Basketball Intelligence For 12/16/24

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BOS: Even against the NBA-worst Wizards, Celtics put in the effort that will be needed later
Adam Himmelsbach, The Boston Globe

BOS: Finding the right matchup key to the Celtics’ success in isolation
Adam Himmelsbach, The Boston Globe

BOS: 4 takeaways as Celtics beat Wizards, Kristaps Porzingis leaves early
Souichi Terada, Mass Live

BOS: Boston And The Math Apocalypse
Matt Moore, Hardwood Paroxysm

After winning the title and picking up where they left off last season, the proceeding 20-plus games has seen a fascinating shift in how people talk about Boston. Gone are the doubters and the suggestions that their path last season was particularly weak due to injuries and a favorable Finals opponent.

BKN: Nets’ Sean Marks reveals motivation behind Dennis Schroder trade as tank speculation grows
Eric Slater, Clutch Points

CHA: Everything Miles Bridges Said At Sunday’s Hornets Practice
Will Eudy, UD Hoops

DAL: Klay Thompson embraces second return to Golden State, helps Mavericks beat Warriors
Christian Clark, The Athletic

DAL: Mavs Game Observations: Game 26

Iztok Franco, Diggin Basketball

DAL: Mavericks vs. Warriors recap: 3 things from Mavericks wild 143-133 win against the Warriors
Josh Bowe, Mavs Moneyball

DEN: Nuggets went back to basics with rebounding drills during rare practice time: “Throwback to middle school”
Bennett Durando, The Denver Post

GSW: The Warriors’ revolving door at off-guard is about to get a Dennis Schröder boost
Anthony Slater, The Athletic

The noise from the Warriors during the offseason and training camp signaled that Podziemski would step into a bigger playmaking and shot-creation role. His inability to do it efficiently has partly revealed the team’s biggest flaw. The Warriors entered Sunday night as the league’s fourth-best defense but sat 14th offensively, and it’s been a whole lot worse lately.

GSW: On Luka Dončić and the Mavericks tagging the Warriors by targeting the ‘tag’
Joe Voray, Golden State Of Mind

GSW: Warriors’ record shooting effort goes for naught in loss to Mavericks
Sam Gordon, San Franciso Chronicle

GSW: What we learned as Warriors come up short in shootout with Mavs
Dalton Johnson, NBC Sports

GSW: Historic Warriors shooting not enough to keep up with Luka Doncic, Mavericks
Danny Emerman, The Mercury News

GSW: The Warriors have said they need to evolve. The Schroder trade is just that.
Danny Emerman, The Mercury News

HOU: Rockets Need to Find Depth Outside of Amen Thompson and Tari Eason
Jed Katz, SI.com

LAL: LeBron James feels ‘pretty good’ after 2-game absence from Lakers, will manage foot issue
Jovan Buha, The Athletic

LAL: LeBron James returns and Lakers overcome Anthony Davis injury scare in win
Dan Woike, Los Angeles Time

MIA: Heat rookie’s recent performance shows he’s ready to take next step
Daniel Riccio, All U Can Heat

At some point it seems like Ware could be well positioned for a chance at a real rotation spot. He brings elements to the game that Love doesn’t have at this stage of his career. The athleticism, rim protection and paint finishing are all the best attributes of Ware’s game that can provide an instant impact on the Heat.

MIN: Timberwolves continue suffocating opponents en route to sixth win in seven games
Jace Frederick, Pioneer Press

NYK: Eyes on Karl-Anthony Towns: Observing the Knicks’ star in Orlando for one night
James L. Edwards III, The Athletic

NYK”: Knicks Out-Tough Orlando
Tommy Beer, Knicks Centric

NYK: Fighting Fire with Fire
Joanthan Macri, Knicks Film School

NYK: Knicks survive gritty Orlando Magic defense in 100-91 road victory
Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News

NYK: Knicks defeat Magic as Mikal Bridges hits NBA ironman milestone
Steve Popper, Newsday

PHI: Jared McCain’s Meniscus Injury Is A Nightmare Scenario For The Sixers
Bryan Toporek, Forbes

Remaining Team, League, and WNBA News, and NBA Draft continued for paid subscribers. Remember: for just $5 a month, you get full access to all the best news and reporting that we hand-curate daily for your enjoyment. Already have a subscription? Now is the perfect time to gift one to someone you know!