Basketball Intelligence For 2/25/25
The Pistons keep winning, the Sixers keep losing, the Wolves keep confusing, and more...
*FEATURE OF THE DAY*
They Were the Worst Team in Basketball. Now They’re The Biggest Surprise in NBA History.
Robert O’Connell, The Wall Street Journal
TEAM-SPECIFIC
ATL: Dyson Daniels' price tag likely rising amid historic season with Hawks
Joshua Buckhalter, Soaring Down South
ATL: Hawks’ Zaccharie Risacher playing through rookie whistle treatment and getting better
Laruen Williams, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
In 50 games this season, Risacher has averaged 11.2 points, 3.6 rebounds and 1.3 assists. He’s done all of that averaging 2.2 free-throw attempts per game after driving to the basket an average of 3.5 times per game. This season alone, Risacher has scored 10 or more points without a free throw eight times.
But the 19-year-old truly has begun to get affirmation that all the work. Since returning from a left adductor injury, Risacher has averaged 15.4 points on efficient shooting splits. He’s made 51.3% of his overall shots and 50% of his 3-pointers.
BOS: Josh Hart on the Celtics: ‘they’re a heck of a team’
Bill Sy, Celtics Blog
BOS: How the Celtics Outpaced and Outclassed the Knicks (Again)
Adam Taylor, Celtics Chronicle
BKN: Nets’ Hot Streak Set New Standard…And Tightened Slack
Steve Lichtenstein, Steve’s Newsletter
DEN: Nikola Jokic sets career-high with 19 assists as Nuggets bounce back at Pacers
Bennett Durando, The Denver Post
DEN: Nuggets vs. Pacers: 3 takeaways from Nikola Jokic's dominant performance in Denver's win
Vinny Benedetto, The Denver Gazette
DET: Pistons continue to stamp playoff status, gut out 7th win in a row over Clippers 106-97
Omari Sankofa II, Detroit Free Press
GSW: Board Team Gets Wins
Rohit Naimpally, From the Logo
GSW: Jimmy Butler has the Warriors looking and feeling like themselves again. Adjust your expectations accordingly
Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News
As much as the Warriors’ success over the last decade has been a testament to their athletic greatness, the difference between them and their top rivals over the years has been between the ears. The Dubs play smarter and have been mentally tougher.
The Warriors swayed from the righteous path in recent years. Even a few weeks ago — yes, weeks — they traded for Dennis Schröder, a player whose style of play and on-court temperament was downright antithetical to the way Kerr wants to play. It was a gamble that didn’t pay off — he was shipped out as part of the Butler trade.
GSW: Preview: Jimmy Butler is perfect for this team
Punk Basketball, Dub Nation HQ
GSW: What the Warriors have learned so far about Jimmy Butler, their new ‘designated driver’
Evan Webeck, The Mercury News
LAL: Inside the first 24 days of the Luka Doncic era with the Los Angeles Lakers
Dave McMenamin, ESPN
MIA: Struggling Heat still searching for answers after ugly loss to Hawks. Takeaways and details
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald
MIA: Heat don’t have a shot in 98-86 loss in Atlanta, as season turns even more dire
Ira Winderman, South Florida Sun Sentinel
MIA: Jovic’s broken hand will force more changes to Heat rotation
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald
MIN: Timberwolves tie franchise record for largest comeback in stunning overtime win over Thunder
Jace Federick, Pioneer Press
MIN: Timberwolves erase 25-point deficit to defeat Thunder 131-128 in overtime
Zach Powell/Jon Krawcynski, The Athletic
MIN: Timberwolves pull off record comeback, beat Thunder 131-128 in OT after trailing by 25
Chris Hine, The Minnesota Star Tribune
MIN: How Do the Wolves Escape Their Groundhog Day Time Loop?
Charlie Walton, Zone Coverage
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