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If this were the late ’90s, we’d be four months away from Jeff and Stan Van Gundy with the Big Show wrestling Nikola Jokić at SummerSlam after what happened this weekend. You’re picturing the Van Gundys in those singlets now, aren’t you? You’re welcome.
Everybody Panic!
It’s never too early for the Playoff Panic Meter
Every Game 1 for the first round is in the books, and it’s never too early to panic – like that split second of terror when you’re in an elevator full of people, and it halts for not even a whisper of a hesitation, but you start wondering if you can actually navigate an elevator shaft like John McClane. Here is a PPM meter and suggested adjustment for each series with the playoffs now underway.
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Disclaimer: The Playoff Panic Meter rates up to five. All winning teams lead their series 1-0.
Pacers 117, Bucks 98
What happened? A proper drubbing. Indiana’s dominant first half provided breathing room to just absorb a big game from Giannis Antetokounmpo (36 points and 12 rebounds). The key there? Just one assist for Antetokounmpo. The Pacers continued their improved defense and shut down everybody not named Antetokounmpo.
PPM: 🚨🚨🚨🚨 for Milwaukee. Is Damian Lillard’s return enough to fix this outright?
What’s the adjustment? I honestly don’t know. Maybe Lillard comes back for Game 2 and it solves all the problems. I think it extends beyond Lillard. He’ll help, but their offense can’t be “awful” again.
Nuggets 112, Clippers 110 OT
What happened? The Clippers looked like they might steal one in Denver, then Russell Westbrook hit a clutch corner 3-pointer to go up two in the final minute of the fourth. James Harden (32 points) followed it with a floater to get to overtime. In OT, the Nuggets executed better, and Aaron Gordon’s six points, plus a big 3 from Christian Braun, carried them. Nikola Jokić finished with 29 points, 12 assists and nine boards.
PPM: 🚨 for LA. Nothing to worry about yet. Missed opportunity.
What’s the adjustment? Keep Gordon away from the rim. If he’s going to score in the 20s, it has to be on jump shots. You have to force him away from the rim somehow.
Knicks 123, Pistons 112
What happened? The Pistons were headed toward a fantastic, impressive Game 1 win on the road, and then … the Knicks went on a 21-0 run in a 40-21 fourth quarter to snatch control of the game away from them. Karl-Anthony Towns had a big game. Jalen Brunson eventually got going. And Cameron Payne was huge off the bench in the fourth.
PPM: 🚨🚨 for Detroit. More disappointment than pressure. Missed opportunity.
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What’s the adjustment? The Pistons need to take care of the ball. The Knicks won this game with defense in the fourth, and the Pistons haven’t won a playoff game in 6,174 days.
Wolves 117, Lakers 95
What happened? The Wolves used a 38-20 second quarter to make a statement against the Lakers and take Game 1 on the road. Anthony Edwards played a very balanced game, and the Wolves’ defense completely absorbed a 37-point night from Luka Dončić.
PPM: 🚨🚨🚨 for Los Angeles. Getting shut down like this is an eyebrow-raiser.
What’s the adjustment? LeBron James (19 points on 18 shots) and Austin Reaves (16 points on 13 shots) have to be more effective. The Wolves bullied them, and the Lakers’ scorers must be more forceful.
Thunder 131, Grizzlies 80
What happened? I can only assume that back on December 2, 2021, when the Grizzlies beat the Thunder by 73 points, OKC set out on a long road of severe revenge that culminated in this beatdown. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander only had 15 points in 23 minutes. Nobody on OKC had more than 21 points.
PPM: 🚨 for Memphis. You lose by this much as the No. 8 seed, how can there even be pressure?
What’s the adjustment? You’re going to need an old priest and a young priest. Start by not getting down by 50
Celtics 103, Magic 86
What happened? The luxury of the Celtics’ “others.” Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown weren’t having amazing games, and the Celtics were down at halftime. Derrick White, Jrue Holiday and Payton Pritchard stepped up in the second half to cruise to victory and endure Paolo Banchero’s big night (36-11-4).
PPM: 🚨🚨 for Orlando. Everybody not named Paolo has to feel pressure to step up.
What’s the adjustment? Sounds simple, but they have to generate more points. Get to the free-throw line a lot more and score more than 28 paint points.
Cavaliers 121, Heat 100
What happened? Ty Jerome happened. He scored 16 of his 28 off the bench in the fourth quarter, and the Heat just couldn’t keep up. That 34-21 fourth quarter sealed it for Cleveland as the Cavs pulled away.
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PPM: 🚨 for Miami. I think the Heat can take a game, but there isn’t a ton of pressure.
What’s the adjustment? Start Davion Mitchell and slow down Cleveland’s guards. Darius Garland (27), Donovan Mitchell (30) and Jerome (28) combined for 85 points.
Warriors 95, Rockets 85
What happened? The Warriors reminded these kids they were playing in the mud before these Rockets were in the league. Steph Curry went off for 31, Jimmy Butler had 25 and the Warriors defense shut down everybody not named Alperen Sengun.
PPM: 🚨🚨 for Houston. You’re fine but can’t lose both at home.
What’s the adjustment? Get the guards going. Fred VanVleet and Jalen Green were a combined 7 of 34. Yikes.
The Last 24
Ten legacies could get some postseason help
🏀 Time for legacy-building. Nine players have a lot to gain from a deep playoff run. There’s a coach too!
🏆 Awards finalists! The NBA announced the three finalists for all individual awards. Shockingly, Jokić and SGA made it for MVP.
🏀 Big Mood(y). Moses Moody became a big-time defensive stopper for the Warriors. This is how it happened.
🤝 Pelinka promoted. Rob Pelinka has been given a promotion and extension by the Lakers. Trading for Dončić was good.
🙏 Pop back home. Gregg Popovich is back home after a medical emergency at a restaurant. He was taken to the hospital in an ambulance.
🎧 Tuning in. Today’s NBA Daily discusses Julius Randle being vital to the Timberwolves fearing no one.
Weekend of Engagement
Who was more active: JVG or MPJ?
It’s been a while since Jeff Van Gundy gave us a moment on the basketball court, mostly because he hasn’t been coaching in nearly 20 years. On Saturday, he brought back all kinds of fun flashbacks for us in the blink of an eye. After the ball was poked out of bounds off of Kawhi Leonard, the Clippers needed some time to see if they wanted to challenge the out of bounds call. The ball went to Clippers assistant Van Gundy, who immediately got himself into a little tug-of-war with Jokić.
As you can see, JVG had a little help from Clippers strength trainer Jasen Powell to get a little leverage against the superhero-ly strong Jokić. It reminded me of three things:
- Ishbia flop: Two years ago when Jokić and Suns owner Mat Ishbia had a little struggle for the ball.
- Hit me: Van Gundy smartly bought time a la when Jason Kidd bought some by having his own player bump him to spill a drink when his Nets didn’t have a timeout.
- Zo’s leg: The ultimate example of Van Gundy hanging onto something for dear life. When he latched onto Alonzo Mourning’s leg during a Knicks-Heat fight in 1998.
This is the best league in the world.
Time to lock in!
Even though the Nuggets won Game 1, it wasn’t all smiles and Serbian sunshine. There was plenty of concern for how Michael Porter Jr. played. Denver was able to downplay it some thanks to that clutch three by Westbrook at the end of the fourth quarter. MPJ finished with three points on 1-of-4 shooting and four rebounds in 26 minutes. He checked out with 8:14 left in the fourth and never saw the floor again.
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Interim coach David Adelman went with Westbrook and Braun over him because Porter wasn’t really doing anything out there. Jokić was asked about getting Porter engaged moving forward. Big Honey said:
“If you’re not going to be engaged right now, I think you’re not supposed to play this sport.”
He did say the next game is a different game. They definitely need him locked in because their rotation is thin as it is.
The story of the greatest players in NBA history. In 100 riveting profiles, top basketball writers justify their selections and uncover the history of the NBA in the process.
The story of the greatest players in NBA history.
Tonight’s Games
How do Pistons, Clippers even up their series?
We’ve got two playoff games tonight on TNT, and it feels like a perfect time to focus on three players from the losing team who need to step up in Game 2. If they do, we can see an even series heading back for Game 3.
Pistons at Knicks, 7:30 p.m. ET: Knicks lead 1-0
1. Cade Cunningham: The Knicks seemed to want to make him a passer, and he obliged right away. Cunningham started with six points on 10 shots with six assists in the first half. He took only one shot and had two turnovers during the 21-0 Knicks run (he was on the court for final 13 of it). They have to establish him aggressively right away as an attacker.
2. Jalen Duren: He was in foul trouble five minutes into the game. They need his presence inside for lobs, for rim protection and for the boards. He can’t be disconnected from foul trouble so early. Most of this happened in that big Knicks run, but Detroit was minus-20 in his 25 minutes.
3. Ausar Thompson: I expect him to have a big game in this series, but he’s another guy who needs to defend without fouling and can’t turn it over for how little playmaking he does/did. They need his athleticism and energy.
Clippers at Nuggets, 10 p.m. ET: Nuggets lead 1-0
1. Kawhi Leonard: He played well except for the turnovers. Seven turnovers, especially four coming from bad passes, just can’t happen.
2. Norm Powell: He didn’t play much in the fourth, but Powell essentially went 1.5 quarters from the end of the third until the last second of overtime with no made baskets. They need his scoring as a weapon.
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3. Bodgan Bogdanović: The Clippers don’t need a ton of production from their bench, but they need more than zero points from Bogdanović. He needs to be more of a microwave than a Ron Popeil rotisserie oven that doesn’t rotate. Batum can’t be the only guy making shots off the bench.
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