The Warriors still believe what now?

They are .500 and just lost by 40 and I'm sorry but the comparisons to 2021-22 are delusional.

Good morning. Let’s basketball.

A Young Man; Rosso Fiorentino; 1520s

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Scores

Mavericks 105, Hornets 110 — How are you going to beat OKC and lose to Charlotte with basically the same line-up? Well, you shoot 6/32 against anyone and you’re losing.

Pistons 107, Rockets 96 — Mighty impressive win for Detroit, who survived a ton of turnovers against a turnover machine defense (10 for Cade Cunningham himself) thanks to cold Houston shooting. Four players with DNP-CDs on the Houston side. Ime Udoka just likes making dudes get dressed and warmed-up only to do nothing.

Timberwolves 106, Grizzlies 108 — This team just disappeared off the face of the planet last year and they have totally slid right back into their place near the top of the West. Gutsy team. I’m not sure Minnesota wants to get into close games with them any more.

Hawks 110, Knicks 119 — The Hawks were flying a bit high of late; their quest back down to .500 starts here. Trae Young is now 3-2 at Madison Square Garden since his infamous playoff triumph. Jalen Brunson is on a heater.

Suns 92, Cavaliers 118 — Phoenix’s defense doesn’t have much hope against normal teams. Against Cleveland, it doesn’t have a prayer. I’m not sure Nick Richards is the answer to any question a basketball team with expectations this high and a reality this muddled could have.

How quickly the Suns fell out of competitiveness here: Tristan Thompson was No. 2 on the Cavaliers in minutes.

Celtics 125, Warriors 85 — A team with Steph Curry has the No. 21 offense in the NBA. Make it make sense. More on them in The Links.