Cavs, Mavs even series; Knicks have injury issues; Early CFP predictions

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Good morning everyone, but especially…

THE DALLAS MAVERICKS AND THE CLEVELAND CAVALIERS

That’s why, despite all the great attacks in the playoffs, the Independents‘ may be the most fearsome. Behind a recovery performance of Luka Doncicperformance in the career of PJ Washington and a performance out of nowhere Tim Hardaway Jr.the Mavericks evened their series against the Thunder at one apiece with a 119-110 victory.

Oklahoma City has not allowed more than 95 points in a game this postseason.

• Doncic scored 29 points and made five of his eight 3-pointers to emerge from a prolonged slump from deep. Washington also scored 29 points, surpassing his previous playoff career high of 18.
• Doncic and Washington became the first teammates with five 3s and 10 rebounds each in the same playoff game.
• Hardaway, meanwhile, scored 17 crucial points off the bench. For reference, he has scored 19 points in the last four weeks Combined.
• Dallas shot 49% from 3 after shooting 34% from deep in Game 1.

But Dallas wasn’t the only team to tie things up…

There may be bigger names with more accomplishments or in bigger markets, but when DonovanMitchell Keep it up, he’s as good as any of them. O Knights the guard scored 23 of his 29 points in the second half, making eight of 13 shots (including five of six 3s) over the final two quarters in a 118-94 Game 2 demolition. Celts.

This was Cleveland at its best, and not just because of Mitchell…

• Evan Mobley had a career-high 21 points in the playoffs, as well as 10 rebounds and five assists. Caris LeVert added 21 off the bench; he was averaging just seven points this postseason.
• Dario Garland made five of eight shots (including four of five 3s) on the way to 14 points. Overall, Cleveland shot 13 of 28 (46%) from 3.
• Cleveland also held Boston to eight 35 points from behind the arc (23%) and outscored Boston 60-44 in the paint.

I didn’t give the Cavaliers much of a chance after a loss in Game 1. They still face a long chance of winning the series. But led by Mitchell’s historic postseason greatness and Mobley’s growing confidence, they might have a chance.

Honorable mentions

And it wasn’t such a good day for…

THE NEW YORK KNICKS

O Knicks provided a injury update before game 3 against Pacemakersand it’s not the news they wanted. OG Anunoby (hamstring strain) is out, and Jalen Brunson (foot) is questionable.

Anunoby got hurt while escaping in the third quarter of Game 2 and did not return. It wasn’t so clear how Brunson got hurt in the first trimester; he would miss the rest of the half before returning and finishing with 29 points.

Anunoby had 28 points in 28 minutes before leaving. His excellent defense and versatile offensive game were a big part of New York’s success. In these playoffs, the Knicks are 26-5 (including playoffs) when he plays and 30-29 when he doesn’t. Opponents average nearly seven points more in games he doesn’t play compared to games he does play.

Keep in mind that the Knicks were already stretched thin without Julius Randle, Mitchell Robinson It is Bojan Bogdanovic. Expect a ton of Deuce McBridean elevated role for Alex Burks – who played 44 seconds this postseason – and perhaps some other unexpected contributions.

The Pacers, in turn, spent the day off sending NBA 78 (!) complaints about the officiating in Games 1 and 2.

Not so honorable mentions

Suns fire Frank Vogel, have top target to replace him

O Suns They’re looking for a new coach…again. Phoenix fired Frank Vogel just a year after offering him a five-year contract worth $31 million.

• Expected to compete for the title, the Suns only managed to take 6th place in the West and were promptly swept in the first round by timber wolves. After the scan, reports emerged that Kevin Durant it was unhappy in your role all season.
• Durant’s “Big Three”, Devin Booker It is Bradley Beal They appeared in just 41 games together, and Booker and Beal struggled in the playoffs. Despite having that trio It is a breakout season Grayson Allen, Phoenix finished just 10th in offensive rating in the regular season. Phoenix was then the worst defensive team in the playoffs.
• Owner Mat Ishbia is overseeing his second coaching search in as many years after firing Monty Williams last offseason.
• Vogel has already been fired twice in three years, with both departures occurring after major negotiations: Russell Westbrook for the Lakers and Beal for the Suns.

The Suns reportedly have another former champion coach in mind: Mike Budenholzer. Sam Quinn explains why the first Money trainer it might make sense.

• Quinn: “If the Suns want a revamped offense, as all reports so far have stated, Budenholzer is a strong choice. Phoenix has relied too much on mid-range jumpers this season, and that poor shot selection has hurt their offense. Budenholzer teams are known by hitting the right shots. That mostly means shooting a lot of 3-pointers, but they also get to the rim. Of course, the guys on this team aren’t exactly suited to attacking the basket, but maybe there’s a way. Budenholzer managed to find it.”

Practice Post-Spring Power Rankings, CFP Predictions

Don’t just believe me. Learn from Will Backus: “We have officially reached the worst time of the year for college football fans.”

The spring ball is already gone. The autumn ball is far away. Luckily, we have tons of Power Rankings to help you… oh, at least today.

Here are Dennis Dodd’s 25 best.

1. Georgia – “Maybe it’s me, but Carson Beck Seems underrated as a passer. …Meanwhile, the defense continues to rally Smart Kirbyare the dominant patterns.”
2. Ohio State — “Considering his achievements portals and Ryan’s DayWith the staff additions, Ohio State may have had the best offseason.
3. Oregon – “In year 3 below Dan LanningOregon isn’t long.”
4. Texas – “There are no excuses for Texas, at least offensively.”
5. Alabama – “I can’t wait to see how Kalen De BoerThe passing game downfield translates into Jalen Milroewho is the leading passer returner in this category (10.0 yards per attempt).”

John Talty has a great article about DeBoer succeeding Nick Sabanby the way.

Remember, we also advanced to the first 12-team playoff, much more than the top of the majors matters. Using Dennis, Shehan Jeyarajah’s classifications described what the 12-team playoff would look likeand I would take many of these matchups any day of the week.

Finally, we have Power Rankings for each of the new Power Four conferences (RIP, Pac-12):

ACC | 12 big | Big Ten | SEC

What are we going to watch this weekend

Friday

Game 3: Knicks at Pacers7pm on ESPN
Game 3: Panthers at Bruins7pm on TNT
Game 3: Nuggets at Timberwolves9:30 pm on ESPN
Game 2: Oilers on Canucks10pm on TNT

Saturday

Game 3: Thunder at Mavericks3:30pm on ABC
Bravo at the Mets4:10 pm on FS1
Game 4: Rangers at Hurricanes7pm on TNT
Reds at Giants OR Cardinals at Brewers7:15 pm on Fox
Game 3: Celtics vs. Cavaliers8:30pm on ABC
Game 3: Avalanche Stars10pm on TNT

Sunday

Game 4: Knicks at Pacers3:30pm on ABC
Game 4: Panthers at Bruins6:30pm on TBS
Bravo at the Mets7pm on ESPN
Game 4: Nuggets at Timberwolves8pm on TNT
Game 3: Canucks at Oilers9:30pm on TBS