The volume. No, Oh my god, how could he do that?

The volume. No, Oh my god, how could he do that?

Don't watch what Charles Darwin.

Don't watch what Charles Darwin.

The nerves is where it's at.

The nerves is where it's at.

Welcome everybody back into Nerd Sash as always, I'm Carson Bradborn. Alongside me is Logan Camden, and you already know the drill.

Welcome everybody back into Nerd Sash as always, I'm Carson Bradborn. Alongside me is Logan Camden, and you already know the drill.

We've got three.

We've got three.

Games of playoff basketball to talk about, and we're gonna start Logan with the marquee matchup of the night.

Games of playoff basketball to talk about, and we're gonna start Logan with the marquee matchup of the night.

The Minnesota Timberwolves take a two to one lead.

The Minnesota Timberwolves take a two to one lead.

Over the Los Angeles Lakers. Very very exciting game in a super interesting series. What did you think was the difference in this one?

Over the Los Angeles Lakers. Very very exciting game in a super interesting series. What did you think was the difference in this one?

Anthony freaking Edwards? Okay, I mean and fired me up, just because anytime my beautiful baby Anthony Edwards canna have an awesome game like this, I get fired up. I thought. I thought he did a really good job dealing with the ball pressure that the Lakers do ad him and play making out of it. I thought the Timberwolves top duo. I thought him and Randall did a really good job playmaking tonight, just making good decisions when dealing with pressure like that. I'm not gonna lie. Aunt really scared me with that last double team when he chose to bring the ball back down instead of just kicking it back to de Vincenzo. But am played a really good game. Jade McDaniel stepped up to the plate and pulled his weight in a really big way. They needed some offensive firepower and he delivered. Honestly, though, Carson, the thing that surprised me most about this game was the fact that the Lakers were so close to stealing this one with such an off night from Luka Doncic. I want to give a lot of credit to Lebron James for feeling the gravity of the game. I think coming into this one, he knew that Luca wasn't feeling well, knew that he was gonna have to kick it into a higher gear. And anytime Lebron can at this age is still so magical. E's those three big threes in a row in the fourth quarter to keep this one interesting and close. I thought the Minnesota defense was a little bit better tonight, but I was just surprised this game was so close. Man, When you get a Luka Dancic game like this, I expected it to be a Minnesota blowout, but Minnesota just does barely enough. But I thought it was a good bounce back game from the offense. I thought the Lakers defense was kind of ass tonight. I was disappointed with a lot of what we got out of them. A lot of the double teams on Anthony Edwards, I get, like, I get that you got to send Aunt doubles, but I thought, again, he was play making really well off of them. I thought the rotations off of the doubles were really, really poor. I think that when you're sending those doubles at ant, you just have to be that much crisper on the back end. And I thought some of their closeouts were bad tonight. So you know, I thought the Lakers played a little bit below their standard and the Timberwolves had a good bounce back game. I'm happy with what we got out of Minnesota offensively more than anything else, especially with Aunt and Julius Randall and McDaniels. I can't I can't see McDaniels pretty fad enough. Man. He had a phenomenal game.

Anthony freaking Edwards? Okay, I mean and fired me up, just because anytime my beautiful baby Anthony Edwards canna have an awesome game like this, I get fired up. I thought. I thought he did a really good job dealing with the ball pressure that the Lakers do ad him and play making out of it. I thought the Timberwolves top duo. I thought him and Randall did a really good job playmaking tonight, just making good decisions when dealing with pressure like that. I'm not gonna lie. Aunt really scared me with that last double team when he chose to bring the ball back down instead of just kicking it back to de Vincenzo. But am played a really good game. Jade McDaniel stepped up to the plate and pulled his weight in a really big way. They needed some offensive firepower and he delivered. Honestly, though, Carson, the thing that surprised me most about this game was the fact that the Lakers were so close to stealing this one with such an off night from Luka Doncic. I want to give a lot of credit to Lebron James for feeling the gravity of the game. I think coming into this one, he knew that Luca wasn't feeling well, knew that he was gonna have to kick it into a higher gear. And anytime Lebron can at this age is still so magical. E's those three big threes in a row in the fourth quarter to keep this one interesting and close. I thought the Minnesota defense was a little bit better tonight, but I was just surprised this game was so close. Man, When you get a Luka Dancic game like this, I expected it to be a Minnesota blowout, but Minnesota just does barely enough. But I thought it was a good bounce back game from the offense. I thought the Lakers defense was kind of ass tonight. I was disappointed with a lot of what we got out of them. A lot of the double teams on Anthony Edwards, I get, like, I get that you got to send Aunt doubles, but I thought, again, he was play making really well off of them. I thought the rotations off of the doubles were really, really poor. I think that when you're sending those doubles at ant, you just have to be that much crisper on the back end. And I thought some of their closeouts were bad tonight. So you know, I thought the Lakers played a little bit below their standard and the Timberwolves had a good bounce back game. I'm happy with what we got out of Minnesota offensively more than anything else, especially with Aunt and Julius Randall and McDaniels. I can't I can't see McDaniels pretty fad enough. Man. He had a phenomenal game.

Jane McDaniels really was fantastic in this one, and we talked about the switch that.

Jane McDaniels really was fantastic in this one, and we talked about the switch that.

He flipped midway through this season.

He flipped midway through this season.

Really had a better back half of the year offensively, but in this series, dude. I mean, in both of the Timberwolves wins, he has been massive. And if I'm the Lakers, man, I'm not closing out as hard on this dude with these catch and shoot opportunities because he is killing you as a closeout attacker. He is killing you as a driver. He looks so comfortable handling and finishing in the lane and hitting those little touch shots and short jumpers, short pull ups like make the dude make a bunch of threes because he hasn't looked as comfortable doing that. He only goes one to five from deep in this one, but man, was he good inside the arc. Huge performance from him, and I just thought this was a really nice collective performance from the Timberwolves offense. And it does also start with Anthony Edwards and Julius Randall, who I thought were both really really good as playmakers in this one first and foremost. Now they both get theirs as a scorer, and they're both reasonably efficient as scorers. But last game we talked about not being the playmaker that he was in Game one, forcing the issue more as a score against the defense that is really loaded up on him and built to make him a playmaker built to make life harder on him as a scorer, but he was consistently creating drive and kick chances. Julius Randall was consistently getting good position in the post against players he has a physical advantage against, which is a whole lot of dudes. Man with his size and strength, and he's making the kickout passes. And it wasn't just that. They also took great care of the basketball, which is massive in this game because the Lakers stand in stark contrast where I thought a big part of the reason they lost this one was that they were just so careless and sloppy with the basketball. But also when they make that initial kickout pass, maybe that's leading to an assist, but it's just as likely that the Lakers are rotating out to that first shooter, but then the Timberwolves are consistently making the extra pass. I just thought the collective ball movement was really good. I thought the collective off ball movement, the cutting was excellent in this game. So like, just a really smart, intentional offensive performance from them, getting everybody involved like they have to in this series. And like you said, I thought the Lakers defense was just a bit inconsistent in terms of their precision and their effort, And I honestly thought a big reason that they lost this game was just some ugly stretches in terms of careless execution, not really having the focus they needed. Like the Timberwlves deserve credit because they played a really good basketball game, but the Lakers also definitely had an opportunity to win this one. And you look at the turnovers, they end up with sixteen. That's a lot, but it felt like even more because some of them were so catastrophically bad and so many of them led directly to Timberwolves layups, often in transition. But I look at that third quarter especially, and there's just a number of sequences where either the focus isn't there defensively, like Jackson Hayes just did not have the effort and intensity they needed in this game. And obviously he doesn't end up playing much accordingly, but he just does not close out on Mike Conley, who gets a wide open three off the Lakers setting a double at amp and then you have a sequence where Lebron misses a transition layup ant gets a transition layup on the other end.

Really had a better back half of the year offensively, but in this series, dude. I mean, in both of the Timberwolves wins, he has been massive. And if I'm the Lakers, man, I'm not closing out as hard on this dude with these catch and shoot opportunities because he is killing you as a closeout attacker. He is killing you as a driver. He looks so comfortable handling and finishing in the lane and hitting those little touch shots and short jumpers, short pull ups like make the dude make a bunch of threes because he hasn't looked as comfortable doing that. He only goes one to five from deep in this one, but man, was he good inside the arc. Huge performance from him, and I just thought this was a really nice collective performance from the Timberwolves offense. And it does also start with Anthony Edwards and Julius Randall, who I thought were both really really good as playmakers in this one first and foremost. Now they both get theirs as a scorer, and they're both reasonably efficient as scorers. But last game we talked about not being the playmaker that he was in Game one, forcing the issue more as a score against the defense that is really loaded up on him and built to make him a playmaker built to make life harder on him as a scorer, but he was consistently creating drive and kick chances. Julius Randall was consistently getting good position in the post against players he has a physical advantage against, which is a whole lot of dudes. Man with his size and strength, and he's making the kickout passes. And it wasn't just that. They also took great care of the basketball, which is massive in this game because the Lakers stand in stark contrast where I thought a big part of the reason they lost this one was that they were just so careless and sloppy with the basketball. But also when they make that initial kickout pass, maybe that's leading to an assist, but it's just as likely that the Lakers are rotating out to that first shooter, but then the Timberwolves are consistently making the extra pass. I just thought the collective ball movement was really good. I thought the collective off ball movement, the cutting was excellent in this game. So like, just a really smart, intentional offensive performance from them, getting everybody involved like they have to in this series. And like you said, I thought the Lakers defense was just a bit inconsistent in terms of their precision and their effort, And I honestly thought a big reason that they lost this game was just some ugly stretches in terms of careless execution, not really having the focus they needed. Like the Timberwlves deserve credit because they played a really good basketball game, but the Lakers also definitely had an opportunity to win this one. And you look at the turnovers, they end up with sixteen. That's a lot, but it felt like even more because some of them were so catastrophically bad and so many of them led directly to Timberwolves layups, often in transition. But I look at that third quarter especially, and there's just a number of sequences where either the focus isn't there defensively, like Jackson Hayes just did not have the effort and intensity they needed in this game. And obviously he doesn't end up playing much accordingly, but he just does not close out on Mike Conley, who gets a wide open three off the Lakers setting a double at amp and then you have a sequence where Lebron misses a transition layup ant gets a transition layup on the other end.

The Lakers are letting up offensive rebounds.

The Lakers are letting up offensive rebounds.

They have a bad turnover under their own basket that's stolen by Ant that leads to a Timberwolves bucket. There's one possession where they aren't set defensively off of make and the Timberwolves do a great job of seeing that pushing pace and Jade McDaniel's.

They have a bad turnover under their own basket that's stolen by Ant that leads to a Timberwolves bucket. There's one possession where they aren't set defensively off of make and the Timberwolves do a great job of seeing that pushing pace and Jade McDaniel's.

Draws a foul.

Draws a foul.

You have Jared Vanderbilt unable to just corral a defensive rebound on the baseline, he's sort of off balanced. Nikhil Alexander Walker strips it, and then in the fourth quarter a couple more bad turnovers. Riachi Mura dribbles it off his own foot after Luca was trapped, and then you have the weird moment where Luca stops playing defensively, not that he was going to get a stop one on one in transition against Jade McDaniels, but the whole whistle ordeal. So that's another free bucket for the Timberwolves off a bad Lakers mistake. And then as much as Lebron was insane as a shot maker and like he kept the Lakers afloat and in this game absolutely there's the weird turnover where he just drops the ball trying to get shot ready, and that's another transition layup going the other way. So I thought that was a huge area in which they cost themselves this game, because the shooting was there and Lebron's performance was absolutely there. When Lebron plays like this, if you're the Lakers, you should win ninety percent of those games. And it was a combination of the Timberwolves executing well offensively, the Lakers not being as sharp defensively as they were in Game two, and then just a lot of carelessness with the basketball.

You have Jared Vanderbilt unable to just corral a defensive rebound on the baseline, he's sort of off balanced. Nikhil Alexander Walker strips it, and then in the fourth quarter a couple more bad turnovers. Riachi Mura dribbles it off his own foot after Luca was trapped, and then you have the weird moment where Luca stops playing defensively, not that he was going to get a stop one on one in transition against Jade McDaniels, but the whole whistle ordeal. So that's another free bucket for the Timberwolves off a bad Lakers mistake. And then as much as Lebron was insane as a shot maker and like he kept the Lakers afloat and in this game absolutely there's the weird turnover where he just drops the ball trying to get shot ready, and that's another transition layup going the other way. So I thought that was a huge area in which they cost themselves this game, because the shooting was there and Lebron's performance was absolutely there. When Lebron plays like this, if you're the Lakers, you should win ninety percent of those games. And it was a combination of the Timberwolves executing well offensively, the Lakers not being as sharp defensively as they were in Game two, and then just a lot of carelessness with the basketball.

I thought that cost him this one.

I thought that cost him this one.

But obviously Luca's a big part of the problem for La in this one, and he's sick, so you have to acknowledge that. But just not nearly good enough. And I definitely thought was affected by the sickness, but not very effective in this basketball game, like really not getting to the rim, really wasn't able to get by the bigger players he was targeting off switches. I thought he had a little more success going at some of the smaller guys earlier in the game, but even then he was mostly just using his size to shoot over them. Like he just wasn't really able to create any easy chances in this game. And then he also too many turnovers five giveaways in this game for him. So obviously important context that he was sick. But it's going to be really hard for the Lakers to win basketball games when Luca plays like this.

But obviously Luca's a big part of the problem for La in this one, and he's sick, so you have to acknowledge that. But just not nearly good enough. And I definitely thought was affected by the sickness, but not very effective in this basketball game, like really not getting to the rim, really wasn't able to get by the bigger players he was targeting off switches. I thought he had a little more success going at some of the smaller guys earlier in the game, but even then he was mostly just using his size to shoot over them. Like he just wasn't really able to create any easy chances in this game. And then he also too many turnovers five giveaways in this game for him. So obviously important context that he was sick. But it's going to be really hard for the Lakers to win basketball games when Luca plays like this.

Yeah, and especially I mean he wasn't impactful defensively either. No, that's like a consistent thing with Luca, but like I thought, it was extra worse tonight against Minnesota, him dealing with these ailments.

Yeah, and especially I mean he wasn't impactful defensively either. No, that's like a consistent thing with Luca, but like I thought, it was extra worse tonight against Minnesota, him dealing with these ailments.

And he's getting targeted so much.

And he's getting targeted so much.

Yeah, exactly, And I just don't want this to be a game that LA looks back at if they get bounced in this first round and think, you know, this is one that we could have had. Every game is vitally important, especially in a series that's this close, and to get a Lebron turn back the clock kind of game just sucks. I mean, you saw the numbers before the game started. I think in I want to say, in his last ten games, they said that Luca's averaging thirty three a night against Minnesota, and so it's like, if Luca bounces back from this, I think the Lakers can I think the Lakers can still win this series, obviously, but it just sucks to let this one slip through your hands again. It's like the Nuggets loss the other night when Jokic doesn't, you know, perform up to his standard, and it's like, damn, you know, our star lets us down in this game, and that's what keeps us back again. I'll cut Lucas some slack here because he's sick. But every game is important in the playoffs, every game important in a series, and it just felt like the Lakers were. I thought, I'm not gonna lie to you, Carson. I was waiting no Minnesota to blow it, like all the bad moments of offense that we've seen from Minnesota throughout this season, the fact that they let La linger so long in this series. And dude, I know that Ant and Randall had good playmaking games in this one. They were scaring me with nearly every like Randall jumping up and doing these jump passes like mid air. He was scaring me sometimes. But I got to give crops to Ant Man. Ant was the guy that put them over the finish line in this game and ends up. You know, Jade McDaniels deserves an immense amount of credit, but it's the guy that gets them over this finish line. It just feels like a missed opportunity in a big way for the Lakers. Man to be this close, to have an off night from Luca, and to still end up being so close in this game. It stings a little bit. But like I said, man, i've been seven games since the preview of this series. I think we were in for a real fight. Dude. I don't think this is done by any means. I think this is going to go the distance. And I just really hope that Luca can get back to one hundred percent because it just sucks not, you know, seeing your your best player not at full strength. But kudos to the Lakers for keeping this one so close without Luca playing well. And props to Lebron. What a game man. Lebron when he can do this is so special. Man. It's it's one of one stuff.

Yeah, exactly, And I just don't want this to be a game that LA looks back at if they get bounced in this first round and think, you know, this is one that we could have had. Every game is vitally important, especially in a series that's this close, and to get a Lebron turn back the clock kind of game just sucks. I mean, you saw the numbers before the game started. I think in I want to say, in his last ten games, they said that Luca's averaging thirty three a night against Minnesota, and so it's like, if Luca bounces back from this, I think the Lakers can I think the Lakers can still win this series, obviously, but it just sucks to let this one slip through your hands again. It's like the Nuggets loss the other night when Jokic doesn't, you know, perform up to his standard, and it's like, damn, you know, our star lets us down in this game, and that's what keeps us back again. I'll cut Lucas some slack here because he's sick. But every game is important in the playoffs, every game important in a series, and it just felt like the Lakers were. I thought, I'm not gonna lie to you, Carson. I was waiting no Minnesota to blow it, like all the bad moments of offense that we've seen from Minnesota throughout this season, the fact that they let La linger so long in this series. And dude, I know that Ant and Randall had good playmaking games in this one. They were scaring me with nearly every like Randall jumping up and doing these jump passes like mid air. He was scaring me sometimes. But I got to give crops to Ant Man. Ant was the guy that put them over the finish line in this game and ends up. You know, Jade McDaniels deserves an immense amount of credit, but it's the guy that gets them over this finish line. It just feels like a missed opportunity in a big way for the Lakers. Man to be this close, to have an off night from Luca, and to still end up being so close in this game. It stings a little bit. But like I said, man, i've been seven games since the preview of this series. I think we were in for a real fight. Dude. I don't think this is done by any means. I think this is going to go the distance. And I just really hope that Luca can get back to one hundred percent because it just sucks not, you know, seeing your your best player not at full strength. But kudos to the Lakers for keeping this one so close without Luca playing well. And props to Lebron. What a game man. Lebron when he can do this is so special. Man. It's it's one of one stuff.

And it's crazy because like you're still not seeing aggressive downhill Lebron, like when he's getting to the rim, it's in transition. He is just relying on that shot making and he's just gotten so damn good at it. But he was good on the glass in this one too. I thought all of the Lakers had their lapses defensively in this one, but I thought he was one of the more impactful defensive players, making some plays.

And it's crazy because like you're still not seeing aggressive downhill Lebron, like when he's getting to the rim, it's in transition. He is just relying on that shot making and he's just gotten so damn good at it. But he was good on the glass in this one too. I thought all of the Lakers had their lapses defensively in this one, but I thought he was one of the more impactful defensive players, making some plays.

At the rims.

At the rims.

So it's big for LA to get a game where Lebron is at that level, just because in the first two both of them, you felt like he's very much in that sort of feeling things out going at the bigs a lot more, a bit more than I would have liked to see off of switches, where again He's said for a lot of those jumpers that aren't the easiest looks. He was excellent in this game, but the two way execution wasn't there for La. And you gotta give Minnesota a lot of credit, man, because if there was one area in which I was clearly more confident in the Lakers in this matchup coming into it, it was that crunch time offense. It was that ability to execute down the stretch. I'm gonna say, give me Luca and Lebron and their ability to manipulate the defense and make great decisions and create great shots. And in this one instead, it was ant who took over, and it was the Timberwolves who were clearly the better offense down the stretch.

So it's big for LA to get a game where Lebron is at that level, just because in the first two both of them, you felt like he's very much in that sort of feeling things out going at the bigs a lot more, a bit more than I would have liked to see off of switches, where again He's said for a lot of those jumpers that aren't the easiest looks. He was excellent in this game, but the two way execution wasn't there for La. And you gotta give Minnesota a lot of credit, man, because if there was one area in which I was clearly more confident in the Lakers in this matchup coming into it, it was that crunch time offense. It was that ability to execute down the stretch. I'm gonna say, give me Luca and Lebron and their ability to manipulate the defense and make great decisions and create great shots. And in this one instead, it was ant who took over, and it was the Timberwolves who were clearly the better offense down the stretch.

So I agree.

So I agree.

I think that we're in for a war. I do think that this is probably going seven. Obviously, Luca has to get back to form because he was playing so well in the seven game stretch before this one. He was averaging like thirty four points per am on sixty nine percent through shooting. It was the best that he'd looked as a Laker. You expect him to get over this thing pretty quickly. I mean, it sounds like it's the stomach bugs, so probably not more than like a forty eight hour kind of thing.

I think that we're in for a war. I do think that this is probably going seven. Obviously, Luca has to get back to form because he was playing so well in the seven game stretch before this one. He was averaging like thirty four points per am on sixty nine percent through shooting. It was the best that he'd looked as a Laker. You expect him to get over this thing pretty quickly. I mean, it sounds like it's the stomach bugs, so probably not more than like a forty eight hour kind of thing.

But he obviously has to get back to his level. I did think outside.

But he obviously has to get back to his level. I did think outside.

Of the turnovers, so many of which were just like weird and stupid, I liked the Lakers offensive approach a bit more. I thought there was a bit more organized offense in this one. I talked about last game feeling like the Lakers although they won, after that first quarter, they got a little bit bogged down with the idea that they were going to force attacking the Timberwolves bigs off of switches whenever possible, and those guys held up pretty well. I think that La generated twelve points on fourteen isolations.

Of the turnovers, so many of which were just like weird and stupid, I liked the Lakers offensive approach a bit more. I thought there was a bit more organized offense in this one. I talked about last game feeling like the Lakers although they won, after that first quarter, they got a little bit bogged down with the idea that they were going to force attacking the Timberwolves bigs off of switches whenever possible, and those guys held up pretty well. I think that La generated twelve points on fourteen isolations.

Against Rudi finally stopped Luca in in Iso Man.

Against Rudi finally stopped Luca in in Iso Man.

Well, I mean he stopped him a couple times last game too. This was a memorable one.

Well, I mean he stopped him a couple times last game too. This was a memorable one.

Feel the turnover into the bubble.

Feel the turnover into the bubble.

Yeah, that's a big moment.

Yeah, that's a big moment.

It's just nice to finally see Rudy win one in that battle.

It's just nice to finally see Rudy win one in that battle.

Yeah, but I thought that he held up pretty well last game, and like I thought that the Lakers were too attached to the idea of going at him and naws both over and over again.

Yeah, but I thought that he held up pretty well last game, and like I thought that the Lakers were too attached to the idea of going at him and naws both over and over again.

You don't have that in this game.

You don't have that in this game.

Obviously, they're still targeting switches, but I thought that there was more variety. I thought you saw a couple of nice flex actions where they're freeing up shooters off ball. I thought that was big to Austin Reeves having a better game, because I didn't think Austin was that good as an on ball creator. In this one, He's got some turnovers, he's struggling inside the arc, but he makes five threes, a number of those coming off ball. You got a couple more handoffs in this one. I liked that it felt like a more balanced offensive approach from the Lakers, and then if Luca plays up to his level, I think they definitely could have played well enough offensively to win this one, and also if they just took better care of the basketball. And this is the thing with the Lakers, like they just struggle sometimes to put together complete basketball games. Like you feel like you see the ceiling in all of these different aspects. What they can do defensively at their best when they're connected and they're dialed in on their rotations and they're helping aggressively and clogging things up. And you see obviously what they can be offensively when the Big three is clicking and they're knocking down.

Obviously, they're still targeting switches, but I thought that there was more variety. I thought you saw a couple of nice flex actions where they're freeing up shooters off ball. I thought that was big to Austin Reeves having a better game, because I didn't think Austin was that good as an on ball creator. In this one, He's got some turnovers, he's struggling inside the arc, but he makes five threes, a number of those coming off ball. You got a couple more handoffs in this one. I liked that it felt like a more balanced offensive approach from the Lakers, and then if Luca plays up to his level, I think they definitely could have played well enough offensively to win this one, and also if they just took better care of the basketball. And this is the thing with the Lakers, like they just struggle sometimes to put together complete basketball games. Like you feel like you see the ceiling in all of these different aspects. What they can do defensively at their best when they're connected and they're dialed in on their rotations and they're helping aggressively and clogging things up. And you see obviously what they can be offensively when the Big three is clicking and they're knocking down.

Shots from the perimeter.

Shots from the perimeter.

But then sometimes it's just like there's a component or two missing from the equation and they don't really have a ton of margin because like the Timberwolves in this matchup, have some things that are more bankable night after night, Like they are always going to have their physical and athletic advantages. They are basically always going to have that advantage on the glass, they are going to have certainly the higher defensive floor. So when the Lakers are kind of out of whack in any phase, they're very susceptible to a loss. Now we can also see the Timberwolves out of whack offensively like we did in Game two and part of that is the Lakers just being at their best defensively. But it's a good performance for Minnesota. I think if you get the best version of the Lakers offensively, like, you probably still trust them to grin out enough of these games. But I don't know, man, I don't know. They gotta win three out of five. Now, that's gonna be hard.

But then sometimes it's just like there's a component or two missing from the equation and they don't really have a ton of margin because like the Timberwolves in this matchup, have some things that are more bankable night after night, Like they are always going to have their physical and athletic advantages. They are basically always going to have that advantage on the glass, they are going to have certainly the higher defensive floor. So when the Lakers are kind of out of whack in any phase, they're very susceptible to a loss. Now we can also see the Timberwolves out of whack offensively like we did in Game two and part of that is the Lakers just being at their best defensively. But it's a good performance for Minnesota. I think if you get the best version of the Lakers offensively, like, you probably still trust them to grin out enough of these games. But I don't know, man, I don't know. They gotta win three out of five. Now, that's gonna be hard.

It is gonna be hard. Minnesota is not a pushover by any means. And Anthony Edwards is God. Man, I want to stamp him as something like greater than I want.

It is gonna be hard. Minnesota is not a pushover by any means. And Anthony Edwards is God. Man, I want to stamp him as something like greater than I want.

To just God, let's be honest.

To just God, let's be honest.

I know what you want to say about him.

I know what you want to say about him.

I can't wait till I answer the best player home. I'm gonna be insufferable. Bro, I'm gonna be absolutely insufferable. Answer.

I can't wait till I answer the best player home. I'm gonna be insufferable. Bro, I'm gonna be absolutely insufferable. Answer.

Get ready to learn wemby my friend.

Get ready to learn wemby my friend.

Let me ask you this, what did you think of the Lakers defensive approach to Ant in this game? And how would you defend him? Moving like, there's not a good answer, but what's the best strategy, dude?

Let me ask you this, what did you think of the Lakers defensive approach to Ant in this game? And how would you defend him? Moving like, there's not a good answer, but what's the best strategy, dude?

I mean, I don't think that we're gonna see any big changes, right. I think they're pretty consistent with sending aggressive help loading up on him, and it's gonna be a question of how good is he as a playmaker, how good are the shooters, and how good are just the collective offensive pieces around him, And like it's been a couple of very different stories. Game one, they were good, Game two, they were not good really in any of those areas. Game three they were really good in all those areas. But I'm not expecting them to see a big change. I don't think that they can challenge him to beat them as a score Like I think we've seen a number of possessions where they do play him more one on one and outside of like Van Do Doh had really one good stand, like he's getting to the rim and there were a couple that he should have finished that he didn't even in this game.

I mean, I don't think that we're gonna see any big changes, right. I think they're pretty consistent with sending aggressive help loading up on him, and it's gonna be a question of how good is he as a playmaker, how good are the shooters, and how good are just the collective offensive pieces around him, And like it's been a couple of very different stories. Game one, they were good, Game two, they were not good really in any of those areas. Game three they were really good in all those areas. But I'm not expecting them to see a big change. I don't think that they can challenge him to beat them as a score Like I think we've seen a number of possessions where they do play him more one on one and outside of like Van Do Doh had really one good stand, like he's getting to the rim and there were a couple that he should have finished that he didn't even in this game.

I was just gonna say, dude, I mean there were even instances in this game where they're throwing doubles at him and he's still being able to beating up with him and get to them rim exactly.

I was just gonna say, dude, I mean there were even instances in this game where they're throwing doubles at him and he's still being able to beating up with him and get to them rim exactly.

Yeah, But I think that that's the right approach.

Yeah, But I think that that's the right approach.

Continue to test him as a passer, and if he beats you that way and the Timbrels beat you that way, you just kind of have to live with that. I will say one more thing that is impressive about Minnesota and that shows in this game is just their lineup versatility. Man, the fact that they can close without Gobert, they can go with nas at the five, they can really max out their offensive group with Devincenzo out there.

Continue to test him as a passer, and if he beats you that way and the Timbrels beat you that way, you just kind of have to live with that. I will say one more thing that is impressive about Minnesota and that shows in this game is just their lineup versatility. Man, the fact that they can close without Gobert, they can go with nas at the five, they can really max out their offensive group with Devincenzo out there.

And there's still not a small group even with nas at the fund, like they're still they still got big bodies out there.

And there's still not a small group even with nas at the fund, like they're still they still got big bodies out there.

But it's just crazy because like that lineup has been so extremely effective. Their starting five has been effective basically any lineup with the Kei Alexander Walker, and it has been really good this year. It's just crazy when the first three dudes off your bench are an offensive weapon like nas Reed who can play at the four or the five, a shooting weapon like the Vincenzo who's going to compete defensively as well and made some plays on that end in this one. And then the key Alexander Walker, who's one of the best perimeter defenders on the planet and has also had a really good shooting season, is a really good athlete. The Lakers just don't have that obviously. I Mean, they have decent role players, but they have one playable big who really hasn't been all that playable in this series who hasn't been good? So that is an advantage Minnesota. I'm very excited to see where this series heads from here. I think it's going to come down to a couple of key things. Right, how Engay j the Lakers defensively do they pluy up to their offensive potential?

But it's just crazy because like that lineup has been so extremely effective. Their starting five has been effective basically any lineup with the Kei Alexander Walker, and it has been really good this year. It's just crazy when the first three dudes off your bench are an offensive weapon like nas Reed who can play at the four or the five, a shooting weapon like the Vincenzo who's going to compete defensively as well and made some plays on that end in this one. And then the key Alexander Walker, who's one of the best perimeter defenders on the planet and has also had a really good shooting season, is a really good athlete. The Lakers just don't have that obviously. I Mean, they have decent role players, but they have one playable big who really hasn't been all that playable in this series who hasn't been good? So that is an advantage Minnesota. I'm very excited to see where this series heads from here. I think it's going to come down to a couple of key things. Right, how Engay j the Lakers defensively do they pluy up to their offensive potential?

And then is.

And then is.

An't continually very good as a decision maker and playmaker? And how well did the timber will shoot the ball? Not that they had a special shooting performance in this one. They had a totally normal, solid shooting performance. But they created a lot of really good shots and they were able to certainly make enough of them to come away with the win. Let's take a quick break Logan for some words from DraftKings, and then on the other side, we will talk about the other two playoff.

An't continually very good as a decision maker and playmaker? And how well did the timber will shoot the ball? Not that they had a special shooting performance in this one. They had a totally normal, solid shooting performance. But they created a lot of really good shots and they were able to certainly make enough of them to come away with the win. Let's take a quick break Logan for some words from DraftKings, and then on the other side, we will talk about the other two playoff.

Games that we saw today in the Eastern Conference.

Games that we saw today in the Eastern Conference.

The NBA eighty two game grind is done, and now the real fun begins. The NBA Playoffs are here and it's time for all the high stakes drama, clutch moments, and jaw dropping plays.

The NBA eighty two game grind is done, and now the real fun begins. The NBA Playoffs are here and it's time for all the high stakes drama, clutch moments, and jaw dropping plays.

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I realized that I said when we were talking about this game, the Lakers got to win three out of five. Obviously, now they have to win three out of four. And that's where I think you're exactly right, Logan. They're going to be kicking themselves over this one, that they didn't have Luca right, that they were so careless with the basketball, like you always wish that you could be at your best in every playoff game, and that really was not the case for the Lakers in this one. Let's talk about a team that got back on their horse.

I realized that I said when we were talking about this game, the Lakers got to win three out of five. Obviously, now they have to win three out of four. And that's where I think you're exactly right, Logan. They're going to be kicking themselves over this one, that they didn't have Luca right, that they were so careless with the basketball, like you always wish that you could be at your best in every playoff game, and that really was not the case for the Lakers in this one. Let's talk about a team that got back on their horse.

Logan.

Logan.

They got to win the Orlando Magic get a win against the Boston Celtics. They are now trailing two to one in the series, but they did it in spite of the fact that Jason Tatum returned to action.

They got to win the Orlando Magic get a win against the Boston Celtics. They are now trailing two to one in the series, but they did it in spite of the fact that Jason Tatum returned to action.

What did you take away from Orlando getting on the board in this series.

What did you take away from Orlando getting on the board in this series.

Night and day and this is a good This is just one of those monkeys you gotta get off your back, man, Orlando. I'm proud of them. Man. First, I'm so thoroughly impressed with Paolo Bancaro and Franz Wagner both for both of these young wings to be dealing with such a tough defensive matchup in this series. And it's not super efficient. It's not going to be super efficient, but I think to just produce this raw volume is super impressive against Boston. Polo in this series is giving you thirty three, nine and four on forty seven, forty seven sixty eight splits fifty five per cent tru shooting. And we've maligned Franz a lot for his struggle shooting the ball. He goes three to thirteen from deep in this game. He's at nineteen percent from deep in this series, but he's giving you twenty seven, five and six. I mean from your two young star wings. You're getting sixty points per game. And I'll tell you what, in a grimy series like this, that's a lot like if we could get some more from the supporting cast Orlando's in this series.

Night and day and this is a good This is just one of those monkeys you gotta get off your back, man, Orlando. I'm proud of them. Man. First, I'm so thoroughly impressed with Paolo Bancaro and Franz Wagner both for both of these young wings to be dealing with such a tough defensive matchup in this series. And it's not super efficient. It's not going to be super efficient, but I think to just produce this raw volume is super impressive against Boston. Polo in this series is giving you thirty three, nine and four on forty seven, forty seven sixty eight splits fifty five per cent tru shooting. And we've maligned Franz a lot for his struggle shooting the ball. He goes three to thirteen from deep in this game. He's at nineteen percent from deep in this series, but he's giving you twenty seven, five and six. I mean from your two young star wings. You're getting sixty points per game. And I'll tell you what, in a grimy series like this, that's a lot like if we could get some more from the supporting cast Orlando's in this series.

So I mean, the Magic are averaging what ninety four points per game? Two thirds of your offense, basically just scoring, is coming from these two wings. And obviously they're creating most of the chances for other players.

So I mean, the Magic are averaging what ninety four points per game? Two thirds of your offense, basically just scoring, is coming from these two wings. And obviously they're creating most of the chances for other players.

Too, exactly, And it's such a horrendous shooting and spacing situation, and so that makes what they're doing even more impressive to me. But I do want to give some credit to the supporting cast as well. In this game. I thought Wendell Carter Junior did a really good job on the glass in this game. Also has eight points in the third quarter. Honestly, bro, if you can hit eight points as a supporting player for the Orlando Magic, you are doing your job.

Too, exactly, And it's such a horrendous shooting and spacing situation, and so that makes what they're doing even more impressive to me. But I do want to give some credit to the supporting cast as well. In this game. I thought Wendell Carter Junior did a really good job on the glass in this game. Also has eight points in the third quarter. Honestly, bro, if you can hit eight points as a supporting player for the Orlando Magic, you are doing your job.

Like that to me is the You're.

Like that to me is the You're.

Just give me eight. John Isaac doesn't do a ton offensively, but his plus ten in his minutes and I thought was excellent Defensively in this game, Anthony Black is providing you some vital defense and a little bit of scoring punch, and that, to me is the other component of this game is Orlando just played so much better defensively. This is the number two defensive rated team in the NBA this season. They were playing super physical, forcing turnovers nineteen. But the biggest difference to me in this game was two things. One the stretch in the third quarter that we got from Orlando. Defensively, they held Boston to eleven points. They held them to three of six teams from the field, and forced five turnovers in that quarter. It's the fewest points that Boston has scored in a quarter of this season. And in a stretch from the third quarter to the fourth quarter, they missed ten straight threes. The biggest difference, though, is how they were able to run Boston off of the line. Orlando was number one in opponents three pointers attempted per game in the regular season. Boston historically historic volume three point shooting team. They were number one and three pointers attempted per game in the regular season. Their average per game this year was forty eight three pointers per game attempted. That's the most in NBA history. In Game three, they attempt twenty seven like that points to such a concerted effort from this Orlando defense to limit their attempts from behind the arc, to run them off the line, and to make them as difficult as possible, Like they attempted twenty one less than their average during a regular season game. That's a huge advantage for Orlando. Like that is Boston's one of Boston's offensive superpowers, the fact that they can shoot so many threes and I'll shoot you from behind the arc. For Orlando to shrink that margin in such a big way was huge for them. And then I thought it was big all the extra opportunity unities they created. They won the offensive rebounding battle fifteen to eight in this game. I thought that was huge. And honestly, Carson, I'm really really disappointed in Jalen Brown, and I'm really really I'm morally I'm disappointed in Christops Porzingis. I think this has been a horrendous Porzingis series, and I want to clarify on that this isn't a horrendous Brown game, but I want to see Brown take way more advantage of some of the mismatches that he could exploit in this series. I think minutes with Cole Anthony, if you can get that switch, you can bully it. I think minutes with Anthony Black, with Corey Joseph, with Gary Harris. Anytime those guys are on the court, I want to see JB attack. But I'm more disappointed with Porzingis in this series. Porzingis is giving you eleven point seven rebounds and one assist on twenty eight percent from the field. He's from deep oh of ten from behind the arc, and he's thirty nine percent true shooting. Like to me, Porzingis was the secret weapon for the Celtics in this playoff. He has been the secret weapon. I've called him the hired gun. You send Porzingis as the mercenary, and he has been anything but that. I mean, he has been bad in this series. The only thing I could give him is maybe defensively, and that's just for standing and being tall, like.

Just give me eight. John Isaac doesn't do a ton offensively, but his plus ten in his minutes and I thought was excellent Defensively in this game, Anthony Black is providing you some vital defense and a little bit of scoring punch, and that, to me is the other component of this game is Orlando just played so much better defensively. This is the number two defensive rated team in the NBA this season. They were playing super physical, forcing turnovers nineteen. But the biggest difference to me in this game was two things. One the stretch in the third quarter that we got from Orlando. Defensively, they held Boston to eleven points. They held them to three of six teams from the field, and forced five turnovers in that quarter. It's the fewest points that Boston has scored in a quarter of this season. And in a stretch from the third quarter to the fourth quarter, they missed ten straight threes. The biggest difference, though, is how they were able to run Boston off of the line. Orlando was number one in opponents three pointers attempted per game in the regular season. Boston historically historic volume three point shooting team. They were number one and three pointers attempted per game in the regular season. Their average per game this year was forty eight three pointers per game attempted. That's the most in NBA history. In Game three, they attempt twenty seven like that points to such a concerted effort from this Orlando defense to limit their attempts from behind the arc, to run them off the line, and to make them as difficult as possible, Like they attempted twenty one less than their average during a regular season game. That's a huge advantage for Orlando. Like that is Boston's one of Boston's offensive superpowers, the fact that they can shoot so many threes and I'll shoot you from behind the arc. For Orlando to shrink that margin in such a big way was huge for them. And then I thought it was big all the extra opportunity unities they created. They won the offensive rebounding battle fifteen to eight in this game. I thought that was huge. And honestly, Carson, I'm really really disappointed in Jalen Brown, and I'm really really I'm morally I'm disappointed in Christops Porzingis. I think this has been a horrendous Porzingis series, and I want to clarify on that this isn't a horrendous Brown game, but I want to see Brown take way more advantage of some of the mismatches that he could exploit in this series. I think minutes with Cole Anthony, if you can get that switch, you can bully it. I think minutes with Anthony Black, with Corey Joseph, with Gary Harris. Anytime those guys are on the court, I want to see JB attack. But I'm more disappointed with Porzingis in this series. Porzingis is giving you eleven point seven rebounds and one assist on twenty eight percent from the field. He's from deep oh of ten from behind the arc, and he's thirty nine percent true shooting. Like to me, Porzingis was the secret weapon for the Celtics in this playoff. He has been the secret weapon. I've called him the hired gun. You send Porzingis as the mercenary, and he has been anything but that. I mean, he has been bad in this series. The only thing I could give him is maybe defensively, and that's just for standing and being tall, like.

Yeah, until he's getting targeted on the last two key possessions of the game and Franz cooks him on back to back switches.

Yeah, until he's getting targeted on the last two key possessions of the game and Franz cooks him on back to back switches.

Just rolls by him. Like I have been thoroughly disappointed in Christoph Porzingis in this series, and he is completely under delivering for Boston in this series. Thank God, They're so talented man. I mean, to be up to one in this series, when Jason Tatum doesn't play in a game, and when Porzingis is doing this for you, I think it's really impressive for Boston. So kudos to Orlando. I'm glad they got a game in this one. They scrapped like hell to do it. Yeah, to win a two point game. But in the same breath, I think this has been I've been disappointed with Boston. I don't think they're playing anywhere close to the level that I know they can.

Just rolls by him. Like I have been thoroughly disappointed in Christoph Porzingis in this series, and he is completely under delivering for Boston in this series. Thank God, They're so talented man. I mean, to be up to one in this series, when Jason Tatum doesn't play in a game, and when Porzingis is doing this for you, I think it's really impressive for Boston. So kudos to Orlando. I'm glad they got a game in this one. They scrapped like hell to do it. Yeah, to win a two point game. But in the same breath, I think this has been I've been disappointed with Boston. I don't think they're playing anywhere close to the level that I know they can.

No, definitely not in this one.

No, definitely not in this one.

I gotta give Orlando credit, though, I didn't think they were going to get a game in this series. And I have just been so so impressed by both Palo and Frauds Man. As you said, I mean, that's where you have to start and finish the conversation with this team. What stands out to me most with Paolo, and what's been so impressive in all three of these games, is just his comfort on the court as a number one option at his age against a really good playoff defense with a horrible offensive supporting cast alongside him. Because that's just such an impressive thing to show consistently as a young player, Like I'm not trying to take shots here, but just the first guy that comes to mind as a point of comparison is like Kate Cunningham. Right, hasn't had a bad series, certainly not, but you've seen stretches where he's uncomfortable, where he's turning the ball over a lot, where he's not getting the looks that he wants us.

I gotta give Orlando credit, though, I didn't think they were going to get a game in this series. And I have just been so so impressed by both Palo and Frauds Man. As you said, I mean, that's where you have to start and finish the conversation with this team. What stands out to me most with Paolo, and what's been so impressive in all three of these games, is just his comfort on the court as a number one option at his age against a really good playoff defense with a horrible offensive supporting cast alongside him. Because that's just such an impressive thing to show consistently as a young player, Like I'm not trying to take shots here, but just the first guy that comes to mind as a point of comparison is like Kate Cunningham. Right, hasn't had a bad series, certainly not, but you've seen stretches where he's uncomfortable, where he's turning the ball over a lot, where he's not getting the looks that he wants us.

That's not at all uncommon for.

That's not at all uncommon for.

A guy who is so early in his development as a star and is seeing now a really good playoff defense that is directed towards him, that is focused on stopping him Powebllo. Because he is so massive and so strong, is always able to find a matchup that he likes. It's just that unique combination of size, athleticism, and skill where if he's got to switch with a big all good, he's hutting that pull up jumper, he looks totally comfortable. He turns into just Kevin Durant level jump shooter in the.

A guy who is so early in his development as a star and is seeing now a really good playoff defense that is directed towards him, that is focused on stopping him Powebllo. Because he is so massive and so strong, is always able to find a matchup that he likes. It's just that unique combination of size, athleticism, and skill where if he's got to switch with a big all good, he's hutting that pull up jumper, he looks totally comfortable. He turns into just Kevin Durant level jump shooter in the.

Playoffs, and I love it.

Playoffs, and I love it.

I mean, he's been great again this year as a jump shooter, just like last year. He's forty eight percent for mid range and I think like forty seven percent from three. But then he's also totally comfortable playing bullyball against some of these guards, right, He's not rattled by their feistiness, by them trying to get at the ball with their hands, still comfortable under control there for the most part, he's comfortable making reeds versus doubles and when he's seeing aggressive help. But like, especially as a score he's not sped up. He's not bothered by any matchup, and with his size and strength, if he's on as a jump shooter, there's just really nothing that the defense can do. So him giving you thirty two nine to four on fifty five percent true shooting in this series, with only two point seven turnovers per game, building on what he did last year in the playoffs, that is so so impressive and doesn't feel like outlier stuff. Man, Like I get these shooting the ball better than he did in the regular season, but he looks so so composed, and that was phenomenal. But Franz was incredible in this game, with the exception of the three point shot, which is a problem, but as a driver.

I mean, he's been great again this year as a jump shooter, just like last year. He's forty eight percent for mid range and I think like forty seven percent from three. But then he's also totally comfortable playing bullyball against some of these guards, right, He's not rattled by their feistiness, by them trying to get at the ball with their hands, still comfortable under control there for the most part, he's comfortable making reeds versus doubles and when he's seeing aggressive help. But like, especially as a score he's not sped up. He's not bothered by any matchup, and with his size and strength, if he's on as a jump shooter, there's just really nothing that the defense can do. So him giving you thirty two nine to four on fifty five percent true shooting in this series, with only two point seven turnovers per game, building on what he did last year in the playoffs, that is so so impressive and doesn't feel like outlier stuff. Man, Like I get these shooting the ball better than he did in the regular season, but he looks so so composed, and that was phenomenal. But Franz was incredible in this game, with the exception of the three point shot, which is a problem, but as a driver.

And as a finisher.

And as a finisher.

I talked about this after Game two, but like, he's just mind bogglingly good dude. To have that combination of ball handling, shiftiness, body control, work touch as a six to ten guy with a seven foot wingspan, like that shouldn't be possible. And even when he is cooking KP on those last couple switches, like obviously he's using his quickness advantage and they still weren't necessarily like easy drives and finishes. Fronds is just phenomenal, and his playmaking was also great. He took really good care of the basketball, so like inside the arc in this series he gets an A plus plus. He's shooting fifty eight percent on twos. He's getting to line at a really good rate. He's averaging twenty seven to five and six. That's the headline. Franz overall gets an a minus in this series. So far, he's been really good. The problem is just the three point shot is broken. But this over lining, that's all he's got to work on this offseason. That was also the case last offseason and it didn't get better. But you know, he had the Olympics.

I talked about this after Game two, but like, he's just mind bogglingly good dude. To have that combination of ball handling, shiftiness, body control, work touch as a six to ten guy with a seven foot wingspan, like that shouldn't be possible. And even when he is cooking KP on those last couple switches, like obviously he's using his quickness advantage and they still weren't necessarily like easy drives and finishes. Fronds is just phenomenal, and his playmaking was also great. He took really good care of the basketball, so like inside the arc in this series he gets an A plus plus. He's shooting fifty eight percent on twos. He's getting to line at a really good rate. He's averaging twenty seven to five and six. That's the headline. Franz overall gets an a minus in this series. So far, he's been really good. The problem is just the three point shot is broken. But this over lining, that's all he's got to work on this offseason. That was also the case last offseason and it didn't get better. But you know, he had the Olympics.

He was busy. Like, if he can just get up to being.

He was busy. Like, if he can just get up to being.

A thirty five percent three point shooter, he's a top twenty player in the.

A thirty five percent three point shooter, he's a top twenty player in the.

NBA right now.

NBA right now.

Because the inside, the arc, scoring, the playmaking, the defense, it's all so star caliber right now. So I just think the future is so bright for these two.

Because the inside, the arc, scoring, the playmaking, the defense, it's all so star caliber right now. So I just think the future is so bright for these two.

And like you.

And like you.

Said, the scoring efficiency, it's not gonna be super pretty individually, but like that's not really possible to expect in this series with the burden they're taking on against this defense. Jesus Christ, no creators or shooters alongside them.

Said, the scoring efficiency, it's not gonna be super pretty individually, but like that's not really possible to expect in this series with the burden they're taking on against this defense. Jesus Christ, no creators or shooters alongside them.

You can hit a freaking shot, bro KCP in this series. Nob.

You can hit a freaking shot, bro KCP in this series. Nob.

Yeah, anybody's oh for nine in the last two games.

Yeah, anybody's oh for nine in the last two games.

Kcp's two to twelve from deep in this series. Man, he's given you three points a game on twenty shooting bro.

Kcp's two to twelve from deep in this series. Man, he's given you three points a game on twenty shooting bro.

For twenty three million dollars. Somewhere north of twenty million dollars. Yeah, Like literally, if anybody else on the team hits double digits, it's a miracle. So shout out Wen Ocarter Junior shadowed Anthony Black. But the bar is in hell for the offensive contributions from the supporting cast. But this volume not turning the ball all over like Polo and Franz are doing. It's crazy impressive, and like it's just kind of freakish that one team has two dudes who are six' ten in this skilled man like not six, seven not six,' eight these are. Six ten these. Are, Dudes obviously poolo has like straight up big ass power forward size and then that freakish wing skill. And, athleticism offensively it's, THOSE two. I agree i thought the defense was excellent in. This one they're challenging attempts at, the rim they're limiting the drive and kick Game. For boston they're containing the. Ball well but, they're also as, you said. Challenging SHOOTERS and i thought especially in, THE clutch, I mean polo is a great defensive possession where he Clamps Up jason tatum forces him into a really tough turnaround that, he misses And Then gary Harris Strips peyton pritchard on the final possession of the game and talked about this, last Game But peyton pritchard's just really not comfortable finishing inside against All of, orlando's size, AND lengthened i think that that's.

For twenty three million dollars. Somewhere north of twenty million dollars. Yeah, Like literally, if anybody else on the team hits double digits, it's a miracle. So shout out Wen Ocarter Junior shadowed Anthony Black. But the bar is in hell for the offensive contributions from the supporting cast. But this volume not turning the ball all over like Polo and Franz are doing. It's crazy impressive, and like it's just kind of freakish that one team has two dudes who are six' ten in this skilled man like not six, seven not six,' eight these are. Six ten these. Are, Dudes obviously poolo has like straight up big ass power forward size and then that freakish wing skill. And, athleticism offensively it's, THOSE two. I agree i thought the defense was excellent in. This one they're challenging attempts at, the rim they're limiting the drive and kick Game. For boston they're containing the. Ball well but, they're also as, you said. Challenging SHOOTERS and i thought especially in, THE clutch, I mean polo is a great defensive possession where he Clamps Up jason tatum forces him into a really tough turnaround that, he misses And Then gary Harris Strips peyton pritchard on the final possession of the game and talked about this, last Game But peyton pritchard's just really not comfortable finishing inside against All of, orlando's size, AND lengthened i think that that's.

True for a number of.

True for a number of.

Small guards like they're just, a really really good all, around defense and they were great on. THE glass i thought that that was huge down. The stretch so to be able to take a Game from boston when you shoot twenty five percent. From three that's, an, achievement man because your stars have to, be great your defense has to, be great you have to be great on. The glass even though it's not a great shooting Game from boston, themselves obviously like normally they are just so damn good that you have to shoot the lights out to, beat them especially in, the playoffs and that was not the Case, For orlando so really good stuff from Them. For boston this game's like almost All About christops porzingis in terms of why they lost in, my opinion and as A big, porzingis guy there's no dressing.

Small guards like they're just, a really really good all, around defense and they were great on. THE glass i thought that that was huge down. The stretch so to be able to take a Game from boston when you shoot twenty five percent. From three that's, an, achievement man because your stars have to, be great your defense has to, be great you have to be great on. The glass even though it's not a great shooting Game from boston, themselves obviously like normally they are just so damn good that you have to shoot the lights out to, beat them especially in, the playoffs and that was not the Case, For orlando so really good stuff from Them. For boston this game's like almost All About christops porzingis in terms of why they lost in, my opinion and as A big, porzingis guy there's no dressing.

This up he GETS an f for. This series he has.

This up he GETS an f for. This series he has.

Been like a clear disaster in games one. And three he was better in, game two definitely, significantly better but still even in that one his shot, Was off so that's part. Of it you mentioned hasn't hit, a three and some of these misses. Are bad but also when he's getting to his mismatches out of, the post where he's normally so, brutally efficient he is just missing twelve foot or after twelve foot are these shots that for him are normally super easy, and efficient he just looks all out. Of sorts with and he just. Looks discombobulated like there's one big Possession where franz is fronting him off of an inbound a side OUT and kp catches, it anyways and so like he's got, an advantage he's got a bit of, a runway and he has an open little six footer and instead he pump fakes look to pass out. Of it and Then once franz is like smothering, him again he puts up the shot and he misses. It badly so the offense has, been really. Really bad and then two biggest buckets of, The night franz is targeting him like they were minus sixteen in, his minutes and the production has. Been terrible he's just not doing the things that he is, great at that being the, mismatch attacking the three point shooting at even a decent level, Right now like he's just been pretty much bad across, the board like, You, mentioned yeah the, rim protection the rebounding has been, pretty good but overall he's just not close to the level that you expect him to be at and the level they need him to.

Been like a clear disaster in games one. And three he was better in, game two definitely, significantly better but still even in that one his shot, Was off so that's part. Of it you mentioned hasn't hit, a three and some of these misses. Are bad but also when he's getting to his mismatches out of, the post where he's normally so, brutally efficient he is just missing twelve foot or after twelve foot are these shots that for him are normally super easy, and efficient he just looks all out. Of sorts with and he just. Looks discombobulated like there's one big Possession where franz is fronting him off of an inbound a side OUT and kp catches, it anyways and so like he's got, an advantage he's got a bit of, a runway and he has an open little six footer and instead he pump fakes look to pass out. Of it and Then once franz is like smothering, him again he puts up the shot and he misses. It badly so the offense has, been really. Really bad and then two biggest buckets of, The night franz is targeting him like they were minus sixteen in, his minutes and the production has. Been terrible he's just not doing the things that he is, great at that being the, mismatch attacking the three point shooting at even a decent level, Right now like he's just been pretty much bad across, the board like, You, mentioned yeah the, rim protection the rebounding has been, pretty good but overall he's just not close to the level that you expect him to be at and the level they need him to.

Be at so this is the gift With The. Boston celtics IT'S.

Be at so this is the gift With The. Boston celtics IT'S.

NOT us i mean THEY need kp to get Through. The, east like if you're getting this VERSION, of kp they're going to Lose. TO cleveland i can say that.

NOT us i mean THEY need kp to get Through. The, east like if you're getting this VERSION, of kp they're going to Lose. TO cleveland i can say that.

Pretty, confidently yeah the beauty Is al horford is still so good and they just have lineup flexibility that is. Absolutely ABSURD and i just Thought that missoula should HAVE pulled kp earlier in this GAME because i thought that he was having such a bad PERFORMANCE.

Pretty, confidently yeah the beauty Is al horford is still so good and they just have lineup flexibility that is. Absolutely ABSURD and i just Thought that missoula should HAVE pulled kp earlier in this GAME because i thought that he was having such a bad PERFORMANCE.

And i thought that if there were something ELSE.

And i thought that if there were something ELSE.

That i would Say cost boston in this when it Would be Missoula Taking jalen brown out of the game with four minutes left just because he had, Five fouls like why is foul trouble really a concern when there's four minutes on. The clock, you know trust your star player to finish the game out and not. Foul out and if he does, foul, out okay well at least he was on. The floor like they didn't even get him back into the game until there was a minute and change LEFT and kp had already gotten cooked on a.

That i would Say cost boston in this when it Would be Missoula Taking jalen brown out of the game with four minutes left just because he had, Five fouls like why is foul trouble really a concern when there's four minutes on. The clock, you know trust your star player to finish the game out and not. Foul out and if he does, foul, out okay well at least he was on. The floor like they didn't even get him back into the game until there was a minute and change LEFT and kp had already gotten cooked on a.

Couple PLAYS so i thought that that.

Couple PLAYS so i thought that that.

Was bad, and like even if YOU want kp out there for, whatever reason even though he, wasn't good in.

Was bad, and like even if YOU want kp out there for, whatever reason even though he, wasn't good in.

This game if you're, Just, thinking okay we want.

This game if you're, Just, thinking okay we want.

Our five best, available guys Like Take peyton pritchard off And Keep jalen.

Our five best, available guys Like Take peyton pritchard off And Keep jalen.

Brown in it.

Brown in it.

Was just a bizarre Decision by missoula in. My opinion so that's Really where boston loses. This one the good news, For them tatum is. Clearly fine risk didn't seem to be bothering him. AT all, i mean the jumper was buttery in, this one and he had a really nice. Scoring performance seven turnovers is obviously, too Many but boston's. Gonna cruise i'd be really surprised if they lost another game in, this series and They'll get drew back. Out THERE and i DON'T think kp can continue to look like the version of himself that has had his powers sapped from him By the monstars, like that it's literally what, we're. Seeing, BRO like i cannot believe how badly he is playing in this series up to, this POINT but i do think he's got, some superpowers and when he's at, his best he's a hell of a destructive basketball player for the. Other team he's been destructive For the celtics so far in. This SERIES but i put this one, on him and they're not shooting. SO well i think he's gonna be fine for the rest of. The playoffs orlando's also a tough matchup for, him because like they have a lot, of big. Physical dudes he obviously can't Really target powlo off.