Here's the latest installment of our Daily Duncs: a curated list of writing, video, and podcasts on a near-daily basis for subscribers. You can read, watch, and listen to exactly what Danny and I are consuming every day if you so choose.
For this 15 in 60 edition of the Duncs for the Western Conference, we'll spotlight one item on each team. All stats below were pulled after Friday's games.
Dallas Mavericks (35-27 (6-4 since last 15 in 60); Net Rtg = +2.0 (10th); Off Rtg = 115.4 (8th); Def Rtg = 113.4 (19th); Proj Wins = 42 (T-5th); Raptor Playoff Odds: 98% Elo Playoff Odds: 98%
- Iztok Franko goes big picture on the Mavs defense with their star duo.
Denver Nuggets (42-21 (8-2 since last 15 in 60); Net Rtg = +6.1 (4th); Off Rtg = 118.3 (4th); Def Rtg = 112.3 (12th); Proj Wins = 47 (4th); Raptor Playoff Odds: >99% Elo Playoff Odds: >99%
There has been nobody quite like Michael Porter Jr. (Denver Stiffs)
- Ryan Blackburn on MPJ.
Golden State Warriors (31-32 (6-4 since last 15 in 60); Net Rtg = -1.6 (21st); Off Rtg = 110.0 (24th); Def Rtg = 111.6 (9th); Proj Wins = 36 (9th); Raptor Playoff Odds: 37% Elo Playoff Odds: 26%
The Whiteboard: Which second-year NBA players have improved most? (The Step Back)
- Ian Levy takes a look at the improvement of Jordan Poole and four more second-year players around the league.
Houston Rockets (16-47 (2-8 since last 15 in 60); Net Rtg = -7.7 (27th); Off Rtg = 107.2 (27th); Def Rtg = 114.9 (26th); Proj Wins = 18 (15th); Raptor Playoff Odds: Elim. Elo Playoff Odds: Elim.
What comes next for the Western Conference’s worst teams? (The Step Back)
- Micah Wimmer looks ahead for three of the teams at the bottom out West.
LA Clippers (43-21 (7-3 since last 15 in 60); Net Rtg = +7.1 (2nd); Off Rtg = 119.2 (2nd); Def Rtg = 112.1 (11th); Proj Wins = 49 (3rd); Raptor Playoff Odds: >99% Elo Playoff Odds: >99%
2021 Clippers: Progress in the Process (213Hoops)
- Cole Huff on what’s been different this season for the Clippers.
Los Angeles Lakers (36-27 (3-7 since last 15 in 60); Net Rtg = +3.1 (8th); Off Rtg = 110.9 (20th); Def Rtg = 107.8 (2nd); Proj Wins = 42 (T-5th); Raptor Playoff Odds: 99% Elo Playoff Odds: 94%
On the Lakers, Urgency, and Time (Forum Blue and Gold)
- Darius Soriano with some perspective on the Lakers as we approach the start of the postseason.
Memphis Grizzlies (32-30 (6-5 since last 15 in 60); Net Rtg = +0.6 (14th); Off Rtg = 111.8 (17th); Def Rtg = 111.2 (8th); Proj Wins = 38 (8th); Raptor Playoff Odds: 57% Elo Playoff Odds: 76%
Memphis has a Justise Winslow problem (Grizzly Bear Blues)
- Nathan Chester addresses the backup point guard situation for the Grizzlies.
Minnesota Timberwolves (20-44 (6-4 since last 15 in 60); Net Rtg = -7.4 (26th); Off Rtg = 109.1 (25th); Def Rtg = 116.4 (28th); Proj Wins = 23 (T-13th); Raptor Playoff Odds: Elim. Elo Playoff Odds: Elim.
Timberwolves Film Room: Jaden McDaniels’ Expanding Game (Canis Hoopus)
- Jake Paynting on Jaden McDaniels.
New Orleans Pelicans (28-35 (4-6 since last 15 in 60); Net Rtg = 0.0 (17th); Off Rtg = 114.9 (9th); Def Rtg = 114.9 (27th); Proj Wins = 32 (11th); Raptor Playoff Odds: 6% Elo Playoff Odds: 3%
Naji Marshall is Earning Minutes by Stealing Space (Premium Hoops)
- Mark Schindler details what he’s been seeing lately from Naji Marshall in New Orleans.
Oklahoma City Thunder (21-42 (1-9 since last 15 in 60); Net Rtg = -9.3 (30th); Off Rtg = 104.3 (30th); Def Rtg = 113.6 (22nd); Proj Wins = 23 (T-13th); Raptor Playoff Odds: Elim. Elo Playoff Odds: Elim.
Tank Diaries: I’ll Be Missing Shai (The Ringer)
- Don’t miss Tyler Parker on the Thunder.
Phoenix Suns (45-18 (8-3 since last 15 in 60); Net Rtg = +6.4 (3rd); Off Rtg = 116.9 (7th); Def Rtg = 110.5 (5th); Proj Wins = 51 (2nd); Raptor Playoff Odds: In Elo Playoff Odds: In
The Suns are finally starting to crack the code of small ball (Bright Side of the Sun)
- Brendon Kleen on the Suns learning to play against smaller lineups.
Portland Trail Blazers (35-28 (4-7 since last 15 in 60); Net Rtg = +1.1 (12th); Off Rtg = 118.0 (5th); Def Rtg = 116.9 (29th); Proj Wins = 40 (7th); Raptor Playoff Odds: 93% Elo Playoff Odds: 88%
How, Where, and When Did the Trail Blazers Defense Get So Bad? (Blazer’s Edge)
- Dave Deckard takes a closer look at Portland’s defense over the years.
Sacramento Kings (26-37 (4-6 since last 15 in 60); Net Rtg = -4.8 (25th); Off Rtg = 114.4 (11th); Def Rtg = 119.2 (30th); Proj Wins = 30 (12th); Raptor Playoff Odds: <1% Elo Playoff Odds: <1%
Tyrese Haliburton – Have you watched Enough? (The Playgrounder)
- Mark Wilson goes long on Tyrese Haliburton.
San Antonio Spurs (31-31 (6-5 since last 15 in 60); Net Rtg = +0.5 (15th); Off Rtg = 112.2 (15th); Def Rtg = 111.7 (10th); Proj Wins = 34 (10th); Raptor Playoff Odds: 10% Elo Playoff Odds: 14%
Video: Film Study: Dejounte Murray (Pounding The Rock)
- Noah Magaro-George breaks down two recent performances by Dejounte Murray.
Utah Jazz (45-18 (5-5 since last 15 in 60); Net Rtg = +10.9 (1st); Off Rtg = 118.6 (3rd); Def Rtg = 107.7 (1st); Proj Wins = 52 (1st); Raptor Playoff Odds: In Elo Playoff Odds: In
Salt City Seven: Lineup Magic, 6MOY Intrigue, Playoff Push & More (Salt City Hoops)
- Dan Clayton on the team’s rotations, numbers you need to know from Utah’s recent stretch, and more.