AROUND the NBA:

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Cleveland went all in on Harden. We'll see what that brings on Sunday. I'm still surprised Toronto is in this series without Quickley and Ingram.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/TheDunkCentral/status/2050340425127329811

MPJ says the Nuggets would have won if they hadn't traded him.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/NBA__Courtside/status/2050335201054908892


Shams on Jokic's future in Denver.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

https://x.com/ESPNInsights/status/2050438308929458572


Lebron is defeating Father Time.

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Game 7: 76ers at Celtics (Saturday, 1:30 p.m. ET, Prime)



What to watch in Game 7: The story of this series has been pretty simple: In the three games Boston has won, it has shot almost 42% from 3-point range. In the three games the Celtics have lost, they have shot under 30% from 3. It's dangerous to simplify things to that degree, but it's consistent with how the Celtics have typically played under coach Joe Mazzulla. Boston is now 17-1 when it shoots 40% or better in the playoffs, and 19-19 when it shoots under 40% -- including 4-9 when it shoots under 30%. For all the strategic things that can be discussed about this matchup, if you could predict Boston's 3-point shooting percentage Saturday, you'd have a pretty good indication of how this game will go. -- Bontemps

[HoosierDaddyKid]

What to watch in Game 7: The Cavaliers have the highest-paid roster in the NBA with a superstar duo in Mitchell and Harden, who are trying to overcome their previous playoff disappointments. The pressure will be on the Cavs to win a game at home and avoid a tumultuous offseason in Cleveland. After dropping the first two games, Toronto has been playing with increased confidence since the beginning of Game 3 and can now pull off a massive upset with the first r
road victory of the series. -- Collier



Despite missing Brandon Ingram (heel) for Game 6, and being without starting point guard Immanuel Quickley (hamstring) the entire series, the Raptors forced a decisive Game 7 against the heavily favored Cavs. Scottie Barnes turned in another all-around master class. He racked up a double-double before halftime and finished with 25 points, 14 assists and seven rebounds while spending time guarding Cavs stars Donovan Mitchell, James Harden and Evan Mobley. Barrett and Ja'Kobe Walter each scored 24 as Toronto picked up the slack by committee in front of an energetic home crowd. -- Jamal Collier

[HoosierDaddyKid]

Game 7: Magic at Pistons (Sunday, May 3 )

What to watch in Game 7: Can the Magic recover from this collapse? Detroit goes home confident, looking and feeling like the No. 1 team in the East again. The Magic have been resilient since their play-in rout of the Charlotte Hornets two weeks ago, but this one will be hard to shake by Sunday afternoon.

Orlando won Game 1 in Detroit. But with Franz Wagner still in a walking boot, nursing a strained right calf, the Magic are looking at likely having to play a third straight game without him. The Magic have until 3:30 p.m. Sunday to shake this loss, or else their season could end, having blown a 3-1 series lead, which could certainly mean an offseason of change.

[Chicagojk]

Wow, I did not know until now how that Toronto game ended.  Amazing.   Now, we get game 7 Harden.  I am sure Clev fans are super confident .   I actually think he plays pretty good in game 7 and the Cavs win.   The Harden stinker is coming later in the playoffs is my guess.  

Impressive series win by the Lakers.  I don't know if the Lakers deserve more praise or if the Rockets deserve more blame.   So, maybe a little bit of both.   Rockets with a very interesting offseason.    A healthy Adams and FVV will help, but I think this year has shown they are not a top 4 contender and could slip some soon.  Especially when you are counting on an older 30's player.   The vibe just appears off out there.   There will be a lot of Rockets rumors this offseason.  I am sure that will just go great with their current vibe of the team too