Basketball Intelligence For 5/12/26
Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis
THE PLAYOFFS: ROUND TWO
1 stat explaining each second-round series
Mike Shearer, Basketball Poetry
CLE-DET
Game 4 Observations
Danny Cunningham, The Inside Shot
Donovan Mitchell, LeBron James and the ties that bind in Cavs’ quest for postseason glory
Jason Lloyd, The Athletic
Cavs tie series
The Athletic
Cavaliers Throttle Pistons in Game 4
Danny Cunningham, The Inside Shot
Donovan Mitchell’s offensive explosion put the Pistons’ weaknesses on display
Hunter Patterson, The Athletic
Mobley making presence felt in Eastern Conference semifinals
Chris Fedor, cleveland.com
4 takeaways: Donovan Mitchell fuels huge 3rd quarter, Game 4 victory for Cavaliers
Shaun Powell, NBA.com
Why J.B. Bickerstaff keeps turning to Jalen Duren despite poor play
Omari Sankofa II, Free press
NYK-PHI
Are the Knicks a Mirage, a Moment, or the Real Thing?
Michael Pina, The Ringer
Stars of the Series
Jonathan Macri, Knicks Film School
What NBA playoff history shows about potential effects of Knicks’ extended layoff
Jared Schwartz, NY Post
How Knicks dominated the 76ers
David Vertsberger, SNY
Behind the Knicks’ staggering playoff stretch that has New York dreaming big
Dan Devine, Yahoo Sports
The Sixers had an improved regular season and an up-and-down playoff run. Now, an interesting offseason awaits.
Gina Mizell, The Inquirer
OKC-LAL
Thunder sweep the Lakers to return to Western Conference finals
The Athletic
The Lakers pushed Thunder in Game 4 — but OKC pushed back harder
Jenni Carlson, The Oklahoman
Ajay Mitchell amazes again for Thunder in NBA playoff closeout of Lakers
Joe Mussatto, The Okahoman
Lakers Playoffs Observations: Game 4 vs Thunder
Iztok Franko, digginbasketball
4 takeaways: Thunder guards push OKC to sweep over Lakers
Jeff Zillgitt, NBA.com
Lakers fight to the finish but are eliminated by Thunder
Broderick Turner, LA Times
SAS-MIN
The Timberwolves, Offensive Rebounding, and Second Chance Points
Paul Garcia, The Spot Up Shot
Minnesota coach Chris Finch got his start toiling in the obscurity of the British Basketball League. Now he’s two wins from the Western Conference Finals
Robert O’Connell, Wall Street Journal
The French Connection: Gobert, Wemby put their friendship on hold for the playoffs
Anthony Slater, ESPN
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