ShotQuality Wire

PREVIEW: The Charlotte Hornets arrive in Atlanta riding an eight-game winning streak, their longest since 1999, after defeating Houston 109-99 on Thursday. This remarkable run has propelled them into playoff contention at tenth in the Eastern Conference, just a half game behind the Hawks. The Hornets excel with efficient free throw shooting at 81.5% and maintain high spacing on offense, though they operate at the league's 24th-slowest pace. Charlotte's offensive firepower has been the engine behind their success, ranking eighth in the NBA with 118 points per 100 possessions, even as their defense allows 116.3 points per 100 possessions. The Hawks...

PREVIEW: The Sacramento Kings will attempt to snap an 11-game losing streak when hosting the Cleveland Cavaliers on February 7, 2026 at Golden 1 Center. The Kings are navigating one of their most difficult stretches of the season, missing Domantas Sabonis due to lower back pain and losing Keegan Murray to an ankle injury, leaving their interior defense vulnerable. Sacramento ranks 1st in high-frequency midrange shooting, yet struggles defensively, ranking 27th against rim attacks and 28th against three-point shooting. DeMar DeRozan and Zach LaVine continue to shoulder the offensive load for a team desperately seeking momentum at home. The Cavaliers arrive...

PREVIEW: The Dallas Mavericks arrive in San Antonio operating with a quick tempo and allowing plenty of rim attacks defensively, ranking 3rd in pace while sitting 26th in shots attacking the basket allowed. Dallas enters this matchup having lost six straight games and sitting 12th in the Western Conference at 19-32, while the Spurs have won three consecutive and hold the second seed with a 35-16 record. These teams have already met twice this season, with San Antonio dominating both occasions including a 135-123 victory just two days ago. Victor Wembanyama has been nearly unstoppable against Dallas this year, averaging...

PREVIEW: The Denver Nuggets bring elite three-point shooting (ranked 2nd) and efficient attacking rim capabilities to face a Chicago Bulls team that has recently undergone significant roster changes. Chicago shipped away eight players ahead of the trade deadline , and the new acquisitions are still adjusting to coach Billy Donovan's preferred faster pace. Denver enters this matchup on a three-game losing streak that includes defeats to Oklahoma City, Detroit, and New York , making this road trip crucial for a team that has otherwise dominated away from home. The Bulls counter with strong defensive rebounding (3rd-ranked) and excellent perimeter defense...

PREVIEW: The Golden State Warriors, sitting eighth in the Western Conference with a 28-24 record, bring elite three-point volume to this matchup, ranking first in high-frequency shooting from distance while maintaining the league's fourth-best turnover-forcing defense. The Los Angeles Lakers counter as a fifth-seed in the conference at 30-19, boasting top-tier efficiency when attacking the rim and drawing fouls at an elite rate. Both squads limp into this rivalry battle decimated by injuries, with key superstar names stripped away and forcing each organization to lean on depth and role players. Vegas expects a tight, high-scoring affair with the Lakers favored...

PREVIEW: Shai Gilgeous-Alexander hit two free throws with 2.3 seconds remaining in double overtime to lift Oklahoma City past Houston in their season opener , setting the stage for a rivalry that remains intense despite the passage of time. The Thunder boast elite defensive capabilities, ranking first in defending shots at the rim and second in three-point defense , while their ball movement excels with a league-leading low turnover rate. Houston counters with the league's best offensive rebounding at 32.8 percent and a propensity for mid-range work that ranks second in frequency , though their free throw shooting efficiency sits...

PREVIEW: The Memphis Grizzlies bring their high-frequency post-up offense and quick tempo attack to Portland, ranking second in post-ups while sitting at sixth in pace , but they'll face a Trail Blazers defense that limits rim attacks effectively. Portland counters with elite offensive rebounding, sitting second in the league at 30.6%, though their perimeter shooting efficiency ranks dead last at 30th. The Trail Blazers are fighting to escape a brutal six-game losing streak , while Memphis has momentum after consecutive wins over Minnesota and Sacramento . Both squads have depth concerns due to injuries, but the home court advantage and...

PREVIEW: The Philadelphia 76ers visit the Phoenix Suns on Saturday night, with the 76ers ranked 3rd in free throw shooting efficiency while the Suns rank 2nd in forcing turnovers. Philadelphia enters this matchup with a 29-22 record overall and a 14-9 road record following a loss to the Los Angeles Lakers, where Joel Embiid led the team with 35 points. The Suns carry a 31-21 record and boast a strong 17-8 home mark after falling to the Golden State Warriors, with Dillon Brooks scoring 24 points in that contest. Interestingly, both squads exhibit offensive limitations—Philadelphia ranks 23rd in spacing on...

PREVIEW: The Orlando Magic host the Utah Jazz in non-conference action Saturday at 7 p.m. EST , marking the second meeting between these teams this season. Orlando boasts a strong 16-9 home record while Utah struggles on the road at just 6-19 , giving the Magic a clear advantage in this matchup. The Magic rank second in limiting three-point attempts allowed at just 38.0 percent, demonstrating elite perimeter discipline that should help contain Utah's offensive weapons. However, both squads share a defensive vulnerability, ranking in the bottom tier when defending the three-point line , which could make this a high-scoring affair....

PREVIEW: The Brooklyn Nets enter Saturday's matchup at Barclays Center sitting at the bottom of the Eastern Conference with a 13-37 record, matching the Washington Wizards' struggles. Brooklyn is riding a three-game losing streak following defeats to Detroit, Los Angeles, and Orlando , though their defensive rebounding ranks first in the league, providing a foundation for potential improvement. The Nets excel at spacing on offense (ranked 3rd) and generate high-volume three-point attempts (47.6% of shots from beyond the arc) , yet this aggressive approach has backfired with inefficient long-range shooting and poor perimeter defense that allows quality looks for opponents....