Basketball Intelligence for 5/30/24
The Day's Best NBA Reporting and Analysis
PLAYOFFS
Did NBA's regular-season changes contribute to uptick in playoff injuries? Execs are asking smart questions
James Herbert, CBS Sports
MIN-DAL
Timberwolves’ Anthony Edwards is must-see TV during — and after — games
Zach Harper, The Athletic
The Dallas Mavericks relaxed and need to reset in Game 5 against the Timberwolves
Jordan Brodess, Mavs Moneyball
Timberwolves show signs of wolf
Kelly Dwyer, The Second Arrangement
The Mavericks cannot afford any more low-effort nights from their stars
David Trink, Mavs Moneyball
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch gets mobile, gets a technical and gets team back in the series
Chris Hine, Star Tribune
It's probably no coincidence that in Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, with Timberwolves coach Chris Finch the most mobile he has been following surgery to repair a ruptured right patellar tendon, he picked up his first technical foul of the postseason.
Kyle Anderson Has Become Minnesota's Most Reliable Enigma In the Postseason
Jonah Maves, Zone Coverage
Kyrie Irving owns his part in Game 4 loss, relishes pressure of advancing to NBA Finals
Mike Curtis, Dallas Morning News
TEAM STORIES
BOS: Tatum overcame a tough challenge vs. Pacers
Adam Taylor,
Nesmith guarded Tatum for a total of 32 minutes and 57 seconds during the conference finals. That’s 12 minutes shy of one full game. We can also calculate it as 153.2 partial possessions. During that time, Tatum took just 25 field goal attempts. He made 9 of them…
An interesting point to note is that six of Tatum’s made shots against Nesmith came in game three. His approach was different. He embraced the physicality Nesmith was bringing to the table and opted to overpower him.
CHA: As Charles Lee preps for NBA Finals run with Celtics, Hornets’ coaching staff taking shape
Roderick Boone, The Charlotte Observer