Enjoy Basketball: Giannis makes his MVP statement, new Hall of Fame class announced

And we back!

Welcome everyone and give it up for day two of the Enjoy Basketball Newsletter! I hope these facts and updates from around the basketball world are enough to get you through school, work, or whatever else you got going on today.  We've got a lot to break down today so let's get right into it.

Cunningham excels as Pistons shock Sixers in Detroit

The battle of the red, white and blue circular logos certainly didn't end the way any of us expected, with the possible exception of overly-optimistic Pistons fans. A big win like this has been a long time coming for this scrappy Detroit squad. While their recent win-loss record might not show it, the Pistons have been pretty competitive as of late, losing only one game by double digits since mid-February.

For the Sixers the loss was disappointing, to say the least. Outside of Joel Embiid, nobody really got going on the offensive end, and while the defense held strong through the three and a half quarters, they gave up 15 points over the final five minutes of regulation as the Piston pulled away. Sixers coach Doc Rivers was in an especially critical mood after the game and appeared to put the blame for the loss squarely on new acquisition James Hardens shoulders.

Number to Remember: 4

The number of NBA rookies who have averaged at least 22 points, five rebounds, and seven assists per game over a 30-day stretch since 2000, a list that now includes Cade Cunningham. He joins Stephen Curry, Luka Doncic and Trae Young as the only players to accomplish such a feat. 

Hawks hot streak continues, defend home court against Cavaliers

I don't envy whichever unlucky Eastern Conference opponent has to square up with the Hawks in the play-in tournament. Trae Young has his team soaring as of late. Since falling to a season-low seven games under .500 on Jan 15, Atlanta has gone 23-12. tied for the seventh-best record in the NBA during that time. 

Tonight it was Cleveland who were the unfortunate victims. Despite strong performances from role players like Cedi Osman and Moses Brown, the Cavs couldn't get anything going from long range and struggled to stop the Hawk's offense all night. 

Young was his usual spectacular self but I want to give a big shoutout to Onyeka Okongwu for his first double-double of the season. The Hawk's sixth overall pick in 2020 has been supremely underrated this year and is thriving as a hyper-efficient finisher and athletic defender off Atlanta's bench. I have a feeling he'll be a starter sooner rather than later.

Numbers to Remember: 15-3

The Hawks record in 2022 when Young has scored 30 points or more. Atlanta's offense, for better or for worse, lives and dies in Trae's hands. If he can continue to put up gaudy scoring numbers come playoff time, the Hawks have proven they can hang with the best in the conference when he's on his game, just look at last year for reference.

Giannis touches up his MVP resume, Bucks storm back in Brooklyn

Oh and y'all thought the MVP race was hectic before?

After a media straw poll on Tuesday showed Giannis in a comfortable third place in the MVP race, behind both Nikola Jokic and Embiid, the Greek Freak put up two of the most dominating performances of the season by any player. Somehow, his 40 point, shot-blocking heroics against the Sixers may not have even been his best work this week as he cooked the Nets to the tune of 44 points on 14 of 21 shooting. 

It looked like it would end up being a losing effort for Giannis and the Bucks. But a late comeback, capped off by a disgusting step-back three from the two-time MVP, sent the game into overtime, where Milwaukee managed to hold on despite losing Khris Middleton thanks to a dangerous flagrant 2 foul on Bruce Brown midway through the fourth quarter.

The Nets will have to be disappointed to lose this one, but they can take encouragement knowing they did a good job of keeping Antetokounmpos supporting cast in check. If not for a 68% showing from the charity stripe, they probably would have pulled out the win.

Number to Remember: 2994

The number of days since a forward has put up more points (84) on fewer field goal attempts (44), over a two-game stretch than Giannis has against the Sixers and Nets this week. And the forward in question, none other than Kevin Durant! He put up 84 points on 43 shots during a two-game run in Jan 2014.

DeRozans night to remember pushes Bulls past Clippers

It was all about DeMVP tonight in Chicago.

DeMar DeRozan put on a show for the United Center faithful, breaking the 50 point barrier for only the second time in his career in a dazzling display of vintage midrange excellence. But it almost ended poorly for the All-Star forward, who missed a critical free throw at the end of regulation to send the game to overtime. 

Luckily for the Bulls, DeMar never took his foot off the pedal as he scored or assisted on 13 of Chicago's 17 points in overtime to cap off the win.

The Clippers looked sharp themselves even though it was a relatively off night for Paul George. A big showing from Reggie Jackson helped keep them in this one along with a quality performance from swingman Nic Batum.

Number to Remember: 14

The number of different players that have scored 50 or more points in a game this season, the most in NBA history. 

Jazz make quick work of shorthanded Lakers

After some brutal losses, the Utah Jazz really needed this one. 

They've been sliding down the Western Conference standings for a while now. And with Donovan Mitchell seemingly getting more disgruntled by the day, a loss here may just have sent the team into a tailspin. But props to the Jazz, they managed to pull through with a quality full-bodied performance led by their two stars Gobert and Mitchell. The two need more games like this to prove they can dominate on the court together.

The Lakers are really just waiting around until tonight when LeBron and Anthony Davis come back from injury but there were bright spots for them as well. Russell Westbrook continued what has been a resurgent month for him as he finished his sixth consecutive game shooting 50% or higher from the field. The former MVP has also been cutting down on his turnovers, finishing with three or less in four of his last five games

Number to Remember: 37

The number of different starting lineups the Lakers have used this season, the most in the NBA. It perfectly encapsulates the team's problem this season, consistency. Whether it's been because of injury, chemistry issues, or being one of the oldest teams in NBA history, LA just haven't been able to put it all together for long stretches of time.

To end off talking about tonight's games, let's just all enjoy the silky-smooth experience of watching renowned long-range shooter Dwight Howard knock down a corner three.

Ginobili, Hardaway, headline 2022 Hall of Fame class.

The Basketball Hall of Fame is getting five new inductees this year. They might not be as flashy as the legendary 2020 hall of fame class that included Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett and the late Kobe Bryant, but this 2022 class is filled with game-changers in their own right.

Tim Hardaway became the final member of the dynamic Run-TMC trio to make the Hall of Fame, and more than deservingly so. One of the best point guards of the 1990s, Hardaway starred for both the Golden State Warriors alongside Chris Mullin and Richmond, and the hardnose late 90s Miami Heat, the latter of whom retired his number. He was known for his outstanding playmaking abilities and his dazzling skills as a one-on-one scorer, especially for someone who was just six feet tall. 

Manu Ginobili is considered by many to be the greatest bench player in NBA history. The longtime Spurs guard proved to be one of the best second-round picks of all time after being selected 57th overall by San Antonio in the 1999 NBA draft. A supremely talented scorer and dogged defender, Ginobili was the perfect player to lead the charge off the bench for the Greg Popovich Spurs. As a four-time NBA champion, he is also one of the winningest players in league history.

Ginobili's basketball resume is more than just his NBA accomplishments, it's truly global. In Europe, he was a 2x Italian League MVP and one-time EURO Cup champion. But it was on the international stage where he truly shined. Ginobili led Argentina to a historic gold medal in the 2004 Olympics, becoming the only team since 1992 to win one besides the United States, and a bronze medal in the 2008 games. 

George Karl is simply one of the winningest coaches in NBA history. He is one of just nine head coaches with more than 1,000 wins and led three separate teams to the conference finals during his illustrious 27-year career on the sideline. 

The North Carolina grad is most famous for his time coaching the Gary Payton-Shawn Kemp SuperSonics of the 1990s, the Ray Allen Bucks teams around the turn of the century, and his long tenure as the Denver Nuggets head coach from 2004 to 2013. Although he never won an NBA championship, Karl guided his teams to an astounding 21 straight seasons without a losing record.

Swin Cash, along with having an incredible Basketball name, is one of the winningest players in the history of the women's game. At UConn, she won two NCAA championships and guided the Huskies to an undefeated season in 2002. She went on to star in the WNBA for the Detroit Shock, who she won two titles with before being traded to Seattle where she won her third ring. On the international stage, Cash won two gold medals in 2004 and in 2012. Known for her high effort, well-rounded, playstyle and overall being a great teammate, Cash will go down as one of the best WNBA players of the 2000s.

College coaching legend Bob Huggins and George Karl oddly share very similar career stories. Both are well-known for coaching multiple teams, Huggins specifically for his time at Cincinnati and West Virginia, and both have yet to taste the sweet allure of a championship despite their profound success. Even without a title, Huggins has cemented himself among the greats as one of the premier college basketball coaches of the past thirty years. 

Anthony Davis returning to action after six-week injury absence

The Lakers are in desperate need of a lifeline, and who better to throw them one than their 8x All-Star big man. Anthony Davis hasn't exactly put up earth-shattering numbers by his standards this season, but he still remains one of the premier post players in the league on both ends of the court. 

Both he and LeBron James are eyeing returns during tonight's game against the Pelicans. In my opinion its a must watch not only because its a potential play-in tournament preview, but it'll be the last first impression James and Davis get as a duo this season. If they want any chance of being taken seriously as contenders again, now is the time to show it. 

An NBA expansion might be closer than you think

Oak View Group, a stadium and arena development company owned by sports executive Tim Leiweke, announced they're buying 25 acres of prime downtown Las Vegas land to build a new entertainment complex. The centerpiece of this complex, a 20,000 seat, state-of-the-art, basketball arena. 

While it's no guarantee that an NBA expansion will be happening in the near future, developments like this are certainly a sign that the league will most likely be expanding sooner rather than later. The NBA already has a strong presence in the Las Vegas area through the Summer League and the WNBA's Las Vegas Aces. Last year, Adam Silver even said Vegas is on the list for consideration if the NBA decides to expand.

Any league expansion would need two new teams to join to keep the conferences aligned. My vote for a new team alongside Vegas would selfishly be for my hometown of Raleigh, North Carolina, although I'd accept Honolulu as another fun option. In reality, this second team will almost certainly be Seattle, which also has a new modern arena courtesy of the NHL's new expansion team the Seattle Kracken.

Yesterday was a great day for basketball journalism and it was really hard to nail down which articles to feature here with so many good options. Below, you'll find a good mix of stories from college and the NBA that cover a wide range of topics.

For those looking to learn more about women's college ball, I highly recommend reading the last two articles. The first tells a great underdog story from the beginnings of the women's college game, and the second offers a new perspective on the sport's brightest young star. Check them out below.

How Australia Became an N.B.A. Point Guard Pipeline - Scott Cacciola, The New York Times

Blanca Burns bursts open NBA doors as first Mexican-born female NBA official but keeps eyes on global objectives - Eric Gomez, ESPN.com

How a trio of pioneers gave rise to racial integration in the NBA - Steve Aschburner, nba.com

In 90 seconds, CJ McCollum finds his closure in Portland - Jason Quick, The Athletic (subscription required)

Ime Udoka unplugged: On Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, the Celtics’ surge and the film session that turned the tide - Sam Amick, The Athletic (subscription required)

Why UNC vs. Duke is so much more than just a sports rivalry - James Dator, SB Nation

Forty Years Ago an HBCU Played in the First Women’s Final Four. Today the Program Is Gone. - Ben Pickman, Sports Illustrated

Paige Bueckers is reshaping the women’s college basketball landscape. To those back home ‘she’s never changed’ - Mike Anthony, CT Insider

Toronto Raptors @ Orlando Magic - 7:00 p.m. EST

The red-hot Raptors come into this matchup with the Magic looking to solidify their standing in the hypercompetitive eastern conference playoff race. They've won 10 of their last 12 games, mainly thanks to some great team defense and a red-hot Pascal Siakam, who's making a late-season case for his first-ever All-NBA nomination. I can't see them dropping this one against one of the league's weaker teams in Orlando, especially coming off two great wins against the Celtics and Timberwolves.

On the Magics end, keep your eyes peeled for a strong performance from Franz Wagner. The rookie out of Michigan has been playing some inspired ball lately, averaging nearly 18 points per game over the past two weeks. If they want any chance of winning this one, he'll need to deliver big time.

Dallas Mavericks @ Washington Wizards - 7:00 p.m. EST

The Mavericks have everything to play for as they look to remain on top of a wild race for the three seed in the western conference. The Wizards, on the other hand, were just eliminated from play-in contention.

But despite all that, I think this game will be a lot closer than many people think. Washington have won three of their last four games, Kristaps Porzingis is playing really well as of late, he's scored 20+ points in five of his last seven games, and Rui Hachimura has caught fire recently, scoring 38 points over the past two games. They also have a winning record in D.C. despite being ten games under .500 on the season. 

Luka and co have been playing some great basketball in 2022 but I think they slip up here and lose to the Wizards in a close one. 

Indiana Pacers @ Boston Celtics - 7:30 p.m. EST

It's been the Celtics world so far in 2022, and we're just living in it. They're arguably the best team in basketball since the New Year and Jayson Tatum has been playing like a bonafide MVP candidate. Even though they've lost back-to-back games, it's not like either one was particularly egregious. Losing two close games to the Raptors and Heat isn't exactly ringing any alarm bells, even with starting center Robert Williams out until at least the second round of the playoffs.

Against an Indiana Pacers team playing for a draft pick more than anything, I don't expect them to have any problems. But keep a lookout for Tyrese Haliburton, he's been passing the rock beautifully lately, with 60 assists to only nine turnovers over his last five games.

Sacramento Kings @ Houston Rockets - 8:00 p.m. EST

The Kings and Rockets only got a break from each other for a single night, as the two sides square off again following a hotly contested game on Wednesday.  Despite Sacramento winning the first time around, I really like Houston in this return matchup. 

A lot of my positivity has to do with the Rocket's backcourt. The Kings proved they have no answer for Jalen Green and Kevin Porter Jr, who combined to pour in 62 points as Green broke the NBA record for most three-pointers in a month by a rookie. If the two young guards can get just a bit more help from their supporting cast, I think they get the win on their home court.

Phoenix Suns @ Memphis Grizzlies - 8:00 p.m. EST

In what might be the game of the night, two Western Conference titans clash in what might just be a preview of a high-stakes playoff series come May. The Grizzlies have won 10 of 11, the Suns 11 of 12. Ja Morant isn't playing, but it's been proven time and time again this season that his absence apparently doesn't matter for this well-rounded Memphis squad, who are 19-2 without their star PG.

A big part of that has been second-year guard Desmond Bane, who's in the middle of his best month as a pro. The sharpshooter out of TCU averaged over 21 points per game in March and shot a mind-boggling 52% from deep on over seven attempts per contest. And the last time he came up against the Suns? Well, he only dropped his first 30 bomb of the season to go along with six made threes.

The Suns are the best team in basketball, but they looked a little shaky in a narrow win over the Golden State Warriors, who were without Stephen Curry. Especially shaky was Devin Booker, who made just five of his 21 shot attempts. Against a pesky Grizzlies defense, I think he and the Suns might be in for another tough night. Give me Memphis in this one.

LA Clippers @ Milwaukee Bucks - 8:00 p.m. EST

One thing we can definitely say about Bucks-Clippers is that both teams are coming into this one absolutely gassed. I don't imagine playing the next night after an overtime game would be much fun but hey, at least the playing field is level. 

As much as Giannis has been dominating as of late, I like the Clippers in this one. Paul George being back finally gives them a true primary scorer again and their strong depth will help give LA an advantage coming off a back-to-back. But if Giannis drops 50 on them we can just delete this take and act like it never happened.

Detroit Pistons @ Oklahoma City Thunder - 8:00 p.m. EST

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a tank bowl down in Oklahoma City. 

The Thunder seem to be content with coasting the rest of the season, allowing some little-used players and young prospects to get the lion's share of playing time while solidifying their NBA draft lottery odds firmly in the top four. Meanwhile, Detroit have continued to throw out their best lineups every night. While it may not look like it thanks to their recent record, the commitment to their starters is paying off, especially for Cade Cunningham. He just put up 27, six and four in that win against the Sixers and is averaged over 22 points and seven assists in March. 

The Thunder themselves probably don't even want to win this game so who am I to argue? Detroit takes it.

Portland Trail Blazers @ San Antonio Spurs - 8:30 p.m. EST

No offense to my Trail Blazers, but these are two teams with very different objectives at this point in the season. Portland, like OKC, are running out some patchwork lineups of g-leaguers and NBA prospects as they hope to improve their lottery odds in the upcoming NBA draft. 

Meanwhile the Spurs are slugging it out with the Lakers for that last spot in the play-in tournament and can't afford to lose a game against a tanking team like the Blazers. The most likely outcome is that everyone goes home happy.

Minnesota Timberwolves @ Denver Nuggets - 9:00 p.m. EST

Don't look now but the Nuggets might be in a bit of trouble if they lose this one. 

The Timberwolves currently occupy the 7th seed out west and sit just three games back of Denver for the 6th seed and a guaranteed ticket out of the dreaded play-in tournament. If they take down the Nuggets tonight they'll be just a couple of games behind with four games remaining. Denver have some tough games left on their schedule including a matchup with the Grizzlies and two games against the LeBron and AD-led Lakers. The Wolves, on the other hand, have a relatively easy time of it, going up against just one playoff team during that stretch.

But here's the thing, Minnesota has to win first in order for any of that to matter, and their recent performances aren't encouraging. They've lost four out of their last five games, with only one of their losses being particularly close. Denver haven't looked especially strong either recently, especially against other playoff teams, but they're riding a three-game win streak and I think the momentum should be enough to push them over the hump.

New Orleans Pelicans @ Los Angeles Lakers - 10:30 p.m. EST

I said to pencil this one earlier as a game to watch tomorrow and my opinion hasn't changed in the thousand or so words since. It's a great chance to take a look at LeBron and Anthony Davis's chemistry heading into the playoffs while also getting a sneak peek at what may be a pivotal play-in matchup in a couple of weeks.

The Pelicans have looked admittedly pretty solid recently but the allure of a Bron-AD combo is just too tempting for me, especially since Herb Jones cant guard both of them at the same time (or at least I don't think he can). 

That's all from us today at Enjoy Basketball. We really appreciate all the love and support the newsletter got on its first day and we're only looking to get better from here. In the meantime, make sure to give the Enjoy Basketball twitter a follow if you want to hop on our weekly Twitter spaces with Kenny and the whole Enjoy crew.

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. I'll be too busy having a heart attack watching my Tar Heels play Duke in the final four myself, but hopefully I make it through.

Until next week,

- Spencer Poole

Quick Trivia: Pau Gasol is a franchise legend with both the Grizzlies and the Lakers. He spent six and a half seasons with each team but which one did he score more points for? Find out the answer in the next EB newsletter!