Basketball Intelligence For 4/23/25
The Lakers regain their balance, the Pacers further tilt their series, the Grizzlies fall off the shelf, and more...
*FEATURE OF THE DAY*
2025 NBA playoffs: Stats that could sink title contenders
Neil Paine, ESPN
THE BASKETBALL INTELLIGENCE NETWORK
Killer Kawhi and Early Playoff Impressions
Aaron starts out by immediately pissing off Boston fans with his take on Payton Pritchard winning Sixth Man of the Year (2:53). Then the guys have a conversation about the Magic's lack of offensive trickery and the return of Franz's woeful long-range shooting (
TEAM NEWS
BOS: Sixth man or ninth man, Payton Pritchard ready for Celtics in the playoffs
Jay King, The Athletic
CLE: Cavs vs. Heat, NBA playoffs Game 2: preview, odds, injury report, TV
Ethan Sands, Cleveland.com
GSW: Warriors confident in new two-big lineup for short stints vs. Rockets
Dalton Johnson, NBC Sports Bay Area
GSW: Preview: The Battle lines have been drawn
Punk Basketball, Dub Nation HQ
GSW: Why one simple word defines Steph Curry’s leadership with the Warriors
Elise Devlin/Doug Haller/Jayson Jenks, The Athletic
HOU: Alperen Şengün was in attack mode vs. the Warriors. The Rockets need him to keep it up.
Danielle Lerner, Houston Chronicle
IND: Tyrese Haliburton could let his play do the talking, but he lets Bucks know, too
Gregg Doyel, Indianaoplis Star
IND: Pacers take 2-0 series lead as balanced attack holds off late Bucks charge in Game 2 win
Dustin Dopirak, Indianaoplis Star
LAC: Kawhi Leonard Is Putting the Fear of the Basketball Gods in the Denver Nuggets
Rob Mahoney, The Ringer
LAC: Kawhi Leonard’s big night was months in the making during grueling rehab
Broderick Turner, Los Angeles Times
LAL: Lakers, LeBron, Luka responded in Game 2 win. That's what JJ Redick needed to see.
Jeff Zillgitt, USA Today
LAL: Lakers cut through the noise to level Timberwolves playoff series
Sam Amick, The Athletic
LAL: Lakers-Wolves Game 2 Observations
Iztok Franco, Diggin Basketball
LAL: Lakers even series with Wolves after Redick tears into team
Dave McMenamin, ESPN
MIL: The Milwaukee Bucks have unquestionably failed Giannis Antetokounmpo
Michael Saenz, Sir Charles In Charge
MIL: The Deafening Rumblings Surrounding Giannis Antetokounmpo’s Future
Danny Chau, The Ringer
It’s a welcome addition to his game that has added new dimensions to his playmaking—the extra beat of consideration from defenses guarding him at the elbows creates new driving lanes and kick-out possibilities. It unlocks a vision of Giannis that, for years, had yet to be fully tapped: Antetokounmpo at the 5, with shooters and switchable defenders all around him, giving him the space to make plays on both ends of the floor. Milwaukee’s best lineup in Game 1, and its best lineup for much of the regular season’s final stretch, has hewed to that template. A best-of-seven series presents the opportunity to wipe a slate clean. Starters are not starters by birthright; reserves are not inherently less valuable. The Bucks, as lowly as their roster appears, have combinations that have proved effective. But Rivers has been historically slow to make sweeping adjustments, clutching tightly to his fatalistic résumé and reputation that have become a rather famous self-fulfilling prophecy. It isn’t safe to assume that any dramatic changes will be made. Which is kind of the impasse we’re at with Giannis, isn’t it?
MIL: Milwaukee Bucks Are Two Steps Behind Pacers At Every Turn
Brian Sampson, Forbes
Remaining Team News and Leaguewide for paid subscribers