Basketball Intelligence For 12/21/25, Part Two
Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis
TEAM-SPECIFIC
BOS: Celtics get a glimpse at their bright future in win over Heat
Sam LaFrance, Hardwood Houdini
BOS: Luka Garza’s patience and grit have reinforced Joe Mazzulla’s “respect” for him
Gio Rivera, Celtics Blog
CLE: The Cavs are paying too high a price for extra possessions
Ethan Sands, cleveland.com
CLE: What’s wrong with the Cavs? Here’s how to start to fix it
Terry Pluto, cleveland.com
DEN: Why an aggressive trade deadline would be risky for the Nuggets
Bennett Durando, Denver Post
DEN: Nuggets’ Bruce Brown, Rockets’ Kevin Durant are former teammates. Now they have beef.
Bennett Durando, Denver Post
GSW: The regrets and reflections in Klay Thompson’s Warriors exit
Anthony Slater/Tim MacMahon, ESPN
LAL: Lakers lose Luka Doncic to injury, then fall to Clippers despite LeBron James’ 36 points
Broderick Turner, LA Times
MIA: Heat coach calls Kasparas Jakučionis ‘fearless’ after first NBA start
Cody Taylor, USA Today
OKC: A five-step guide on how to beat the Thunder
Kevin Pelton, ESPN
ORL: Offseason work paying dividends from 3 for Magic center Wendell Carter Jr.
Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel
ORL: Magic’s offense still fighting for energy, consistency
Philip Rossman-Reich, Orlando Magic Daily
PHI: Takeaways from Sixers win over Dallas
Keith Pompey, The Inquirer
PHI: Observations after Sixers flip switch in 4th quarter to beat Mavs
Noah Levick, NBC Sports
PHI: Six Thoughts: Maxey, Edgecombe and Barlow Carry Sixers Past Mavericks
Austin Krell, Sports Illustrated
PHX: How Suns fell to Golden State Warriors after red-hot start
Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic
SAC: Kings rookies shine, but fall short to Blazers
Frankie Cartoscelli, Sactown Sports
SAS: How ‘Pretty Incredible’ Rookie Dylan Harper is Giving Spurs Déjà Vu
Matt Guzman, Sports Illustrated
BI NOTE: How’s this for deja vu?: We see a lot of 1970’s Nets’ star Super John Williamson in Dylan’s game:
TOR: Raptors must adapt with Jakob Poeltl day-to-day and RJ Barrett still ramping up
John Chidley-Hill, Toronto Star
UTA: Desmond Bane hits game winner to lift Magic past Jazz in overtime
Sarah Todd, Deseret News
Despite a valiant fight from Keyonte George and the Jazz, the Magic were able to get the victory.