PHILOSOPHICAL QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“There is no safety. Only varying degrees of risk.”
-Lois McMaster Bujold
================================
NBA:
Seven reasons to care about the NBA
NBA’s ‘what could have been’ team
http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/2015/12/26/nbas-what-could-have-been-team/77922164/
Which teammates pass to which teammates the most?
1 deal each team could make before trade deadlines
https://hoopshabit.com/2015/12/26/1-deal-team-make-trade-deadline/
Scouts step it up during holidays
http://www.startribune.com/nba-scouts-step-it-up-during-holidays/363562281/
76ERS:
Sixers stun Suns to end 12-game slump
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/sixers/20151227_Sixers_stun_Suns_to_end_12-game_slump.html
D’Antoni debuts as Sixers aide but downplays role
Mike D’Antoni, Jerry Colangelo join 76ers in Phoenix
Newly reacquired Ish Smith starts for Sixers
Jerry Colangelo enjoying new gig with Philadelphia 76ers
BUCKS:
Toronto buries Bucks with fourth-quarter flurry
Raptors reserves outduel Bucks backups
BULLS:
Despite 25 points, Derrick Rose blames self for 118-111 loss to Mavericks
Bulls rally falls short, Mavericks pull away late to win 118-111
Bulls coach Fred Hoiberg seeking ‘growth’ after a trying week
Derrick Rose still having trouble getting above the rim
http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1207859/sir-dunk-derrick-rose-still-trouble-getting-rim
CAVALIERS:
Trail Blazers embarrass a Cavaliers squad that fails to show up and gets clobbered, 105-76
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/12/portland_trail_blazers_clevela.html
LeBron James and the bad vibes of the Moda Center and Dec. 26
http://www.cleveland.com/cavs/index.ssf/2015/12/lebron_james_and_the_bad_omens.html
Cavs PG Kyrie Irving sits out second game of back-to-back
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14439332/kyrie-irving-cleveland-cavaliers-sit-game-saturday-rest
LeBron’s Christmas stew
http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/14437762/truehoop-presents-lebron-christmas-stew
CELTICS:
Celtics earn satisfying win over Pistons
Jerebko hits key jumper as Celtics beat Pistons 99-93
Celts say Smart could be back as soon as tomorrow night
Celtics shoot to make smart choices
http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/celtics/2015/12/celtics_shoot_to_make_smart_choices
Kelly Olynyk’s play leaps into a higher level
CLIPPERS:
Clippers beat Utah, 109-104, but lose Blake Griffin for at least two weeks
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-jazz-20151227-story.html
DeAndre Jordan is the vocal leader of the Clippers’ defense
http://www.latimes.com/sports/clippers/la-sp-clippers-report-20151227-story.html
Blake Griffin to miss two weeks because of partially torn tendon
Blake Griffin out at least 2 weeks with partial quad tear
http://www.sbnation.com/nba/2015/12/26/10668086/blake-griffin-injury-clippers-partial-tear-quad
GRIZZLIES:
Griz suffer 98-92 loss to Hornets
HAWKS:
Five observations from Hawks’ 117-98 win over the Knicks
Knicks-Hawks report card
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/knicks-hawks-report-card/nprsP/
Hardaway Jr. belongs in the NBA
http://www.myajc.com/news/sports/basketball/fisher-hardaway-jr-belongs-in-the-nba/nprp7/
HEAT:
Heat rallies to beat Magic; Tyler Johnson plans to return Monday
http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nba/miami-heat/article51736235.html
Heat rally from 14-point second-half deficit to defeat Magic 108-101
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/fl-miami-heat-magic-1227-20151226-story.html
Should Hassan play through foul trouble if he doesn’t play late?
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-askira-story.html
Whiteside’s dual degrees coming from Juwan, Zo
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/miami-heat/sfl-ira-nba-column-s122715-column.html
Chris Bosh: Spotlight on Heat forward
http://blogs.denverpost.com/nuggets/2015/12/26/chris-bosh-spotlight-on-miami-heat-forward/13599/
HORNETS:
Kemba Walker’s late 3-pointer, Nic Batum push Hornets past Grizzlies
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article51736285.html
Nic Batum has been Mr. Everything so far for the Hornets
http://www.charlotteobserver.com/sports/nba/charlotte-hornets/article51746665.html
JAZZ:
Clippers top injury-riddled Utah Jazz, 109-104
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3349624-155/los-angeles-clippers-top-injury-riddled-utah
Jazz’s defense is a letdown in another home loss
http://www.sltrib.com/sports/3351137-155/kragthorpe-jazzs-defense-is-a-letdown
Strong outside shooting lifts Clippers past Jazz in Salt Lake City
Jazz don’t try Hack-a-Shaq approach on L.A.’s Jordan
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865644440/Jazz-dont-try-Hack-a-Shaq-approach-on-LAs-Jordan.html
KINGS:
Breaking down the Kings’ week ahead
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article51737245.html
KNICKS:
Hawks hand Knicks a third straight loss
Knicks squander early lead in 117-98 loss to Hawks
Carmelo Anthony calls out Knicks after meltdown blowout
http://nypost.com/2015/12/26/knicks-dream-start-becomes-nightmare-in-meltdown-blowout/
Knicks desperately need a spark from their backcourt
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2599826-knicks-desperately-need-a-spark-from-their-backcourt
Back in Knicks lineup, Carmelo Anthony hopes to make All-Star case
LAKERS:
Kobe Bryant reveals how deeply the Lakers’ 2008 Finals loss tormented him
http://www.latimes.com/sports/lakers/la-sp-lakers-report-20151227-story.html
Lakers’ Kobe Bryant eyeing food, wine and competition in Boston
MAGIC:
Magic cough up 15-point lead early in 3rd quarter, lose to Heat 108-101
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-magic-heat-game-1227-20151226-13-story.html
Postgame report: Magic vs. Heat
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/postgame-report-magic-vs.-heat-12/26/15
Fournier showing to be excellent in crunch time
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/fournier-showing-be-excellent-crunch-time
Magic have improved their finishing near the basket
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/orlando-magic/os-orlando-magic-news-1227-20151226-story.html
Fournier, Magic not surprised by team’s early success
http://www.nba.com/magic/news/fournier-magic-not-surprised-teams-early-success
Scott Skiles’ 30-assist game: An oral history of an NBA record
MAVERICKS:
Mavs clamp down in the final minutes against the Bulls to decide offensive showcase
J.J. Barea provides big lift again as Mavericks overcome Bulls
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article51754635.html
Mavericks’ Barea capitalizes on fresh start
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/article51742440.html
Carlisle asked about sitting Dirk against Nets
http://www.star-telegram.com/sports/nba/dallas-mavericks/full-court-press-blog/article51670935.html
How the Mavericks, Bulls worked together in facilitating a seldom-seen NBA rain delay
NETS:
Nets fall apart in fourth quarter, lose to Wizards
Disney World is Brook Lopez’s Fantasyland
http://www.newsday.com/sports/basketball/nets/disney-world-is-brook-lopez-s-fantasyland-1.11267235
NUGGETS:
San Antonio rests Duncan and Ginobili, still cruises past Nuggets
http://www.denverpost.com/nuggets/ci_29313791/san-antonio-rests-duncan-and-ginobili-still-cruises
Danilo Gallinari, Emmanuel Mudiay need more time with injuries
PACERS:
One stellar quarter enough for Pacers to beat Timberwolves, end 3-game losing streak
Pacers have undergone a personality change from physical to fast
http://www.sacbee.com/sports/nba/sacramento-kings/kings-blog/article51744820.html
PELICANS:
Gordon scores 26, Pelicans make key late-game defensive plays to beat Rockets, 110-108
http://www.nola.com/pelicans/index.ssf/2015/12/eric_gordon_2.html – incart_river_index
Evans makes game-clinching steal vs. Rockets after struggling in Christmas Day game
Eric Gordon, Omer Asik give standout performances
PISTONS:
Boston 99, Detroit 93: Pistons can’t make up for sloppy play
http://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2015/12/26/detroit-pistons-boston-celtics/77905976/
SVG praises Marcus Morris: ‘I like coaching him’
RAPTORS:
Raptors’ bench puts on clinic in victory over Bucks
DeMar DeRozan leads the way as Raptors top Bucks
http://www.torontosun.com/2015/12/26/demar-derozan-leads-the-way-as-raptors-top-bucks
ROCKETS:
Rockets come up short in back-and-forth affair in New Orleans
Bickerstaff blasts Rockets’ attitude after loss to Pelicans
http://www.houstonchronicle.com/sports/rockets/article/Rockets-stumble-against-Pelicans-6722140.php
Dwight Howard feels blessed to reach legendary milestone
Marcus Thornton is becoming frustrated with limited role
The decline of Dwight Howard
SPURS:
Parker sparks Spurs to bounce-back win over Nuggets
Kawhi Leonard, Spurs dump Nuggets for 26th straight win at home
http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=400828337
NBA schedule-makers play Scrooge with Spurs kids’ Christmas
SUNS:
Suns lose to lowly 76ers at home
http://www.azcentral.com/story/sports/nba/suns/2015/12/27/suns-lose-lowly-76ers-home/77925930/
Suns’ Eric Bledsoe leaves loss vs. Sixers with left knee sprain
http://www.si.com/nba/2015/12/26/phoenix-suns-eric-bledsoe-knee-injury-update
Eric Bledsoe reaching new heights
http://www.basketballinsiders.com/nba-saturday-eric-bledsoe-reaching-new-heights/
THUNDER:
How Kevin Durant bulked up his frame and became one of the NBA’s most complete players
Kevin Durant talks free agency, leadership, injury recovery in ESPN interview
TIMBERWOLVES:
Ellis has 22 points, pushes Pacers past Timberwolves 102-88
TRAIL BLAZERS:
Trail Blazers breeze to impressive win over Cavaliers
Allen Crabbe’s career night leads Trail Blazers’ rout of Cavaliers
http://espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=400828340
Damian Lillard to miss third straight game with foot injury
http://www.si.com/nba/2015/12/26/portland-trail-blazers-damian-lillard-foot-injury-update
WARRIORS:
Curry expects to play Monday despite calf injury
Warriors’ Curry named 2015 AP Male Athlete of the Year
http://www.csnbayarea.com/warriors/warriors-curry-named-2015-ap-male-athlete-year
Mark Jackson: Steph Curry is ‘hurting the game’ of basketball
http://www.sfchronicle.com/sports/article/Mark-Jackson-Steph-Curry-is-hurting-the-6721694.php
If Stephen Curry is what’s wrong with basketball, we should all be so wrong
http://chicago.suntimes.com/basketball/7/71/1208142/stephen-curry-whats-wrong-basketball-wrong
Stephen Curry is helping basketball more than ever
WIZARDS:
Jarell Eddie excels in debut as Wizards hammer Nets for fourth straight win
Wizards rout Nets with help from Jarell Eddie’s hot fourth quarter
Peter Newmann is an analyst and writer who spent 10 years at ESPN, 8 as the NBA senior researcher working 24/7 on the league. He wrote game notes for crews, articles for ESPN.com, analysis for studio shows, and regularly assisted reporters and writers. Follow him on Twitter, and check out his Web site, www.allball365.com.