Basketball Intelligence For 1/16/24, PART ONE

Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis

TEAM-SPECIFIC

BOS: Celtics start strong as defense sets tone in quiet arena, turn down Raptors’ loud response for win
Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe

BOS: As Celtics embrace healthy egos, Jayson Tatum and Derrick White spread the love
Jared Weiss, The Athletic

CHI: Bulls learn hard NBA lesson that you don't always get to play the Hornets and Spurs
BlogABull

CHI: Coby White credits offseason spiritual journey for breakout season
Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic

CHI: Alex Caruso is a fire extinguisher
Jared Dubin, Last Night In Basketball

The Bulls guard snuffs out offensive possessions on the regular

DAL: Tim Hardaway Jr.’s big day vs. Pelicans highlights Mavericks’ next man up mentality
Shawn McFarland, Morning News

DEN: The NBA Still Hasn’t Found an Answer for Nikola Jokic
Michael Pina, The Ringer

Forcing one of the best passers in history to shoot isn’t as simple as it seems. Two MVPs and a title later, Jokic is still steamrolling everyone, no matter what opponents throw at him. “He cooks every defense regardless,” says Peyton Watson.

GSW: In Draymond Green’s return, Warriors lose to Grizzlies because of 19 terrible turnovers
Anthony Slater, The Athletic

GSW: Warriors' youth giving management something to ponder before deadline
Anthony Valmoria, Basketball News

GSW: The Warriors can’t answer basic questions, and that tells you everything
Dieter Kurtenbach, Mercury News

GSW: In Draymond Green’s return, Warriors flop against shorthanded Memphis Grizzlies
Shayna Rubin, Mercury News

LAL: Lakers use new (old) starting lineup to find ‘ingredients’ for key win against Thunder
Jovan Buha, The Athletic

LAL: Lakers begin homestand with victory over Thunder
Khobi Price, OC Register

MIL: How Damian Lillard’s ‘Dame Time’ experience gave the Bucks their most memorable win this season
Eric Nehm, The Athletic