Grizzlies maul Wolves in comeback win | Celtics bounce back
Jan 21, 2025
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Jay King, an insightful NBA reporter for The Athletic, joins the conversation to discuss the NBA's latest dynamics. He highlights Jaren Jackson's key role in the Grizzlies' comeback against the Timberwolves. The ongoing struggles of the Wolves, now exacerbated by Donte DiVincenzo's injury, raise questions about their lineup. King also provides an in-depth look at the Celtics' current standing in the Eastern Conference and their bounce-back performance against the struggling Warriors, and touches on potential playoff implications.
The Minnesota Timberwolves are struggling with lineup challenges, particularly the absence of Donte DiVincenzo and the underperformance of Julius Randle.
The Boston Celtics managed to bounce back from a slump, but need to improve shooting consistency and adapt to integrating新 player Kristaps Porzingis.
Deep dives
Wolves' Struggles and Upcoming Changes
The Wolves are experiencing significant challenges this season, particularly highlighted by their recent close loss to the Grizzlies. Dante DiVincenzo's absence due to injury has compounded their struggles, as his shooting was crucial to their starting lineup. The team's need for a change is evident, especially with the underwhelming performance of Julius Randle, which raises questions about his role going forward. Utilizing younger talents like rookie Rob Dillingham and supporting players like Nas Reed, who has excelled off the bench, could provide the boost the Wolves desperately need.
Pistons Rising in 2025
The Pistons are having a remarkable start to 2025, showcasing their talent with dominant performances, including a notable win against the Rockets. Cade Cunningham is emerging as a standout player, putting up impressive stats and demonstrating his offensive prowess, although he has faced challenges with turnovers. The team's defensive efforts have markedly improved, contributing to their success, as they've recently achieved a top five defense ranking. Addressing the lack of a secondary ball handler is vital, as Cade bears the burden of decision-making, which could potentially hinder their offensive flow.
Warriors' Dismal Performance
The Warriors are struggling to maintain consistency, experiencing uncharacteristic lifelessness on the court and failing to capitalize on their star players. Steve Kerr's remarks suggest a lack of confidence in their current roster's ability to compete, highlighting their challenges, especially in games when star players like Steph Curry are absent. The Celtics capitalized on the Warriors' vulnerabilities, showcasing a commanding performance that emphasizes the Warriors' current shortcomings. This disarray raises concerns about the team's future trajectory and whether they can regain their championship form.
Celtics' Inconsistencies and Future Prospects
The Celtics have faced inconsistencies this season, marked by an eight-game stretch that they consider a slump despite their championship expectations. Following a decisive victory against the Warriors, the team's confidence appears to be restored, but they must address the issues stemming from their recent performance, particularly with integrating new players like Kristaps Porzingis. Concerns about their shooting consistency and defensive strategies have emerged, especially as they transition back to utilizing Porzingis. Despite these challenges, the Celtics remain strong contenders, with a balanced roster that maintains potential against rivals like the Cleveland Cavaliers.
Jaren Jackson scored 15 points in the fourth quarter to lead the Memphis Grizzlies over Anthony Edwards and the Minnesota Timberwolves for the second time in ten days. Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni discuss the Wolves lineup issues with Donte DiVincenzo out indefinitely, the Julius Randle problem, and the Pistons success in 2025. Then, the Athletic’s Jay King joins the show from the Bay Area to discuss the woeful Warriors, Boston’s status in the Eastern Conference, and what’s next for the Celtics.
Host: Dave DuFour
With: Es Baraheni & Jay King
Executive Producer: Andrew Schlecht
Audio Producer: Grayson Moody
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