Basketball Intelligence For 4/22/25
Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis
*FEATURES OF THE DAY*
How NBA defense has changed over time
Michael Shearer, Hoops Hype
Inside Nico Harrison’s takeover of the Mavericks, the Luka Dončić trade fallout, power struggles, medical missteps, and the unraveling of a franchise identity.
Grant Afseth, Dallas Hoops Journal
TEAM-SPECIFIC
BOS: The Celtics' top-tier depth was tested in Game 1. They passed easily
Sherrod Blakely, Full Court Press
BOS: Undersized Pritchard does all the big-boy stuff for Celtics
Chris Forsberg, NBC Sports
BOS: 10 takeaways from the Celtics breaking the Magic’s wall
Azad Rosay, Celtics Blog
CLE: Ty Jerome makes the most of his opportunity with unforgettable NBA Playoff debut
Jackson Flickinger, Fear The Sword
DAL: Inside Nico Harrison’s takeover of the Mavericks, the Luka Dončić trade fallout, power struggles, medical missteps, and the unraveling of a franchise identity.
Grant Afseth, Dallas Hoops Journal
DAL: Nico Harrison takes some accountability, but the damage is far from repaired
Brad Townsend, Morning News
DEN: Nikola Jokić, Nuggets uncharacteristically sloppy in Game 2 loss to Kawhi Leonard, Clippers
Tony Jones, The Athletic
DEN: 3 takeaways from Denver's dramatic loss in Game 2
Vinny Benedetto, Denver Gazette
DEN: Costly errors haunt Nuggets in clutch time of Game 2 loss
Bennett Durando, Denver Post
DET: How the Pistons outplayed the Knicks again to even the series at 1-1
Dan Devine, Yahoo Sports
DET: Cade Cunningham reaches star status in breakout playoff game
Omari Sankofa II, Free Press
DET: Cade Cunningham, Dennis Schröder deliver
Hunter Patterson, The Athletic
DET: 5 takeaways as Pistons find way to fight off Knicks
John Schuhmann, NBA.com
GSW: Warriors Take Game 1
Rohit Naimpally, From The Logo
GSW: Warriors are confident they’ve solved the Rockets — if they can limit mistakes
Anthony Slater, The Athletic
GSW: Warriors steal Game 1 in Houston with Steph Curry's non-Euclidean geometry
Eric Apricot, Dub Nation HQ
GSW: Butler fits right into this Warriors-Rockets series straight out of the ’90s
Joesph Dycus, Mercury News
GSW: Moses Moody emerges as a point-of-attack defender
Jonah Kubicek, NBA Analysis
HOU: The Rockets’ dismal Game 1 performance against the Warriors raises alarm bells
Kelly Iko, The Athletic
IND: The Pacers held serve by winning Game 1, now have to be prepared for spirited response from Bucks
Tom Lewis, Indy Cornrows
IND: Pacers know Game 2 vs. Bucks won't be as easy as Game 1
Dustin Dopirak, Indy Star
LAC: The NBA’s Biggest Enigma Is Back. The Rest of the League Should Be Terrified.
Robert O’Connell, Wall Street Journal
Kawhi Leonard has spent the last half-decade of his Hall-of-Fame career hampered by injury. But now he looks healthy—and ready to change the shape of the entire NBA playoffs.
LAC: Kawhi Leonard’s all-time response game helps Clippers even series against Nuggets
Law Murray, The Athletic
LAC: Leonard scores 39 points as Clippers tie series
Ramona Shelburne, ESPN
LAC: Leonard finds 'attack mode', scores 39 as Clippers even series with Game 2 win
Justin Russo
LAC: Kawhi Leonard’s 39-point effort powers Clippers to thrilling Game 2 win
Broderick Turner, LA Times
LAC: Lakers-Timberwolves: 3 things to watch for in Game 2
Khobi Price, OC Register
LAC: Kawhi Leonard is finally healthy enough for us to properly appreciate his greatness
Sam Quinn, CBS Sports
LAC: Nuggets vs Clippers Game 2 Breakdown
Gibson Pyper, Half Court Hoops
LAL: Game 2 Adjustments: How the Lakers Can Respond
Iztok Franko, digginbasketball
LAL: Lakers confident ‘winning on small details’ will power series comeback
Dan Woike, LA Times
LAL: Redick lauds Lakers' practice, bemoans earlier lack of focus
Dave McMenamin, ESPN
The rest of the team-specific stories as well as the leaguewide and draft-related stories follow for paid subscribers