Basketball Intelligence For 3/8/25
The Joker has another humorously absurd stat line, there is little to laugh about in Phoenix, the Bucks gets serious on defense, and more...
*FEATURE OF THE DAY*
The Future of the WNBA Looks a Lot Like Dominique Malonga
Mark Schindler, The Ringer
LEAGUEWIDE
(PODCAST) Stop! Mallet Time!
Evan Kuck/Aaron Bollwinkel, No Gimmes
Three role players I want to talk about
Mike Shearer, Basketball Poetry
Forecasting the NBA West: Projections for 11 Playoff Contenders — Based on Advanced Stats
Jeremias Engelmann, 5x5
Kia MVP Ladder: Pair of crucial Shai Gilgeous-Alexander vs. Nikola Jokić showdowns loom
Shaun Powell, NBA.com
NBA Storylines: What we've seen from players traded at the deadline
John Schumann, NBA.com
The Lakers and Warriors have lost a total of four games combined since dealing for their new superstars
Knicks’ disaster fears, Pistons’ intimidation and more NBA trends I’m watching
Fred Katz, The Athletic
TEAM NEWS
BOS: The Payton Pritchard Effect
Deyscha Smith, Slam
It’s in everything he’s done so far in his career: from being the Celtics’ No. 26 pick in the 2020 draft to, in just five seasons in Boston, inking his name in the record books by hitting multiple buzzer beaters in the Finals, winning a championship and now leading the Sixth Man of the Year race. Whenever the guard has the ball in his hands, he’s like a magician in his bag of tricks. The court vision and dazzling dimes. His ability to create plays off the dribble. The efficiency at which he shoots the ball, unafraid to let it fly whenever, over whomever, from wherever. Doesn’t matter if it’s 50 feet.
CHA: Quit? Not against Cleveland Cavaliers and performance shows Hornets remain capable
Roderick Boone, The Herald
CLE: Game Night Observations: Cleveland Cavaliers Find a Way, Slow Starts and De'Andre Hunter's Impact
Danny Cunningham, The Inside Shot
CLE: Cavs keep winning streak alive with latest come-from-behind victory, 118-117, over woeful Hornets
Chris Fedor, Cleveland.com
DAL: Bucks Dominate Depleted Mavericks as Antetokounmpo, Lillard Lead the Way
Grant Afseth, Dallas Hoops Journal
DEN: Nikola Jokić's historic night by the numbers: Nuggets center becomes first NBA player to post 30-20-20 line
Jasmyn Winbush, CBS Sports
DEN: Nikola Jokic posts historic 30-20-20 game as Nuggets outlast Suns in overtime thriller
Bennett Durando, The Denver Post
BI: Nikola Jokic became the first player in NBA to register a 30-20-20 game last night
DEN: Nikola Jokic makes more NBA history as Denver Nuggets defeat Phoenix Suns
Vinny Benedetto, The Denver Gazette
DEN: Nuggets must determine if late-season hero can sustain quality of play
Ben Handler, Nugg Love
GSW: Explain: Butler and Curry stablize GSW with WTF play vs BRK despite Coach Jordi stealing signs
Eric Apricot, Dub Nation HQ
HOU: Rockets mailbag: Is Jabari Smith Jr. a starter? Bottleneck scenarios and more
Kelly Iko, The Athletic
LAC: Clippers open 'make-or-break' stretch of their season with win over Knicks
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times
LAC: Bogdanovic earning "trust" of Leonard, Harden as Clippers topple Knicks
Justin Russo, Russo Write A Substack Publication
LAL: Lakers’ JJ Redick, Celtics’ Joe Mazzulla share mutual respect as ‘basketball sickos’
Jovah Buha, The Athletic
When Redick prepared for his job interview with the Lakers, he consulted with several coaches, including Mazzulla and Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, as well as former Duke head coach Mike Krzyzewski, who was advising Lakers brass during the process.
Mazzulla and Redick are kindred spirits with how they see the game, both from a broader tactical approach and their obsession with the minutiae.
MEM: The Grizzlies Are Changing, But Why?
Jacob Sutton, JSutt Hoops
MIA: Haslem knows Adebayo is coming for his Heat record: ‘He has definitely been letting me know’
Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald
BI: While a prolific rebounder, Bam is second to Jarrett Allen (5,089) in career rebounds among his 2017 draft class.
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