Basketball Intelligence For 1/19/25
Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis
TEAM-SPECIFIC
ATL: The Hawks’ defense has been better, but is it sustainable?
Hassan Ladiwala, Peachtree Hoops
BOS: Joe Mazzulla, Celtics embrace conflict amid 8-8 slump: ‘This is the fun part’
Jay King, The Athletic
BOS: Key ingredient missing from defending champion Celtics’ game in 2025?
Gary Washburn, Boston Globe
BOS: Celtics fall to Hawks in overtime for another frustrating defeat
Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe
BOS: Joe Mazzulla, Celtics believe Derrick White will regain form on his 3-point shooting
Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe
CHA/CHI: Lonzo, LaMelo Ball match up for first time in three years with awe for each other
Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic
CLE: Cavs get ‘A-plus’ at halfway point of season
Chris Fedor, cleveland.com
CLE: Game Night Observations: Third Quarter Defense and a Cavalanche
Danny Cunningham, The Inside Shot
DAL: Kyrie Irving Details Managing Back Injury After Leading Mavericks Past Thunder
Grant Afseth, Dallas Hoops Journal
DET: Pistons’ loss to Suns highlights need for secondary ballhandler to aid Cade Cunningham
Hunter Patterson, The Athletic
DET: Pistons outdone by Kevin Durant in loss to Suns
Omari Sankofa II, Free Press
GSW: Steph Curry and Dennis Schröder run with Scissors to cut up Wizards
Eric Apricot, Dub Nation HQ
GSW: How Lindy Waters III rose from basketball’s fringe to Warriors’ rotation
Sam Gordon, SF Chronicle
GSW: Moses Moody steps into power forward role for Warriors with Draymond Green out
Anthony Slater, The Athletic
GSW: Warriors squeak out win, but not without pain vs. Wizards
Monte Poole, NBC Sports
LAC: Norman Powell continues to grind at All-Star level
Broderick Turner, LA Times
LAL: Gabe Vincent rounding into form offensively
Khobi Price, OC Register
MEM: How Grizzlies can give GG Jackson room to grow amid NBA Playoffs push
Chris Dodson, Clutch Points
MIA: Bam Adebayo’s offense has fluctuated, but his impact on the Heat remains strong
James Jackson, The Athletic
MIN: Timberwolves fall apart in second half of loss to Cleveland
Jace Frederick, Pioneer Press
NOP: Trey Murphy soared all week, proving sky is the limit for rising star
Rod Walker, NOLA.com
OKC: Not only is SGA an other-worldly offensive player, he is also superb on the defensive end
Mikai Bruce, Forbes
Throughout the history of the NBA there have always been certain players that rise substantially above the rest. These players do things on the court that make you question if they are even being challenged. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is one of these players. Night after night he dismantles defenses and puts together stat lines in a way that shouldn’t be possible. Despite the Oklahoma City Thunder facing injuries to many key players such as Chet Holmgren, Isaiah Hartenstein, and Alex Caruso throughout this season, Gilgeous-Alexander has still led them to a record of 34-7, which is good for the first seed in the western conference.
Note: BI’s take: As was said about Brooks Robinson’s defense at 3rd base in the 60’s, SGA & the Joker “play like they have come down from a higher league”
ORL: Magic's free fall doesn't endanger season. . . yet
Philip Rossman-Reich, World R Squared
ORL: Magic’s long-range shooting woes continue but confidence remains
Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel
The rest of the Team-Specific stories as well as Leaguewide & Draft-Realted ones follow for paid subscribers