10 takeaways from tonight in the NBA:
1) Gonna start by dropping these Pat Riley quotes from today’s presser…
“It’s a big decision on our part to commit those kinds of resources unless you have someone who is going to be available every night.” - on Jimmy Butler’s extension
“I thought is that Jimmy trolling or is that Jimmy serious? If you’re not on the court playing against Boston or on the court playing against the New York Knicks, you should keep your mouth shut in your criticism of those teams.” - on Jimmy’s comments about the Knicks and Celtics
Heat Culture.
2) Congrats to Wemby for winning ROY, first of a million awards. Becomes the sixth unanimous winner in NBA history, first since KAT. If we’re being real, he should probably win tomorrow too (DPOY) but like he said…
“I know that Rudy (Gobert) has a very good chance of winning it this year, and it would be deserved. Let him win it now, because after that it’s no longer his turn.” - Victor Wembanyama
3) Tim MacMahon recently suggested that Jalen Brunson (43 points, 66.9 TS%, 6 assists, 44 minutes) remembers getting benched in the 2021 NBA playoffs. Said that he would “enjoy absolutely lighting up the Indiana Pacers” because of his history with Carlisle. Well, the Pacers have been lit up.
Completely took over the 4th with 21 points (150.0 ORTG, 57.1% USG). Brunson becomes the first player with four straight 40-point games in the postseason since MJ in the ’93 Finals. How is this real?
“He’s really a great scorer. There’s no question about that.” - Carlisle on Brunson
4) Josh Hart is a f*cking psychopath. Scores a playoff career-high on 72.6 TS% and grabs every rebound within 15 feet. Dude is so goddamn relentless out there. It’s so much fun watching him attack closeouts like he’s on four cans of Red Bull. Again plays the entire 48 minutes. I thought Round 1 was the Josh Hart series. This might actually be the Josh Hart series. Nah, scratch that ... this might be the Josh Hart postseason.
“My wife arguing with me. That makes me extremely tired.” - Josh Hart on if anything makes him tired
“I don’t know, man. The dude is crazy.” - Jalen Brunson on why Hart can make hustle plays in his 48th minute
5) Know what? Let’s just go full Nova. Donte DiVincenzo (44 minutes) had a crazy game, too. He scored 21 in the second half on 105.0 TS% (5-7 3PT). This game was all three of ‘em. Brunson, Hart, and DiVincenzo scored or assisted on 109 of the Knicks 121 points. Thibs didn’t mess with the bench ... McBride (10:36), Robinson (11:47), Achiuwa (4:18).
6) I’m gonna ask the question: Does Indiana win this game if they ride T.J. McConnell (18 points, 9-16 FG, 22 minutes)? Subbing Haliburton back in for him with 9:25 left in the 4th felt like a big deal with how T.J. was cooking. I mean, let’s be honest ... Hali wasn’t doing anything out there. He scored 6 points with an abysmal 11.4% usage. McConnell had a +24.1 Net Rating with 31.5% usage. Not a wild question, right?
A couple more things on the Pacers before we move on. Isaiah Jackson (8 points, 5 rebounds, 3 blocks) looks to be a factor in this series. MitchRob couldn’t hang in his 13 minutes. Love how stay-ready Jackson is. Been third on the depth chart most of the season and now playing impactful playoff minutes.
AND OBI TOPPIN HAD AN EASTBAY DUNK IN A PLAYOFF GAME!!!
Knicks beat the Pacers 121-117 and take a 1-0 series lead.
7) I don’t know about you but think I spent half my day tracking fake flights that Rudy Gobert wasn’t on. He missed Game 2 due to the birth of his first child. Didn’t even attempt to fly back because of weather complications (windy af). Don’t even trip, Rudy. Enjoy the best day of your life. Getting teary-eyed just thinking about my day. Kyle Anderson drew the start.
8) Champs are in trouble. Michael Malone challenged his starters to set the tone in Game 2. They were down 61-35 at the half. Yeah, it’s bad. These slow starts are killing them. They’ve been outscored by 29 points in the first quarter during these playoffs. Part of the reason is…
9) Jamal Murray (8 points, 3-18 FG, -16) is not in a good place. Physically and mentally.
“When you’re not able to do anything for five days, what happened in Game 1 for me was somewhat expected. Unfortunate but that’s our reality. Jamal’s not 100%. …We’ll just keep an eye on him. How’s he moving, not just offensively but defensively?” - Michael Malone on Jamal Murray pregame
It’s been obvious since the Lakers series. He just happened to have a dream matchup to overcome the calf injury then. You can’t overcome sh*t against this Wolves defense. They made his life a living hell. Specifically Nickeil Alexander-Walker. Man, there was a camera shot of NAW with a Joker-like smile after clamping him up ... they knew. Lost count of how often they put him in actions.
It all got into Jamal’s head. He might be getting a couple fines. Maybe even a suspension? The camera caught him throwing a heat pack towards an official from the bench. Also caught him doing the money sign that cost Rudy Gobert $100K a couple months back.
Will say though, Malone was right to go off for the non-call on KAT in the first. Still can’t believe no tech was called. Maybe if he had only stared like Ant.
10) The Wolves are here. Already mentioned how over it was for Denver had Murray continued his struggles. Didn’t think it would look THIS over. Rudy Gobert is going to win DPOY tomorrow but if this game tells you anything ... Wolves just put up an 88.9 DRTG on the road against the defending champs without him. This team looks like they’re possessed and on a mission. I can’t remember the last time I saw a defense this dominant and physical.
Speaking of, the refs are letting these guys play. Forget Jamal Murray for a sec. Denver has no chance if Minnesota’s allowed to be as physical as they’ve been. This was a masterclass. Nuggets got punked and there’s nothing they can do about it.
And KAT (27 points, 12 rebounds, 80.5 TS%) wasn’t in foul trouble! Such a great game from him.
Wolves beat the Nuggets 106-80. The 80 points are a season-low for Denver. Minnesota opens the playoffs 6-0.
“We’ve had some really good defensive efforts this year, but that has to be right up there with the best of them.” - Chris Finch
“LET’S GO WOLVES!!” - Ball Arena
Just realized all my remaining teams in The Dance are Nuggets stacks. I’m so dead.
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