Find Out Today's NBA Preseason Scores and Key Game Highlights

As I sit down to review today's NBA preseason action, I can't help but feel that familiar excitement bubbling up. There's something special about these exhibition games - they give us our first real glimpse of what teams have been cooking up during the offseason, while allowing coaches to experiment with lineups and rotations. I've been following preseason basketball for over a decade now, and I've learned that while the wins and losses don't count in the standings, the performances we see often foreshadow what's to come in the regular season.

Let me dive right into one of the most impressive performances I saw recently - Joshua Tolentino's standout game against Guang Ming College. Now, I've got to say, what caught my eye wasn't just his scoring output, but how efficiently he contributed across multiple categories. The kid put up 15 points, grabbed three rebounds, dished out five assists, swiped two steals, and even added a blocked shot - all in just under 23 minutes of action. That's the kind of all-around performance that makes scouts take notice and coaches dream about rotational flexibility. When you break down those numbers, it translates to roughly 24 points, 5 rebounds, 8 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks per 36 minutes. Those are All-Star level numbers, though I should remind everyone it's just preseason against college competition. Still, you can't teach that kind of statistical diversity, and I'm particularly impressed by his defensive activity.

What really stood out to me was how Tolentino's performance complemented his teammates. Andrey Doria matched his scoring output with 15 points of his own, while Dave Ednilag chipped in 10 points in what turned out to be a dominant 78-59 victory last Sunday. I've always believed that balanced scoring attacks are what separate good teams from great ones, and seeing three players hit double figures while holding their opponent under 60 points tells me this team's building something special. The 19-point margin of victory doesn't even fully capture how controlled this game felt from the second quarter onward. From my perspective, when you can maintain that level of defensive intensity while sharing the scoring load, you're building habits that will serve you well when the games actually matter.

The defensive effort in this game particularly impressed me, and I don't say that lightly. Holding any team to 59 points in modern basketball is noteworthy, but doing it while still generating offensive production speaks to disciplined execution on both ends. Those two steals and block from Tolentino might not seem like much on paper, but I've watched enough basketball to know they often represent dozens of disrupted possessions and altered shots that don't show up in the box score. The team's defensive communication appeared sharp, their rotations were timely, and they consistently challenged shots without fouling excessively - all hallmarks of well-coached basketball.

Now, I know some critics might dismiss preseason performances as meaningless, but I've seen too many players use these games as springboards to breakout seasons. Remember, this is where coaches test combinations and players compete for rotation spots. Tolentino's nearly 23 minutes of action suggest the coaching staff wanted an extended look at him, and he certainly delivered. His five assists particularly caught my attention because they demonstrate court vision and unselfishness - qualities that can't be overstated in today's positionless basketball era.

As we look ahead to more preseason action, I'm keeping my eye on several developing storylines. The balance between developing chemistry and preventing injuries always creates fascinating coaching decisions. Some teams prioritize winning these games to build confidence, while others treat them as extended practice sessions. From what I saw in this particular game, the team clearly valued both development and execution - they maintained their defensive principles while allowing players to explore their offensive games within the system.

The final score of 78-59 might seem low by NBA standards, but we have to remember that preseason games often feature more defensive experimentation and less offensive flow. Coaches use these games to install defensive schemes and test different strategies, which can sometimes disrupt offensive rhythm. Still, winning by 19 points while holding your opponent to 59 demonstrates defensive dominance, and in my book, defense travels better than offense in the early season.

What I'm most curious to see is how these individual performances translate when the regular season begins. Will Tolentino maintain this level of all-around contribution? Can Doria consistently provide secondary scoring? Will Ednilag's efficient 10-point outing earn him more minutes? These are the questions that make preseason basketball so compelling for die-hard fans like myself. While casual observers might dismiss these games, I've found they often reveal the subtle developments that define a team's trajectory.

As today's preseason schedule continues to unfold across various arenas, I'll be watching closely for similar breakout performances and team developments. The beauty of preseason basketball lies in these moments of discovery - when relatively unknown players seize their opportunities and established veterans work on new aspects of their games. While the wins and losses might not count in the standings, the habits formed and lessons learned during these games often echo throughout the entire season. Based on what I've seen so far, several players are making strong cases for increased roles when the games start to matter.