Today's Best NBA Reporting And Analysis 4/24/19

Playoff Series Updates:

- POR-OKC:

From Ian Levy, The Step Back: https://fansided.com/2019/04/24/damian-lillard-beats-thunder-50-points-epic-buzzer-beater/

From Kerry Eggers, Portland Tribune: https://pamplinmedia.com/pt/12-sports/426350-332687-dame-set-match

From Joe Freeman, Oregon Live: https://www.oregonlive.com/blazers/2019/04/the-legend-grows-portland-trail-blazers-beat-oklahoma-city-behind-damian-lillard-buzzer-beater.html

From Dave Deckard, Blazer's Edge: https://www.blazersedge.com/2019/4/24/18513645/lillard-buzzer-beater-game-5-blazers-thunder-video-george-2019-nba-playoffs

From Royce Young, ESPN: http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26588083/the-next-questions-get-interesting-westbrook-pg-ousted-okc

 and http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26592185/lillard-37-foot-buzzer-shot-last-word

From Kirk Goldsberry, ESPN: http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26593473/nope-damian-lillard-series-winner-bad-shot

From Jeff Siegel, Dime Mag: https://uproxx.com/dimemag/damian-lillard-series-winning-three-blazers-thunder-breakdown/2/

From Jason Quick, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/942482/2019/04/24/from-rage-to-redemption-the-night-they-roared-in-rip-city/

- DEN-SAS:

From Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN: http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26591926/nuggets-give-glimpse-potential-rout-spurs

From Gage Bridgford, Hoops Habit: https://hoopshabit.com/2019/04/24/denver-nuggets-3-takeaways-from-huge-game-5-win-vs-spurs/

From Mike Singer, Denver Post: https://www.denverpost.com/2019/04/23/spurs-coach-gregg-popovich-nuggets-michael-malone-nba-playoffs-bobby-fischer/

From Paul Kasabian, Bleacher Report: https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2832765-jamal-murray-erupts-as-nuggets-take-3-2-series-lead-vs-lamarcus-aldridge-spurs

From Ryan Blackburn, Denver Stiffs: https://www.denverstiffs.com/2019/4/24/18512346/stat-of-the-week-10-numbers-that-have-defined-the-nuggets-and-spurs-series-thus-far

- PHI-BKN:

From Noah Levick, NBC Sports:  https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/sports/csn/sixers/Sixers_seal_spot_in_second_round_of_NBA_playoffs_with_elite__record-tying_defensive_performance_in_win_over_Nets_PHI-508990172.html

- Is "Bad" Jimmy Butler The Best Version For The Sixers? (from David Fleming, ESPN):

Read it here:  http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26579177/is-bad-jimmy-butler-best-jimmy-butler-sixers

- The Sixers' "Moment Of Truth" Has Arrived (from Michael Pina, SB Nation):

Read it here:  https://www.sbnation.com/2019/4/23/18512616/philadelphia-76ers-nba-playoffs-2019-future-ben-simmons-joel-embiid

- Mike Scott Is A Specialist (from Josiah Turner, Sports Illsutrated):

Read it here:  https://www.si.com/nba/2019/04/23/mike-scott-76ers-hawks-wizards-clippers-virginia-kenny-atkinson

- TOR-ORL:

From Kevin Arnovitz, ESPN: http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26589475/raptors-dominant-defense-full-display-series-clincher

- GSW-LAC:

From Mark Medina, Mercury News: https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2019/04/24/stephen-curry-shares-how-he-will-avoid-foul-trouble/

From Paolo Uggetti, The Ringer: https://www.theringer.com/nba/2019/4/24/18513577/clippers-shai-gilgeous-alexander-landry-shamet-rookie-growth

From Marcus Thompson II, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/938734/2019/04/24/thompson-klay-thompsons-elite-defensive-skills-often-overlooked-are-key-to-the-warriors-postseason-success/

- HOU-UTA:

From Ben Falk, Cleaning The Glass: https://cleaningtheglass.com/how-to-stop-james-harden/

From Eric Woodyard, Deseret News:  https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900067293/utah-jazzs-royce-oneale-relishes-postseason-role-as-preferred-defensive-matchup-on-james-harden.html

- MIL-DET

From Eric Nehm, The Athletic: https://theathletic.com/938934/2019/04/23/bucks-take-big-first-step-now-they-have-more-playoff-demons-to-exorcise/

- MIL-BOS:

From Mark Murphy, Boston Herald: https://www.bostonherald.com/2019/04/23/giannis-antetokounmpos-improving-jumper-adds-another-defending-dimension/

From Tom Westerholm, Mass Live: https://www.masslive.com/celtics/2019/04/boston-celtics-vs-milwaukee-bucks-al-horfords-most-important-moment-is-here-tom-westerholm.html

From Gary Washburn, Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2019/04/23/these-are-not-same-bucks-celtics-beat-playoffs-last-year/b2aZmEli2vk6GtizFEzFxI/story.html

From Adam Himmelsbach, Boston Globe: https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/celtics/2019/04/22/with-sweep-complete-here-are-thoughts-state-celtics/vqNez9tRLicdy3sWak457M/story.html

- TOR-PHI:

From John Schuhmann, NBA.com: https://www.nba.com/playoffs/2019/eastseries6/preview

From Dave Early, Liberty Ballers: https://www.libertyballers.com/2019/4/24/18514210/how-do-you-attack-a-hyper-aggressive-raptor-use-their-energy-against-them

---

- BKN: Next Moves For The Nets (from Bobby Marks, ESPN):

Read it here: http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/26585364/next-moves-nets-russell-levert-star-free-agents

- MIN: Where The Wolves Want To Go (from Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic):

Read it here:  https://theathletic.com/938203/2019/04/22/wolves-pobo-candidate-field-what-it-tells-us-billups-booth-langdon-rosas/

- NOP: David Griffin Speaks (from Andrew Lopez, NOLA.com):

Read it here: https://www.nola.com/pelicans/2019/04/david-griffin-on-staff-changes-team-makeup-and-his-relationship-with-danny-ainge.html

- ORL: Coach Clifford Likes To Do Things The "Van Gundy Way" (from Mike Bianchi, Orlando Sentinel):

Read it here:https://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/os-sp-magic-stan-van-gundy-steve-clifford-mike-bianchi-0420-story.html

- ORL: Next Moves For The Magic (from Bobby Marks, ESPN):

Read it here:  http://www.espn.com/nba/insider/story/_/id/26585367/next-moves-magic-orlando-rise

- PHO: Trying To Make Sense Of Kokoskov Firing (from Evan Sidery, Bright Side Of The Sun):

Read it here: https://www.brightsideofthesun.com/2019/4/24/18512232/trying-to-make-sense-of-what-the-phoenix-suns-just-did-firing-igor-kokoskov

- NBA Action Is Fantastic, Except For The Constant Griping (from Brian Windhorst, ESPN):

Read it here:  http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/26585590/nba-action-fantastic-constant-griping