The Cleveland Cavaliers have terrorized opponents when Craig Porter Jr. has been on the floor in the first month of the season, but when he’s tagging with Lonzo Ball, that pressure ratchets up. In their 100 minutes of combined floor time, the Cavs have turned over 19. 4% of their opponents’ possessions, a figure that ranks in the 98th percentile among two-man lineups, per Cleaning the Glass. “He’s just a super smart player,” Porter said following Monday night’s win over the Milwaukee Bucks. “He just figures out ways to just disrupt people and just do different things all over the court. Sometimes you look at it, and you’re like a little confused at first, but it works over and over. It’s interesting, and it’s definitely helped me just to understand different parts of the game.” While Porter is the catalyst with his consistent full-court pressure, Ball’s technique on the ball is precise and bothersome to handlers. Each affects the game in his own way, and both come away with boards better than any guard on the team. “He’s just finding his niches, man,” Ball said on Nov. 3. “He’s super athletic for the size that he is. That’s how he’s getting those rebounds. It fits perfectly, especially when he’s coming over. And offensive rebounds, he’s gotten at least one a game, I think, that he’s skying over. And then obviously on defense, we know how great he is. So CP’s huge for this team.” Cavs head coach Kenny Atkinson pointed to Porter’s rim pressure on Monday, which has stood out for a team that has struggled to get to the cup. On Monday, his stepback three to extend Cleveland’s lead was a big moment, but none was bigger than his fastbreak poster over Bucks guard Ryan Rollins. “I don’t think that happens last year,” Atkinson said. “I’m so happy for the kid because he really has made a lot of sacrifices this offseason, and it’s great to see it paying off. He’s got so much pop out there. He made a commitment to his body and getting in not good shape, great shape elite shape. He’s in elite shape right now.” Add Donovan Mitchell to the Porter-Ball duo, and the results have been even more astounding. Usually paired with Dean Wade and Jarrett Allen, the three guards boast a plus-31. 9 net rating in 94 possessions with a 63. 9% effective field goal percentage and 21. 5% turnover rate. “I think being around Zo is just going to help CP, naturally,” Mitchell said. “Just by watching what he does, by being out there with him, he’s going to put CP in great spots. Defensively, CP is learning how to be in the gaps more, using his athleticism, right? You’re seeing Zo, who’s really talented at doing that. You’re learning just from watching, from being out there. Little techniques, little different things. “And that’s what you want from a guy like Zo. That’s what we need, for him to come in here and be like, ‘Hey, this is what I see, this is what I can do,’ and lead by example.” Porter notes that the lineups he and Ball have played with have made them want to be even more aggressive, and that everybody complements each other. Mitchell agrees, saying that his and the Cavs’ lives are made easier with both out there. “You don’t have to overcoach,” Mitchell said. “You can kind of let Zo go out there and kind of ring lead. I think he’s taken that over on both ends of the floor. I think Dean has always been that security blanket for us defensively, rebounding, cutting, different things. We can switch. We can be in coverage if we need to. “There’s a level of aggression, and you don’t have to think as much. Guys got your back. Guys are thinking the game the right way. And then, you see what happens on the break. Zo’s pushing it, allowing us to run, and making plays and making the game easy for everybody.” Clearly, the Cavs are best off with a point guard running the show in the absence of Garland. Luckily for them, they have two in Porter and Ball that they can send out at the same time to provide a spark on each end of the floor.
https://clutchpoints.com/nba/cleveland-cavaliers/cavs-news-lonzo-ball-craig-porter-jr-cleveland-life-easier
Tag: defensively
How ‘best two-way player in the league’ has impressed Patriots HC Mike Vrabel
FOXBORO — Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs called defensive tackle/fullback Khyiris Tonga “the best two-way player in the league” on Tuesday. However, a correction is in order: Tonga, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 335 pounds, is actually a three-way player.
“That’s a guy that plays on three phases,” head coach Mike Vrabel explained. “He helped us win defensively, helped us win offensively, and then goes out there and stands in the way of three guys on the field goal protection unit.”
Vrabel noted that the decision to try Tonga on offense as a fullback was a “group effort” by the Patriots. The team was looking to add more size at fullback to “try to push the pile a little bit.”
Tonga isn’t new to offensive roles. He started out as a tight end in high school, giving him experience that has helped with his transition. The Patriots also have a more athletic option at fullback in Westover, who has seen an increased role in recent weeks.
Vrabel, who himself was a versatile three-way player during his Patriots days—linebacker, tight end, and special-teamer—has been impressed with Tonga’s quickness at fullback in the two games he has played there.
For a big defensive tackle, Tonga is surprisingly spry. He ran a 5.1-second 40-yard dash coming out of BYU in 2021, showcasing his athleticism.
“It’s impressive just how quickly he gets out of his stance,” Vrabel said. “He’s been able to get out in front of the running back. Sometimes fullbacks are a little slower and out of phase with the runner, and the runners run up their heels.”
With Tonga’s unique skill set, the Patriots have added a powerful and versatile weapon to their lineup on all three phases of the game.
https://www.bostonherald.com/2025/11/11/how-best-two-way-player-in-the-league-has-impressed-patriots-hc-mike-vrabel/
New England Patriots vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers projected starting lineup and depth chart for Week 10 | 2025 NFL season
**Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New England Patriots: Week 10 Preview**
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers and New England Patriots, two of the league’s best teams this season, will square off at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday. With a season record of 6-2, the Buccaneers are gradually emerging as the overwhelming favorites to win the NFC South division once again.
In their last game, the Bucs defeated the New Orleans Saints handily, scoring 23 points while holding New Orleans to only three. This dominant performance has further solidified their status as a top contender in the league.
The Patriots have been similarly impressive this season. Led by their second-year quarterback Drake Maye, they are currently riding a six-game winning streak. Maye has completed passes for at least 200 yards in every game so far and has accumulated a total of 2,285 yards through nine games. This demonstrates that he has fully adapted to the league in his sophomore year.
At 7-2, the Patriots stand ahead of the Buffalo Bills in the AFC East and appear to be a team capable of contending for the Super Bowl under first-year coach Mike Vrabel. A victory over the strong Tampa Bay team would send a clear message to the rest of the league that New England is a serious contender this season.
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### Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New England Patriots
**Week 10 Projected Starting Lineups**
**Tampa Bay Buccaneers Projected Offense**
Below is how the Buccaneers are expected to line up on offense against the Patriots:
*(Insert detailed Buccaneers offensive lineup here)*
**Tampa Bay Buccaneers Projected Defense**
Below is the likely defensive formation for the Bucs against New England:
*(Insert detailed Buccaneers defensive lineup here)*
**Tampa Bay Buccaneers Special Teams**
Projected special teams lineup for the Buccaneers:
*(Insert Buccaneers special teams lineup here)*
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**New England Patriots Projected Offense**
Here is how the Patriots are expected to line up offensively against Tampa Bay:
*(Insert detailed Patriots offensive lineup here)*
**New England Patriots Projected Defense**
Projected defensive lineup for New England:
*(Insert Patriots defensive lineup here)*
**New England Patriots Special Teams**
Patriots special teams projected lineup:
*(Insert Patriots special teams lineup here)*
—
### Depth Charts
**Tampa Bay Buccaneers Depth Chart**
– Offensive depth chart:
*(Insert Buccaneers offensive depth chart here)*
– Defensive depth chart:
*(Insert Buccaneers defensive depth chart here)*
– Special teams depth chart:
*(Insert Buccaneers special teams depth chart here)*
**New England Patriots Depth Chart**
– Offensive depth chart:
*(Insert Patriots offensive depth chart here)*
– Defensive depth chart:
*(Insert Patriots defensive depth chart here)*
– Special teams depth chart:
*(Insert Patriots special teams depth chart here)*
—
### How to Watch: Bucs vs. Patriots Week 10
Kickoff for this crucial interconference NFL Week 10 matchup between the New England Patriots and Tampa Bay Buccaneers is set for:
– **Date**: Sunday, November 9, 2025
– **Time**: 1 p.m. ET
– **Venue**: Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Florida
– **TV Channel**: CBS
– **Announcers**: Jim Nantz (play-by-play), Tony Romo (color analyst), Tracy Wolfson (sideline reporter)
– **Live Stream**: Paramount+, FuboTV, and DAZN
The Buccaneers won three of four games prior to their bye week and will aim to improve their standing in the NFC South with a Week 10 victory. Meanwhile, the Patriots look to cement their advantage in the AFC East with a win.
Be sure to tune in for what promises to be an exciting clash between two of the NFL’s top teams this season.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/nfl/new-england-patriots-vs-tampa-bay-buccaneers-projected-starting-lineup-depth-chart-week-10-2025-nfl-season
Mike Brown knows it will ‘take some time’ for true evaluation of Knicks
Mike Brown: Knicks Need More Time for True Evaluation
CHICAGO – Mike Brown says he needs another month before he can accurately judge both his team and the rest of the NBA.
“It’ll take some time,” the coach explained. “It’s hard to get a true evaluation in the first five to 10 games. I think y’all have been in this league long enough — the first month or month and a half, everybody feels like they have a chance, and guys are playing hard and engaged. Sometimes you have teams that are on top early, but they’re not going to finish on top.
“Because teams are trying to find their way. So we’re just evaluating not just [one player], but everybody. Not just the defense, but the offense too. Keep doing that. Come about December or end of November, we should have a pretty good feel.”
Knicks’ Current Standings and Team Adjustments
Check out the latest NBA standings and Knicks stats.
The Knicks are adjusting to a new coach but benefit from continuity, with the top seven players in the rotation returning from last season. Heading into their Halloween matchup against the Bulls, they hold a 2-2 record while ranked 24th in offense and seventh in defense.
“I think we’ve been pretty good defensively for some quarters and parts of the game,” said Jalen Brunson. “We haven’t played a full 48 minutes of offense or defense.”
Draymond Green Skeptical of Knicks as Contenders
Meanwhile, Draymond Green expressed doubts about the Knicks’ ability to contend this season. On his podcast, Green said, “I just don’t believe they’re contenders. I don’t think they have what it takes to win at the highest level. I think you can stifle their offense and make it hard on them. And I just think that ultimately, guys that don’t want to defend, it makes it tough to win at the highest level.”
Though Green did not call out any players by name, many associate the remarks with his longstanding criticism of Karl-Anthony Towns, who has frequently been questioned for his defense. Last season, Green accused Towns of faking an injury to avoid guarding Jimmy Butler; in reality, Towns was attending the funeral of a family friend.
Josh Hart’s Struggles and Brunson’s Support
Josh Hart has been struggling with his shooting after injuries to his finger and back. His close friend and teammate, Jalen Brunson, encouraged him to block out the criticism.
“One thing he does: when he’s locked in and he’s working on everything and he’s focused, it’s a different Josh, and you’ve seen it,” Brunson said. “When we get back to that, it’s just not listening to the outside noise. The fans are talking or whatever, and it’s impossible not to see it, but who gives a crap? People are gonna say what they want to say regardless of if we’re playing well or not.”
Through three games this season, Hart is averaging just 3.7 points on 22 percent shooting overall and 11 percent from three-point range.
Takeaways: Lakers flatten Timberwolves as Luka Doncic scores 49 points
**Lakers Dominate Timberwolves 128-110 in LeBron James’ Absence**
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Lakers secured a convincing 128-110 victory over the Minnesota Timberwolves on Friday night, despite missing their superstar LeBron James. The matchup marked the second meeting between the teams this season and was a rematch of last year’s first-round playoff series.
Luka Doncic was the star of the night, delivering an outstanding performance with 49 points, 11 rebounds, and eight assists. The Lakers showcased their offensive prowess by shooting an impressive 59.2% from the field.
### Early Timberwolves Lead Fades Quickly
The Timberwolves started strong, building a double-digit lead in the first quarter. They executed a fast-paced game plan, pushing the ball aggressively after makes and misses, which helped them settle into an early rhythm. Minnesota raced out to a 28-17 lead by hitting 11 of their first 14 shots.
Anthony Edwards led the Wolves’ offense with 31 points, while Julius Randle contributed 26. Despite their early success, the Timberwolves’ defense struggled to contain the Lakers, especially when Doncic was on the floor.
### Lakers Rally in Second Quarter
With Doncic resting on the bench during the second quarter, the Timberwolves’ defensive issues became more evident, as the Lakers clawed back to erase the double-digit deficit and tied the game at 60. The Lakers took a 68-63 lead into halftime with Doncic already tallying 32 points.
### Lakers Extend Lead in Second Half
The third quarter painted a stark picture for Minnesota. After allowing Portland to score 95 points by the end of three quarters earlier in the week, the Wolves gave up an even more daunting 108 points to the Lakers through three quarters on Friday.
Defensive lapses were plentiful, with late rotations, open shooters, and frequent falls for pump fakes. The Lakers kept the pressure on, extending their lead to 14 points early in the fourth quarter.
### Impact of LeBron’s Absence
LeBron James, 40, sat out due to a nerve injury that could keep him sidelined for Wednesday’s game against Minnesota at the Target Center. Without him, Doncic has taken on a heavy offensive load, following up his 43-point debut against Golden State with Friday’s dominant 49-point outing.
### Supporting Cast Steps Up
The Lakers received strong contributions beyond Doncic. Austin Reaves, who the Wolves had limited effectively in the playoffs last season, scored 25 points and provided 11 assists. Rui Hachimura also impressed, scoring 23 points on a highly efficient 10-for-13 shooting.
### Timberwolves’ Rotation and Dillingham’s Debut
Timberwolves coach Chris Finch continued his deep rotation, using 10 players throughout the game. Second-year guard Rob Dillingham, the No. 8 pick in the 2024 NBA draft, was initially left out of the rotation. Finch opted to use Bones Hyland for backup point guard minutes when Mike Conley picked up three first-half fouls. Hyland contributed nine points off the bench, with Jaylen Clark adding another nine.
Dillingham finally got his first minutes of the season with the Wolves trailing 117-98 and just over eight minutes remaining. Unfortunately, his night was cut short after only 59 seconds due to a bloody nose.
### Doncic’s Masterclass
No matter the defensive assignment—be it Jaden McDaniels, Jaylen Clark, or Anthony Edwards—Doncic consistently found open shots, drew fouls, or set up teammates for easy baskets. His masterful performance left the Wolves powerless to stop him and was the defining factor in the Lakers’ dominant win.
The Timberwolves are now 1-1 on the West Coast trip and will return home for their season opener against the Indiana Pacers on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Lakers look to continue their strong start as they prepare for upcoming matchups without LeBron James.
https://www.startribune.com/takeaways-lakers-flatten-timberwolves-as-luka-doncic-scores-49-points/601461891