Basketball Intelligence For 11/5/23
Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis
TEAM-SPECIFIC
ATL: 5 Observations as Hawks storm back to down Pelicans
Lauren Williams, AJC
BKN: Claxton’s ankle injury gives encore to breakthrough season a ‘frustrating’ start
Brian Lewis, NY Post
BKN: Nets can’t keep up with late Celtics run in loss while down three starters
Brian Lewis, NY Post
BOS: Jayson Tatum proved his star power with his clutch play in the Celtics’ victory over the Nets
Gary Washburn, Boston Globe
BOS: Jayson Tatum’s latest Celtics scoring record is just a small part of his evolution
Jared Weiss, The Athletic
CHI: Zach LaVine’s career goals are obtainable for Bulls, but how much does he want it?
Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic
On a night that will be remembered more for the novelty of the In-Season Tournament or the game in which fourth-year forward Patrick Williams got benched for Torrey Craig, LaVine’s crunchtime performance warrants further inspection. And while most will focus on LaVine’s final miss, his fourth-quarter defensive miscues were more costly than his should-have-been, game-winning attempt if not for his toes kissing the 3-point line.
LaVine had a series of head-scratchers that led to his last-second attempt. In particular, two stood out in the final three minutes when the margin was never greater than four. It was crunchtime, the moment you want your stars shining brightest. It’s the pivotal point in a contest where LaVine and others of his ilk get to show who they are and why they’re maximum-contract players.
But in a game that could prove to be as close as the Bulls get to a playoff experience this season, LaVine couldn’t close. Before his final attempt, LaVine had back-to-back chances to tie the game in the final 30 seconds. He missed a baseline fall-away shot over Mikal Bridges, and he drove into the lane but forced an off-balanced shot over Royce O’Neale.
His misses could be excused. His defensive principles down the stretch could not.
DEN: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope sets NBA All-Defensive team goal, with inspiration from Reggie Jackson
Bennett Durando, Denver Post
DEN: Switched onto Luka Doncic, Michael Porter Jr. sustains defensive trend: “Teams aren’t going to be able to isolate him”
Bennett Durando, Denver Post
“What Michael is showing me is that he cares,” Nuggets coach Michael Malone said
DEN: Michael Porter Jr. dials up defense, shooting to help Nuggets defeat Mavericks, Bulls
Vinny Benedetto, Denver Gazette
GSW: Gary Payton II saves the Warriors, Steph Curry finishes off Thunder; why Draymond did NOT goaltend Steph Curry's game winner vs Thunder
Eric Apricot, Dub Nation HQ
GSW: Warriors escape Oklahoma City with win on Steph Curry floater: 5 observations
Anthony Slater, The Athletic
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