No Dunks: NBA Weekend Winners & Losers | Healthy Sixers, Tatum’s Best Game Yet, Orlando Tragic
iHeartPodcasts | March 30, 2026

Episode Overview

This episode of No Dunks, hosted by Skeets, Trey Kirby, and the crew, brings their signature blend of wit and detailed basketball analysis. The team digs into the NBA’s weekend action, spotlighting the biggest winners and losers—from surging squads like the Cavaliers and Sixers, to struggling outfits like the Heat and Magic. They hit on seeding shenanigans, tanking debates, and memorable individual performances, keeping it fun and insightful throughout.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. March Madness Bracket Banter (02:43–06:46)

• The hosts begin with their NCAA bracket destiny:
  • Despite confusion over their actual ranking (fifth or ninth?), they’re excited to have three of the Final Four.
  • UConn’s dramatic win over Duke is dissected, including strategic game management errors ("Duke just throws a bunch of passes, including a guy, other Boozer, jumping and throwing in like a one-hand baseball pass into two defenders."—Skeets, 04:15).
  • The value of sticking to their bracket guns is celebrated, even if they can only finish second.
  • Lively banter about bracket logistics, and the drama of last-second tourney moments.
• Memorable Moment: The hosts’ lighthearted confusion over their own bracket performance provides a familiar, playful start.

2. NBA Weekend Winners

a) Cleveland Cavaliers: “Healthy” and Strategic (07:02–13:36)

• Winners of the Weekend: Cavs' Big Four (Mitchell, Harden, Mobley, Allen) finally play together post-trade deadline and destroy the Heat.
• James Harden’s fit as a “pure point guard,” Max Strus’s 8/11 from three, and dynamic ball movement all highlighted.
• Secondary assists, “tic tac toe passing,” and staggering Harden with the second unit cited as key improvements.
• The hosts discuss seeding incentives:
  • “Fourth place is where you want to be in the East right now...” (Skeets, 09:01), due to a preferable first-round matchup.
  • Resting starters is strategic, not panicky: "Losses aren't bad for the Cavs... they're going to be in shenanigans mode here." (Skeets, 10:27)
• Notable Quote: "It looked like those four guys had played together way more than, I think, like 48 minutes together."—Skeets, 07:54

b) Philadelphia 76ers: Finally Healthy, Finally Scary? (13:36–16:43)

• Trey’s winner: Sixers, now with Paul George, Tyrese Maxey, and Joel Embiid actually sharing the court.
• They close out the Hornets impressively:
  • Paul George’s clutch offense, defense, and hustle on the boards highlighted.
  • Embiid: “He looked like he was wemby as a pass goes out to Brandon Miller from the paint... able to get out there. Fantastic on that side.” (Trey, 15:26)
  • Maxey returns from injury, brings energy (“He was shot out of a cannon on this one.”—Skeets quoting Eric Collins, 17:27)
• Sixers called "the definition of a dark horse” due to volatility but “really scary matchup” potential if their Big Three are healthy.
• Debate: Whether the Sixers could overtake a top-four seed and how they'd stack up in a playoff series vs. the Cavs or Knicks.

c) Denver Nuggets: Clutch Factor & Seeding Maneuvers (23:39–26:49)

• Nuggets pull out a comeback vs. Jazz and blow out the Warriors.
• Jokic’s late-game heroics, Tim Hardaway and Bruce Brown contributions, and "six-game win streak" spotlighted.
• Playoff seeding gamesmanship (“shenanigans alert”) discussed again.
• Nuggets could angle for the “beat-the-Rockets first round” seeding.
• Classic Moment: “I like to see that from the Cowboy himself. Bruce Brown, good celebration.” (Skeets, 25:27)

d) Boston Celtics: Jason Tatum’s Best Game Yet? (27:01–32:55)

• No Jalen Brown? “Jason Tatum goes full alpha”—delivers his “best game of the season”: 32 points, eight assists, five threes.
• Hosts praise Tatum’s flexibility attacking mismatches and operating as a distributor.
• Conversations around Celtics’ offensive continuity and Tatum’s improving form post-injury.
• Notable Quote: "If they get this level of Tatum... this is probably the team to beat in the Eastern Conference."—Skeets, 30:50

e) Indiana Pacers: Next-Level Tanking? (32:59–39:01)

• Rare “winner” slot for Indiana, but only for “figuring out an ingenious way to lose” (33:05).
• Wild finish vs. Clippers: failed last-second plays, intentional fouls and missed free throws, and ultimately, a loss that secures better lottery odds.
• Discuss tanking, lack of success with Siakam playing, and “timing the tank” only after the season falls apart ("They have started the tank again"—Trey, 37:26).
• Tanking Debate: Whether fewer games would “fix” tanking (consensus: probably not, economics always win).

f) Detroit Pistons: Post-Cade Surge (40:31–42:45)

• Pistons go 5-1 without Cade Cunningham, fueled by a suddenly stingy defense.
• Maintaining control of the top seed despite injuries.
• Skeets: “Even with Cade coming in as a question mark, recovering from a collapsed lung.” (41:10)
• Trey: “They held onto the one seed. It ain’t going anywhere. There’s only eight games remaining. They’re up four on the Boston Celtics..." (42:45)

Quick Mini-Winners

• Marvin Bagley (44:54): Game of the season, great free-agent prospects.
• Scotty Barnes (45:40): Only NBA player with 100+ blocks & 100+ steals this season.

3. NBA Weekend Losers

a) Miami Heat: Defensive Meltdown (47:30–52:20)

• Two terrible losses: “Zero defensive resistance... gave up 149 points” (Skeets, 47:36).
• Since Bam’s 83-point game, Heat are 2-7, giving up monster scores (e.g., 136 to Hornets, 134 to Lakers).
• Defensive slide partly coincides with Norm Powell's return.
• Play-in tournament seems inevitable, top-six hopes fading fast.
• Quote: “They had this win streak… Hero was back... got as healthy as they possibly can and for whatever reason they’re just falling apart on the defensive end.” (Skeets, 49:28)

b) Orlando Magic: “Tragic” 52-Point Loss (52:22–59:19)

• “They lost by 52 points. 52 points. And the Toronto Raptors had a 31-0 run against the Orlando Magic.” (Trey, 52:22)
• Magic’s effort and cohesion trashed on air:
  • “What effort? I think is what I would say. This is the kind of effort that does get a coach fired.” (Skeets, 54:39)
  • 28 turnovers, 44-point deficit in paint points.
  • Coach Mosley’s future debated, given the team’s core is locked for years—“Does he give them next season?” (Skeets, 53:44)
• “A disaster class” for Paolo Banchero and entire squad.

c) Knicks & Deuce McBride Injury (63:00–64:56)

• McBride re-injures himself in his first game back (hernia area).
• Knicks looked shaky, lost to Hornets and Thunder, and “lost their last four against playoff teams.” (Skeets, 64:47)
• Chemistry, rotation concerns, and not “peaking at the right time.”

d) Steph Curry's Uncertain Status (65:29–67:39)

• Upcoming second post-season in a row where Curry is not fully fit.
• Hasn't played since late January; if no return this week, he’s unlikely to participate even in the play-in.
• “Steve Kerr said, ’We’re not bringing him back for the play-in game. He needs to play some games, and we need to give him a runway if this is going to work.’” (Skeets, 66:54)

4. Other Segments & Notable Moments

Stat Line of the Night (69:59–70:22)

• Alperen Sengun:
  • 36 points (5 threes)
  • 13 rebounds (7 offensive!)
  • 7 assists, 3 steals, 3 blocks, 0 turnovers

Lively Banter & Quick Hits

• Fun asides about Max Strus’s Miller Lite moment (“like he’s Luka Doncic going to the NBA Finals.”—Trey, 12:19)
• Mention of Steve Kerr sending Toronto Blue Jays’ John Schneider a congratulatory card.
• Brief “D&D” table sidebar.
• Reflection on tanking fixes; skepticism about NBA owners ever reducing games for competitive balance.

Closing Banter

• Pick’em standings drama
• Jokes about restaurant staples in Indianapolis (St. Elmo’s)
• Fun with names—Lamar Skeeter, coaching careers

Timestamps for Important Segments

• [02:43–06:46] NCAA March Madness/Bracket chat
• [07:02–13:36] Cavaliers’ return to health and playoff seeding
• [13:36–16:43] Sixers’ Big Three debut
• [23:39–26:49] Denver Nuggets clutch wins, seeding implications
• [27:01–32:55] Jason Tatum’s outstanding weekend
• [33:05–39:01] Indiana Pacers: creative tanking and the lottery debate
• [40:31–42:45] Detroit Pistons’ run without Cade Cunningham
• [47:30–52:20] Miami Heat’s defensive freefall
• [52:22–59:19] Orlando Magic's historic blowout
• [63:00–64:56] Knicks/McBride Injury Update
• [65:29–67:39] Steph Curry’s health woes
• [69:59–70:22] Stat line of the night: Alperen Sengun

Memorable Quotes

• “Fourth place is where you want to be in the Eastern Conference right now...” —Skeets (09:01)
• “He looked like he was wemby as a pass goes out to Brandon Miller from the paint... able to get out there. Fantastic on that side.” —Trey (15:26)
• “If they get this level of Tatum... this is probably the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.” —Skeets (30:50)
• “This is the kind of effort that does get a coach fired. It’s pretty rare to happen this late in the season, but it happened twice last year…” —Skeets (54:39)
• “They lost by 52 points. 52 points.” —Trey (52:22)
• “Steve Kerr said, ’We’re not bringing him back for the play-in game. He needs to play some games and we need to give him a runway if this is going to work.’” —Skeets (66:54)

The No Dunks Tone

Throughout, the crew balances nuanced NBA analysis with laughs, impressions, and warmth. Even tough critiques are served playfully (e.g., “Orlando Tragic,” jokes about coaching names). Fans get the key facts, strategic breakdowns, and enough personality to feel part of the crew’s group chat.

For New Listeners

If you missed this episode, you’ll walk away knowing:

• Who’s hot and who’s not in the NBA right now.
• Which teams are peaking (or tanking) before the playoffs.
• The inside jokes, offbeat basketball tidbits, and expert observations that make No Dunks a staple for basketball lovers.
  Skip the commercials—focus on the lively hoops talk!