Rockets survive + Wolves surprise

Summary

The Athletic NBA Daily – April 27, 2026

Episode: Rockets survive + Wolves surprise
Hosts: Dave DuFour & Esfandiar Baraheni (ESP)
Theme: Weekend 2 of the NBA Playoffs: Surprises, resilience, upsets, and key narratives from every ongoing series.

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Dave DuFour and ESP break down every playoff series after a weekend full of dramatic games, unexpected results, and significant injuries. The theme: resilience and surprise, with underdogs shining and established powers faltering. From the Wolves’ dominance over the Nuggets to LeBron’s vintage heroics, the hosts deliver insights, memorable moments, and future projections for each matchup.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Wolves vs. Nuggets – "Wolves Surprise"

Summary:

• Timberwolves lead series 3–1 over Denver, a shocking development against the defending champions.
• Injuries plagued both teams, but the Wolves displayed extraordinary resilience.

Highlights & Quotes:

• The Nuggets “look demoralized... it's the worst I’ve seen Jokic ever play.” (Dave DuFour, 03:56)
• Jokic was "fined $50,000" for an altercation but avoided suspension. (Dave, 03:56)
• Dante DiVincenzo (Wolves) suffered a torn Achilles, and Anthony Edwards is out week-to-week with a knee injury, yet Minnesota still won.
• "Rudy Gobert has been the best player in the series. The way he's completely nullified Jokic... makes it so the Wolves don’t have to send help." (ESP, 05:32)
• "IO Dosunmu had the best game of his career... 43 points on 97% true shooting." (Dave & ESP, 07:33)
• Nuggets’ “defense is atrocious... they're just matador defense allowing points in the paint.” (ESP, 08:22)
• “Wolves win is probably one of the most resilient wins I’ve seen in a playoff game, ever.” (ESP, 09:04)

Timestamps:

• Wolves-Nuggets discussion: [03:43 – 09:57]

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2. Spurs vs. Blazers

Summary:

• Spurs up 3–1 on Portland, winning even without Wembanyama ("Wemby").
• Wemby returned for Game 4 with dominant defense: 4 steals and 7 blocks.

Highlights & Quotes:

• “11 stocks in the game. Amazing.” (Dave, 10:10)
• Spurs overcame a 19-point deficit in Game 4; “the shot making, the defense, sublime.” (ESP, 10:55)
• “Dylan Harper... first rookie ever in an NBA playoff game, youngest rookie to drop 25+. Second after Kobe Bryant for 20+ off the bench.” (ESP, 11:39)
• On Harper: “By year three... we feel like he’s the best of those three guards.” (Dave, 12:47)
• Portland's defense showcased a potential blueprint for future opponents like OKC.

Timestamps:

• Spurs-Blazers discussion: [10:00 – 15:28]

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3. Raptors vs. Cavaliers

Summary:

• Series tied; Raptors win an extremely low-scoring, defensive battle.
• Cleveland’s stars, especially in the frontcourt (Mobley, Allen), have underperformed.

Highlights & Quotes:

• “It was 38–36 at halftime... brutal. But it’s playing into the Raptors’ hands.” (Dave, 15:41)
• “James Harden, back-to-back games with more turnovers than made shots... 44 times in his playoff career.” (Dave, 16:10)
• “Colin Murray Boyles and Scottie Barnes... plus-16 in the 21 minutes together. Just bulldozing the Cavs.” (ESP, 16:29)
• “Jared Allen and Evan Mobley tonight... 5 of 15 from the field... if your frontcourt is getting outplayed by a rookie who is 5 inches shorter, that's a problem.” (ESP, 18:05)
• “Raptors shot 4 for 30 from three... lowest eFG% in a win since the NBA and ABA merged.” (ESP, 18:22)

Timestamps:

• Raptors-Cavs discussion: [15:28 – 20:17]

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4. Rockets vs. Lakers – "Rockets Survive"

Summary:

• Rockets avoid sweep, winning Game 4 as Lakers look fatigued from an overtime thriller in Game 3.

Highlights & Quotes:

• “This was a must-win for the Rockets... Lakers looked kind of old.” (Dave, 20:22)
• “LeBron was incredible in Game 3... one of the most impressive LeBron games I’ve ever watched.” (Dave, 22:13)
• “The Lakers are the Expendables... just throwing guys out there and hoping to win a playoff series.” (ESP, 21:09)
• “JJ Redick is coaching circles around Ime Udoka right now... Lakers do not have the talent the Rockets have.” (Dave, 23:36)
• “I can talk myself into (the Rockets) coming back... but I just don’t know if they’ve got the spirit for that.” (Dave, 23:58)

Timestamps:

• Rockets-Lakers: [20:17 – 24:08]
• LeBron Game 3 conversation: [22:13 – 23:09]

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5. Magic vs. Pistons

Summary:

• Magic lead series 2–1 after big games from Desmond Bane and Franz Wagner.
• Pistons’ bigs, especially Jalen Duren, are struggling physically.

Highlights & Quotes:

• “Desmond Bane... 7 of 9 from three. Orlando matches up physically.” (Dave, 26:36)
• “Jalen Duren... hasn’t registered more than 10 boards in this series.” (ESP, 28:08)
• “Paolo with a near triple-double, 14 free throws... this is the Paolo we want to see all the time.” (Dave & ESP, 30:11 – 30:42)
• “Regular season is one sport; postseason is another.” (Dave, 32:11)

Timestamps:

• Magic-Pistons: [26:16 – 32:11]

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6. Knicks vs. Hawks

Summary:

• Series tied; Knicks win Game 4 with adjustments, but concerns over Mikal Bridges’ fit linger.
• Karl-Anthony Towns’ consistency is crucial.

Highlights & Quotes:

• “Mikal Bridges... only starter not a plus in plus-minus; needs to give more.” (Dave, 33:03)
• “Cat needs to be the best player... if he is, Knicks win this series.” (ESP, 34:17)
• “Hawks defensively can guard Brunson, which is a lot.” (ESP, 35:34)

Timestamps:

• Knicks-Hawks: [33:03 – 36:53]

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7. Celtics vs. Sixers

Summary:

• Boston routs Philly; Embiid returns from appendectomy but looks out of rhythm.
• Sixers’ identity crisis: fast-paced guard play vs. slow, Embiid-centric offense.

Highlights & Quotes:

• “Embiid had some complications... at what point is it just, no, you shouldn’t come back?” (Dave, 37:43)
• “They got cooked when he [Embiid] was on the court... Tyrese Maxey took three shots in the first half; that’s not a winning strategy.” (Dave, 39:17)
• “How are Edgecombe and Maxi supposed to take the next step with $70M of dead cap for 40 MVP games?” (ESP, 41:34)
• Hosts speculate on whether the Sixers should move Embiid this summer.

Timestamps:

• Celtics-Sixers: [37:10 – 42:25]

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8. Thunder vs. Suns

Summary:

• Oklahoma City sweeps Suns (3–0 lead); SGA (Shai Gilgeous-Alexander) dominant.
• Suns provide resistance, but Thunder’s depth and defense too much.

Highlights & Quotes:

• “Shai puts up 42 on four missed shots. Impressive efficiency.” (Dave, 42:27)
• “We’re not learning anything about this Thunder team; they are who we thought.” (Dave, 42:54)
• “No one thought the Suns would even be in the playoffs, so this is fine.” (ESP, 44:16)

Timestamps:

• Thunder-Suns: [42:25 – 44:54]

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9. Looking Ahead: Lakers-Thunder Prospects

Summary:

• The potential for a Lakers-Thunder matchup depends on injuries to Luka and Austin Reaves.
• Hosts skeptical about Lakers without their full roster.

Highlights & Quotes:

• “Does that change how competitive a Lakers-Thunder series is? Without Luka and Austin, I do not think they can get any games.” (Dave, 45:26)
• “The Thunder are a well-oiled machine. Hard for LeBron and Kennard to beat them.” (ESP, 45:34)

Timestamps:

• Lakers-Thunder lookahead: [44:54 – 46:12]

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Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes

• On Resilience:
  “That Wolves win is probably one of the most resilient wins I’ve seen in a playoff game, ever.” (ESP, 09:04)

• On Coaching:
  “JJ Redick is coaching circles around Ime Udoka right now.” (Dave, 23:36)

• On Playoff Surprises:
  “This feels like the upset playoffs... it’s the ‘nobody believes in us’ playoffs, for sure.” (Dave, 02:42)

• On Playoff Adjustments:
  “Regular season is one sport; postseason is another. You have to adjust by quarter.” (Dave, 32:11)

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Final Thoughts

The hosts wrap the episode by admiring the parity and unpredictability defining this year’s playoffs, highlighting the importance of adjustments, coaching, and role player performances. They forecast possible outcomes for the next round, particularly focusing on how injuries and coaching can reshape expected narratives.

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For Listeners Who Missed the Episode

This recap delves deep into all major storylines—injuries, strategic adjustments, unexpected heroes, and the looming question marks over traditional powers. Whether you're invested in emerging stars, coaching chess matches, or legacy-defining moments, this episode delivers fresh perspectives and genuine appreciation for the drama of the NBA postseason.

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Timestamps refer to the original episode audio.

Transcript

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[Dave DeFore]

Good morning and welcome to the NBA Daily for April 27, 2026. I'm Dave DeFore here with ESPERAHENNEY. Coming up, weekend two of the NBA playoffs is in the books. We're going to hit every single series and give our take. Good morning everybody. What is up S man? Hope you're ready for a long podcast.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah, lock in everybody. We got a lot to get to.

[Dave DeFore]

There is so much stuff happening. You know, I got a text tonight. Watching games. Have the playoffs been bad? What? Because we got a couple of blowouts, you know, back to back on Sunday and we've had all the injuries happen and I went through all of the things that are actually like compelling. Like the Nuggets absolutely falling apart at the seams.

[Co-host 1]

Yes.

[Dave DeFore]

End of an era type stuff. The Lakers kind of coming back, you know, and of course they lost yesterday, but still, still a great story. So I think this is a pretty good playoff so far. Right. Like we thought it was going to be more chalk than this.

[Co-host 1]

Yes. This feels like maybe you texted me. I can't remember if you did, but this feels like the upset playoffs.

[Dave DeFore]

Well, it's the nobody Bul believes in us playoffs. I mean, for sure. I mean, you talk, think about how we talked about the Lakers. Oh, they're missing Luca, they're missing Austin reeves.

[Co-host 1]

Right.

[Dave DeFore]

Maybe LeBron can summon the energy. I mean, C.J. mcCollum, like, how many times have we written him off in the last couple, including me, when, when he was traded to Atlanta. I, I think that, yeah, it's been, it's been fun that way.

[Co-host 1]

It's been competitive. Even the series where things are off the rails, like, I mean, we're gonna get into, like, OKC Phoenix and obviously la Houston. Like, there have been competitive of those series. I, I, I don't think so. I think it's been an awesome playoffs, by the way. We're coming off of, like, an elite weekend of games. Like the I'm. We're going to get into one right now. But there were some awesome matchups with not only implications for this playoffs, but moving forward for the future of the NBA.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah, that's how big it is. Let's. All right, so let's go because we got a lot to get to. Wolves have a 31 lead over the Denver Nuggets.

[Co-host 1]

And could you have imagined that? Would you have predicted a 31 lead for the Wolves?

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah, definitely not this. These teams have split, you know, so evenly over the last few years. I figured 22 believable. But yeah, yeah, 3 1. I mean, I guess the difference between 31 and 2 2, really not that much, except for the vibes of this. This three one just feels the Nuggets look demoralized, including, you know, Nicola Jokic kind of going after Jaden McDaniels for breaking the unwritten rule of making a layup. You know what I mean? Like, yeah, yeah, he was fined $50,000 for that, but no suspensions, so. But yeah, look, the Nuggets, they look cooked to me. They look old. This is the worst I've seen Jokic ever play. Rudy O. Bear has been amazing against him defensively, but it is so bad. I mean, his three, his threes haven't been fallen. Yep. It is so bad that I have to assume that there's something going on that we don't know about, whether it's an injury or just something. But that being said, I, I just feel like the Nuggets are being exposed here as just kind of being soft. This, this was a game that they should have picked up. Dante Divincenzo blows his Achilles early on in the game, which, you know, is huge bummer. Demoralizing for the, for the Timberwolves. Anthony Edwards hyper extends his knee. He's going to be now week to week throughout the playoffs. And so you're thinking, okay, well this is the one that Timberwolves have all the, all the cards against them. They lose this one.

[Co-host 1]

But yeah, halfway through the game you think that this series is over for the Timberwolves.

[Dave DeFore]

Right?

[Co-host 1]

That's how it is. You're watching this game and it's the second quarter and you see Dante DiVincenzo is down, Anthony Edwards is down. The Wolves have lost their starting backcourt. And you think that the Wolves are going to lose this series. Not only just lose this game, but lose this series. And it's now 3:1. The reason for that, to your point, Rudy Gobert is the best player in the series. Easily been the best player in the series. The way that he is completely nullified. The things that Nikola Jokic wants to do when it comes to his physicality, the rim protection. You talk about his three point shot. I actually think a lot of that is Gobert. Like he's contesting, he's seven feet tall, so he's able to put that hand up and actually have it matter when it comes to these threes. It's affecting so much of his game. And it also makes it so that the Wolves don't have to send help. You can deal with him one on one. And now Jokic, his playmaking is in there. The two man game of Jamal Murray and Nicole Jokic was in my opinion, probably in your opinion as well, the most unstoppable play in basketball. And the Wolves have made it stoppable because of Jada McDaniels and Rudy Gobert. It's as simple as that, right?

[Dave DeFore]

And the Nuggets have, this is their fastball, but they throw it every single pitch. It's all they have. No one else is doing anything. No one else is even. Nothing's drawn up for anyone else.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah, that's true.

[Dave DeFore]

David Adelman, I think. I mean just not up to the moment here as far as having any sort of adjustments. It's just more of the same. Hey, I hope Jokic has a great game. It's not enough. The defense is, is atrocious. I, I understand they miss Peyton Watson, Aaron Gordon, you know, isn't, isn't all the way right when he's been out there. But no, this is, this is bad. And it's like on the other hand, I want to give the, the Timberwolves a lot of credit. This is a game that they could have easily rolled over. Yeah, and we've talked about this team and like there is something. I don't know if it's a Chris Finch thing or if it's just, you know, maybe it's Ant, I don't know. But they just, they play big in these types of games. IO Dasunmu had the best game of his career.

[Co-host 1]

Man, he had one of the best games of the playoffs by far. I mean look, he drops 43 points. He had one of the most efficient 40 point games in NBA.

[Dave DeFore]

97% true shooting percentage.

[Co-host 1]

He. He missed four shots on his way to 43 points. Yeah, that. If that is not blemish on the Nuggets defense, I don't know what is. Like, I would assume it was a very talented player. The. The floaters, the. The shot making was incredible. The pull up three was really great in this game too. But to your point, the Nuggets just let him get whatever. I looked at this earlier, but so far in the playoffs the Nuggets are number one in opponents points in the paint. Like they are just matador defense allowing teams to get inside.

[Dave DeFore]

And.

[Co-host 1]

And nobody on that side of the floor has any fear of Nikola Jokic protecting the paint. Julius Randle's going at him. Nas Reed is going at him. I was going at him. There is no fear at attacking Jokic. Like at some point, at some point something has to change, you know. And honestly this is what the Nuggets have been all season, but we've kind of had these rose colored glasses of well, they'll figure it out in the playoffs. This team has continuity, etc. Etc. But they have been bad all season on defense and we're just seeing it come to fruition in the series. Also, that Wolves win is probably one of the most resilient wins I've seen in a, in a playoff game, like ever to lose your starting front court, have this guy you traded for at the deadline come in and win you the game and have Rudy Gobert, who's like one of the most polarizing players in basketball, be the, the guy to win one of the best games. I mean, we just talked about how someone thought it was bad basketball. That was one of the best games of the year by far.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah, it was excellent. And again like the Nuggets. Look, the Nuggets might even win the series because there's no Anthony Edwards, no Dante DiVincenzo. Look, it's the playoffs, right?

[Co-host 1]

Like I would agree with you. I just think it will be hard for Them to get stops for sure. Three games in a row. Given how the Nuggets defense is right now, I would be shocked if they get enough stops for three in a row, but I.

[Dave DeFore]

We'll see.

[Co-host 1]

Crazier things have happened in the NBA.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah. Yeah. You never know. Again, the injury bug bites again. Spurs, they're now up 3:1 on the Blazers. Look, they pick up a win without Wemby.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

And then Wemby comes back, game four and just dominant. Doesn't really describe his defense in the game. Four steals, seven blocks. Okay, so 11 stocks in the game. Amazing. Just counting stats there. Yeah. But he completely changes everything for. For. On both sides of the ball for the Spurs. Even the way that the Blazers have to guard him with Drew Holiday. Donovan Clingan's guarding Stefan Castle. They just didn't. They didn't have as much as they had in game two against Wemby. It felt like Wemby kind of. I guess I'm assuming with his downtime, watched a lot of the film. He looks so much better. What'd you think about the game on Sunday with Spurs and Blazers?

[Co-host 1]

Yeah. So the blazers were up 19 at one point in this game. If you. If you look at the box score, you would be like, well, how? What how? And it was because the spurs completely flipped the script in the second half. The shot making. I mean, I believe it was halfway through the third quarter and the Blazers had scored four points.

[Dave DeFore]

Only 35 in the second half.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah. So the. The level of defense, to your point, when it comes to Wemby and the defensive effort of the point of attack for the spurs, it was sublime. I do want to credit de' Aaron Fox, though, because I think he's had a rough series up until game four. Yeah, it was a lot of Dylan Harper and Steph Castle and those guys leading the way for the Spurs. I'm sure we'll get to Dylan Harper in the game.

[Dave DeFore]

Well, the end of game, too. You know, a lot of. A lot of finger pointing at Dear and Fox for them not pulling out that win.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah, absolutely. And. And Fox, I mean, the way he answered in this one, he scored 28 points. He was absolutely cooking. He knocked down so many, like, above the break, pull up threes for them. You could tell he was feeling it, too. So for him to have this level of response, I think it's big for the spurs and their chances going deep into the postseason. But I. I got to get your opinion on Dylan Harper. I know you're a big Dylan Harper guy. Yeah, he he was incredible on Friday in a game where without Wemby they needed some juice and he was just incredible. He had 27 points. First rookie ever in an NBA playoff game. Youngest rookie ever, I should say to drop 25 or more. Also second, second youngest ever to score 20 plus off of the bench since Kobe Bryant. Pretty good category to be in there. I just, I think this guy is like a sure fire all star moving forward all NBA guy. What were your thoughts on Dylan Harper?

[Dave DeFore]

Listen, I, I tell people all the time I think that there's a strong chance by year three of Dylan Harper. We feel like he's the best of those three guards.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah, man.

[Dave DeFore]

Dear and Fox, Stefan Castle and. And Dylan Harper. I, I know a lot of people that's that even with Cooper flag Conquer nipple and it was a pretty talented draft class. Feel like he is the most talented guy that was in the draft class. And again he does the stuff that I think you want him to do. He's six, seven, he gets two feet in the paint just about every time. He drives every single time.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah, right.

[Dave DeFore]

He's strong. He uses his body well already as

[Co-host 1]

a rookie and he's getting mentored by manufacturing, you know.

[Dave DeFore]

Sure. All right, that's great. Sure. But you know, I, I want to see him hit shots. That's it. The thing for him. If the shot comes around then, man, that's a, That's a really comp. Complete player. I think we see that on the games where his shot is going. I mean he does look like a world beater. It's just absolutely. You know, then he goes one for six on Sunday. Right. So not that one for six is awful. Like it's not one for two.

[Verizon Announcer]

No.

[Co-host 1]

But the, the three will be important to his.

[Dave DeFore]

Eventually he's going to have to hit those. I mean, look, we're seeing it in the series, I actually think. And this was one of the things I want to kind of project forward for the SP a little bit. Not to overlook what the Blazers have done because man, Drew Holiday, Robert Williams, they. They've been fantastic in this series. Absolutely.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

But you know, I expect the spurs to win it, but I think that the Blazers and their defense has actually shown. This is the, this is the blueprint that OKC can follow, you know, in a potential conference F finals with the point of attack defense bothering the guards, being able to. To guard Wemby. We've already seen him do that with like Alex Caruso. If, if J Dub is back, that gives him another body that they can kind of toss at him. And so I do think that there's stuff we should monitor like Steph Castle being left wide open, being guarded with Donovan Clingan.

[Co-host 1]

All right.

[Dave DeFore]

He's going to have to prove that especially you know, in a potential series against the Thunder. So. But let's swing into the Blazers. You know, what do you think going forward? I mean can they, can they steal another game or do you feel like the spurs have kind of got them figured out?

[Co-host 1]

The spurs have got them figured out, but I do think they can steal a game. The reason I say that is because they've. They've gotten out to good starts in both of these games in Portland.

[Dave DeFore]

Well, they blew a 19 point lead, right?

[Co-host 1]

Yeah, the shot making was there. I, I thought they had enough offensive juice. To your point. Drew Holiday has been excellent. They haven't got much from Scoot Henderson after he had two really good games in San Antonio.

[Dave DeFore]

Didn't score on Sunday.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah, nil there as the Europeans would say. I do think, I think they can steal another one. I would say that that's, that's my guess. I said spurs and six when this thing first started. I feel like I'm sticking with spurs and six.

[Dave DeFore]

All right, Raptors. Look, this is just going to go ahead and say it. This, this series would have just been an all time NBA TV.

[Co-host 1]

Absolutely. Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

It was 38, 36 at halftime of this game.

[Co-host 1]

It was 17 to 14 after the first quarter.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah, it's. This is. It's brutal. And, and I have to say it's playing into the Raptors hands. They evened up the series with the win on Sunday. The. The Raptors defense being able to. To stop the shot making of Donovan Mitchell and James Harden. James Harden back to back games with more turnovers than made shots.

[Co-host 1]

Yep.

[Dave DeFore]

Is. Is something. Oh by the way, is 44 of those in his playoff career. Just little, little stat for you. S. That's wild. Wow. Yeah. What. What is working for the Raptors, man? I mean look, Colin Murray Boyles has been fantastic. Scotty Barnes is looking like the guy that you keep saying he is.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah, I mean look he. We. We talked about this draft class just earlier. Like if we do a redraft, I would imagine Colin Murray Boyles goes much higher than 9th and you look at his impact, the way that he's developed quickly. Him and Scotty Barnes in this game were plus 16 in the 21 minutes they played together. They are just bulldozing the Cavs in the minutes that those two guys play together. To your point it's the physicality. Like those guys have changed the game because of how physically they play. And I do think it is on James Harden, I do think it is on Donovan Mitchell. But more than anything, the front court of the Cavs has to show up at some point. They have been thoroughly outplayed, especially in Toronto.

[Dave DeFore]

Again, this is. Look, this would be the third playoff in a row.

[Co-host 1]

Yes. Where physicality becomes a problem. Where you look at the way that they have been guarding Evan Mobley and Jared Allen. They are putting their smaller wings on them. So RJ Barrett is guarding Jared Allen. Right. And sometimes it's Brandon Ingram guarding Jared Allen and it'll be Jakob Poeltle guarding Evan Mobley. If those guys can't take advantage of. Of those specific defenders, it's a problem for the Cavs. I mean, Jared Allen and Evan Mobley tonight or on Sunday, 5 of 15 from the field, it's just. It's not enough. And in a game where, especially in a series where points in the paint matter a lot, if your two front court players are getting outplayed by a Rookie who is 5 inches shorter than you guys, it.

[Dave DeFore]

That's a problem. Listen, they lost to the Raptors and The Raptors were four of 30 from three.

[Co-host 1]

They made four threes.

[Dave DeFore]

Yes, it's. It's pretty embarrassing loss for a team that's supposed to be. The offense is supposed to be just firing on all cylinders for the Cavs at all time.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah, look, I, I will say at the same time, like The Raptors shot 30. They had a effective field goal percentage of 34%. That is the lowest in a win since the NBA and ABA merged together in. In the playoffs. It's just absurd. It was a weird game. I don't usually believe in the 1pm start thing, but I do wonder how much the 1pm start affected both teams because they just both came out flat. And that again to your point, helped the Raptors set the tone for the rest of the series. I also will say the Raptors, every single game in the series have found a level to their defense. I wouldn't be surprised if they end up winning now just because it's. They have. They have really found something defensively. I don't know. We'll see.

[Dave DeFore]

You're not ready to do it.

[Co-host 1]

I'm not ready to commit to it. But it does feel like they found something that has Cleveland in trouble now. Yeah. Now it's on the Cavs to respond like they Toronto took care of business.

[Dave DeFore]

We'll see what they I mean listen Kenny Atkinson time to hit the play better adjustment button.

[Co-host 1]

Right.

[Dave DeFore]

Everyone needs to play better. Your bigs have to stop playing soft. Get Evan Mobley the game tape from the first two games say hey play like that. And with Donovan Mitchell and, and with James Harden I honestly like you throw these games out the window with Donovan Mitchell. He has been just so solid in the playoffs with James Harden. It does feel as if the size that, that Toronto is throwing at him.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah. Is bothering denying him too. They're denying the ball. They're top locking both of those guys which is really tough having to say. I think through four games Scotty Barnes has been the best player in the series and so if, if that continues to happen advantage Toronto moving forward. But I guess we'll see again the Cavs should be able to out talent this team so a credit to darker reactovic and the coaching staff for making them play that way.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah, okay. The Rockets survived.

[Study.com Announcer]

Alive.

[Dave DeFore]

They survived. Listen, they, they pick up the gentleman's win in game four. This to me, look I, I, I don't want to harp too long on this game because this was the game they had one day off Backs against the wall for the Rockets like must win obviously because they're going to go to Galveston otherwise. And, and frankly like the Lakers look kind of old in the game. You know they were losing all the second, the, the second chance points. They were losing all the hustle stats. They were throwing the ball all over the gym. Feels like a game, a little bit of a trap game. I know it's funny to say that about a playoff game, but they were up 30 and it feel, it feels as if those three wins took everything that they had. So I'm not really surprised that the Rockets picking up the win on Sunday.

[Co-host 1]

They were such unbelievable wins too. Like this is the most eclectic group of role players coming together to try and win. And you have answers from Luke Canard to Marcus Smart to Jared Vanderbilt and Jackson Hayes. Like these are guys who, you know, a couple of years ago were on the fringes of the NBA and now are back and playing real rotation minutes. Obviously they're veterans, they know how to play and compete. But it feels like. Have you watched the Expendables? Yes, it feels like the Lakers are the Expendables where you're just throwing guys out there and seeing like hey, let's see if we can win a playoff series. And they've done that so far against the Rockets. I, I agree with you that this feels like a dud from Them just because of the time, like it was a 48 hour difference. LeBron was incredible in game game three. I don't think he had that same level of energy in game four.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Co-host 1]

Now they have two days off going back to la. I would imagine that's when they finish off this.

[Dave DeFore]

I do want to talk about that Game three on Friday.

[Co-host 1]

Okay. All right.

[Dave DeFore]

That is one of the most impressive LeBron games I've ever watched, period.

[Co-host 1]

Wow.

[Dave DeFore]

It was again, I keep thinking about that 2015 finals when Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving got hurt and they still lost that series. But the way that he is able to control a game at his age, this is, this is all brain power. He's certainly still athletic, but I, I don't know how anyone watching this. I, He. He's elevated himself in my mind.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

So far in this series. I, I'm so impressed with, with the way that, not just the physical stuff, but the fact that on every, every important possession he make a play, he was ready with the double team at the end of the game, made sure he got the rebound to seal the deal. I mean, this was a level of locked in that we just don't get to see out of LeBron all that much anymore because he's not in these kind of high leverage moments. I thought that game three, that was a really special LeBron game.

[Co-host 1]

And to that point, I mean, it goes into overtime. They. They threw out everything, like all of LeBron's energy. He played 45 minutes in that game. And I think that kind of translated to Game four. You saw it also, I mean, the way that, that got carried out from the Rockets perspective. What a disaster. I. We'll see. Once they get eliminated, we'll be able to do the obituary for very, very long. But I, I'm very curious to see

[Dave DeFore]

how the Rocket, JJ Redick is coaching circles around IME Odoko right now. I'll just say that because the Lakers do not have the talent that the Rockets have.

[Co-host 1]

Not even close.

[Dave DeFore]

No. And look, there's still a world. Look, I can walk you through a scenario where the Rockets come back. You know, they say they, they pick up game five. Katie's ready for game six. Yeah. You know. Okay.

[Co-host 1]

Okay.

[Dave DeFore]

I can talk myself into this, but I just. I don't know if they've got the spirit for that. I think, I think the Lakers get it done in game five.

[Co-host 1]

We have seen them collapse far too many times for me to believe it.

[Dave DeFore]

I, I still, I expected them to lose the lead until it was 25 points going in the fourth and I was like, there's no okay. There's no way that they can physically is. I don't think it. Believe it's impossible. But then blow 25 point fourth quarter lead. I don't think the game's moving fast enough. All right, guys, stick around. After the break, we're gonna hit the other games.

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[Dave DeFore]

Amazon Health AI presents painful thoughts why

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did I search the Internet for answers to my cold sore problem? Now I'm stuck down a rabbit hole filled with images of alarmingly graphic source in various stages of ooze. I can clear my search history, but I can never unsee that.

[Dave DeFore]

Don't go down the rabbit hole. Amazon Health AI gets you the right care fast. Healthcare just got less painful. S I have a question for you.

[Co-host 1]

What's up?

[Dave DeFore]

Do you believe in the magic? Because they're up 2 to 1 and

[Co-host 1]

I honestly thought you were gonna do an ad read. I honestly thought.

[Dave DeFore]

No. Shout out to Andrew Schleck for taking care of those. No, look, the Magic pick up a win on Saturday. 113. 105. Look, Desmond Bain.

[Co-host 1]

That's.

[Dave DeFore]

That's all I can say, man. Seven of nine from three. This was what I think that Orlando was waiting on for the to happen in the series. Desmond Bain got going again. They. They match up really, really well with the Pistons. They're able to hold up physically against them and for the, for the Pistons. I mean somebody besides Cade Cunningham has got to do something. I mean Tobias Harris. Great. That's awesome. Jalen Duran put up an eight point game.

[Co-host 1]

This is just, that's the guy. It is.

[Dave DeFore]

It has been an atrocious series for Jalen Duran so far and I just, I can't really figure out why.

[Co-host 1]

I think it's physicality. I, I truthfully just think other than the Angel Reese bowl with him and Wendell Carter Jr. It is the physicality. I, it ultimately comes down to how much he can match the physicality of Orlando and I do.

[Dave DeFore]

Carter is having, he plays the best I've ever seen him play. Especially in that game on Saturday. I thought he was not just dominant, you know, on the glass, he was, he was a bully on the glass. Absolutely. Tossing guys off.

[Co-host 1]

What do you have, 17 rebounds? Something like that.

[Dave DeFore]

But there were so many times like he would get put backs and no one was putting a body on him. I mean he gets that big put back dunk and a Sar Thompson is between him and the basket. Just never even occurs to him to lay a body on him. I mean this Pistons team is supposed to be built on this physicality and they are just not meeting Orlando at all.

[Co-host 1]

Look, I mean Jalen Duran, this is a guy who shot 65% from the field this season and averaged over 10 rebounds. He hasn't registered more than 10 rebounds in this series in any game. And he's shooting well below 65% in the series. That to me shows you that this guy who is hyper efficient, who takes most of his shots within 5ft of the basket, is struggling with the physicality of the game. That's ultimately what it is. Also from Orlando side, it basically this series just comes down to shot making.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Co-host 1]

And we've seen in game one and in game two, Orlando has more shot makers can take more shots. They shot the ball better in game

[Dave DeFore]

Fran's down the stretch. He was of the game on Saturday. You know, you don't think about him as an off the dribble mid range guy and that's, that's essentially how he put the game away. Yeah. And again all year long we watched this, this magic team, they weren't really healthy, but when they were healthy it never meshed like this. You know, hey, this is a real Jekyll and Hyde situation. I don't, I don't know. It feels like they're going to win this series.

[Co-host 1]

We'll see. I, I think the Pistons still have, I mean the, the metal of being Another physical team to match. Like it just comes down to shot making. To me, I know it sounds redundant, but especially in this series, it's a make or miss league. And if, if the Pistons guys aren't going to knock down their shots, if Duran isn't going to play like an all star level player, if you're not going to get enough supplementary shooting from Duncan Robinson to Kevin Herder and other guys, Tobias Harris, you're probably not going to win that game. And then on the other side for Orlando, what version of the Magic are we going to get? Because in game two we saw their shot makers not make their shots. And in game game three, it was a massive response. Again, game four, as I mentioned, the last time we talk on Thursday, it's always the biggest game of the series. This will determine what it looks like for the rest of the series moving forward. If Orlando takes a 31 lead as the eight seed, man, that's going to look tough on Detroit.

[Dave DeFore]

What do you make of Palo series so far Saturday? I mean, again, he has been a playoff riser historically.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

And he has a near triple double on Saturday. He gets to the free throw line 14 times. I mean, he's just putting pressure on these guys the entire time they're on offense.

[Co-host 1]

This is the Paulo that we want to see all the time, you know. And I, I mean I look at the nine assists as a number where he is actively. The gravity that he creates from getting downhill is creating open shots for his teammates.

[Dave DeFore]

It looks good when the shots are falling, right? Like when Desmond Payne hit seven threes. It looks really good. This is the thing about Orlando is just sometime, sometimes it's like they might make seven for the game, you know.

[Co-host 1]

Exactly. Yeah, it might. Honestly, every Orlando game this season that I've watched has looked like that game for Raptors Cavs game, you know. And yeah, by the way, whoever wins that Raptors Cav series ends up playing Detroit Orlando. So we might be in for another NBA TV type series, but, well, if

[Dave DeFore]

it's Toronto Orlando, I'm coming to game one. That's it.

[Co-host 1]

Okay, that's, that's.

[Dave DeFore]

I'm coming. Oh yeah.

[Co-host 1]

Go, go mama.

[Dave DeFore]

That's right.

[Co-host 1]

That'll be great.

[Dave DeFore]

Looking ahead, we got game four tonight. To me, I think the big adjustment that, that the Pistons have to do again, they need more shooting on the court at a time they lost a game that a star Thompson had 17 points in. That is a huge loss for them because he's not likely to score 17 points again the rest of the series. I think that they've got to figure out a way to have more shooting on the court. And if Duran's not going to give you any offense, I think you probably got to go to Isaiah Stewart to close the game.

[Co-host 1]

I wonder if JB Bickerstaff is kind of too locked into what they had found all regular season and he's not going to move away from that because when you win 60 games, you have a tendency to feel like, well, we should be able to do the exact same thing again in the playoffs. And so you don't want to change too much. I feel like that might be the wrong move.

[Dave DeFore]

Two sports, this is the thing. The regular season is one sport and once you get to the playoffs, it's something different. It's. It's a pick on strategy. Your weakest link is going to get.

[Co-host 1]

You got to be quick to react, man. Right.

[Dave DeFore]

And you ha. You have to adjust by quarter, even you know, halftime adjustments. I mean one of the big things that you see again, spurs very well coached team. They're, they're come out. It's a completely different world in the second half. I mean all the warriors teams with the, the huge third quarter runs that we know them for, this is a hallmark of the good teams. And I just don't think the Pistons

[Co-host 1]

are at that point, even game to game. Yeah, I agree with you. Even game to game, being willing to change your starting lineup or adjust your starting lineup to get just a different look out there for the opposing team to figure out it's worthwhile. Like don't. Not being afraid to pull those punches.

[Dave DeFore]

It's amazing that we were talking about Jamal Mosley as just like a lame duck coach. And it's flipped that we're actually saying JB Bickerstaff's getting out coached here. Part of it is, man, Orlando is just. Those guys are outplaying Detroit. Yeah, absolutely. Physically, mentally, every single part of the game. The Knicks have tied the series up with the Atlanta Hawks. Pick up a big win 114 98s. Listen, Mikhail Bridges was still in the starting lineup, but he still is giving them nothing. And look, they pick up a win here. But something's got to change like this starting lineup we've seen. We've got the data. He was the only starter that wasn't a positive in plus minus. He was a zero. Exactly in 19 minutes. Three of four from the field.

[Co-host 1]

Kind of impressive. It's kind of impressive. He also only played 20 minutes.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Co-host 1]

And so I feel like the Knicks knew that they had to switch things up. They went to deuce McBride more often. They went to Jordan Clarkson more often. They are trying to figure out what the next step is. It's very clear. I also will say this is a series where Carl Anthony Towns needs to be the best player in the series for the Knicks.

[Dave DeFore]

I mean, honestly, hasn't he been?

[Co-host 1]

I would say he has, but I think you need it every single game. And I mean, truthfully, nobody on the Hawks can guard him. It just comes down to, can he. Can he be the guy every single night for you? Because we know there are moments where Cat can feel inconsistent, can go through the motions of things, can set a screen and slip out of it instead of, like, really setting that screen and rolling to the basket. He needs to do that every single night. And so if he does that, the Knicks will win the series. If he doesn't, it'll probably go seven and we'll see what happens from there.

[Dave DeFore]

I mean, he. Look, he only took 10 shots in the game. 20 points, 10 rebounds, 10 assists. He. To me, he has been so good on the glass.

[Co-host 1]

Yes.

[Dave DeFore]

And I just. Again, it's the 10 shots that kills me. He is a great shooter, and I like when he gets going. Again, 10 assists. This guy is a good passer. And when he gets going, he's going to draw more of that defense. I just think. I really do wish that he and Jalen Brunson did more together. Yeah, Brunson's a pretty good screener. You would think, even, you know, have him set some screens for Kat. Just try it. Just see what happens. What do you think? What do you think? Do the Hawks have enough to. To actually go and carry this through to seven?

[Co-host 1]

I think so. I think between the shot making that we've seen from CJ McCollum and just the general, like, egalitarian offense that they have, I think they have enough. I also think defensively, they. They have the goods to guard Jalen Brunson.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Co-host 1]

Which. Well, which is a lot.

[Dave DeFore]

Nikhil Alexander Walker and Dyson Daniels have actually done a really great job. Yeah. And.

[Co-host 1]

And so, yeah, for New York, it's like if you're getting the Game four version of OG and Cat, this probably ends in six. But if you have one of those games where those guys aren't able to carry you offensively, and for the Hawks, they kind of. They can go to whoever at any point in time and get some source of offense. I think this goes seven. I really do think this goes seven. I think it's to the point where the Knicks have to get enough defensively from Jalen Brunson, and I'm not. I'm not sure if they're ready.

[Dave DeFore]

The next adjustment is for Atlanta, and I think that it's about their offense. They got to get some more shooting on the court. Yeah, the Dyson Daniels minutes, they're important on the defensive end, but you put up 98 points. You know, I do think that at some point, you're going to have to. To maybe trade off some of that defense for. For not Corey Kispert.

[Co-host 1]

Right.

[Dave DeFore]

Like, you can't put someone who's just an instant target, but maybe it's more Jonathan Kaminga, you know, didn't have a great game on Saturday, but, I mean, they just.

[Co-host 1]

They generally had a really bad shooting game anyways. Like, was one of three. McCollum was 04, you imagine. I feel like those shots start to fall eventually. You know, again, I feel like they'll win one. Feel like they'll win one. Okay, so going to seven. All right.

[Dave DeFore]

There we go.

[Co-host 1]

I kind of want a game seven. Yeah, why not?

[Dave DeFore]

I mean, I want to. I won a bunch of game sevens. Be great. Okay. The set. The Celtics demolished the Sixers on Sunday, 28 to 96. Joel Embiid came back. And after the game, before we talk about the game, after the game, Joel Embiid talked about coming back from his appendectomy. Apparently, he had some complications. S. And I'm just asking myself, okay, what. At what point is it just like, no, you shouldn't come back.

[Co-host 1]

You.

[Dave DeFore]

You had complications. You're coming back, I guess, early.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

What's this?

[Co-host 1]

Weird. What are we doing weird? Yeah. I mean, even. Even saying it out loud. Why would he detail that? Like, why would he mention it? I. Things have been weird with Joel and the Sixers all month, right? Between the sickness and then appendicitis and now appendectomy, and, like, it just feels like there is a. A miscommunication thing going on that. That we haven't got a good read on between Joel and the Sixers. I also am curious if the Sixers were expecting Joel to come back today because it felt like he was just inserted into the lineup. And truthfully, if you watch that first quarter, everything was out of sync for them.

[Dave DeFore]

Yes.

[Co-host 1]

It felt like they were like, oh, we have to now cater to Joel.

[Dave DeFore]

Let's get to that. Let's get to the game. Because this is actually, to me, is another part of the reason why I question bringing him back. The thing that is Going to make you successful against the Boston Celtics is playing fast and shooting a bunch of threes, being able to defend. And the other two centers that you have, Adem Bona and Andre Drummond, have just been better than Embiid on the defensive end and on the glass, period. Whether he was. I mean, this is even before the appendicitis. I mean, they were better with, in my opinion, with those guys on the court, they're just a little bit more reliable. But also, Joel Embiid, he needs to touch the ball. He had 26 points in this game, and they got cooked when he was on the court.

[Co-host 1]

On 21 shots, though, like, that's the.

[Dave DeFore]

They got cooked when he was on the court. Tyrese Maxey took three shots in the first half. That is not a winning strategy for this team. This team is built around Maxi and Edgecombe being absolutely dynamic guards with space to operate. And. And Joel Embiid clogged things up. This game would have been closer had he not played. And so I just, I kind of think like the entire thing is a waste. A waste with the risk of. Of his health, actually, not just losing the basketball game in a worse way, but his health is. Is literally at risk for what?

[Co-host 1]

Yeah, and also there's been this tug of war basically all season of stylistically, how do the Sixers want to play? Right. You talked about the speed and the athleticism when Maxi and Edgecombe are playing. And Paul George can honestly play to that too. And you have this group of like Dominic Barlow and Kelly Oubre and all these guys who like to run. They are athletic wings. And then you, you plop and beat into that. And stylistically they completely change. And I just, I think it's been really hard for them to try and balance what that looks like on a night to night basis, especially when you don't know when Joel is ever going to come back. This is also a guy who's owed $70 million for the next three years.

[Dave DeFore]

You read my mind. S. How many draft picks, if you're the Sixers, are you willing to attach to move Joel Embiid's contract this summer so that you can actually pivot into the Maxi and Edgecombe direction?

[Co-host 1]

It's something Sixers fans will have to address. Like, just ask themselves, because it's. It's time.

[Dave DeFore]

Listen, if you're a team like the Chicago Bulls, you have. You have nothing going on anyway.

[Co-host 1]

It's actually not a bad idea.

[Dave DeFore]

Hit them up. Say, hey, give me. Give me a bunch of draft picks. Send me who's running the bulls right

[Co-host 1]

now, but hit him up.

[Dave DeFore]

Doesn't matter. Doesn't matter. Just have someone in the office, make a phone call. Doesn't matter who it is. I mean, any team could do this. Any of the, any of these teams looking for assets. This is, to me, I think, something that this, like, I'm already thinking about the Sixers summer. This is something that they have to address because this particular game is exactly the problem with having Embiid on this roster. That is not an embiid roster, period.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah. And it's kind of like you are chained to this version of the team at this point. You can't move on. Right. You have to constantly build with that sort of looming. And when you have a seven, it's basically like $70 million in dead cap that can for 40 games come and play at an MVP status. I just. How are you supposed to function with that? How are, how are Edgecomb and Maxi supposed to develop and take the next step and look the way they're supposed to look, the way we want them to look moving forward when that's sort of a factor? It's. Yeah, it's hard, man. It's very hard.

[Dave DeFore]

And by the way, Maxi, not as good as Edgecombe at, at taking that lesser role. Like, he doesn't fit into that lesser role as well as Edgecombe does. You know it. Yeah, it doesn't work. And finally, the Thunder are 3, 0

[Co-host 1]

last but not least. Certainly.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah, listen, kudos to the Suns and Dylan Brooks. Dylan Brooks having a good, good series, put up 33 points. The Suns have, have been okay, but they are just not the Thunder and they don't have Shay Gilgis Alexander. Shay put up 42, only missed four shots. Really impressive efficiency. Again, this guy is just such a knockdown shooter, especially in the mid range. It's pretty much automatic. And I don't even really know what more to say about, about this Thunder team at this point. Like, we're not learning anything about them. We, we know that they can withstand losing J Dub and not miss a beat. They've got guys that can just step up and I think for them it's, it's about the next round for sure. What, whoever that may be, which I think they're going to have an easy time, but I still, I don't know if they're going to lose a game before they get to the conference finals.

[Co-host 1]

The only cool thing is that A.J. mitchell gets a start in that game three and he takes 20 shots. And I would like to see more of that just to get more opportunity. Just this is sort of something we talked about when J Dub got hurt is how much more he can lean, how much more usage he can get, how much more responsibility he gets offensively. Didn't have an efficient scoring night, to say the least. He was 5 to 20. But ultimately, like, what can he do with that extra usage? Also, to the sun side of things, I, I actually like what they've done against okc. Like, Oso Iguidaro has had a good series. Devin Booker has. Has been kind of inconsistent. But that, that's what happens when you face this buzzsaw of an Oklahoma City defense.

[Dave DeFore]

Also, what happens with Devin Booker in the playoffs. But, you know, I mean, I, I

[Co-host 1]

do think that Booker's been up.

[Dave DeFore]

He's the main. I mean, he's the main guy on that team. I'm saying he's going to draw like he's getting all the attention and he's not exactly like this guy that we know is a huge playoff riser.

[Co-host 1]

Right, right, right. I mean, 2021 was incredible. But regardless, hey, look, I agree with you that the playmaking aspect is something that, like, on this specific team, you're not going to see Devin Booker manipulate a defense like this. Right. Also, I just. They don't have enough. They just don't have enough to face the stunter team. And that's completely okay for a team that we didn't even think was going to be in a playoff situation in the first place to start the season.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah, I mean, nobody should be surprised by the outcome they play tonight. You think Thunder get this done, right?

[Co-host 1]

I do think so.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Co-host 1]

I think. I think Thunder are there and they will probably see the Lakers in what, a week?

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah.

[Co-host 1]

Will Luke, Will Luka and Austin be back by then? Are we, Are we betting that Austin and Luka will be back by Lakers Thunder?

[Dave DeFore]

It does seem like Austin is, is on track to be back before Luca.

[Co-host 1]

Yes, it does. Yeah.

[Dave DeFore]

But we would have been, I think, I believe, three weeks out from the Luca injury. So maybe, maybe. Does that, does that change your opinion on how competitive is a Lakers Thunder series? I mean, absolutely. You don't think the Lakers can get any games without Luka and Austin?

[Co-host 1]

I think they can get games. Oh, without Luka and Austin?

[Dave DeFore]

Without Luka and Austin, I do not

[Co-host 1]

think they can get any games.

[Dave DeFore]

Okay, okay. That's what I mean. Like the level of competitiveness.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. With those guys, I think they could take a game or two, truthfully. But without them, no, not a chance. I, I just don't think so. I, I love what the Lakers have done against this Rockets team, but this Rockets team is kind of fledgling and, and in a disaster mode. The Thunder are far from that. They're just like a well oiled machine. Kind of hard to have Luca and Luke Canard or, or LeBron and Luke Canard try to beat this Thunder team. You.

[Dave DeFore]

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. All right. Well, we're looking forward to the Thunder closing that series out. Maybe the Lakers will get it done in game five. We'll see. They go s told me that they were trying to close it out in la.

[Co-host 1]

That's, you know, it's the vibe I'm getting.

[Dave DeFore]

Okay. All right, that's going to do it for the show, folks. Thank you guys for listening. For Esper Henny, I'm Dave Duford and this has been the NBA Daily. Thanks for waking up with us. Thanks for listening. Make sure you hit the subscribe or follow button so you never miss an episode if you enjoyed it. Drop a like leave a rating or let us know in the comments. Thank you guys for waking up with us.

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[Mom (Verizon Ad)]

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[Verizon Announcer]

America's best network based on RootMetric's best overall mobile network performance. US second half 2025 four new lines on a limited welcome and auto pay. See verizon.com for details.