Basketball Intelligence For 1/21/24
Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis
TEAM-SPECIFIC
ATL: Trae Young leaves game as sluggish Hawks fall to Cavs
Lauren Williams, AJC
BOS: Examining the Celtics Offensive Balance and Shot Selection
Adam Taylor, Celtics Film Room
BOS: In the clutch, the Celtics need more options than just throw the ball to Jayson Tatum
Gary Washburn, Boston Globe
CHI: Education continues for Bulls' Patrick Williams: fourth-year forward's role will increase with Zach LaVine out with sprained ankle
KC Johnson, NBC Sports
CHI: 10 observations: Bulls beat Grizzlies
KC Johnson, NBC Sports
CHI: DeRozan is adapting to fit the Bulls’ needs
Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune
CLE: Cavs have created new stat to measure their defensive dominance
Chris Fedor, cleveland.com
Like other teams, the Cavs, with their no-middle approach, still use the traditional markers. Blocks. Steals. Deflections. Rebounds. Contests. Opponent Field Goal Percentage. Points. Defensive Rating.
But they have created a new category, one intended to reflect their defensive dominance.
Suffocates.
By definition, three consecutive defensive stops equal one suffocate.
“We try to create as many of those as we possibly can throughout a game,” Bickerstaff said. “It’s something that we talk about within the team as the game goes on. We let the guys know how many of them we have and how close we are to getting another one. It’s something they hang their hat on. It’s something that is internal motivation. Kind of sparks that competitive edge a little bit.”
CLE: Cavs suffocate Hawks , extend winning streak to seven games
Chris Fedor, cleveland.com
DET: Are the Pistons Playing the Wrong Guys? Detroit might actually have a bright future ... if it can develop its young talent
Dean Oliver, 5X5
DET: Pistons lose thriller to Bucks, but might have found something with new-look bench
Omari Sankofa II, Free Press
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GSW: As Warriors near return, a lot rides on Draymond Green and Steph Curry
Bruce Jenkins, SF Chronicle