Basketball Intelligence For 5/3/25, PART TWO
Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis
*FEATURE OF THE DAY*
Norman Powell thriving in ‘biggest year’ of career
Marc J Spears, Andscape
TEAM-SPECIFIC
BOS: Some keys and favorable matchups in the Celtics-Knicks Eastern Conference semifinal series
Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe
DAL: Grimes was built for the Mavs' future but Harrison traded him away
Noah Weber, The Smoking Cuban
DEN: Three keys to series-deciding game
Bennett Durando, Denver Post
GSW: Warriors on verge of epic collapse after Game 6 loss
Joseph Dycus, Mercury News
GSW: Warriors face daunting, ominous Game 7 in Houston after fumbling 3-1 series lead
Monte Poole, NBC Sports
HOU: Rockets, Fred VanVleet push Warriors to Game 7. Can they get ‘one more’ ?
Kelly Iko, The Athletic
HOU: 5 takeaways as Houston dominates to force Game 7
Shaun Powell, NBA.com
HOU: Rockets force Game 7 as 'calm, steady' Fred VanVleet delivers
Michael C. Wright, ESPN
LAC: Clippers, Nuggets expect another chess match in Game 7
Janis Carr, OC Register
LAC: When their stars shine, Clippers are as formidable as we imagined
Mirjam Swanson, OC Register
LAC: Norman Powell thriving in ‘biggest year’ of career
Marc J Spears, Andscape
MIN: The Wolves' Round 1 Win Highlighted Their Greatest Strength
Andrew Dukowitz, Zone Coverage
Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Donte DiVincenzo, and Naz Reid were the starters on the bench all season.
“You have 8 starters on this team,” DiVincenzo said in December. “Everybody believes in it, everybody has that mindset, but at the same time, everybody accepts their role.”
The bench knew its role and played big minutes when needed. They closed games over starters when necessary, and provided shooting and changes of pace for Chris Finch. The playoffs arrived, and the team knew Minnesota’s depth and cohesiveness would be the difference maker. That allowed Finch more options to combat the opposing team’s adjustments.
If the Lakers pick on Mike Conley and isolate him on defense, Finch could go to Alexander-Walker. If Jaden McDaniels struggles to make shots, he sends DiVincenzo into the game. When Rudy Gobert gets picked on or is ineffective, Reid steps up.
NYK: Brunson’s series-winning shot vs. Pistons hides Knicks’ true flaws
Kristian Winfield, Daily News
OKC: Thunder's two-headed defensive monster holds keys to championship dreams
Maxwell Ogden, Thunderous Intentions
ORL: Jeff Weltman sets sights on improving offense as Magic enter ‘win now’ mode
Jason Beede, Orlando Sentinel
SAC: Keegan Murray’s Time? A Test of Patience, Potential, and the Kings Direction
Blake, Kings Herald
SAS: Gregg Popovich: The Old-School Coach Who Saw the Future of the NBA
Robert O’Connell, Wall Street Journal
SAS: Popovich mixed toughness and spirit to make NBA history
Rebecca Bryan, AFP
SAS: Gregg Popovich's legendary coaching run is over, but the Spurs will see the Pop Way continue for years to come
Bill Reiter, CBS Sports
SAS: 10 things that 'pop' out from Gregg Popovich's coaching career
Steve Aschburner, NBA.com
LEAGUEWIDE
Everything to know ahead of this weekend's massive Game 7s
ESPN
What to expect in Celtics-Knicks series
John Schuhmann, NBA.com
DRAFT-RELATED
Dash Daniels Pre-Season Interview
Nic Thomas, Draftstack
Projected 2026 top five pick Dash Daniels discusses his decision to join the NBL Next Stars program, his goals for next season, and how he views himself as a player