Basketball Intelligence For 12/29/21

Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis

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TEAM-SPECIFIC STORIES

- BKN: Harden Has Regained MVP Form (from Brian Lewis, NY Post):  https://nypost.com/2021/12/28/nets-james-harden-has-regained-mvp-form/

- BKN: The Nets Are Nearing Full Strength (from Kristian Winfield/Dennis Young, Daily News):  https://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/nets/ny-durant-irving-aldridge-covid-return-20211228-fgvxynpj5namvgy6uualob5n3q-story.html

- BOS: Lowering Expectations For The Celtics (from Adam Taylor, Celtics Blog): https://www.celticsblog.com/2021/12/29/22856950/why-we-need-to-lower-our-expectations-jayson-tatum-jaylen-brown-marcus-smart-boston-celtics-nba

- BOS: What's Going Wrong With The Celtics? (from Jay King, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3039846/2021/12/29/whats-going-wrong-for-the-underperforming-celtics-theres-a-lot-to-choose-from/

- CHI: Analytics Are Right: DeRozan's Midrange Shots Are Good (from Jay Patt, Blog A Bull):  https://www.blogabull.com/2021/12/28/22856979/analytics-are-right-demar-derozan-mid-range-shots-are-good

- DEN: The Nuggets' Blueprint To Shut Down Steph (from Mike Singer, Denver Post):  https://www.denverpost.com/2021/12/29/nuggets-steph-curry-defensive-blueprint/

- DET: Q & A: Isaiah Livers (from James Edwards III, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3039676/2021/12/28/pistons-isaiah-livers-qa-on-pre-draft-process-rookie-life-how-life-entering-the-nba-injured-can-be-lonely/

- GSW: Are The Dubs Reviving The Dynasty? (from Shane Young, Forbes):  https://www.forbes.com/sites/shaneyoung/2021/12/28/are-the-golden-state-warriors-reviving-the-dynasty/?sh=6c0a584b370e

- GSW: Things The Dubs Will Learn In Draymond's Absence (from Kerry Crowley, Mercury News):  https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2021/12/28/three-things-the-warriors-will-learn-during-draymond-greens-absence/

- LAC: Clips Face New Reality Without PG13 (from Law Murray, The Athletic):  https://theathletic.com/3039427/2021/12/29/clippers-in-the-midst-of-a-new-reality-with-paul-george-out-indefinitely-and-its-time-for-young-players-to-step-up/

From Andrew Greif, LA Times: https://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/story/2021-12-28/clippers-covid-protocols-road-trip-boston-celtics

- LAC: How Terance Mann's Breakout 2021 Steadied The Clippers (from Mirjam Swanson, OC Register): https://www.ocregister.com/2021/12/28/how-terance-manns-breakout-2021-steadied-the-clippers/

- LAL: LBJ Makes 1st Start At Center (from Dave McMenamin, ESPN):  https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/32955005/lebron-james-makes-first-start-center-los-angeles-lakers-beat-houston-rockets-snap-skid

From Bill Oram, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3040364/2021/12/29/i-dont-think-you-guys-realize-what-this-guy-just-did-lebron-james-starts-first-game-at-center-as-lakers-snap-skid/

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