ShotQuality Wire

PREVIEW: The Boston Celtics arrive in Atlanta ranked second in defensive three-point shooting quality while maintaining the league's second-best turnover rate , positioning them as a disciplined force on both ends of the floor. The Celtics have won 10 of their last 14 games overall after sneaking past the Heat in a 119-114 road victory on Thursday , with Anfernee Simons leading the charge with 39 points off the bench and Jaylen Brown contributing 27 points with seven rebounds. Boston is averaging 117.2 points on 47.3 percent shooting while allowing just 110.5 points on 45 percent shooting , demonstrating offensive...

PREVIEW: The Golden State Warriors host the Charlotte Hornets on Saturday as 6.5-point favorites, with the Warriors ranked first in high-frequency three-point shooting at 50.1% of their attempts. Golden State has won four of their last five games and is chasing a third consecutive victory after defeating the Knicks 126-113 on Thursday. The Warriors' defensive prowess stands out, allowing just 113.2 points per game while generating 9.6 steals nightly with a 112.4 defensive rating. These teams have a familiar rivalry at Chase Center, with Golden State winning each of their last six matchups. Charlotte arrives in decent form after drubbing the...

PREVIEW: The Indiana Pacers arrive in Detroit on the second night of a back-to-back to face the Pistons , a matchup that carries significant implications for both squads. Detroit enters as the Eastern Conference's top team, having already defeated Indiana twice this season , establishing clear dominance in their head-to-head series. The Pacers have won four of their last five games , riding momentum that includes Jay Huff's career-high 29 points and Pascal Siakam's 27-point effort in their most recent victory . However, Indiana must contend with a defensive challenge: the Pistons rank first in defending shots at the rim,...

PREVIEW: The Lakers arrive in Portland looking to snap a four-game losing streak after starting the season 23-11 , and they'll need to lean heavily on the strengths that have made them so efficient when executing. Los Angeles ranks first in efficient attacking at the rim and boasts the league's highest free throw rate , giving them a clear path to manufacturing points even with key players sidelined. Luka Dončić will miss his eighth game due to left groin soreness, while Austin Reaves remains out with a calf strain, and Deandre Ayton is questionable. The team's defensive struggles have been...

PREVIEW: The Minnesota Timberwolves face the San Antonio Spurs in this NBA game , with the matchup taking place at Frost Bank Arena on Saturday night. Minnesota suffered a recent defeat, losing 110-105 on the road at Houston , while San Antonio bounced back with a 119-101 victory against Milwaukee at home. The Wolves have won five consecutive games against the Spurs and claimed eight victories in their last ten head-to-head matchups . What makes this showdown particularly intriguing is how each team's defensive identity shapes their approach: Minnesota excels at forcing teams into tough three-point attempts while struggling defensively...

PREVIEW: The Oklahoma City Thunder will visit the Miami Heat on January 17, 2026 at Kaseya Center , marking a clash between the league's hottest team and a squad desperately seeking consistency. The Thunder arrive at 35-7 and are favored by 10.5 points , having established themselves as the league's elite defensive unit. Oklahoma City ranks first in forcing turnovers and allowing few shots at the rim while maintaining a low turnover rate of their own , creating a suffocating defensive identity that opponents struggle to break down. The Thunder are riding a five-game winning streak and have gone 8-2...

PREVIEW: The New York Knicks will host the Phoenix Suns at Madison Square Garden on Saturday, January 17, 2026 , with New York favored by 3.5 points. The Knicks recently returned from a rough road trip where they lost to the Suns 112-107 as a one-point underdog , giving them a chance at redemption on their home floor. The Knicks rank among the league's most efficient three-point shooters and boast strong offensive rebounding, though they struggle defending the perimeter , allowing opponents significant three-point volume. Despite their talent, New York has gone 3-7 in their last ten games , making...

PREVIEW: The Utah Jazz face the Dallas Mavericks on Saturday, January 17 at the American Airlines Center , with the teams meeting for the second time in three days after Dallas dominated Utah 144-122 last Thursday. Klay Thompson led the Mavericks with 26 points while Naji Marshall contributed 22 in that dominant victory , showcasing the offensive firepower that has defined the home team's recent dominant stretch. However, Dallas brings elite defensive principles to this matchup, ranking first in good defense against three-point shooting and second in limiting three-point attempts allowed, while Utah struggles on that end of the floor...

PREVIEW: Washington arrives in Denver fresh off a 128-115 road loss to Sacramento that dropped the team to 10-30 on the season. The Wizards are averaging just 112.6 points per game while allowing 123.9, ranking near the bottom of the league defensively. According to shot quality metrics, Washington struggles with bad passing and isolation-heavy offense (ranked 24th), while their defense ranks dead last in several key categories including rim protection and defensive rebounding. The Wizards remain without Trae Young due to knee and quad injuries, leaving them without a reliable playmaker to counter Denver's offensive firepower. The Nuggets come in riding...