Warriors Thrive and Lakers Panic Time? + Game 2 Adjustments

Summary

The Athletic NBA Daily: "Warriors Thrive and Lakers Panic Time? + Game 2 Adjustments" (April 21, 2025)

Hosted by Dave DuFour, Zena Keita, and Esfandiar Baraheni, with insights from NBA reporters Andrew Schlecht and Alex Spears.

---

Playoff Kickoff and Series Overviews [02:37]

As the NBA playoffs commence, the hosts delve into the intense matchups unfolding across both conferences. With several game ones resulting in intense battles, the panel provides comprehensive breakdowns and anticipations for upcoming Game 2s.

---

OKC Thunder vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Thunder's Dominant Performance [03:05 - 05:39]

The Oklahoma City Thunder delivered a commanding 51-point victory over the Memphis Grizzlies, showcasing their season-long excellence.

• Zena Keita [03:41]: "This team is a machine. They looked fresh and rested and ready for the Grizzlies."

• Esfandiar Baraheni [04:17]: "OKC's balanced attack was evident with six players in double digits. Their performance was seamless."

Key Takeaways:

• OKC's robust defense, particularly using Isaiah Hartenstein and Chad Holmgren, stifled Memphis’s interior plays.
• Memphis struggled offensively, with Desmond Bain recording a historic minus-51 plus/minus ([04:32]).

Game 2 Adjustments:

• Memphis needs to enhance pick-and-roll situations involving Zach, Edie, Ja, and Jaren Jackson to create easier offensive opportunities.
• Emphasis on involving bigs like Isaiah Hartenstein and Chad Holmgren to counter OKC’s defensive prowess.

---

Golden State Warriors vs. Houston Rockets: Warriors’ Defensive Resurgence [07:03 - 12:12]

The Warriors overcame the Rockets through strategic defense and clutch performances, reversing initial impressions of the Warriors appearing "old and seasoned."

• Zena Keita [07:38]: "Jimmy Butler turned up defensively, elevating the Warriors’ offense during critical moments."

• Esfandiar Baraheni [08:45]: "Role players like Brandon Pajimski and Moses Moody made significant impacts, especially in the fourth quarter."

Key Takeaways:

• Warriors exhibited top-tier defense, complementing their offense with timely plays from veterans and young players alike.
• Houston’s reliance on offensive rebounds was countered effectively by the Warriors’ transition defense.

Game 2 Adjustments:

• Houston must focus on generating higher-quality shots, especially from Jalen Green, to break down Warriors’ defense.
• Addressing shooting inefficiencies, as exemplified by Fred Van Vliet and Jalen Green’s combined 7-of-34 performance.

---

Los Angeles Lakers vs. Minnesota Timberwolves: Timberwolves’ Surprise Victory [12:53 - 19:35]

In a surprising turn, the Timberwolves defeated the Lakers despite Luka Doncic's stellar performance, highlighting Minnesota's underestimated prowess.

• Esfandiar Baraheni [13:20]: "Julius Randle has been a galvanizing force, effectively setting the floor for the Timberwolves."

• Zena Keita [14:44]: "The big adjustments, including not relying heavily on Jackson Hayes, showcased Minnesota's strategic depth."

Key Takeaways:

• Julius Randle’s leadership and involvement with young players like Jaden McDaniels and Alexander Walker were pivotal.
• Lakers struggled with size mismatches against Minnesota’s robust frontcourt, affecting their defensive and offensive dynamics.

Game 2 Adjustments:

• Lakers need to enhance physicality and quick defensive rotations to counter Minnesota’s athleticism.
• Increased contributions from LeBron James are essential, as highlighted in their Game 1 performance.

---

Denver Nuggets vs. Los Angeles Clippers: Nuggets’ Resilient Overtime Victory [15:58 - 19:02]

The Nuggets edged out the Clippers in a thrilling overtime finish, demonstrating their defensive strength and offensive versatility.

• Esfandiar Baraheni [16:03]: "Nikola Jokic and Jamal Murray elevated their game in the second half, overpowering the Clippers’ defensive lapses."

• Zena Keita [17:46]: "Denver showcased their ability to adapt, maintaining defensive resilience while their offense flourished in overtime."

Key Takeaways:

• Clippers’ turnovers and offensive rebounding issues were exploited by Denver’s transition plays.
• Russell Westbrook’s hustle plays, including offensive rebounds and deflections, were crucial in securing the win.

Game 2 Adjustments:

• Clippers must reduce turnovers and enhance offensive rebounding to limit Denver’s fast-break opportunities.
• Improving defensive coverage to manage Jokic and Murray’s offensive onslaught is imperative.

---

New York Knicks vs. Detroit Pistons: Pistons’ Struggle to Capitalize [22:24 - 25:00]

The Pistons faced a heartbreaking loss against the Knicks, conceding a massive late-game run that highlighted defensive lapses.

• Zena Keita [22:47]: "Jalen Brunson's composure in the fourth quarter was remarkable, scoring 12 points despite ankle issues."

• Esfandiar Baraheni [24:25]: "Detroit needs consistency; leading most of the game shows their potential, but maintaining it is key."

Key Takeaways:

• Pistons led for the majority but faltered due to turnovers and defensive breakdowns in the final quarter.
• The Knicks’ veteran experience and intensity proved decisive in the closing moments.

Game 2 Adjustments:

• Pistons must sustain their early-game performance and minimize late-game defensive lapses.
• Enhancing fourth-quarter resilience to match Knicks' intensity and experience is crucial.

---

Milwaukee Bucks vs. Indiana Pacers: Bucks’ Defensive Gaps Exposed [25:00 - 27:25]

The Bucks suffered a significant defeat at the hands of the Pacers, illuminating their need for better guard play and offensive contributions.

• Zena Keita [26:05]: "Kyle Kuzma’s lackluster performance was a critical factor, going scoreless and contributing nothing."

• Esfandiar Baraheni [26:57]: "Small ball lineup adjustments helped Milwaukee, but matching Indiana’s athleticism remains a challenge."

Key Takeaways:

• Milwaukee’s defensive strategies need refinement to counter Indiana’s athletic and perimeter-driven play.
• Offensive stagnation from key players like Kuzma hindered the Bucks’ ability to compete effectively.

Game 2 Adjustments:

• Bucks require a stronger point guard presence and more consistent offensive contributions from players like Kyle Kuzma.
• Enhancing physicality and athleticism to mirror Indiana’s style will be essential for future games.

---

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Miami Heat: Cavaliers’ Dominant Performance [27:30 - 33:08]

The Cavaliers delivered a commanding win over the Heat, showcasing their offensive depth and defensive intensity.

• Zena Keita [28:34]: "Ty Jerome’s exceptional performance off the bench was a game-changer, resembling a sixth starter."

• Esfandiar Baraheni [29:31]: "The Guard play from the Cavs overwhelmed Miami’s defense, with standout efforts from Donovan Mitchell and Andrew Wiggins."

Key Takeaways:

• Cavaliers' diversified offense and strategic ball movement neutralized Miami’s defensive setups.
• Miami struggled to contain Cavaliers’ perimeter shooting and guard-driven offense.

Game 2 Adjustments:

• Miami needs to bolster their perimeter defense and involve bigs like Evan Mobley and Jared Allen more effectively.
• Cavaliers should continue leveraging their offensive diversity and guard play to maintain pressure on Miami’s defense.

---

Boston Celtics vs. Orlando Magic: Celtics’ Strategic Dominance [30:43 - 32:12]

The Celtics secured a solid victory against the Magic through disciplined offense and aggressive defense.

• Zena Keita [31:13]: "Boston’s ability to diversify their offense and execute under pressure was pivotal in overcoming Orlando’s physical play."

• Esfandiar Baraheni [32:01]: "Boston’s textbook execution in ball movement and decision-making showcased their championship-caliber problem-solving."

Key Takeaways:

• Celtics effectively neutralized Magic’s physicality by emphasizing inside play and strategic ball movement.
• Orlando’s reliance on Cole Anthony was stifled by Boston’s defensive strategies.

Game 2 Adjustments:

• Orlando Magic must enhance their guard play and create more opportunities beyond Cole Anthony to remain competitive.
• Boston needs to sustain their offensive diversification and defensive intensity to maintain their series advantage.

---

Final Thoughts: Western Conference Dominance [33:03 - End]

The hosts reflect on the West's competitive depth, noting its distinct league-like feel compared to the East. The Western matchups have set a high standard, with teams like the Warriors, Thunder, and Nuggets demonstrating versatile strengths.

• Esfandiar Baraheni [19:14]: "Minnesota and the Lakers matchup highlighted Anthony Edwards’ emergence as a central figure."

• Zena Keita [19:35]: "Thunder’s performance against the Grizzlies was a testament to their sustained excellence, heading to a likely three-game series victory."

Conclusion: The Western Conference showcases a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, making it a battleground of strategic depth and athletic prowess. Meanwhile, the Eastern Conference, though less volatile, displays clear frontrunners poised for deep playoff runs.

---

Notable Quotes:

• Zena Keita [03:41]: "This team is a machine."
• Esfandiar Baraheni [04:17]: "Everyone was rolling on all cylinders."
• Zena Keita [07:38]: "Jimmy Butler turned up defensively."
• Esfandiar Baraheni [08:45]: "Role players made significant impacts."
• Zena Keita [22:47]: "Jalen Brunson's composure was remarkable."
• Esfandiar Baraheni [26:05]: "Kyle Kuzma’s lackluster performance was critical."
• Zena Keita [28:34]: "Ty Jerome was a game-changer."

---

This episode of The Athletic NBA Daily provided an in-depth analysis of the opening playoff games, highlighting key performances, strategic adjustments, and potential outcomes for the series ahead. Whether you missed the broadcast or are seeking a detailed recap, this summary encapsulates the essential discussions and expert insights shared by the hosts and analysts.

Transcript

[Dave DuFour]

This message is brought to you by Apple Card.

[Zena Kada]

If you're like us on the show, you're always on Triple Double Watch. That's why we were impressed when we learned that Apple Card was posting numbers of their own.

[Espar Henny]

That's right, with Apple Card, you can earn 3% daily cash back at Apple and 2% back on everything you buy.

[Zena Kada]

Using Apple Pay, not to mention 1% back on everything else. That's a stat line that any fan can appreciate.

[Espar Henny]

Apply for Apple Card in the Wallet app on your iPhone today and start using it right away with Apple Pay.

[Dave DuFour]

Subject to credit approval. Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA Salt Lake City Branch terms and.

[Unknown]

More at applecard.com as we head into the playoffs, it's safe to assume there will be a few calls made by the refs that will be hard to accept. But you know what isn't hard to accept? Discover. Believe it or not, Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide. You heard that right, 99%. So make a good call for your wallet and get discovered. Based on the February 2024 Nielsen report. Learn more at discover.com credit card As.

[Dave DuFour]

A salesperson the Search for the Right Buyer Buying groups can feel like you're endlessly sifting through leads and hoping they're ready to buy. I've been there before as a salesperson, going door to door just just crossing your fingers, just hoping that something will come about. But thankfully, LinkedIn Sales Navigator is more than just a tool, it's your strategic sales partner. LinkedIn Sales Navigator is the sales intelligence platform that helps professionals effectively prospect and engage high value customers, drive higher revenue and increase sales performance. Sales Navigator helps you target the right buyers, surface key signals such as job changes or which accounts you should prioritize, and shows you hidden allies so that you can find those buyers that are most likely to convert. Whether you're looking for new clients or strengthening relationships of current accounts, LinkedIn Sales Navigator has new AI features designed to help sellers find the right people and get right to the right conversations. All at scale. Fueled by LinkedIn's 1 billion-member platform, Sales Navigator gives you the most up to date first party data enabling you to unlock conversations with the people that matter. Ready to get right to the right conversations? Try LinkedIn Sales Navigator now with a 60 day free trial at LinkedIn.com mbashow23 that's LinkedIn.com nbashow23 for a 60 day free trial. Terms and conditions apply.

[Zena Kada]

Good morning and welcome to the NBA Daily. Coming up, the Playoffs are here. We're going to break down every single matchup and give our takeaways and adjustments for game two. Good morning, everybody. Good morning, guys. Happy Monday morning, people. Do people actually still say happy Monday? Is that like a thing?

[Espar Henny]

There's no such thing.

[Unknown]

I think people know that's a lie. Yeah.

[Zena Kada]

Well, hey, guys, it was a great weekend. I'm, you know, WrestleMania weekend, NBA playoffs opening up. I want to run through these series because obviously we just got, you know, eight game ones and there's lots to talk about, so let's just jump right in and get to it. And I want to start. Thunder Grizzlies. This game wasn't much of a game. A 51 point win for the Thunder. And Zena, look, we've been saying this all year. This team is a machine. They looked fresh and rested and ready for the Grizzlies.

[Unknown]

It made sense after the fact that they haven't played their main players since, I don't know, April, early April, maybe March. They haven't needed to. And this is what they could afford to do because they've been excellent all year. And then they came in with fresh, excellent legs against Memphis. But once again, it was an OKC balanced attack. You wanted it from the perimeter, you got it from there. You wanted it interior, you got it from there. Everyone was rolling on all cylinders and what, six players in double digits. Performance, I mean, just performance.

[Espar Henny]

Not a good shape.

[Unknown]

Yeah, no, no. And that's what you. You don't need that with okc. Everyone steps up in their own way, but they were efficient from the floor and really made Memphis.

[Zena Kada]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

Did they want to really be in the playoffs?

[Zena Kada]

I mean, I think that they're about ready to. To go on vacation. The Grizzlies, they were a mess s. And they've kind of been a mess for. For a little while. Jaren Jackson, just ineffective, not. Doesn't really put his mark on the games here recently. Desmond Bain, minus 51. The worst single game plus minus in NBA playoffs history. Well, in the, you know, since they've been keeping track of those sort of stats.

[Espar Henny]

Yeah, he also owns the. The best plus minus, apparently, according to our producer. Andrew Schleck told us that earlier today, which is a surprise. The, you know, best and the worst of it all. But no, look, I think this was more about OKC's defense than anything. The way that they were just shrinking the floor against Memphis, taking away any opportunities in the paint. Like, Edu was struggling tonight, which is, you know, likely for a guy of his Size. But the Hartenstein chat duo just swallowed up anything that Memphis wanted to do inside. So force a million turnovers, get out and running. You see that crazy lob that J Dub had that. That's the type of basketball that OKC wants to play and they are going to very easily do that in the first round.

[Zena Kada]

The Thunder crowd is fantastic. It felt, you know, that college atmosphere. But where your shirts, folks? Yeah, it makes a huge difference, doesn't it? Zena, what can the Grizzlies do in game two? Anything.

[Unknown]

Burn the tape from this last game and try to find ways to make for easier offense. I mean, so much of their offense felt so hard, mainly because the perimeter defense of OKC just made it really hard to get anything going. But particularly find a way to get Zach, Edie and Ja in more pick and roll situations that feel natural. Jaren Jackson, allow him to get in some pick and roll situations as well, get some high lows going. Even occupy Isaiah Hartenstein and Chad Holmgren in a way that they have to respect. Those two working in tandem on the floor. Basically this is. I think the guard play is going to pick up. I don't expect Desmond Bain to have the game that he had. I even John Morant like 17 points, he was a high scorer along with Bagley. Like, I don't expect them to have consistently poor offensive games. But the change for Memphis to have a chance, they have to get their bigs involved.

[Zena Kada]

Right, let's. Let's move on. Xena, you were just at the arena for warriors or excuse me, in. In studio for Warriors. Yeah, yeah, in studio, not in the arena. Because they were in Houston.

[Unknown]

Hence all the makeup.

[Zena Kada]

Yeah, yeah, that's it S this when this game started, I spent the first five minutes thinking, ooh, warriors are looking old, Rockets are looking big and this might go the opposite way. And then of course, no, I was totally wrong in my first initial sort of feelings there. And the warriors, did they. They just have this. This ability now with Jimmy Butler to turn it up defensively in a way that they haven't been able to do since the last title run that they had. What do you think about the warriors in their win over the Rockets?

[Espar Henny]

It was this entire game encapsulated basically everything you'd expect in this series. The Rockets jumping out with their defense swarming off ball. The way that they were just taking away space from the warriors, especially being really physical with Steph Curry and then Jimmy Butler turning it up, being playoff Jimmy being a guy who can really just elevate this warriors offense and get them through these, like, muddy sequences that Houston was trying to get them into. Houston bounces back with their ginormous lineup. The Shengoon, Jabari Smith, Jr. Adams lineup that just like you cough up basically a million offensive rebounds because of it. They climb back into this game and then it's the closers for the warriors in Steph Curry, in Jimmy Butler, in Draymond Green. And shout out to Brandon Pajimski and Moses Moody, who made massive plays. Xena, I know you want to talk about them, too. They made some massive plays in the fourth quarter that was just awesome. This was basically everything you wanted from the series and what you expected from this Rockets warriors game.

[Unknown]

Yeah. On the point of you looking at this Dave Defore and saying old and seasoned, you weren't wrong. You absolutely weren't wrong. I mean, that's how it started. And it was kind of crazy to see the transition defense into offense because we've seen the transition. We've seen defense from the Warriors. They also have been one of the top 10 defensive teams all season long alongside the Houston Rockets. What you haven't seen is it translate into a lot of offense, but that's what you've seen a lot more now with Jimmy Butler kind of being the one to lead the pace or having a brand of Pajemski being a rebounding guard and being able to push the pace and having outlets like Jimmy Butler or being able to set something up with Steph Curry. But yeah, shout out to the youngins, because in order to be a team like Houston, sure, the vets are going to have to step up. Steph's going to have to show up. Jimmy Draymond's going to have to be the orchestrator on defense. But it needed to be extra role players. Brandon Pajinski showed up as a pacesetter, made some big buckets, turned up a little bit of the defense. Moses Moody. Marcus Thompson just wrote an article right now. Go read it as how Moses Moody became the head of the snake. And you look at that box score, you're going to be like, really? What do you do tonight? Don't worry about those seven points. He was. He was a disruptor on defense, especially in that fourth quarter. So, yeah, there's a lot of role players that stepped up. We'll see how IME Udoka's mind works and the adjustments that he makes. I just imagine that. That they're. That Houston's going to come out more aggressive and utilize what they use to erase that 23 point lead that. That the rock the warriors had on them and come out with that level. Exactly. Go bigger, faster, sooner, and go harder, faster, sooner.

[Zena Kada]

I mean, when you look at the offensive rebounding advantage that. That Houston had, and you look at how they had 11 more shots than the warriors, they just could not buy a bucket. And s. I think that the big adjustment in game two for the Rockets, they have to generate better looks. Jalen Green, I think if he's going to, you know, I'm assuming he's going to play and start, but if he's out there, he's got to drive and attack the basket and get those driving kick actions going and get the. Get the warriors moving.

[Espar Henny]

Yeah, look, this has been an issue for Houston all season, especially when the going gets tough, especially against the warriors defense. Like, credit to Draymond Green, who took away Alper and Shangoon pretty much all night. The physicality that he played with, you're not getting those type of calls balls. Shangun was really grasping at straws for some of the officiating throughout the game, but I thought generally, like, the warriors did a great job of shrinking. And look, Fred Van Vliet and Jalen Green shot 7 of basically 34 in this game. You're not going to win any basketball games when your backcourt shoots like that. It's just. It's not going to happen. So, yeah, they got to just shoot better.

[Unknown]

And one really quick point about this game and the offensive rebounding. S. So, interestingly enough, this season, the Rockets have had the largest differential in terms of rebounding and particularly offensive rebounding from their opponent. I think it's been like they've been plus six or so from their opponents on average, each game. The last team or the closest team to that differential, I think they actually tied them. Was like the 20152016 OKC Thunder with Steven. There you go. The person in between here, Stephen Adams, between both teams. That's how impactful he is on rebounding, that he can create that level of differential. And that's. That's huge for the Rockets.

[Zena Kada]

That was the Grizzlies. Bread and butter was they. They used to get so many extra possessions. They led the league in shot attempts because of their offensive rebounding. And Stephen, I mean, he maybe one of the best offensive rebounders in NBA history ever. I mean, he just. He's so good. Always boxes out. Yeah, guys, the Lakers and the Timberwolves, now, this. This game really surprised me because you start out and. And, you know, high emotion. It's a Lakers game. It's a home game. Luka Doncic starts this game on fire, finishes with 37. If, if I just left it right there, you probably think, oh, wow, Lakers must have blown them out, guys. The, the Wolves are not scared.

[Espar Henny]

Yeah.

[Zena Kada]

At all. It reminds me, Xena, of last year when they went in against the Nuggets and they just, it just seemed like they had an extra edge to them, the Timberwolves. Maybe we have ignored them over the last six weeks because they've been better than we were giving them credit for early on. And this is one of those sorts of games that I think we're going to put a pin in this. And if, if the Wolves win this series, I think just winning this Game one in the way that they did is.

[Unknown]

Is exactly why this is redemption for Julius Randle. There were a lot of narratives early on in this season about is he going to be a good fit? Was this who won the trade? The Knicks won the trade, so obviously won the trade, et cetera, et CE, etc. Now you're seeing Minnesota with a scoring kind of point guard in Julius Randall. Like, he has been leading and setting the floor a lot for the Timberwolves. At his size, it's incredibly hard to maneuver around. And then you add the fact that he involves his young guys, McDaniels, Alexander, Walker. Like, you're seeing Julius Randle. Talk to these guys, get them going, get them involved in the game in a way that, you know, of course, Anthony Edwards encourages them, et cetera. But Julius Randle has this veteranship about him that goes alongside of Mike Conley, but he's also involved in the actions way more than Mike Conley is. And so I just feel as if he's kind of like the galvanizer behind all of it. And while he's handling the ball and doing a much better job this time around, at this point of the season, guess who gets to just play free, have fun, get. Get up and down the court, do a great job. And That's Anthony Edwards. 22 points in that game, 8 rebounds, 9 assist assists as well. Yeah, I mean, those two right now are. Brandle and Edwards are a fun tandem. And the Lakers really struggled.

[Zena Kada]

Yeah, speaking of struggling, they didn't play Jackson Hayes much. They. They went to Jared at the 5. Play small. And I mean, s. This is a. You know, it's not something that we really thought was going to be a huge concern, but it's more of a concern in this matchup because of Rudy Gobert, because of Randall, because of nas Reed. Jaden McDaniels Even like there is so much size inside for the two. And yeah, they're real big, they're massive.

[Espar Henny]

And I think one of the things that we've mentioned on this is like the Lakers small ball lineup being big in itself. Right, right. But they were just hunting them out and McDaniels was taking advantage. You mentioned Xena, Anthony Edwards and those nine assists. Like I thought his, the way that he was creating for his teammates in isolation was so important to putting pressure on the Lakers defense from behind, behind, behind the, behind the arc. Oh my God, I'm fumbling over my words here. But yeah, no, they shot 50% from three. They generated so many open looks from three because the Lakers shell defense was just too spread out. They weren't able to, to really attack them in any significant way. The, the improvement there from the Lakers side is just be more physical, be more quick on your rotations and maybe that'll help you change this series.

[Zena Kada]

And they need more out of LeBron. And it's funny to say this because Le.

[Unknown]

A 40 year old LeBron, they need.

[Zena Kada]

More than they got in, in game one from him. Zena, probably the craziest opening playoff game, Nuggets and Clippers. And we were saying last week that this was going to be a battle and it was. I mean what a game. Jokic puts up 29, nine rebounds, 12 assists. James Harden was incredible, had 32 points. This, I think we're going to get a seven game series out of this. It feels like.

[Unknown]

Yeah, absolutely. And because each, each game in this series, I think each team is going to have an opportunity to show off what they're really good at. So obviously Denver showed off their defense early in that game, but you saw them get a little bit gassed when they, when the Nuggets could withstand that and their offense was better and their offense turned up. And you know, Jamal Murray is very capable of having quiet halves and particularly quiet first halves turning up in the second. And that's exactly what you saw. That Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, bread and butter, just started toasting in the second half and there wasn't enough legs under the Clippers to really handle that. They're ready now. They now have seen that and they will adjust in this next game. And so I think it's just going to be back and forth of who's. Who's bread and butter all season. Whether it's the Nuggets offense or the Clippers defense is really going to shine. The advantage that the Clippers have, though, is once they get their legs back under them, which I anticipate will happen next game, they also have offense to back it up. And that's when I wonder what is going to happen with the Nuggets because they don't always have the defense. They have it. I mean, they have a 21st in the league defense. So at some point the Clippers are going to have an advantage because they've had both and they came into the playoffs having both. Roaring.

[Zena Kada]

Yeah, At Denver is a tough place to go and play. Right. And you know, the Clippers, they. I don't know if they got there early, you know, how many days they got there early, but those game ones, I mean, the, the Nuggets, they try to get you running. How did the Clippers come back in game two? You know, I mean, it feels like game one. You know, you lose an overtime game, there's not much you can do. You. They lost in overtime by two, so it's pretty close.

[Espar Henny]

This is, this is the one the Clippers might have got, like, let go away, you know what I mean? Like, they needed this one just because it went to overtime. You played. I mean, James Harden played 43 minutes. Kawhi played 42 minutes. I think the way the Clippers adjust is one, the turnovers. They had 20 turnovers. It led to tons of points off those turnover overs in transition for Denver. And then the other thing is offensive rebounds late in the game, one guy we haven't mentioned yet, Russell Westbrook, was massive in this game. Tons of deflections, tons of offensive rebounds, just making tons of hustle plays. We think back to that Denver, Minnesota game a couple weeks back in, early in April, where he basically botched the game for them. This was a redemption game where he won the game for them just because of the highlight plays he was making. So. So offensive rebounds, turnovers, limit those and the Clippers will probably be able to get back into the series.

[Zena Kada]

Before we go to break and talk about the east, anything from the Western Conference game ones that you guys saw that has changed your opinion on a series.

[Espar Henny]

Not really. The only thing I would say is that, you know, to your point, Dave, about Minnesota and the Lakers, I might have underestimate, underestimated just how much Anthony Edwards loves the limelight.

[Zena Kada]

Yeah.

[Espar Henny]

And like he's gonna take advantage of that. And that's like, that's might be the series, that might be the determiner right there.

[Zena Kada]

For me, it was seeing what the Thunder did to the Grizzlies. I. I thought the Thunder would win in four and now they're gonna win in three. I mean it just.

[Espar Henny]

Three games, man.

[Zena Kada]

Let's talk about the East Foreign.

[Dave DuFour]

This message is brought to you by Apple Card.

[Zena Kada]

If you're like us on the show, you're always on Triple double Watch. That's why we were impressed when we learned that Apple Card was posting numbers of their own.

[Espar Henny]

That's right. With Apple Card, you can earn 3% daily cash back at Apple and 2% back on everything you buy using Apple.

[Zena Kada]

Pay, not to mention 1% back on everything else. That's a stat line that any fan can appreciate.

[Espar Henny]

Apply for Apple Card in the Wallet app on your iPhone today and start using it right away with Apple Pay.

[Dave DuFour]

Subject to credit approval. Apple Card issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA Salt Lake City Branch terms and more at applecard.com as we head into.

[Unknown]

The playoffs, it's safe to assume there will be a few calls made by the refs that will be hard to accept. But you know what isn't hard to accept? Discovery. Believe it or not, Discover is accepted at 99% of places that take credit cards nationwide. You heard that right, 99%. So make a good call for your wallet and get Discover. Based on the February 2024 Nielsen report. Learn more at discover.com creditcard as you've probably heard by now, we've teamed up with BetMGM this season we'll be using BetMGM lines to make all of our picks and we'll have special offers for our listeners each week. If you you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code TheAthletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic plus up to a 1500 dollar first bet offer on your first wager with BetMGM. Here's how it works. Download the BetMGM app and sign up using bonus code TheAthletic. Make your first deposit of at least $10. Place your first bet on any game and claim your voucher for a one year subscription to the Athletic. See betmgm.com for terms. U.S. promotional offers not available in D.C. mississippi, New York, Nevada, Ontario or Puerto Rico. Gambling problem call 1-800- gambler available in the U.S. call 877-8-HOPE NY or text hopeny 467-369 In New York, call 1-800- NEXT STEP in Arizona, 1-800-327-5050 In Massachusetts, 1, 800, bets off in Iowa, 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help in Michigan, 1, 800-981-0023 in Puerto Rico. First bet offer for new customers only in partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Don't forget, if you haven't signed up for BetMGM yet, use bonus code the Athletic and you'll get a one year subscription to the Athletic, plus up to a fifteen hundred dollar first bet offer on your first wager.

[Zena Kada]

In the Eastern Conference. You know, we had some interesting matchups. Not as hotly contested as the west, let's just be honest. Start with the Knicks and Pistons. And guys, this was a fantastic Tobias Harris game. And I do not know how the Pistons wound up giving up a 210 run to lose the game. I'm kind of disappointed in your Pistons.

[Espar Henny]

S. Hey, it's okay. You know, what you will remember is that I'm also a big campaign fan and he was incredible in this game. So I'm good. I went either way, really. You know, not a problem.

[Zena Kada]

Zena, what adjustments do you think that the Pistons need to make going into game two? Is it just maybe put on the sunshade because the light is a little bit too bright in the playoffs? Is that what you saw in the fourth quarter?

[Unknown]

Yeah, I mean, I don't know if it was that the lights were too bright or that Jalen Brunson has just brought sunscreen because he knows what it's like in comparison to Pistons. You know, like he was so poised in that fourth quarter. And this is what we've expected and this is what we've been saying in this matchup between Detroit and the Knicks, particularly for these younger teams. You could say the same thing about Houston versus the Warriors. All of these teams are going to have at least one game in which they are reminded, oh, those folks have been here before. And that's what you saw with the Pistons. You saw Jalen Brunson cook in the fourth quarter even after doing something weird with his ankle and like, looking as if he shouldn't be in the game, changing quarter, changing shoes, doing all these things. And he still found a way to produce having 12 points in that last quarter, whereas no one could get above 8 in the fourth quarter for the, for Detroit. So Detroit's gonna have to just show up better in the fourth quarter and also realize that everything gets on the line at the end of these games for these vets on the Knicks side and they're going to do whatever they can to score it. Detroit also has to match that intensity as well.

[Zena Kada]

Yeah, talent advantage too. Right?

[Espar Henny]

They do have the talent of ag. Right. But like, I think the Pistons should be confident heading into Game two because they led for the majority of this game. And. And, yes, there was this massive run caused by turnovers and caused by tons of defensive lapses, but if you play how you played for the first three quarters, you're still in Game one in msg. So, like, build and understand that your game plan worked and there was this lapse, this moment where things didn't go your way and sort of be confident in what you can do in Game two. I think the Pistons are headed in the right direction with what they're trying to build in this playoff series. It's just you got to do it consistently.

[Unknown]

They've got to say this really quickly, though, but okay, so on the point of defense, though, all these teams that were amazing on in defense or on defense throughout the regular season, it doesn't matter anymore. Like, it's great, it's awesome. Bring it into the postseason. But everybody else is going to be really good on defense because everyone else is going to be playing with the desperation and the urgency of the playoffs. So they just got to step it up on a different level. And I don't know what that's going to take for the Pistons or any of these other teams that kind of fell apart towards the second half.

[Zena Kada]

Well, what's it going to take for the Bucks, Zena? Because the Pacers just, I mean, obliterated them, made them look hopefully right. Like, can they get Dame? Yeah, put them in a time machine, get him back to Game one. It was a blowout right in Indiana. Indiana just looks so much more athletic, so much more. They have more juice to them. You know, giannis puts up 3612 rebounds, and they lose by, you know, 19 points. Xena, any big takeaway for the Bucks in the game?

[Unknown]

They need a point guard, and they're a little bit seasoned. So, yeah, that was real. And more than anything, Kyle Kuzma, you have one job. You were brought here to produce, literally do anything. You have played 20 to do anything. And for 21 minutes to happen with Kyle Kuzma having zero points, zero rebounds, zero. Zero assist, nothing other than minutes racked. That's. That's a workout. That's not the type of workout you're looking to get. Like, yeah, he just has to do something, and I can't imagine that's going to happen another game in a row. So between him providing what he can provide, which is being a volume shooter and putting up shots and making some buckets for them, and then potentially getting Dame back, it should be A better game. I don't think anybody anticipated Kyle just literally going goose egg across the stat line.

[Espar Henny]

I will just say that I think the small ball lineup for the Bucks really worked well in that second half with Bobby Portis and Giannis and A.J. green and Gary Jr. More athletic. Absolutely. More shooting. More athletic. And that's how you match Indiana style. And I think that if they. If Doc Rivers knows what he's doing, which I believe that he does, they will lean into that more and game two will be a little bit more athletic from the Bucks side of things, for sure.

[Unknown]

And more physical to match that physicality out of the Pacers.

[Zena Kada]

Right. That's the thing.

[Dave DuFour]

Right?

[Zena Kada]

Like, if they have you in athleticism, you have to beat them in toughness. And that sounds like just basketball speak, but it's a real thing. You know, it's sort of like when you watch Jimmy Butler play basketball and you're like, that's a guy that. It's cliche to say, but he just wants it more. Like, that's a real. That is a real thing that you have to qualify for.

[Espar Henny]

Yeah.

[Zena Kada]

Heat and Cavaliers guys, the Cavs, I mean, just perfect performance from them. Ty Jerome comes off the bench and, you know, he looks like a six starter for them. Donovan Mitchell. Superstar game for Donovan Mitchell. Four steals. Like, this guy turns the. The defense up for the playoffs, too, but he was getting a hand on everything. S. The Cavaliers, this. Look, the Heat are not talented enough to. To be able to hang with the Cavs. They don't have the offense. But what the Cavs were able to do to the Heat's defense opened my eyes. I really. After the way that they sort of. I'm not going to say they stumbled into the playoffs because they were resting and whatnot, but I did not like how they closed the season. This was a hell of a game. One.

[Espar Henny]

Yeah. I mean, I love the fact that they fought and grinded through this win because you're going to have to grind through some wins in the postseason and you know teams are going to throw out their best at you. Miami is not a team that's just going to stand down, and defensively they were prepared. I thought they did a great job. Bam. Especially did a great job on Evan Mobley and Jared Allen throughout this game. It was the guard play from the Cavs that they just had no answers for. And you mentioned Ty Jerome like it's. It's a shame that the finalists for six man of the Year is. Is already submitted because he put his best case forward yeah, tonight with the way that he played. But yeah, look, this, this is going to be one of those series where it'll be a, a competitive sweep where Miami probably doesn't end up winning any of these games, but they're all within 10, 15 points to, to kind of keep things close. But Cleveland is just outmatched while they outmatch Miami offensively.

[Unknown]

I just want to see, yeah, I just, I just want to see a good Evan Mobley, Khalil Ware matchup game because both of them were kind of quiet in this game. And I mean that is to the work done by on Evan Mobley and vice versa. But I want to see them go bucket for bucket, just go going at it. I love the two young guys on these two teams, but I think these two games came down to the perimeter play. Tyler Herro going off, obviously, Andrew Wiggins going off. Bam. Adebayo plays like a guard pretty much even though he's a big for the Heat. But it was very perimeter driven for Miami and they need more than that. They need their bigs. They need some additional offense. Alex Burke, Alec Burks was not on his A game last night or the other night and so definitely want to see more involvement overall. And I think the way you put it, Cleveland was incredibly well prepared. We saw them capable of being able to fight off the defense, especially towards the second half as Miami tried to turn it up. Yeah, it was a great, great, great win for them.

[Zena Kada]

The Celtics handled the magic. You know, it was 103, 86. It was a closer game maybe than this, than the score would let on. I really, I love how physical Orlando is able to be, but as with no guard play for them, nobody who can get in and create a bucket for other guys like Paolo, it just isn't the right guy stirring the drink. Cole Anthony was basically unplayable because the Celtics just hunted him. Do you get. Can the Magic win a game?

[Espar Henny]

I think they might be able to, yeah, I, I do. Just because I, I think Franz and Paulo, if they're playing the way that they play today, they combine for like 55 points more than that in this one. And if the rest of their teammates just start hitting shots, just start creating a little bit more, they'll probably be able to steal a game. I thought the first half was really indicative of how like massive and physical Orlando can be with Boston. Yes, Boston is going to find solutions because they are the best problem solving team in the NBA. But generally I think there's going to be a game where Orlando will Have answers to those solutions and steal one. But look, Boston's going to win this series. There's no question about that. But it's just about how competitive it'll be from. From the magic side of things. And what will other teams glean from that, you know?

[Zena Kada]

Yeah, Zeno, what. What do the Celtics need to do to go up to after game two?

[Unknown]

A repeat of what they did in game one, which was to diversify their offense.

[Zena Kada]

Yeah.

[Unknown]

When you saw Boston not able to hit threes, you saw them figure out how to get inside. They also did a wonderful job, I mean, textbook job of getting off the ball. I almost wanted to, like, send the game tape to the warriors. Say, this is how you beat the trap. You pass it before it comes to. Before they are able to clamp down. No, it was textbook work. The way that the Boston Celtics were able to move the ball around the perimeter, dribble in, get out. I mean, such great decision making in very small amounts of time. And yeah, Boston will just have to repeat their ability to do in game adjustments on the fly. And they are so well equipped for that.

[Zena Kada]

Yeah. Before we get out of here, anything in the east surprise you guys or catch you off guard?

[Espar Henny]

No, not at all.

[Zena Kada]

Yeah, not really.

[Unknown]

Pretty boring over there.

[Zena Kada]

No, it's still fun. Come on.

[Unknown]

To the West. It's like, it's crazy how much, you know, there's going on in the west.

[Espar Henny]

But it does sometimes feel like it's a different league. Yes, that's true. Yeah.

[Zena Kada]

All right, that's gonna do it for the show, folks. Thank you guys for listening. Make sure you like and subscribe. Leave us a five star review and all of that for Zena Kada and Espar Henny. I'm Dave Duor and this has been the NBA Daily. Thanks for waking up with us.