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Basketball Intelligence For 12/20/21

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Basketball Intelligence For 12/20/21

Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis

Basketball Intelligence
Dec 20, 2021
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Basketball Intelligence For 12/20/21

www.basketballintelligence.net

Yesterday, Basketball Intelligence became a paid newsletter.

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For the next few weeks, the entirety of each Monday's BI will be available to free as well as paid subscribers

TEAM-SPECIFIC STORIES

- CHA: LaMelo Has Charlotte Buzzing Again (from Chris Mannix,Sports Illustrated):  https://www.si.com/sportsperson/2021/12/20/lamelo-ball-hornets-breakout-year-daily-cover

- CHI: Bulls Need Vucevic To Return To Form (from Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune):  https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bulls/ct-chicago-bulls-nikola-vucevic-return-to-form-20211220-nxh7fpw7rne6lcuducwlcxlm3m-story.html

- CLE: Evaluating Mobley's Strong Start (from Kelsey Russo, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3025392/2021/12/20/its-time-for-evan-mobley-rookie-of-the-year-talk-mobley-mondays/

- DET: Pistons Optimistic Amidst Rebuild (from Rod Beard, Detroit News):  https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2021/12/19/beard-pistons-remain-optimistic-amidst-struggles-rebuild/8960840002/

- LAC: Clippers Need To Rebound Better (from Mirjam Swanson, OC Register):  https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/19/for-clippers-to-rebound-theyll-need-to-rebound-better/

- LAL: Fizdale Is Happy To Be Back Home (from Kyle Goon, OC Register):  https://www.ocregister.com/2021/10/22/lakers-david-fizdale-is-back-home-and-finally-happy-to-be-here/

- MIL: 3 Players Who Are Stepping Up (from Eric Nehm, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3026053/2021/12/20/three-players-who-are-stepping-up-as-bucks-season-becomes-more-about-survival-than-growth/

- MIN: Vanderbilt Puts His Body On The Line (from Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3026207/2021/12/20/jarred-vanderbilt-im-willing-to-put-my-body-on-the-line-for-streaking-wolves

-  OKC: Tre Mann's Growth (from Sam Lane, Inside The Thunder):  https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/nba/tre-mann-leading-the-way-for-rookie-shooters/ar-AARYhH2

- PHI: Sixers' Week In Review (from Derek Bodner, Daily Six):  https://www.dailysix.com/sixers-week-in-review-december-20-2021/

- PHO: Q & A: Mikal Bridges (from Bryan Kalbrosky, Hoops Hype): https://hoopshype.com/lists/mikal-bridges-interview-chris-paul-defensive-player-odds-dpoy/

- TOR: On The Magic Of Scottie Barnes (from Ryan Wolstat, Toronto Sun): https://torontosun.com/sports/basketball/raptors-blog-on-the-magic-of-scottie-barnes-and-the-idiocy-of-the-fred-vanvleet-aggregation

- UTA: The Jazz Aren't Match-Up Proof (from Tony Jones, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3026781/2021/12/20/the-utah-jazz-got-a-timely-reminder-over-the-weekend-theyre-not-matchup-proof-and-they-may-need-deadline-help/

LEAGUE-WIDE STORIES

- Players Who Are Stepping Up With Increased Minutes On Short-Handed Rosters (from Colin Ward-Heninnger, CBS Sports): https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/kemba-walker-blake-griffin-among-seven-nba-players-stepping-up-with-increased-minutes-on-short-handed-rosters/

- Power Rankings, Week 10 (from John Schuhmann, NBA.com): https://www.nba.com/news/power-rankings-2021-22-week-10

- 7 Observations (from Kevin O'Connor, The Ringer): https://www.theringer.com/nba/2021/12/20/22846234/nba-covid-replacements-seven-observations

- Report Card Grades For Each NBA Team (from Dan Favale, Bleacher Report):  https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2951560-report-card-grades-for-every-nba-team-how-many-teams-are-truly-acing-season

- The NBA Reels From Omicron, With Little Relief In Sight (from David Aldridge, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3025806/2021/12/20/the-nba-reels-from-omicron-with-little-relief-in-sight-are-they-going-to-cancel-christmas/

- Top DPOY Candidates So Far (from Addam Goldman, Fadeaway World):  https://fadeawayworld.net/nba/ranking-the-top-10-best-candidates-for-the-2021-22-defensive-player-of-the-year-award

- G League Winter Showcase Day One Updates:  https://gleague.nba.com/news/att-winter-showcase-day-1-updates/

- G League Ignite Provides Good Environment For NBA Prospects (from Marc J. Spears, The Undefeated):  https://theundefeated.com/features/g-league-ignite-provides-a-good-environment-for-nba-prospects

- 2022 Draft: 1st Round Prospects Update (from Nathan Grubel, No Ceilings):  

No Ceilings
New Number One and Early Overractions | The Morning Dunk
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a year ago · 7 likes · 3 comments · Nathan Grubel

- 2022 Draft: Evaluating Key Prospects (from Brandon Simberg, Busting Brackets): https://bustingbrackets.com/2021/12/20/nba-draft-2022-evaulating-key-prospects-first-month-season

- 2022 Mock Draft 3.0 (from Krysten Peek, Yahoo Sports):  https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nba-mock-draft-3-jabari-smith-making-the-case-for-no-1-150024346.html

TAKEAWAYS FROM YESTERDAY'S GAMES

- CHI 110, LAL 105

  From Dan Woike, LA Times:   https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2021-12-19/lebron-james-los-angeles-lakers-chicago-bulls-nba-covid   and  https://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/story/2021-12-20/lakers-five-takeaways-from-loss-to-chicago-bulls

  From KC Johnson, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/bulls-demar-derozan-returns-deliver-more-4th-quarter-magic

  From Joe Cowley, SunTimes:  https://chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2021/12/19/22845955/veteran-forward-demar-derozan-returns-bulls-save-the-day

  From Bill Oram, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3026685/2021/12/20/lakers-star-anthony-davis-makes-peace-with-another-injury-by-leaning-on-his-wifes-wisdom/

  From Kyle Goon, OC Register: https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/19/lakers-cant-finish-against-chicago-bulls-wrapping-up-1-2-road-trip/

  From Benyam Kidane, Sporting News: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/demar-derozan-bulls-mvp/1dy05msvmgjn11k3xggcv8upf6

  From Rob Schaefer, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/10-observations-demar-derozans-heroics-push-bulls-past-lakers

  From Julia Poe, Chicago Tribune: https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bulls/ct-chicago-bulls-los-angeles-lakers-20211220-jfw4x42vyfblfoocereokslabe-story.html

- DET 100, MIA 90:

  From Keith Langlois, pistons.com: https://www.nba.com/pistons/news/clutch-shooting-earns-pistons-skid-snapping-win

  From Brady Hawk, Five Reasons Sports:  https://www.fivereasonssports.com/news/five-takeeaways-from-heats-loss-to-the-pistons/

  From Lauren Williams, MLive: https://www.mlive.com/pistons/2021/12/pistons-snap-14-game-skid-down-heat-100-90.html  and  https://www.mlive.com/pistons/2021/12/saddiq-bey-pistons-sink-timely-shots-to-stave-off-heat.html

  From Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article256701347.html

From Omari Sankofa II, Free Press: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2021/12/19/detroit-pistons-game-recap-miami-heat-ends-losing-streak/8964523002/ and https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2021/12/20/detroit-pistons-losing-streak-ends-saddiq-bey-cade-cunningham/8965414002/

- MIN 111, DAL 105:

  From Kent Youngblood, Star Tribune: https://www.startribune.com/timberwolves-mavericks-111-105-fourth0-straight-win-500-nba-conference-standings/600128738/

  From Jace Frederick, Pioneer Press: https://www.twincities.com/2021/12/19/timberwolves-hold-off-short-handed-mavericks-for-fourth-straight-win/

  From Callie Caplan, Morning News:  https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2021/12/19/with-luka-doncic-missing-kp-exiting-and-covid-festering-nothing-is-going-right-for-the-mavericks/

  From Kirk Henderson, Mavs Moneyball: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2021/12/19/22845644/3-things-we-learned-mavericks-timberwolves-recap-final-score-111-105

- PHO 137, CHA 106:

  From Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic):  https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2021/12/19/5-takeaways-suns-demolition-hornets-devin-bookers-return-hamstring-injury/8965129002

  From Evan Sidery, Basketball News: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/hornets-embarrassing-defense-sinking-their-enticing-potential

  From Gerald Bourguet, PHNX:  https://gophnx.com/2021/12/20/devin-booker-seamless-return-suns-blowout-win-hornets/

  From Kane Pitman, Sporting News: https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nba/news/devin-booker-suns-return-lesson-learned/1u0bkpl895hqr15khs16ubbxdp

  From Kellan Olson, Arizona Sports: https://arizonasports.com/story/2943239/devin-bookers-return-boosts-suns-to-31-point-beatdown-of-hornets/

  From Sam Perley, Hornets.com: https://www.nba.com/hornets/hornets-suns-12/19/21

- POR 105, MEM 100:

  From Parker Fleming, Grizzly Bear Blues: https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2021/12/19/22845690/quick-recap-grizzlies-fall-to-portland-in-105-100-loss-memphis-brooks-lillard-nba

  From Casey Holdahl, Blazers.com: https://www.nba.com/blazers/news/trail-blazers-do-just-enough-fourth-secure-second-road-win-versus-grizzlies

  From Aaron Fentress, Oregon Live: https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2021/12/portland-trail-blazers-get-second-road-win-of-season-105-100-at-memphis-grizzlies.html

  From Evan Barnes, Commercial Appeal: https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/sports/nba/grizzlies/2021/12/19/memphis-grizzlies-vs-portland-trail-blazers-live-updates-scores/6469739001/

  From Jeremy Brener, Blazer's Edge: https://www.blazersedge.com/2021/12/19/22845896/portland-trail-blazers-memphis-grizzlies-game-recap-damian-lillard-defense-dillon-brooks

- SAC 121, SAS 114:

  From Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee: https://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/article256719312.html

  From Jeff McDonald, Express News: https://www.expressnews.com/sports/spurs/article/Shorthanded-Kings-top-the-Spurs-16714614.php

  From Jesus Gomez, Pounding The Rock:  https://www.poundingtherock.com/2021/12/19/22845622/spurs-inconsistency-rears-its-head-in-letdown-loss-to-the-kings

FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY: from the BI archives:

http://basketballintelligence.net/2017/12/20/todays-best-nba-reporting-analysis-122017/

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