TEAM-SPECIFIC STORIES
- BOS: Strong Starts A Welcome Trend (from Jay King, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3115415/2022/02/06/celtics-continue-to-handle-business-early-making-strong-starts-a-welcome-trend-were-living-up-to-our-identity/
- CHA: Takeaways From Loss To Heat (from Jonathan DeLong, At The HIve: https://www.atthehive.com/2022/2/6/22921233/hornets-continue-to-struggle-and-frustrations-mount-in-loss-to-heat
- CLE: Cavs Must Seize The Moment After LeVert Trade (from Marla Ridenour, Beacon Journal): https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/sports/pro/cavs/2022/02/07/cleveland-cavaliers-opportunity-eastern-conference-trade-pacers-caris-levert-playoffs-rajon-rondo/6686149001/
- DAL: Bullock Is Becoming The Perfect Fit (from Matthew Phillips, Mavs Moneyball): https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2022/2/7/22921128/reggie-bullock-is-now-the-player-the-mavericks-hoped-for
- DEN: Why The Nuggets' Bench May See Improvement Going Forward (from Joel Rush, Forbes): https://www.forbes.com/sites/joelrush/2022/02/06/why-the-denver-nuggets-bench-now-bottom-five-in-the-nba-may-see-improvement-going-forward/?sh=5a75de3310f4
- DET: Q & A: Cade Cunningham (from Omari Sankofa II, Free Press):
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- DET: Film Study: Olynyk Returns To Mixed Results (from Bryce Simon, Detroit Bad Boys): https://www.detroitbadboys.com/2022/2/6/22918196/detroit-pistons-kelly-olynyk-film-dont-lie-kelly-back
- LAC: Powell, Covington's Learning Curve Not Too Steep (from Mirjam Swanson, OC Register): https://www.ocregister.com/2022/02/06/norman-powell-robert-covingtons-learning-curve-not-too-steep/
- LAL: Takeaways From Win Over Knicks (from Jovan Buha, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3113858/2022/02/06/lebrons-return-russell-westbrooks-benching-malik-monks-takeover-and-more-from-the-lakers-win-over-the-knicks/
From Kyle Goon, OC Register: https://www.ocregister.com/2022/02/06/three-critical-issues-for-the-lakers-after-their-win-over-the-knicks/
- LAL: The Lakers' Westbrook Problem (from Bill Oram, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3115454/2022/02/07/oram-lakers-russell-westbrook-problem-goes-beyond-one-night/
- MEM: Advancing The Growth Of The Grizzlies (from Shawn Coleman, Grizzly Bear Blues): https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2022/2/7/22921360/advancing-the-growth-of-the-grizzlies-memphis-nba-ja-morant
- NOP: Josh Hart's Value To The Pels (from Oleh Kosel, The Bird Writes): https://www.thebirdwrites.com/2022/2/6/22846554/josh-hart-new-orleans-pelicans-trade-scenario-trail-blazers-cj-mccollum-deaaron-fox-kings
- OKC How Hannah & Josh Giddey Both Ended Up In Oklahoma (from Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman): https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2022/02/07/dream-scenario-how-hannah-and-josh-giddey-both-ended-up-oklahoma-thunder-oral-roberts/6658426001/
- SAC: Sunday Musings (from James Ham, The Kings Beat):
https://kings-beat.beehiiv.com/p/sunday-musings-deaaron-fox-rumors-another-blow-sacramento
- WAS: Wizards' Defense Has Problems After Taking Away 3-Pointers (from Chase Hughes, NBC Sports): https://www.nbcsports.com/washington/wizards/wizards-defense-takes-away-threes-has-problems-after
LEAGUE-WIDE STORIES
- 2022 Draft Prospects: Weekend Update (from Adam Spinella, The Box And One):
- Power Rankings, Week 17 (from Zach Harper, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3102256/2022/02/07/nba-power-rankings-raptors-climb-up-playoff-hopefuls-tier-plus-nba-trade-deadline-buyers-and-sellers/
From Duane Rankin, Arizona Republic: https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/2022/02/06/nba-power-rankings-do-nets-fell-title-lock-possible-play-in/6683064001
- The Most Valuable Available Assets Are The Ones Teams Are Most Afraid To Trade For (from Sam Quinn, CBS Sports): https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/if-the-blazers-want-to-sell-damian-lillard-on-contending-trading-norman-powell-for-nothing-was-a-bad-start/
- The Art Of NBA Complaining (from Melissa Rohlin, Fox Sports): https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nba/the-art-of-nba-complaining-how-players-like-lebron-deal-with-refs
TRADES
- CLE-IND:
From Ricky O'Donnell, SBNation: https://www.sbnation.com/nba/2022/2/7/22921205/caris-levert-trade-grades-cleveland-cavaliers-indiana-pacers
From Zach Harper, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3114814/2022/02/06/pacers-trade-caris-levert-to-cavs-for-ricky-rubio-and-picks-instant-grades-and-analysis/
From John Hollinger, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3114987/2022/02/06/hollinger-when-comparing-caris-levert-and-norman-powell-deals-its-all-about-the-contracts/
From Jack Maloney, CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/trade-grades-cavaliers-land-caris-levert-from-pacers-bolster-offense-for-postseason-push/
From Joe Vardon, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3115194/2022/02/06/how-the-caris-levert-trade-went-down-and-why-pacers-cavaliers-reached-slightly-different-path-from-the-norm/
From Kelsey Russo, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3115213/2022/02/06/the-cavs-wanted-to-capitalize-on-a-breakthrough-season-without-disrupting-chemistry-caris-levert-is-a-perfect-fit/
From Rohan Nadkarni, Sports Illustrated: https://www.si.com/nba/2022/02/07/caris-levert-cavaliers-pacers-trade-grade
From Sam Vecenie, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3114851/2022/02/06/vecenie-caris-levert-deal-is-a-win-win-for-pacers-and-cavaliers/
From Dan Gilinsky, King James Gospel: https://kingjamesgospel.com/2022/02/06/cavs-get-perimeter-help-caris-levert-trade-pacers
From Kevin Pelton, ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/33233182/nba-trade-grades-next-indiana-pacers-cleveland-cavaliers-caris-levert-deal
From Chris Fedor, cleveland.com: https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2022/02/inside-cleveland-cavaliers-caris-levert-trade-he-could-very-well-could-push-them-to-the-top.html and https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2022/02/cleveland-cavaliers-continue-to-benefit-from-brooklyn-nets-james-harden-trade-with-caris-levert-being-the-latest-addition.html
From Will Bjarnar, Clips Nation: https://www.clipsnation.com/2022/2/6/22919019/norman-powell-robert-covington-los-angeles-clippers-trade-portland-trail-blazers-what-they-bring
TAKEAWAYS FROM YESTERDAY'S GAMES
- BOS 116, ORL 83:
From Taylor Snow, celtics.com: https://www.nba.com/celtics/news/sidebar/post-20220206-celtics-continue-defensive-dominance-33-point-win-orlando
From Keith Smith, Celtics Blog: https://www.celticsblog.com/2022/2/7/22921633/a-blowout-for-fifth-straight-win-10-takeaways-from-boston-celtics-orlando-magic
From Souichi Terada, Mass Live: https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/02/four-takeaways-as-boston-celtics-dominate-orlando-magic-116-83-win-fifth-straight-game.html
From Philip Rossman-Reich, Orlando Magic Daily: https://orlandomagicdaily.com/2022/02/07/orlando-magic-disappointing-as-they-regressed-this-weekend/
From Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/02/06/sports/celtics-make-it-five-straight-wins-with-cruise-over-east-worst-orlando/
From Khobi Price, Orlando Sentinel: https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-sp-magic-celtics-sunday-20220207-lkbbnjy56vhe5afj675qrz4mva-story.html
From Mark Murphy, Boston Herald: https://www.bostonherald.com/2022/02/06/celtics-win-fifth-straight-116-83-over-orlando/
- CLE 98, IND 85:
From James Boyd, Indy Star: https://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2022/02/06/pacers-vs-cavs-20-point-1st-half-lead-turns-into-98-85-loss-indiana/9282583002/
From Ashley Bastock, cleveland.com: https://www.cleveland.com/cavs/2022/02/kevin-love-and-cedi-osman-connect-for-back-breaking-play-in-fourth-quarter-against-pacers-and-show-the-cavaliers-identity.html
- DAL 103, ATL 94:
From Callie Caplan, Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2022/02/06/luka-doncic-jalen-brunson-and-the-mavericks-down-atlanta-while-tiptoeing-foul-trouble-tightwire/
From Matthew Phillips, Mavs Moneyball: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2022/2/7/22921196/stats-rundown-4-stats-dallas-mavericks-103-94-win-atlanta-hawks
From Ben Zajdel, Mavs Moneyball: https://www.mavsmoneyball.com/2022/2/6/22921117/3-things-we-learned-mavericks-hawks-recap-final-score-103-94
From Sarah Spencer, AJC: https://www.ajc.com/sports/atlanta-hawks/hawks-struggle-shooting-in-loss-to-mavericks/2DGBLLGKDBAVNK6R3KMTZ3TCZ4/
From Graham Chapple, Peachtree Hoops: https://www.peachtreehoops.com/2022/2/7/22921444/atlanta-hawks-dallas-mavericks-trae-young-luka-doncic-offense-defense-analysis-nba-scores-box-score
From Joshua Buckhalter, Soaring Down South: https://soaringdownsouth.com/2022/02/07/atlanta-hawks-perimeter-play-failed-loss-mavericks/
- DEN 124, BKN 104:
From Brian Lewis, NY Post: https://nypost.com/2022/02/06/nets-fall-to-nuggets-for-eighth-straight-loss-drop-to-play-in/
From Mike Singer, Denver Post: https://www.denverpost.com/2022/02/06/nikola-jokic-nuggets-beat-nets/
From Chris Milholen, Nets Daily: https://www.netsdaily.com/2022/2/6/22920827/not-the-brooklyn-way-nets-conclude-five-game-road-trip-with-league-high-eighth-straight-loss-124-104
- MIL 137, LAC 113:
From Mirjam Swanson, OC Register: https://www.ocregister.com/2022/02/06/giannis-antetokounmpo-bucks-rout-clippers/
From Andrew Greif, LA Times: https://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/story/2022-02-06/norman-powell-clippers-milwaukee-bucks-nba
From Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33235618/norman-powell-impresses-28-la-clippers-debut-think-fit-perfectly-here
From Dalton Sell, Behind The Buck Pass: https://behindthebuckpass.com/2022/02/07/takeaways-milwaukee-bucks-quality-win-la-clippers/
From Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel: https://www.jsonline.com/story/sports/nba/bucks/2022/02/07/milwaukee-bucks-vs-los-angeles-clippers-staples-center/6659064001/
- MIN 118, DET 105:
From Will Burchfield, 97.1, The Ticket: https://www.audacy.com/971theticket/sports/detroit-pistons/get-your-shots-in-now-because-pistons-are-coming
From Keith Langlois, pistons.com: https://www.nba.com/pistons/news/killian-hayes-gives-a-glimpse-of-his-game-in-a-big-4th-quarter and https://www.nba.com/pistons/news/pistons-scrap-but-come-up-short-at-minnesota
From Mitchell Maurer, Brew Hoop: https://www.brewhoop.com/2022/2/7/22921165/milwaukee-vs-los-angeles-game-review-bucks-clippers-february-6-2022
- NOP 120, HOU 107:
From Jonathan Feigen, Houston Chronicle: https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/Rockets-defense-fails-to-stop-Pelicans-Brandon-16837268.php and https://www.houstonchronicle.com/texas-sports-nation/rockets/article/Defenseless-feeling-Rockets-Pelicans-takeaways-16837381.php
From Coty Davis, The Dream Shake: https://www.thedreamshake.com/2022/2/6/22921114/ingram-and-hayes-too-much-in-houston-as-rockets-fall-to-pelicans
From Oleh Kosel, The Bird Writes: https://www.thebirdwrites.com/2022/2/6/22921043/brandon-ingram-pelicans-rockets-nba-recap-jaxson-hayes-jose-alvarado-hart-christian-wood
From Christian Clark, The Advocate: https://www.nola.com/sports/pelicans/article_cf06ccf6-87a5-11ec-bdf6-5f2991a3bd89.html
- PHI 119, CHI 108:
From Rich Hofmann, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3115517/2022/02/07/as-trade-deadline-approaches-76ers-continue-to-play-good-but-not-great-basketball/
From Keith Pompey, The Inquirer: https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-nba-chicago-bulls-philadelphia-20220207.html
From Rob Schaefer, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/10-observations-joel-embiid-76ers-sink-shorthanded-bulls
From Ky Carlin, USA Today: https://sixerswire.usatoday.com/lists/player-grades-joel-embiid-tobias-harris-lead-sixers-past-pesky-bulls/
From Noah Levick, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/sixers/sixers-bulls-joel-embiid-demar-derozan-tyrese-maxey-sixers-observations
From Gina Mizell, The Inquirer: https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-bulls-joel-embiid-demar-derozan-tobias-harris-20220206.html
From Sam Smith, Bulls.com: https://www.nba.com/bulls/gameday/demar-derozan-drops-45-points-bulls-fall-sixers
FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY: from the BI archives:
http://basketballintelligence.net/2018/02/07/todays-best-nba-reporting-analysis-2718/