Basketball Intelligence For 2/14/25
Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis
TEAM-SPECIFIC
BKN: How Brooklyn Nets’ defense turned them into one of the NBA’s hottest teams
Lucas Kaplan, Nets Daily
The Nets are riding a 6-1 stretch into the All-Star break, almost entirely thanks to one end of the court
BKN: Claxton anchoring Nets’ revitalized defense during recent hot stretch
Andrew Crane, NY Post
CHI: Bulls have no urgent plans to make front-office changes
Joe Cowley, SunTimes
DAL: An Ode to the Fighting Mavericks
Iztok Franko, digginbasketball
DEN: Jamal Murray is back, and so are the Nuggets as title contenders
Dan Devine, Yahoo Sports
DEN: Will Nuggets keep Julian Strawther in rotation for playoffs?
Bennett Durando, Denver Post
Denver’s playoff depth dilemma looms beyond the All-Star break, particularly regarding Julian Strawther. Head coach Michael Malone insists, “He’s an important piece”
DEN: Jamal Murray’s recovery mirrors the Nuggets. Now, can they play consistent defense?
Troy Renck, Denver Post
DET: The organized chaos of “Point Ausar Thompson”
Ben Quagliata, Detroit Bad Boys
GSW: Warriors' self-defeating tendency on display again in loss to Mavs
Monte Poole, NBC Sports
GSW: Warriors hold on to head into All-Star break with win over Rockets
Danny Emerman, Mercury News
GSW: Jimmy Butler and Steph Curry punish switches to rub out Rockets
Eric Apricot, Dub Nation HQ
GSW: Warriors hang on for impressive win over Rockets
Brady Klopfer, Golden State Of Mind
LAC: Clippers use big third quarter to defeat the Grizzlies
Anthony De Leon, LA Times
LAC: Norman Powell scores season-high 41 in Clippers’ overtime win against Jazz
Associated Press
LAC: Simmons' debut rousing success as Harden, Powell deliver win amidst huge minutes
Justin Russo
LAL: Lakers stumble into All-Star break with blowout loss to Jazz
Khobi Price, OC Register
LAL: Is There Enough in the Middle?
John Krolik
MIN: Timberwolves do what few have done: Defeat Oklahoma City
Chris Hine, Star Tribune
MIN: Timberwolves leave a reminder of their erratic selves and head into the All-Star break
Jim Souhan, Star Tribune
In a surprising victory Thursday over Oklahoma City, they showed depth and talent. But their other side showed just the day before
NOP: CJ McCollum's 43 points in overtime victory over Kings snaps Pelicans' losing streak at 10
Rod Walker, The Advocate
NYK: The Knicks’ Jalen Brunson and the making of a winner
James Edwards III, The Athletic
NYK: The gravity of Karl-Anthony Towns: How he became the best version of himself with Knicks
James Edwards III, The Athletic
PHX: Suns again doomed by turnovers in loss to Rockets
Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic
PHX: Vasa Micic continues to embrace NBA challenge after second trade, now with Phoenix Suns
Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic
PHX: The Suns’ point guard problem gets worse with Tyus Jones in the mix
John Voita, Bright Side Of The Sun
POR: Scoot Henderson, Toumani Camara and their secret dream for the Trail Blazers
Jason Quick, The Athletic
POR: Signature Significance: Donovan Clingan
Jared Dubin, Last Night In Basketball
POR: 5 Ways the Trail Blazers Have Already Won the Season
Dave Deckard, Blazer’s Edge
POR: Has Chauncey Billups coached his way into a new contract?
Aaron Fentress, Oregon Live
POR: Sidy Cissoko Was Destined to Land With the Trail Blazers
Sean Highkin, Rose Garden Report
SAC: Ellis delivers emphatic shooting display in Kings' win vs. Pels
Joel Soria, NBC Sports
Malik Monk, who has assumed the starting point guard role since Sacramento traded De’Aaron Fox to the San Antonio Spurs, is not surprised by Ellis’ upside.
“Keon’s been doing this all year,” Monk told reporters. “I think a lot of people are surprised, but I’m not. I’ve been seeing the work he’s been putting in.
“I know what he’s going to do. That’s why [I’m trying] to find him. Keon was amazing. He’s always amazing for us, every time he steps on the court.”
SAC: Pelicans top Kings to end 10-game losing streak despite big games from Sacramento stars
Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee
SAC: Former No. 1 draft pick Markelle Fultz joins Sacramento Kings feeling healthier than ever
Jason Anderson, Sacramento Bee
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