NOTE: We have been made aware that many of our subscribers did not receive yesterday’s BI, so we are re-sending it now with our apologies.
PLAYOFFS: FIRST ROUND
- Daily Results:
From Law Murray, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3263071/2022/04/21/nba-playoffs-daily-results-joel-embiids-huge-3-celtics-rally-bulls-shock-bucks/
- BOS 114, BKN 107:
From Jay King, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3263248/2022/04/21/celtics-nets-durant-tatum-game2/
From Jared Weiss, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3263008/2022/04/21/celtics-nets-kyrie-irving/
From Zach Kram, The Ringer: https://www.theringer.com/2022/4/21/23035300/celtics-nets-defense-nba-playoffs
From Souichi Terada, Mass Live: https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/04/four-takeaways-as-celtics-defeat-nets-114-107-in-game-2-of-nba-playoffs-complete-comeback.html
From Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/20/sports/celtics-roar-back-beat-nets-lead-series-2-0/
From Gary Washburn, Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/2022/04/21/sports/with-his-second-half-coaching-adjustments-ime-udoka-positioned-celtics-win-game-2/
From Brian Lewis, NY Post: https://nypost.com/2022/04/20/kevin-durant-struggles-again-as-nets-fall-into-2-0-hole-vs-celtics
From Michael Wright, Sports Illustrated: https://www.nba.com/news/5-takeaways-from-nets-celtics-game-2-including-bostons-lockdown-d
From Sherrod Blakely, Full Court Press: https://fullcourtpress.bulletin.com/celtics-continue-to-be-defensive
From Jasmyn Wimbish, CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/celtics-vs-nets-score-takeaways-boston-rallies-in-fourth-to-sink-brooklyn-take-2-0-series-lead/live
From Brad Botkin, CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nets-vs-celtics-boston-is-strangling-kevin-durant-whose-split-second-lapse-in-game-1-now-looms-even-larger/
From James Herbert, CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/nets-vs-celtics-brooklyns-fourth-quarter-collapse-in-game-2-illustrates-razor-thin-margin-for-error/
From Adam Spinella, Celtics Blog: https://www.celticsblog.com/2022/4/21/23034974/jaylen-brown-comes-up-clutch-in-boston-celtics-fourth-quarter-comeback-brooklyn-nets
From Keith Smith, Celtics Blog: https://www.celticsblog.com/2022/4/21/23035574/a-full-team-rally-10-takeaways-from-boston-celtics-brooklyn-nets-game-2
From Mark Nilon, Hardwood Houdini: https://hardwoodhoudini.com/2022/04/21/boston-celtics-studs-game-two
From Brian Robb, Mass Live: https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2022/04/payton-pritchard-was-hero-for-boston-celtics-in-crucial-opportunity-against-nets-during-game-2-comeback-win.html
From Bobby Krivitsky, Sports Illustrated: https://www.kansascity.com/sports/nfl/article260615427.html
From Chris Mannix, Sports Illustrated: https://www.si.com/nba/2022/04/21/nets-celtics-kevin-durant-kyrie-irving-brooklyn-game-2-loss
From Chris Milholen, Nets Daily: https://www.netsdaily.com/2022/4/20/23034718/down-2-0-nets-blow-17-point-lead-crushed-by-celtics-in-fourth-quarter-114-107
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- CHI 114, MIL 110:
From Darnell Mayberry, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3263376/2022/04/21/demar-derozan-bulls-milwaukee-bucks/
From Rob Schaefer, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/bulls-patrick-williams-has-big-responsibilities-1st-nba-playoffs https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/nbcsports/nba-playoffs-alex-caruso-helping-bulls-rekindle-defensive-spirit/2812372/ and https://www.nbcsports.com/chicago/bulls/demar-derozans-playoff-career-high-lifts-bulls-over-bucks-game-2
From Jack Maloney, CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/nba/news/bulls-vs-bucks-score-chicago-bounces-back-in-game-2-behind-demar-derozans-41-points-to-even-up-series/
From Ben Steele, Journal Sentinel: DeMar DeRozan scores 41 as Bulls beat Giannis, Bucks in Game 2 of NBA playoff series
From Jay Patt, Blog A Bull: https://www.blogabull.com/2022/4/21/23034893/bulls-vs-bucks-game-2-highlights-so-youre-saying-theres-a-chance
From Vijay Vemu, Blog A Bull: https://www.blogabull.com/2022/4/21/23035062/bulls-vs-bucks-final-score-demar-derozan-and-alex-caruso-steer-chicago-to-game-2-victory
From Paul Sullivan, Chicago Tribune: https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/bulls/ct-chicago-bulls-game-2-demar-derozan-alex-caruso-20220421-pmfhzlzqbfbqxjwmyqfd5dtzpi-story.html
From Sam Smith, bulls.com: https://www.nba.com/bulls/bulls-stun-bucks-behind-derozans-41-points-tie-series-1-1
From Jamal Collier, ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/33777121/demar-derozan-rebounds-highest-scoring-playoff-performance-career-help-chicago-bulls-even-series
From Joe Cowley, Sun Times: https://chicago.suntimes.com/bulls/2022/4/20/23034646/bulls-demar-derozan-childhood-rival-jrue-holiday-too-well
From Dalton Sell, Behind The Buck Pass: https://behindthebuckpass.com/2022/04/21/takeaways-milwaukee-bucks-vile-game-2-loss-chicago-bulls/
- PHI 104, TOR 101:
From Eric Koreen, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3262989/2022/04/21/raptors-pascal-siakam-fred-vanvleet-loss-sixers/
From Rich Hofmann, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3263105/2022/04/21/joel-embiid-sixers-raptors-game-3/
From Keith Pompey, The Inquirer: https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/76ers-joel-embiid-game-winner-three-pointer-tops-raptors-20220421.html and https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/sixers-raptors-game-3-nba-playoffs-joel-embiid-james-harden-three-pointer-20220420.html
- From Paul Hudrick, Liberty Ballers: https://www.libertyballers.com/2022/4/20/23034784/sixers-raptors-final-score-game-recap-nba-playoffs-joel-embiid-james-harden-tyrese-maxey
From Kyle Neubeck, Philly Voice: https://www.phillyvoice.com/joel-embiid-game-3-raptors-second-half-classic-game-winner-tobias-harris-james-harden-analysis/
From Noah Levick, NBC Sports: https://www.nbcsports.com/philadelphia/sixers/sixers-joel-embiid-game-winner-sixers-vs-raptors-game-3-drew-hanlen-joel-embiid-nba-playoffs-2022
From Austin Krell, The Painted Lines: https://thepaintedlines.com/joel-embiids-dagger-sends-sixers-to-3-0-series-lead-against-the-raptors-likes-and-dislikes/
From Adam Aaaronson, Rights To Ricky Sanchez: https://www.rightstorickysanchez.com/normal-column/042022
From Mike Ganter, Toronto Sun: https://ottawasun.com/sports/basketball/nba/toronto-raptors/in-charge-the-whole-night-the-raptors-let-game-3-slip-away-in-ot/wcm/4e80104f-32eb-46fa-91be-1d5721984b9b
- ATL-MIA:
From Joe Vardon, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3261799/2022/04/21/spoelstra-lineup-changes-heat/
- DAL-UTA:
From Ben Ladner, The Stepback: https://fansided.com/2022/04/21/warriors-lineup-jazz-issues-defense
From Tyler Watts, The Smoking Cuban: https://thesmokingcuban.com/posts/dallas-mavericks-things-win-game-3-playoffs-jazz
From Grant Afseth, Sports Illustrated: https://www.kansascity.com/sports/partners/article260616847.html
From Brad Townsend, Morning News: https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/mavericks/2022/04/20/jazz-confident-they-have-an-antidote-to-mavs-game-plan-with-or-without-luka-doncic/
From Eric Walden, Salt Lake Tribune: https://www.sltrib.com/sports/jazz/2022/04/21/utah-jazz-point-things/
From Dan Clayton, Salt City Hoops: https://saltcityhoops.com/the-way-we-play-here-searching-for-howie/
- DEN-GSW:
From Kevin O'Connor, The Ringer): https://www.theringer.com/2022/4/21/23033783/jordan-poole-golden-state-warriors-nba-playoffs
From Ben Ladner, The Step Back: https://fansided.com/2022/04/21/warriors-lineup-jazz-issues-defense
From Ben Rohrbach, Yahoo Sports: https://sports.yahoo.com/jordan-poole-has-resurrected-the-golden-state-warriors-death-lineup-nba-development-163218800.html
From Shayna Rubin, Mercury News: https://www.mercurynews.com/2022/04/20/andrew-wiggins-is-doing-everything-the-warriors-need-to-make-the-new-super-lineup-sing/
From TJ McBride, Mile High Sports: https://milehighsports.com/despite-early-series-struggles-in-san-francisco-nuggets-remain-unified/
From Harrison Wind, The DNVR: https://thednvr.com/how-draymond-green-is-dominating-the-aaron-gordon-matchup/
From Mike Singer, Denver Post: https://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/article260612277.html
From Mat Issa, Basketball News: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/jordan-poole-better-than-we-could-even-imagine
From Micah Wimmer, The Step Back: https://fansided.com/2022/04/20/jordan-poole-breakout-star-nba-playoffs/
- MEM-MIN:
From Fred Katz, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/3260509/2022/04/20/taylor-jenkins-grizzlies-timberwolves/
From Seerat Sohi, The Ringer: https://www.theringer.com/2022/4/21/23035365/anthony-edwards-nba-playoffs-minnesota-timberwolves
From Nathan Chester, Grizzly Bear Blues: https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2022/4/21/23033853/the-memphis-grizzlies-are-winning-the-chess-match-minnesota-timberwolves-chris-finch-taylor-jenkins
From Brandon Abraham, Grizzly Bear Blues: https://www.grizzlybearblues.com/2022/4/21/23033933/defending-dangelo-russell-memphis-grizzlies-minnesota-timberwolves-nba-playoffs-series
From Matt Breen, Philadelphia Inquirer: https://www.inquirer.com/sixers/taylor-jenkins-penn-memphis-grizzlies-nba-playoffs-20220421.html
From Jace Frederick, Pioneer Press: https://www.twincities.com/2022/04/20/timberwolves-need-dangelo-russells-playoff-numbers-to-improve/
From Chris Hine, Star Tribune: https://www.startribune.com/timberwolves-offense-anthony-edwards-karl-anthony-towns-dangelo-russell/600166551/ adn https://www.startribune.com/anthony-edwards-explains-his-game-2-karl-anthony-towns-explains-his-leg-kick-habit/600166330/
- NOP-PHO:
From Nekias Duncan, Basketball News: https://www.basketballnews.com/stories/with-no-devin-booker-the-phoenix-suns-will-need-a-lift
From Dana Scott, Arizona Republic: https://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2022/04/21/suns-landry-shamet-injured-hamstring-devin-booker-pelicans/7386838001
From Kevin Pelton, ESPN: https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/33774003/nba-playoffs-2022-devin-booker-injured-here-how-phoenix-suns-approach-rest-first-round
From Scott Kushner, The Advocate: https://www.nola.com/sports/pelicans/article_a46f7282-c0ed-11ec-827f-876ab4323879.html
From Rohan Nadkarni, Sports Illustrated: https://www.si.com/nba/2022/04/20/devin-booker-suns-hamstring-injury-pelicans-nba-playoffs
From Kellan Olson, Arizona Sports: https://arizonasports.com/story/3113280/suns-pelicans-game-3-preview-replacing-devin-booker-immediate-fixes/
TEAM-SPECIFIC STORIES
- CLE: KLove Excelled In Move To Bench Role (from Dan Gilinsky, King James Gospel): https://kingjamesgospel.com/2022/04/21/cavs-player-grades-kevin-love-excels-move-bench-role/
- IND: Player Review: Isaiah Jackson (from Wheat Hotchkiss, Pacers.com): https://www.nba.com/pacers/news/player-review-2022-isaiah-jackson
- LAC: Lawrence Frank's Exit Interview (from Law Murray, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3262561/2022/04/20/paul-george-tyronn-lue-kawhi-leonard-lawrence-frank-exit-interview/
From Mirjam Swanson, OC Register: https://www.dailynews.com/2022/04/20/clippers-lawrence-frank-optimistic-something-special-brewing-next-season/
- LAC: The Clippers Still Believe (from Andrew Greif, LA Times): https://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/story/2022-04-20/five-things-learned-clippers-season-lookahead-next
- LAL: Lakers' Report Cards: Player Grades For 2021-22 Season (from Jovan Buha, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3259534/2022/04/21/lakers-report-cards-grades-for-lebron-james-anthony-davis-russell-westbrook-and-the-rest-of-the-roster/
- NYK: The Knicks' Early Group' Learns Coach Thibs' Philosophy & More (from Fred Katez, The Athletic): https://theathletic.com/3260692/2022/04/20/knicks-tom-thibodeau-philosophy-nba-habits/
- OKC: Thunder Offseason Primer (from Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman): https://www.oklahoman.com/story/sports/nba/thunder/2022/04/21/okc-thunder-free-agency-2022-nba-draft-picks-salary-cap-space/7384333001/
- ORL: 2022 Player Evaluation: Gary Harris (from Philip Rossman-Reich): https://orlandomagicdaily.com/2022/04/21/2022-orlando-magic-player-evaluations-gary-harris-gets-his-groove-back
- POR: AC Scotty Brooks Still Loves Portland (from Kerry Eggers): https://www.kerryeggers.com/stories/through-a-dismal-blazer-season-brooks-says-he-still-loves-it-here
- SAC: Davion Mitchell Is More Than A Defensive Specialist (from Alex Kramers, Kings.com): https://www.nba.com/kings/blog/davion-mitchell-ascending-two-way-star
- WAS: Wizards' Offseason Guide (from Bobby Marks, ESPN): https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/33762359/nba-offseason-guide-2022-bradley-beal-key-washington-wizards
LEAGUE-WIDE STORIES
- Categorizing NBA 2021-22 Offensive Style, Part Two (from Ian Levy, The Step Back): https://fansided.com/2022/04/21/nba-offensive-style-categories-2021-22-part-2
-2022 Draft Prospect Scouting Report: Bennedict Mathurin (from Adam Spinella, The Box And One):
- 2022 Draft Prospect Isaiah Mobley (from Nick Agar-Johnson, No Ceilings):
- 2022 Draft Prospect: Jalen Duren (from Steve Dewald, Blazer's Edge): https://www.blazersedge.com/2022/4/20/23032773/jalen-duren-nba-draft-profile-scouting-report-2022-class-best-centers-trail-blazers
- 2022 Draft: Which Prospects Raised Their Stock At Portsmouth? (from Jonathan Givony, ESPN): https://www.espn.com/nba/insider/insider/story/_/id/33772135/which-former-college-basketball-stars-2022-nba-draft-radar-portsmouth-invitational
FOUR YEARS AGO TODAY: from the BI archives: http://basketballintelligence.net/2018/04/21/todays-best-nba-reporting-analysis-42118/
Today’s BI is dedicated to the memory of Freeman Williams:
from John Canzano, Bald Faced Truth: