ShotQuality Wire

PREVIEW: The Minnesota Timberwolves will host the Brooklyn Nets at Target Center as they look to finish their regular season strong while still battling for playoff positioning in the Western Conference. The Wolves enter with momentum, having won three straight home games and sitting just one game behind the fourth-place Denver Nuggets. Minnesota's offensive attack features Anthony Edwards, who has been on fire recently, demonstrating why the Timberwolves rank 6th in high-frequency three-point shooting at 45.5% of their attempts. Their efficient transition offense (ranked 8th) and high spacing (also 8th) have helped Minnesota win seven of their last ten contests...

PREVIEW: The Charlotte Hornets, currently holding the second-worst record in the Eastern Conference at 19-61, will face the Boston Celtics after dropping five consecutive games and losing nine of their last ten matchups. Despite ranking first in limiting shots at the rim on defense, the Hornets have been dismal on the road and struggle with high turnover rates (ranked 28th) while allowing opponents to attempt a concerning volume of three-pointers (ranked 29th in 3PT attempts allowed). Their offensive rebounding provides a silver lining as they rank 5th in that category with a 26.9% offensive rebounding percentage, though it hasn't translated...

PREVIEW: The New York Knicks (50-29) host the Cleveland Cavaliers (63-16) at Madison Square Garden in an exciting Eastern Conference matchup between playoff-bound teams. Cleveland enters as the NBA's highest-scoring team (122.3 points per game) while allowing 112.3 points defensively, showcasing their elite offensive attack led by high-frequency pick and roll sets and efficient three-point shooting (ranked 3rd). New York counters with their own offensive firepower (116.1 points per game) on 48.8% shooting (4th in league) while maintaining a top-10 defense that surrenders just 111.8 points per contest, bolstered by their second-ranked efficiency from beyond the arc. The Cavaliers have...

PREVIEW: The Golden State Warriors (47-33) visit the Portland Trail Blazers (35-45) on Friday night at Moda Center, with significant playoff implications hanging in the balance for the Warriors who risk falling into the play-in tournament following their stunning loss to San Antonio. Golden State brings their high-octane offense to Portland, ranking second in three-point attempt frequency (46.9%) and fourth in assists, creating a dangerous matchup for a Blazers team that has struggled defensively against quality three-point shots. Jimmy Butler, who's averaging 17.1 points per game and has been a defensive catalyst with 1.7 steals per contest since joining the Warriors,...

PREVIEW: The Houston Rockets and Los Angeles Lakers prepare for a Western Conference showdown at Crypto.com Arena with major playoff implications for the Lakers. The Lakers (49-31) sit third in the conference while the Rockets (52-28) have secured the second seed, setting up what could be a potential second-round playoff preview. The Lakers boast one of the league's most efficient offenses, shooting an impressive 47.8% from the field, while their league-leading free throw rate (ranked 1st) has helped them generate consistent scoring opportunities. Luka Doncic enters the contest in spectacular form after torching Dallas for 45 points on 57.1% shooting, alongside...

PREVIEW: The Los Angeles Clippers bring their six-game winning streak to Sacramento as they continue pursuing a top-four seed in the Western Conference playoff race. Leading the NBA in net rating over their last ten games, the Clippers will look to leverage their league-best post-up shot frequency and second-ranked defensive rebounding against a Kings team fighting for play-in positioning. Sacramento's defense ranks fifth against shots attacking the rim, which could challenge the Clippers' interior scoring plans despite LA's efficient three-point shooting (ranked sixth league-wide). With Norman Powell and Ivica Zubac listed as questionable, the Clippers will rely on James Harden's playmaking...

PREVIEW: The Denver Nuggets will host the Memphis Grizzlies in a critical Western Conference matchup at Ball Arena following their first win since Michael Malone's departure as head coach. Denver snapped a four-game losing streak by defeating the Sacramento Kings 124-116, showcasing their offensive prowess with the league's most efficient attack at the rim (ranked 1st) and premier passing (also ranked 1st). The Nuggets, currently tied with the LA Clippers for the fourth seed in the West with a 48-32 record, have been shooting an impressive 51% from the field while averaging 119.3 points in their last ten games. David...

PREVIEW: The Miami Heat visit the New Orleans Pelicans at Smoothie King Center on Friday night, bringing their seventh-ranked defense and stellar three-point defense (4th in ShotQuality rankings) to face a struggling Pelicans squad. Tyler Herro leads Miami's offense with nearly 24 points per game while Bam Adebayo anchors their defensive efforts, as the Heat look to bounce back from a recent loss to the Bulls where they shot 47% from the field. The Heat's ability to limit opponents' quality three-point attempts should prove advantageous against a Pelicans team that ranks 26th in three-point attempt frequency. Despite ranking 7th in offensive...

PREVIEW: The Milwaukee Bucks bring their six-game winning streak to Detroit's Little Caesars Arena as they face the Pistons in a crucial Eastern Conference matchup that could impact playoff seeding. Despite ranking second in post-up shot frequency and third in rim-attack efficiency, the Bucks have surprisingly struggled with offensive rebounding, ranking dead last in the league with just 19.0% OREB. The Greek superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo has been dominant, coming off a 28-point, 11-rebound performance against the Pelicans, while the Bucks continue to play without Damian Lillard who remains sidelined with a blood clot issue. Milwaukee has historically dominated this rivalry, winning...

PREVIEW: The Oklahoma City Thunder (66-14) head to the Delta Center for their penultimate regular season game against the last-place Utah Jazz (17-63) on Friday night. OKC has already secured the NBA's best record and top seed in the Western Conference playoffs, showcasing their elite defense that ranks first in forcing turnovers while allowing the second-fewest shots at the rim. The Thunder's disciplined approach is evident in their league-leading low turnover rate, a stark contrast to Utah's struggles in this area. Despite potentially resting several key players including Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder's impressive depth was on display in their recent victory...

PREVIEW: The Magic visit the Pacers Friday night with both teams riding impressive winning streaks into their final regular season matchup. Orlando, ranked first in defensive rebounding according to ShotQuality data, brings their league-best defense allowing just 105.3 points per game to challenge Indiana's high-powered attack. The Pacers, winners of six straight and boasting the second-ranked frequency of pick and roll plays, have secured the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs. Franz Wagner, who scored 23 points in their recent win over Boston, leads a Magic squad that has clinched the seventh seed and a home play-in tournament game despite...

PREVIEW: The Atlanta Hawks aim for their third consecutive victory as they host the injury-plagued Philadelphia 76ers in what should be a favorable matchup for the home team. The Hawks, currently fifth in the NBA in points per game, leverage their quick tempo (ranked 3rd) and excellent passing (also ranked 3rd) to create scoring opportunities, particularly when attacking the rim where they rank 4th in frequency. Trae Young's playmaking combined with Onyeka Okongwu's interior presence and the sharpshooting of Georges Niang could prove too much for Philadelphia's depleted roster. The Sixers will be severely shorthanded, missing stars Tyrese Maxey, Joel Embiid,...