MINNESOTA 3, LOS ANGELES LAKERS 1 We knew Minneapolis was going to see some stuff over the weekend. Knew it because of who was courtside: Ice-T sitting next to Adina Howard, forty percent of anyone's all-time dinner party. The trick for Minnesota was to find someone to supplant
NEW YORK 3, DETROIT 1 Unfortunate that any referee's call or non-call mars a terrific series, so I won't let it. I'm the guy that fast-forwards through replays and reviews, I don't care about the outcome nor how the outcome got there,
NEW YORK 2, DETROIT 1 Amid the fights and flareups developed a separation: New York is better at this. The Pistons might still win this series, Detroit has enough, including another game in Michigan if the Pistons can pull out Game 4. But the Knicks feature some ballers, scorers growing
INDIANA 2, MILWAUKEE 0 The largest test of the Pacers' reformed defense awaits. Milwaukee may not make changes in Game 3, Bobby Portis could stick to that bench, doesn't matter. Bobby will still get minutes, there are plenty of looks to go around and the Bucks will
NO. 1 OKLAHOMA CITY VS. NO. 8 MEMPHIS C: Isaiah Hartenstein – 11 and 11 and four assists and floater form from the dunker's spot which will be emulated throughout NCAA hoops next season, you watch. So I don't have to. PF: Chet Holmgren – 15 and eight
NO. 2 BOSTON VS. NO. 7 ORLANDO C: Kristaps Porziņģis – consistent dollops of KP will allow the Celtics so much, more free throws, increased deflections, a good pair of hands to finish off a busted play. Enough to overcome Cleveland after two rounds of hoop? Remains to be banged, but
NO. 6 TIMBERWOLVES C: Rudy Gobert – had much to take on, with Karl-Anthony Towns out of town, handled it without complaint or reflex. Dominated down the stretch of the season, Wolves should be full of confidence in Minnesota's big center heading into the postseason and yes I just
PISTONS C: Jalen Duren – in better shape, doing what is asked. Also, to the outsider, his expectations appear to be communicated in fashion which works with Duren, different if not necessarily "better" for Jalen, also growing in capability of accepting such instruction. Out there for 78 games and
CHICAGO C: Nikola Vucevic – cut the long twos almost completely, and the Bulls thrived as a result. Chicago almost won half its games. F: Matas Buzelis – 13-4-2 with a block on 47-35-80 as a starter, 31 starts, 26 minutes a game, still 20. Shaved. Shaved that thing off. Haircut still
We did the Atlantic, the Northwest, the Southeast, so, Southwest. SUNS Mike Budenholzer was fired on Monday and good, he doesn't need this shit. Mike Budenholzer can be a terrific head coach, he earned a paid break from the NBA and I hope he takes it and every
MEMPHIS Lost to Golden State thrice, also beat them by 51. C: Zach Edey – performs well in big games once he settles down and gets to the free throw line 15 or 20 times. PF: Jaren Jackson Jr. – Warriors will try to pick up four fouls on this guy by
We did the Atlantic, the Northwest, the Southeast. We've discussed Dallas. Dallas can win a title, they can go out in the first Play-In game, I mean that. Dallas can absolutely win 17 postseason games without wild caveat, without imagining a season-ending injury befalling one opponent after another.