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Is there a greater karaoke tune than “Alone” by Coronary heart? No, there isn’t.
East Examine-in
What to sit up for down the stretch
We’re by roughly two-thirds of the 2023-24 NBA season, so let’s dive into the Jap Convention and determine what to control because the Play-In and playoffs close to. We’ll hit the West under:
1. Boston Celtics (43-12): Does East-leading Boston have its ticket punched to the NBA Finals? The Celtics have been essentially the most dominant workforce within the NBA by being dynamite on offense and protection. So, why does anyone else really feel like they’ve a shot?
2. Cleveland Cavaliers (36-17): The Cavs have been on a loopy run and look a lot better than their 51-win selves from a season in the past. Is there a purpose we don’t purchase the Donovan Mitchell-led squad?
3. Milwaukee Bucks (35-21): Doc Rivers’ quotes alone make the Bucks our most-covered workforce within the East the remainder of the season. We must always word that we’ve carried out it once more immediately.
Giannis Antetokounmpo is the Bucks’ all-time main scorer. However Damian Lillard is who he desires with the ball down the stretch this season.
“I’m his largest fan.”
Antetokounmpo spoke to @eric_nehm on enjoying with Lillard and what’s to come back this 12 months ⤵️https://t.co/MIySnyF5qF pic.twitter.com/9qMKlgc7cF
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 22, 2024
4. New York Knicks (33-22): A wholesome Knicks workforce can completely make the Jap Convention finals. Can they attain their first NBA Finals since pre-Y2K?
5. Philadelphia 76ers (32-22): The Tyrese Maxey present is on reruns till we get to see Joel Embiid on the court docket once more. Philly is 3-5 because the reigning MVP went down.
6. Indiana Pacers (31-25): These Pacers, with well being on their facet, can nonetheless find yourself sporting the perfect offense in NBA historical past, due to Tyrese Haliburton’s continued ascension.
Tyrese Haliburton’s rise validated by All-Star reward: ‘The league ought to belong to him’ ⤵️https://t.co/JwpgljKWzL
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) February 22, 2024
7. Miami Warmth (30-25): We’ve seen this workforce confound the league and the web time and time once more. I’ll by no means doubt the Warmth have one other run in them.
8. Orlando Magic (30-25): That is my favourite younger workforce outdoors of OKC. This Magic workforce performs protection past its years and expertise.
9. Chicago Bulls (26-29): Let’s all rejoice Coby White in his present marketing campaign for the Most Improved Participant award. He deserves it.
10. Atlanta Hawks (24-31): You by no means know if the Hawks will randomly flip a season round or embarrass themselves past perception.
11. Brooklyn Nets (21-33): They only fired Jacque Vaughn because the coach. Can Kevin Ollie deliver any constructive emotions to Brooklyn?
12. Toronto Raptors (19-36): Scottie Barnes, RJ Barrett and Immanuel Quickley are the longer term core of this workforce, so let’s see if meaning something anytime quickly.
13. Charlotte Hornets (13-41): Brandon Miller and LaMelo Ball are the one actual causes to search out even a glimmer of hope with this workforce.
14. Washington Wizards (9-45): The Wizards have been such a chaotic mess all season lengthy, that it’s potential they’re going to complete with the worst file in basketball. Not solely that — we need to see how low the depths of the Jordan Poole expertise go.
15. Detroit Pistons (8-46): They’re now not at risk of difficult for the worst file in NBA historical past, so can Jaden Ivey and Cade Cunningham workforce up with Jalen Duren nicely sufficient to really feel like the longer term is shiny?
The Newest From Shams
McClung talks dunks and extra with Vinsanity
Two-time Slam Dunk Contest champion Mac McClung not too long ago turned the primary back-to-back winner since Zach LaVine (2015-16). Nate Robinson (2009-10), Jason Richardson (2002-03) and Michael Jordan (1987-88) are the one others to take action.
The 25-year-old McClung, who’s at present enjoying for the Orlando Magic’s G League affiliate, not too long ago interviewed with fellow Dunk Contest champion (2000) and Naismith Corridor of Fame finalist Vince Carter to debate which contest victory he’s proudest of, how he celebrated final weekend’s win and extra.
On the season, McClung leads the 10-7 Osceola Magic in scoring (23.7 factors per sport), assists (7.2) and minutes (35.0) in 14 appearances.
.@McclungMac x @mrvincecarter15
FULL ‘Dunk Contest’ Interview 🍿 pic.twitter.com/aOhNqr0U5r— Run It Again (@RunItBackFDTV) February 21, 2024
Unamused in Milwaukee?
Giannis opens up
My concern these days is the Bounce is simply changing into a Bucks publication for all the improper causes. Ever since then-rookie coach Adrian Griffin bought fired midway by the season, we’ve had a highlight on the drama and complicated quotes from Milwaukee. Our personal Bucks reporter Eric Nehm talked not too long ago with Giannis Antetokounmpo concerning the franchise participant’s palpable frustration with the workforce’s present circumstances.
“We will begin from f—— possession, modified. Coach, modified. Coach, modified once more. Star gamers, modified. From Khris being out and in. Like a lot f—— s—. It’s simply up and down. Up and down. So many issues altering, man. However we bought to remain collectively, I don’t prefer to victimize myself. I don’t prefer to really feel unhealthy about myself. That’s not who I’m.”
It’s additionally price noting that, over the All-Star break, Giannis was quoted saying he’s on his fourth coach in six months (shoutout to interim god Joe Prunty), and it’s draining. Understandably, that led to individuals elevating an eyebrow on the thought the Bucks possible don’t make any main modifications with out Giannis’ approval. The happy-go-lucky act/persona can solely take you to this point at this level. Giannis is appropriate. They’ve been by fairly a bit as a workforce this season.
Nonetheless, when the vast majority of it seems to be self-inflicted, it’s laborious to curry favor with the present circumstances. I don’t know if we’ve ever been so down on such a profitable regular-season workforce.
West Examine-In
What to sit up for down the stretch
Although the East has its personal intrigue, the Western Convention is much more chaotic and up within the air. Although the East has its personal intrigue, the Western Convention is much more chaotic. John Hollinger says the West’s playoff push will likely be loopy.
1. Minnesota Timberwolves (39-16): Do Anthony Edwards and the Wolves have what it takes to make us imagine in Minnesota basketball past the common season?
2. Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder (37-17): The youth of the Thunder may punch their ticket to the Finals, which might show that tanking for years truly works (except you’re Detroit, in fact).
3. LA Clippers (36-17): It’s time to recollect Kawhi Leonard can carry one other workforce to the NBA title.
4. Denver Nuggets (36-19): The defending champs have coasted this season, however we all know they’ve one other championship gear or two to hit.
5. Phoenix Suns (33-22): This is likely to be the final vestige of a vaunted tremendous workforce/massive three that we see put collectively on this present CBA. The Suns may preserve elitism alive.
6. New Orleans Pelicans (33-22): Zion Williamson is barely 23 years outdated, however may this be the final time to belief in his potential transferring ahead? The Pelicans want a powerful stretch run from Zion and Co.
7. Dallas Mavericks (32-23): Don’t miss out on Luka Dončić magic the remainder of the best way. This workforce may make the convention finals.
8. Sacramento Kings (31-23): The Kings will be the workforce no person desires to play the remainder of the best way.
9. Los Angeles Lakers (30-26): I don’t need to sound corny, however we have to expertise as a lot LeBron James as potential earlier than his profession actually ends. Hopefully that’s not too quickly.
Will LeBron and Anthony Davis maintain up the remaining approach?
That is the defining query of the Lakers’ season — because it at all times is.@jovanbuha on the storylines to watch as they enter the ultimate third of the season as one of many hottest groups within the NBA ⤵️https://t.co/pDL9WxH9IT pic.twitter.com/YoJYIq87GZ
— The Athletic NBA (@TheAthleticNBA) February 22, 2024
10. Golden State Warriors (27-26): Is that this the final season we see Steph Curry, Draymond Inexperienced and Klay Thompson collectively?
11. Utah Jazz (26-30): Can the youth motion in Utah with Keyonte George and Taylor Hendricks upset its approach into the Play-In?
12. Houston Rockets (24-30): Ime Udoka has been arguably the NBA’s greatest coach. Can Houston make the Play-In with promising youth?
13. Memphis Grizzlies (20-36): GG Jackson and Vince Williams Jr. are names that will likely be vital function gamers subsequent to Ja Morant within the close to future. Jaren Jackson Jr. has been as much as the duty of main Memphis. Watch them develop.
14. Portland Path Blazers (15-39): I’m absolutely satisfied Scoot Henderson will remind us why there was a lot hype about him.
15. San Antonio Spurs (11-44): I’m a damaged file, however watch as a lot Victor Wembanyama as you possibly can for the following 20 years.
So … are we prepared for some actual basketball now?
The Western Convention presents a promising free-for-all throughout the subsequent seven weeks.@johnhollinger on why issues are arrange for a wild march to the playoffs ⤵️https://t.co/WnnNZeKxAJ
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) February 21, 2024
Bounce Passes
Jayson Tatum believes he will be the following face of the NBA.
Which gamers proceed to make the NBA season so enjoyable?
Display screen Sport (All instances Jap)
- Important Display screen: Suns-Mavs (7:30 p.m. TNT). Dončić versus Devin Booker is at all times must-see TV.
- Second Display screen: Lakers-Warriors (10 p.m. TNT). This might decide house court docket in a Play-In showdown between the 2, however there’s no LeBron tonight.
- League Cross Sport of the Night time: Clippers-Thunder (8 p.m.). This may be an exceptional playoff sequence. Full schedule right here.
(High picture: Stacy Revere / Getty Photographs )
