has won nine of its past 10 outings, especially one that just snapped a 10-game skid against Boston on the road. Memphis ranks among the top seven in offensive and defensive rating. Offensively, the Grizzlies are putting up their best effective field goal percentage (56.1%) in a decade. But they lag just behind the rest of the league in 3-point shooting, ranked 17th in 3-point percentage heading into Monday's games. If Desmond Bane (32.3%) gets back to his career average (41%) from deep, watch out. -- Michael Wright

6. Houston Rockets

• 2024-25 record: 16-8

• Previous ranking: 4

• Next games: vs. GS (Dec. 11)

Biggest issue on offense: Poor shooting

Houston gets it done on the defensive end, but the Rockets rank 16th in offensive rating due in large part to poor shooting. Houston ranks 27th in effective field goal percentage (50.3%), but its saving grace has been offensive rebounding. The Rockets are No. 1 in offensive rebounds per game (14.2), gobbling up their misses. Houston's starting backcourt of Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green are shooting below 40% from the field, and opponents have outscored the Rockets in the paint in their past six games. -- Wright

7. New York Knicks

• 2024-25 record: 15-9

• Previous ranking: 9

• Next games: vs. ATL (Dec. 11)

Biggest issue: Karl-Anthony Towns's slow defensive start

Towns's advanced defensive metrics have improved in recent weeks, however he's still allowing opponents to shoot 6.5 percentage points better than their seasonlong averages near the basket. That's the worst rate among NBA centers who have played 15 games and defended at least four rim attempts per outing. Because of that, it will be worth watching how often coach Tom Thibodeau plays Towns with Precious Achiuwa, the backup big and rim protector who recently made his season debut after returning from an injured hamstring. -- Chris Herring

8. Golden State Warriors

• 2024-25 record: 14-9

• Previous ranking: 7

• Next games: @ HOU (Dec. 11)

Biggest issue: Balancing a deep rotation

Steve Kerr has been using 11-to-12-man rotations, touting the depth of the roster. But with De'Anthony Melton out for the season and other injuries that have kept key players out, Kerr has been experimenting and even shortening his rotation to 10 during their 12-3 start. Perhaps the most important thing is finding the right lineup to maximize Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield. The Warriors are starting Kuminga to see if he can be the much-needed scorer they need alongside Stephen Curry. Kerr would love to start Draymond Green at center alongside Kuminga but doesn't want to wear out Green against bigger centers and could settle on bringing him off the bench and starting Kevon Looney. Also, finding the right lineup to get Hield humming from 3 again will go far. -- Ohm Youngmisuk

9. Orlando Magic

• 2024-25 record: 17-10

• Previous ranking: 6

Biggest issue: 3-point shooting

Only once in the past nine seasons have the Magic ranked outside the NBA's bottom seven in 3-point percentage, but this year's league-worst 31% accuracy would be a new modern low. (Orlando shot 29.5% in 1989-90, the franchise's inaugural season.) The Magic figured newcomer Kentavious Caldwell-Pope would help, but he's shooting a career-worst 30%, while Jalen Suggs has slipped from 40% last season to 32%. Orlando's biggest concern is healthy oblique muscles. Improbably, Franz Wagner suffered the same oblique strain that has sidelined Paolo Banchero, leaving the Magic without their top two scorers. -- Kevin Pelton

10. Denver Nuggets

• 2024-25 record: 12-10

• Previous ranking: 10

• Next games: vs. LAC (Dec. 13), @ SAC (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Perimeter defense

While they held Atlanta to 9-of-40 shooting from behind the arc in a much-needed win Sunday, the Nuggets' defense has been poor. In each of its past five losses, the Nuggets surrendered 122 or more points, including allowing 145 to the Knicks in a 27-point rout back on Nov. 25. In their previous four losses, the Nuggets allowed 16, 22, 18 and 19 3-pointers to opponents and gave up 122 points to a Washington team that had lost 16 straight. It's bad when Nikola Jokic says maybe the Nuggets need a different kind of motivation. "In my country, after this kind of stretch, you're going to get a paycheck that is a little bit less than you had hoped," Jokic said after that Washington loss. "Maybe that's what we need to do." --Youngmisuk

11. Miami Heat

• 2024-25 record: 12-10

• Previous ranking: 16

• Next games: vs. TOR (Dec. 12), @ DET (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Terry Rozier's efficiency

It might be a little unfair to single him out, but things haven't gone as hoped for Miami since acquiring Rozier in January 2023. This season, the Heat are seven points per 100 possessions better with Rozier on the bench. Jimmy Butler has moved into a more of an on-ball role in recent games as Rozier comes off the bench. -- Bontemps

12. LA Clippers

• 2024-25 record: 14-11

• Previous ranking: 11

• Next games: @ DEN (Dec. 13), vs. UTAH (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Scoring

The Clippers' defense has been outstanding, keeping them in almost every game. Offensively, Ty Lue will have to find enough points to win games. The Clippers average 108.7 points this season, seventh to last in the league. Outside of James Harden, Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac, the Clippers have to find more offense, especially off the bench. With Derrick Jones Jr. -- one of five Clippers to average 10 or more points this season -- out for at least two weeks with a hamstring injury and Terance Mann out with a finger injury, the Clippers will need guys like Kevin Porter Jr. to provide more offense. -- Youngmisuk

13. Milwaukee Bucks

• 2024-25 record: 13-11

• Previous ranking: 14

Biggest issue: Perimeter defense

The Bucks have had major challenges defending the perimeter for the past two seasons, ever since they swapped Jrue Holiday for Damian Lillard, and those issues have been highlighted even more frequently this season. One of the major issues for Milwaukee during its 2-8 start was how teams attacked its guards on defense, forcing it into the fourth most on-ball screens in the NBA during that span, per ESPN Research. The key for the Bucks defense is for their guards to provide some resistance to give Brook Lopez and Giannis Antetokounmpo a chance to protect the rim. -- Jamal Collier

14. Minnesota Timberwolves

• 2024-25 record: 12-11

• Previous ranking: 17

• Next games: vs. LAL (Dec. 13), @ SA (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Defending without Rudy Gobert on the floor

The Wolves have still been an elite defense this season when Gobert is at center, holding teams to 107.5 points per 100 possessions with him on the court. It's when the four-time Defensive Player of the Year sits when the Wolves struggle, surrendering 113.2 points per 100 possessions. That's the difference between what would be the No.1 defense in the league in efficiency and an average defense. -- Collier

15. Phoenix Suns

• 2024-25 record: 12-11

• Previous ranking: 12

• Next games: @ UTAH (Dec. 13), vs. POR (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Points in the paint

Phoenix averages just 15.3 points in the paint, which puts it 27th in the league. The stat is damning for a few reasons, starting with the clear lack of offensive firepower the team gets from centers Jusuf Nurkic, Mason Plumlee and Oso Ighodaro. And perhaps the most alarming issue is that the Suns rely heavily on Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal's jump shots to generate points, which ultimately makes them easier to defend if they don't diversify their shot locations. -- McMenamin

16. Los Angeles Lakers

• 2024-25 record: 13-11

• Previous ranking: 13

• Next games: @ MIN (Dec. 13), vs. MEM (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Opponents fast-break points per game

There are myriad issues plaguing the Lakers, but a persistent pain in their side all season has been giving up easy points in transition. Teams are scoring 15 fast-break points per game against L.A. -- the only three teams that allow more (Portland, Utah and New Orleans) are all well below .500. To make things worse, the Lakers have gotten their turnovers under control -- 7th best with 12.5 miscues per game -- meaning that they just aren't getting back fast enough on defense. -- McMenamin

17. Atlanta Hawks

• 2024-25 record: 13-12

• Previous ranking: 18

• Next games: @ NYK (Dec. 11), @ SA (Dec. 19)

Biggest issue: Perimeter defense

Atlanta has been a slightly above-average club at forcing misses near the rim, holding opponents a little more than one percentage point beneath their seasonlong field goal rates. The Hawks would also gladly take being an average club on the perimeter. Instead, they rank dead last in the NBA in 3-pointers allowed, 3-pointers attempted and opponent 3-point percentage -- even though newcomer Dyson Daniels has been one of the most disruptive wing defenders in the association to this point. -- Herring

18. San Antonio Spurs

• 2024-25 record: 12-12

• Previous ranking: 15

• Next games: @ POR (Dec. 13), vs. MIN (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Slow starts

San Antonio sits at .500. But you can look back at 10 of their 12 losses and quickly point out the devastating impact slow starts have had on the Spurs. Part of it is inconsistency with lineups considering San Antonio still hasn't played with the starting five it envisioned coming into the season due to injuries to Devin Vassell, Jeremy Sochan and Victor Wembanyama. But the Spurs have also lost the opening quarter in 10 contests, owning a net rating of minus-31.4 over 120 first-quarter minutes. It's an issue San Antonio recognizes but hasn't been able to solve. -- Wright

19. Sacramento Kings

• 2024-25 record: 12-13

• Previous ranking: 20

• Next games: @ NO (Dec. 12), vs. DEN (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Opponent 3-point shooting

Remarkably, only the Thunder -- the league's best defensive team -- are allowing fewer 2-pointers per game than the Kings. That's partially by design. Without a strong rim protector, Sacramento tends to help aggressively on drives, resulting in the league's highest 3-point attempt rate on defense -- 46% of all shots they face. Opponents are making those 3s at a 38% clip, second highest in the NBA, and while that typically doesn't carry over, the Kings might be an exception. They've ranked in the league's bottom five in opponent 3-point percentage each of the past four seasons. -- Pelton

20. Brooklyn Nets

• 2024-25 record: 10-14

• Previous ranking: 21

• Next games: @ MEM (Dec. 13), vs. CLE (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Defense inside the paint

No one sends opponents to the line more per shot attempt than the Nets, a slightly surprising stat considering how well they've been playing relative to the preseason expectations that they would be in the running for the 2025 No. 1 draft pick. The Nets have allowed opponents to shoot nearly 67% from inside of six feet, tied for the league's third-highest rate. (Similarly, or perhaps even worse, the team is allowing the highest effective field goal rate in the league.) The inability to stop clubs from converting that close in leaves Brooklyn in a position where it is often fouling inside the paint. -- Herring

21. Indiana Pacers

• 2024-25 record: 10-15

• Previous ranking: 19

• Next games: @ PHI (Dec. 13), vs. NO (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Tyrese Haliburton's offensive struggles

The Pacers' run to the NBA Cup and Eastern Conference finals was fueled by a dynamic offense, which ranked second in the NBA last season behind the champion Celtics. That's fallen to 19th in offensive efficiency to start this season, the biggest difference for a struggling Indiana team. The Pacers are fueled by Haliburton, who last season was one of the league's breakout stars, and have not been able to generate the same electric offense this year. Put simply, the Pacers need Haliburton to perform like the player who carried their offense last season. -- Collier

22. Chicago Bulls

• 2024-25 record: 10-15

• Previous ranking: 23

• Next games: vs. CHA (Dec. 13), @ TOR (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Point of attack defense

The Bulls knew they were going to have a lot of challenges when they traded their best defender, Alex Caruso, in exchange for Josh Giddey, an offensive first point guard. Their defense ranks 27th in efficiency because of their inability to put pressure on ball handlers, which often results in easy driving lanes and opposing guards getting into the paint, especially with forward Patrick Williams sidelined recently with a foot injury. -- Collier

23. Detroit Pistons

• 2024-25 record: 10-15

• Previous ranking: 22

• Next games: @ BOS (Dec. 12), vs. MIA (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Turnovers

This is unsurprising for a team whose two primary ball handlers (guards Cade Cunningham and Jaden Ivey) are 23 and 22, respectively. Cunningham's 4.7 turnovers per game lead all qualifying players, and Detroit is one of five teams with multiple players averaging at least three turnovers. As a result, the Pistons have the league's third-highest turnover rate. Those miscues are limiting an offense that still ranks 22nd in per-possession scoring. -- Pelton

24. Philadelphia 76ers

• 2024-25 record: 7-15

• Previous ranking: 27

• Next games: vs. IND (Dec. 13), @ CHA (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Lack of star driven offense

The biggest issue with this team is health. But from a strictly on-court perspective, the team is mired at 27th in offensive rating, thanks to ranking 28th in 3-point field goal percentage. One easy fix? The team's superstars must hit their shots. Joel Embiid is just 3-for-23 from 3 this season, while Tyrese Maxey (29.3%) and Paul George (31.2%) have also struggled -- not a good look from a trio with high offensive expectations entering this season. -- Bontemps

25. Portland Trail Blazers

• 2024-25 record: 8-16

• Previous ranking: 24

• Next games: vs. SA (Dec. 13), @ PHX (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Defensive rebounding

There's no shortage of issues for the Blazers, who rank in the bottom 10 in three of the four factors on offense and defense, but they're dead last in defensive rebounding. Among Portland's primary starters, only center Deandre Ayton is grabbing defensive boards above the league's average rate, and the Blazers sink even lower when Ayton is on the bench. Portland has been rebounding slightly better during its current four-game skid, but there have been few misses to secure. Opponents are shooting a league-high 53% from the field in four losses this month. -- Pelton

26. Charlotte Hornets

• 2024-25 record: 7-17

• Previous ranking: 26

• Next games: @ CHI (Dec. 13), vs. PHI (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Inability to draw fouls

The Hornets' biggest problem, aside from not having LaMelo Ball due to him missing time with a calf strain, is the club's inability to generate trips to the line on offense. No NBA team has a lower free throw attempt rate -- in terms of free throws per game, or free throws taken per shot attempt -- than the Hornets; an ugly reality considering that Charlotte also ranks dead last in 2-point shooting percentage. Getting better efficiency from the line or from inside the arc wouldn't hurt given that the Hornets have played an NBA-high 16 clutch games, where the score is within five points or fewer in the final five minutes. -- Herring

27. Toronto Raptors

• 2024-25 record: 7-18

• Previous ranking: 25

• Next games: @ MIA (Dec. 12), vs. CHI (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: 3-point shooting

Toronto's overall struggles are a bit by design in the rebuilding of the Raptors roster. But as the team continues to progress, one thing to monitor is whether it can increase its 3-point attempt rate. The Raptors are 29th in the league in 3's attempted per game, ahead of only the Nuggets -- a number that would automatically be helped by the return of Immanuel Quickley, who has been limited this season with an elbow injury. -- Bontemps

28. New Orleans Pelicans

• 2024-25 record: 5-20

• Previous ranking: 29

• Next games: vs. SAC (Dec. 12), @ IND (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Inconsistent paint presence on defense

You can trace back all that ails New Orleans to injuries. But it's uncertain whether a fully healthy squad could have avoided the team's current struggle to consistently defend near the basket. Yes, there are issues with transition defense and half-court offense. But the Pels rank 29th in opponent points in the paint (54.7 per game). Roster construction has a lot to do with that. Coach Willie Green has complimented the efforts of starting center Yves Missi. But Missi is a 6-11, 20-year-old rookie. Behind Missi, the Pels have two centers in Jeremiah Robinson-Earl and Daniel Theis who stand at 6-8. -- Wright

29. Utah Jazz

• 2024-25 record: 5-18

• Previous ranking: 28

• Next games: vs. PHX (Dec. 13), @ LAC (Dec. 16)

Biggest issue: Turnovers

Utah averages 18.4 turnovers, 1.5 more than any other team. The Jazz have many flaws -- and until recently were at the bottom of the Western standings -- but turnovers might be their worst on both ends of the floor, as Utah also leads the league in points allowed off of turnovers (23.7, 2.6 more than any other team). Second-year point guard Keyonte George leads the team with 3.3 turnovers per game, but he's far from the only culprit. Five Utah players average at least two turnovers. -- MacMahon

30. Washington Wizards

• 2024-25 record: 3-19

• Previous ranking: 30

• Next games: @ CLE (Dec. 13), vs. BOS (Dec. 15)

Biggest issue: Defense

The Wizards have a lot of issues after another throwaway season, but the biggest on-court matters revolve around their defense. Outside of its stunning win over Denver on Saturday when it held the Nuggets to 113 points, Washington has given up 121 or more points in five of its past seven games -- all losses. In their past two defeats, the Wizards have allowed 137 and 140 points each to the Mavericks and Grizzlies. Everyone knows this is a rebuilding season for Washington, but certainly management wants to see some incremental improvements to remain competitive. -- Youngmisuk

OKLAHOMA CITY -- Shai Gilgeous-Alexander scored 39 points, and the Oklahoma City Thunder beat the Dallas Mavericks 118-104 on Tuesday night in an NBA Cup quarterfinal.

Jalen Williams scored 18 points and Isaiah Hartenstein added 10 points and 13 rebounds for the Thunder, who will play Wednesday's Golden State-Houston winner in a semifinal on Saturday in Las Vegas.

Oklahoma City's largest lead was 20 points in a rematch of last season's Western Conference semifinals series that Dallas won 4-2.

The Thunder and their collection of elite perimeter defenders held Luka Doncic to 16 points on 5-for-15 shooting. Luguentz Dort led the effort, with Alex Caruso and Cason Wallace among the primary helpers.

Naji Marshall and Klay Thompson each scored 19 points and Kyrie Irving added 17 for the Mavericks.

P.J. Washington, a thorn in Oklahoma City's side during the playoffs last season and in Dallas' victory last month, missed the game with an illness.

Oklahoma City led 57-54 at halftime behind 18 points from Gilgeous-Alexander. Doncic had two points on 1-for-7 shooting at the break.

Gilgeous-Alexander scored 16 points on 7-for-8 shooting in the third quarter to help the Thunder take control. Isaiah Joe's deep 3-pointer at the buzzer gave Oklahoma City a 90-73 lead heading into the fourth.

Takeaways

Mavericks: Dallas made too many mistakes to have a chance. The Thunder scored 36 points off the Mavericks' 19 turnovers.

Thunder: Oklahoma City brought in the 7-foot, 255-pound Hartenstein as a free agent in the offseason to provide bulk and rebounding. It paid off -- the Thunder outrebounded the Mavericks 52-44.

Key moment

Oklahoma City opened the second half on a 13-2 run. Gilgeous-Alexander scored nine points during that stretch to help the Thunder take a 70-56 lead.

Key stat

The Mavericks made just 6 of 19 field goals in the third quarter after shooting 50% from the field in the first half.

Up next

Mavericks: Host the Los Angeles Clippers on Dec. 19.

Thunder: Will play Golden State or Houston in the NBA Cup semifinals Saturday in Las Vegas.

DALLAS -- The Texas Rangers have agreed to a trade for power-hitting corner infielder Jake Burger, sources told ESPN on Tuesday night. In exchange, the Miami Marlins will receive two shortstop prospects in Echedry Vargas and Max Acosta and a young left-handed starting pitcher in Brayan Mendoza.

Burger, 28, is controllable for four years and compiled 63 home runs with the Marlins and the Chicago White Sox over the past two years, batting .250/.305/.488 while playing first and third base in 278 games.

In Texas, where Nathaniel Lowe and Josh Jung man first and third base, respectively, Burger seemingly slots in as the everyday designated hitter, adding more length to a lineup that, at full health, can be among the sport's most prodigious.

The Marlins acquired Burger from the White Sox in August of 2023, one of the final pieces to a team that made a surprising run to the playoffs. They have since gone into a full rebuild under current president of baseball operations Peter Bendix, parting with a litany of established players -- Luis Arraez, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Tanner Scott and Trevor Rogers among them -- in an effort to build sustainability.

The Burger trade represents another stage of that pursuit. The headliner of Marlins' return is probably Vargas, a 19-year-old who was ranked 17th in the Rangers' system by MLB.com and produced a .775 OPS with 14 homers and 29 stolen bases in Class A last season. Acosta, 22, produced a .777 OPS with 34 extra-base hits and 26 steals in Double-A in 2024.

Mendoza, a 20-year-old signed out of Venezuela, is coming off a big year at both of the Rangers' Class A affiliates, posting a 2.32 ERA with 109 strikeouts and 25 walks in 101 innings.

Paris Saint-Germain boss Luis Enrique praised his side after their 3-0 win at RB Salzburg in the Champions League on Tuesday, but said they must improve if they want to stay in the competition.

The Ligue 1 leaders endured a terrible start to their Champions League campaign, with defeats to Atletico Madrid, Bayern Munich and last season's Premier League runners-up Arsenal.

MILWAUKEE -- Giannis Antetokounmpo scored 37 points, Damian Lillard had nine of his 28 in the final minute and the Milwaukee Bucks returned to the NBA Cup semifinals by beating the Orlando Magic 114-109 on Tuesday night.

Milwaukee reached the semifinals of the in-season tournament in Las Vegas last December and will be the only returning team in Year 2. The Bucks will play Saturday against the winner of Wednesday's quarterfinal between the New York Knicks and Atlanta Hawks.

Jalen Suggs led a short-handed Orlando team with 32 points but missed a potential go-ahead 3-pointer with 12 seconds left. Lillard was fouled and sank two free throws with 9.1 seconds remaining and Suggs missed a potential tying 3.

Antetokounmpo then made both free throws with 5 seconds left and the Bucks held on.

Antetokounmpo extended his streak to 22 straight games with 20 or more points on 50% shooting from the field, the longest streak to open a season in league history and the third longest at any point in a season, behind Shaquille O'Neal and Zion Williamson (25 games). Antetokounmpo was 15 of 24 from the field.

The Magic were missing forwards Paolo Banchero (torn right oblique), Jonathan Isaac (right hamstring strain) and Franz Wagner, who sustained a torn right oblique on Friday against Philadelphia; along with guard Gary Harris (left hamstring strain).

Orlando's bench scored 28 points in the first half, including 13 by Moritz Wagner and 10 from Anthony Black. But Wagner did not score in the second half.

Bucks forward Khris Middleton registered three consecutive assists -- the first two on passes to Antetokounmpo and the third to set up a 3-pointer by Gary Trent Jr -- as the Bucks took a 78-70 lead as part of an 11-0 Milwaukee run. Middleton did not score but had eight assists.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

DALLAS -- The Washington Nationals will have the first pick in the 2025 MLB draft for the third time in franchise history after winning the draft lottery Tuesday at baseball's winter meetings.

Washington had the fourth-best odds (10.8%) to land the top pick. The Colorado Rockies and the Miami Marlins (22.5% each) were tied for the best chance, but the Marlins fell to seventh and the Rockies will select fourth.

The Los Angeles Angels will pick second after having the third-best odds for the first selection.

The Chicago White Sox, despite losing a modern-day-record 121 games, were not eligible for a lottery pick -- one of the top six selections -- because the collective bargaining agreement stipulates a team that pays into the revenue-sharing plan cannot hold a lottery pick in consecutive drafts. The White Sox chose fifth in the 2024 draft.

The Athletics were also ineligible because teams that receive revenue sharing cannot have a lottery pick three straight years.

The Nationals also drew the No. 1 pick at last year's draft lottery, but they weren't eligible for a lottery selection as a team that paid into the revenue-sharing plan and couldn't receive a lottery pick two years in a row, resulting in another drawing. The Cleveland Guardians won the No. 1 pick on the second drawing despite having just a 2% chance.

The pingpong balls went the Nationals' way again Tuesday, giving them a chance to replicate their previous success with No. 1 selections. In 2009, they chose right-hander Stephen Strasburg. A year later, they selected outfielder Bryce Harper. Both players were hyped as generational talents and quickly rose through the minors to serve as franchise cornerstones during the Nationals' ascension to NL East power in the 2010s.

Washington has not made the postseason since winning the 2019 World Series. The Nationals were third in the NL East in 2024 with a 71-91 record.

The draft lottery gives the 18 teams that do not reach the postseason an opportunity to land one of the first six selections. It was introduced in MLB's new collective bargaining agreement that went into effect in 2023. Picks from 7 to 18 are slotted by reverse winning percentage, followed by how teams finished in the postseason.