ShotQuality Wire

PREVIEW: The Chicago Bulls will welcome the red-hot Los Angeles Clippers to the United Center tonight, who have won six straight games. The Bulls haven't played since Sunday, while the Clippers are playing their second game in two nights , which could factor significantly into how this matchup unfolds. Chicago boasts a 13-9 home record this season compared to 7-13 on the road , giving them a clear advantage in their own arena. The Clippers rank first in post-up shot frequency but also rank 25th in both turnover rate and passing quality, relying heavily on isolation plays , a style...

PREVIEW: The Los Angeles Lakers (25-16) travel to Denver to face the Nuggets (29-14) on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 at 10 p.m. ET , marking a clash between two Western Conference contenders navigating significant injury challenges. Denver is managing without Nikola Jokic due to a knee injury, though the team has maintained a 7-4 record in his absence , while The Los Angeles Lakers (25-16) visit the Denver Nuggets (29-14) at Ball Arena in Denver after losing three road games in a row. The Lakers rank first in efficient attacking at the rim and free throw generation, yet struggle defensively...

PREVIEW: The Miami Heat arrive at Golden 1 Center operating with a quick tempo offense that ranks first in the league, yet their defensive vulnerability to three-point shooting remains a concern as they allow high-quality looks from beyond the arc. Coming off a disappointing 135-112 loss to the Warriors, the Heat have dropped five of their last seven games and now face a back-to-back situation that has challenged them all season. Miami's road record of 7-14 stands as a significant weakness heading into this contest against a Sacramento squad that has found more success at home. The Heat will continue...

PREVIEW: The Minnesota Timberwolves visit Utah on Tuesday night looking to reset after a disappointing Texas road trip. Minnesota fell to Houston despite strong early defense and pace, then squandered 15 points at the free-throw line in a five-point defeat. Against San Antonio, the Wolves clawed back from a 25-point deficit to briefly take the lead before losing in the final minutes. The ShotQuality data reveals Minnesota's defensive vulnerability on the perimeter, ranking 25th in three-point defense while allowing 45.3% of opponent shots from beyond the arc. Utah enters this matchup having lost 10 of its last 12 games, including a...

PREVIEW: The Philadelphia 76ers rank among the league's best at forcing turnovers and efficient free throw shooting, while the Phoenix Suns counter with strong offensive rebounding and a knack for creating midrange opportunities. However, the Suns struggle with spacing and attacking the rim on offense, while the 76ers have defensive vulnerabilities against drivers to the basket. Philadelphia's perimeter defense ranks fifth in limiting three-point quality, though their own three-point shooting efficiency sits near the bottom of the league. The 76ers enter as tight one-point favorites with a 223.5-point over-under set for the matchup. Both teams are expected to be at or...

PREVIEW: The San Antonio Spurs (30-13) visit the Houston Rockets (25-15) on January 20, 2026 , with both teams looking to extend winning streaks in a Southwest Division matchup. The Rockets enter as 4-point favorites , though this Texas showdown features intriguing contrasts in team construction and momentum. San Antonio boasts elite rim defense (ranked 1st in shots attacking the rim allowed) and solid rebounding on the defensive end (2nd), while Houston counters with league-leading offensive rebounding at 33.3% . The Spurs' defensive discipline and rebounding prowess will be tested against a Houston team that specializes in capitalizing on second...

PREVIEW: The Toronto Raptors visit Chase Center to face the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday, with tipoff scheduled for 10:00 p.m. EST in San Francisco. The Warriors enter as 3.5-point favorites , but this matchup carries significant intrigue given the teams' contrasting roster situations. Both squads are dealing with injuries, though Golden State faces a more pressing challenge following Jimmy Butler's season-ending ACL tear. Defense represents the backbone of both organizations, with each ranking in the top five in defensive rating . The offensive identities of these teams reveal a fascinating clash of philosophies that should define Tuesday's action. Toronto operates...