Basketball Intelligence For 1/23/24
Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis
TEAM-SPECIFIC
BOS: Derrick White's development into potential All-Star comes down to comfort, consistent work and confidence
Vinny Benedetto, Denver Gazette
BOS: Superb second quarter powers Celtics to comfortable victory against the Mavericks
Gary Washburn, Boston Globe
BOS: Jaylen Brown sparks chaos in win over Mavericks
Jay King, The Athletic
…the Celtics’ stars are two-way players. They want to score on you, then stop you, then do it all over again. In Dallas, Brown embraced the Dončić assignment on defense and didn’t let the toll of that matchup stop him from attacking Dončić at the other end of the court.
“I think we kind of glorify guys who can play one side of the ball, but we don’t really pay respect to people who guard and play defense and get deflections and steals and change the game in that area,” Brown said. “We only glorify people who can score because that’s what the NBA has marketed. But basketball is both sides.”
BOS: There's A Unicorn Outbreak In Boston
Jacob Sutton, JSutt Hoops
we knew that having Porzingis on the roster raised the ceiling of this team by quite a bit when the trade went down. Even so, I don’t think we realized he’d evolve into this. Part of that is because his previous teams have somewhat mismanaged his services — the other part is that he’s just getting better.
BOS: Kornet saves the Celtics in close-call win over Rockets
Jack Simone, Celtics Blog
BOS: 10 takeaways from Celtics/Mavericks
Adam Taylor, Celtics Blog
CHI: Patrick Williams’ offensive decision-making is still a work in progress
Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic
DAL: Grant Williams is happily adjusting to new role with Mavericks after trade
Gary Washburn, Boston Globe
DAL: Celtics show Mavericks just how far they still have to go to be an NBA contender
Tim Cato, The Athletic
DAL: Mavericks can’t find rhythm, fall to Celtics’ prolific power-duo
Shawn McFarland, Morning News
DET: Pistons have hidden gem in Marcus Sasser
Omari Sankofa II, Free Press
DET: Pistons collapse late, can't get over hump in loss to Bucks
Omari Sankofa II, Free Press
GSW: As Warriors mourn a terrible loss, Steve Kerr’s leadership lights a hard road ahead
Marcus Thompson II, The Athletic
HOU: What is Jalen Green's best path forward in the NBA?
Salman Ali, Red Nation Hoops
HOU: Celtics provide another teachable moment for burgeoning Rockets
Kelly Iko, The Athletic
IND: Should the Pacers buddy up to protect Buddy Hield?
Caitlin Cooper, Basketball She Wrote
With less than two and a half minutes to play in what was a tied game following free throws from Andrew Nembhard, the Phoenix Suns started searching for Buddy Hield under every rock and tree -- or, perhaps more fittingly, under every rock and cactus. After all, without any centers on the floor for either team, the paint effectively took on the appearance of a vast desert, as Devin Booker and Bradley Beal proceeded to take turns calling for screens from Hield's defender, scorching the Pacers on four-straight possessions while, quite literally, finishing the game on a 10-3 run.
IND: Pacers end road trip with loss to Suns
Tom Lewis, Indy Cornrows
The Pacers are learning on the fly, incorporating Pascal Siakam into the lineup while dealing with injuries and a rough stretch of the schedule
IND: Haliburton ruled out for the next three games — and how his upcoming max contract hinges on games played
Scott Agness, Fieldhouse Files
LAC: Clippers had belief, and now their potential appears limitless
Janis Carr, OC Register
LAC: As Clippers begin second half of season, they know defense must be better
Law Murray, The Athletic
LAC: Clippers looking to right ship after dropping first two to cross-hall Lakers
Justin Russo, Russo Writes
The Clippers had won 11 in a row against the Lakers before this season but have since lost two straight
LAC: Harden Has Unlocked the Clippers
Josh Douglas, The Lead
LAL: D’Angelo Russell continues hot streak amid trade rumors
Khobi Price, OC Register
MIA: The Rising Ceiling of Jaime Jaquez Jr.
J. Kyle Mann, The Ringer
MIL: Khris Middleton sets milestone in win over Pistons, but Bucks’ defensive woes continue
Eric Nehm, The Athletic
MIN: Wolves drop an embarrassing one
Jake Paynting, Howls And Growls
MIN: For Karl-Anthony Towns, a record-setting night is spoiled by a stomach-churning loss
Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic
MIN: Chris Finch said "an absolute disgusting performance of defense and immature basketball" led to the loss to Charlotte
Gavin Dorsey, Star Tribune
NYK: Brunson’s floater is all about crafty angles and touch
Fred Katz, The Athletic
OKC: Jalen Williams has made a leap as a playmaker, and it is unlocking the Thunder's offense
Justin Schwarze, Thunderous Intentions
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PHI: Joel Embiid Is Chasing Something Bigger Than Stats
Seerat Sohi, The Ringer
PHI: Joel Embiid scores a franchise-record 70 points to lead Sixers over Spurs
Keith Pompey, The Inquirer
POR: Deandre Ayton: ‘I got nothing to prove in this league’
Mark Medina, Basketball Intelligence
SAC: Harrison Barnes carries Kings past Hawks to snap four-game losing streak
Hunter Patterson, The Athletic
SAC: De’Aaron Fox breaks 16-day silence — but won’t explain media boycott — as Kings top Hawks
Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee
SAS: Wembanyama’s NBA adjustment has been lickety-split, but ‘I can get so much better’
Mike Monroe, The Athletic
TOR: Raptors NBA Trade Deadline 2024 Primer: Rules, assets, future outlook and more
Blake Murphy, Sportsnet
TOR: Scottie Barnes has to remember that everyone is watching him
Eric Koreen, The Athletic
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