Basketball Reference For 3/3/25
The Suns continue to set the bar low, the Lakers continue to roll, the Cavs continue to streak, and more...
To add to the product, we at BI have decided to include our own notes and commentary for additional insights on the day’s selected pieces. These will either be labeled as “BI comments” or displayed centered between the dividers.
We would love to hear your opinions on these additions in the comments.
*FEATURE OF THE DAY*
Ex-Celtic Isaiah Thomas draws praise from Nuggets coach for G-League comeback effort
Khari A. Thompson, Boston.com
LEAGUE NEWS
The Jimmy Butler Effect - Tom's Title Tiers #20
Tom Haberstroh, The Finder With Tom Haberstroh
NBA Game Notes: Contenders Take Care Of Business
Keith Smith, The Basketball Bulletin
Luka Doncic is starting to find the rhythm with his jumper now. That’s worrisome for everyone not in purple in yellow! On defense, Doncic’s effort has been really good too. He’s had his moments of allow blow-bys, but mostly he’s been competitive. That’s huge for the Lakers scheme as a whole.
While not quite at his full powers yet, Luka is beginning to look more and more like Luka, averaging 26.4 points, 7.6 assists, and 9.2 rebounds over his last 5.
The NBA’s Biggest Rivalry Was Dead and Buried. Then Two Trades in Five Days Brought It Back To Life.
Robert O’Connell, Wall Street Journal
NBA Rewind: How can the Sixers and Suns salvage their uncertain futures?
Zach Harper, The Athletic
The Cavs had now recorded three separate wining streaks of at least ten games this season
Have Lakers, Nuggets joined contender class? Timberwolves’ Terrence Shannon emerges
John Hollinger, The Athletic
TEAM NEWS
ATL: Hawks’ Dyson Daniels letting his play take care of talk about best defensive player
Lauren Williams, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Last Monday, Daniels put up his NBA-leading third game of the season with seven or more steals. It’s the most such games in a single season in the NBA since Chris Paul did so during the 2008-09 season.
ATL: How the Hawks should handle Clint Capela's minutes down the stretch
Ben Grunert, Soaring Down South
BOS: Al Horford raises compete level, Celtics respond to hold off Nikola Jokic and Nuggets to stop losing skid at two
Adam Himmelsbach, The Boston Globe
BOS: How the Celtics Won a Defensive Chess Battle Against The Nuggets
Adam Taylor, The Celtics Chronicle
Knowing that the Nuggets offense loves to put pressure on the rim, the Celtics packed the paint with defenders, forcing Denver to be more perimeter-oriented than they prefer.
BOS: Boston Celtics fans, appreciate Al Horford while you still can
Souichi Terada, Mass Live
BOS: Al Horford leads Celtics past Nikola Jokic’s Nuggets: ‘What he does can’t be measured’
Jay King, The Athletic
CHI: Losing is one thing, but Bulls lying down is out of the question
Joe Cowley, Chicago Sun-Times
CLE: Game Night Observations: Cleveland Cavaliers Comeback Again, De'Andre Hunter Thrives, and Comments on Officiating
Danny Cunningham, The Inside Shot
DAL: Can the Mavericks Contend with Kyrie Irving as Their Only Proven Ball-handler?
Iztok Franco, Diggin Basketball
But for a team in "win now, only a title can validate the trade" mode, simply staying afloat isn’t enough. A late push and a deep playoff run will be necessary. Kyrie Irving and Anthony Davis will turn 33 and 32 later this month, and with 35-year-old Klay Thompson in the mix, it’s clear this team doesn’t have the luxury of wasting a season. With a limited number of chances to win it all, they can’t afford to let one slip away.
DAL: Antetokounmpo, Lillard Guide Bucks in Dominant Victory Over Mavericks
Grant Afseth, Dallas Hoops Journal
DEN: Nuggets show fight down 20, but comeback falls short in loss to Celtics
Bennett Durando, The Denver Post
DEN: Nuggets plagued by poor spacing in loss to Celtics, and it's an issue that will define Denver's season
Sam Quinn, CBS Sports
GSW: Warriors will continue to have Quinten Post decision that's critical to their success
Peter O’Keefe, Blue Man Hoop
Remaining Team News, NBA Draft, and Special Interest for paid subscribers