As the NBA breaks for a few days, The Post\u2019s basketball minds answer 10 key questions. Here\u2019s a look.<\/p>\n
1. The MVP right now should go to\u2026<\/p>\n
STEFAN BONDY: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. But it\u2019s close enough with Nikola Jokic that this could easily flip if the Nuggets center reaches the 65-game threshold.<\/p>\n
BRIAN LEWIS: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. He\u2019s the game\u2019s best two-way player and the favorite, despite his oblique and Jokic\u2019s return.<\/p>\n
JARED SCHWARTZ: Nikola Jokic. Gilgeous-Alexander looked like a lock for awhile, but his injury opened the door for the field, and Jokic\u2019s return to health put him back in the conversation. He is again averaging a triple-double, leading the league in rebounds and assists while scoring 28.7 points per game.<\/p>\n
MIKE VACCARO: Cade Cunningham. Going with a relative long shot here, but the Pistons are beyond legit, and Cunningham is the primary reason why. As he goes, so goes Detroit.<\/p>\n
Cade Cunningham #2 of the Detroit Pistons reacts against the Toronto Raptors during the second half of their NBA game at Scotiabank Arena on February 11, 2026 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Getty Images<\/p>\n
2. The team to watch out for in the second half is the\u2026<\/p>\n
BONDY: Cavaliers. They replaced a regular DNP (Darius Garland) with a durable scorer (James Harden)<\/a>, plus they\u2019re better than their record. I still don\u2019t buy their success in the playoffs, however.<\/p>\n LEWIS: Celtics. Boston not only survived but thrived without Jayson Tatum, and he\u2019s back practicing. Look out.<\/p>\n SCHWARTZ: Hornets. After starting the season 16-28, they won 10 of their last 11 games before the break to launch themselves into the playoff picture.<\/p>\n VACCARO: Hornets. It\u2019s as fun as it is rare to see a team flip a switch like the Hornets have done<\/a>, and it says here they will make the regular draw. Which means it would be helpful to not finish third in the East. That would be a nightmare.<\/p>\n 3. The team that will drop off in the second half is the\u2026<\/p>\n BONDY: 76ers. Joel Embiid is missing games again with knee soreness and more DNPs will follow.<\/p>\n LEWIS: Bulls. With Nikola Vucevic, Coby White and Ayo Dosunmu gone, and no bigs, the Bulls go from play-in to tanking.<\/p>\n SCHWARTZ: 76ers. Paul George is suspended, Joel Embiid\u2019s knee has begun barking again<\/a>, and VJ Edgecombe is hitting some rookie season fatigue.<\/p>\n VACCARO: 76ers. They have had a nice run, but we saw the other night what their reality is like if Joel Embiid suffers another setback.<\/p>\n Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) shields the ball from Phoenix Suns forward Dillon Brooks (3) during the second half of an NBA game at Mortgage Matchup Center. Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images<\/p>\n 4. The Knicks\u2019 chances of making the NBA Finals come down to\u2026<\/p>\n