🏀 No Such Thing As Too Much Basketball

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We all agree that the phrase “too much of a good thing” doesn’t apply when the “thing” is basketball, right? Because this weekend contained about as much basketball as possible, and…we already want more. Honestly, the only downside is that we have to fit it all into one newsletter. So let’s get to it!

Today’s Lineup

Into The Home Stretch: We’re officially in the last week of the NBA season 🥲

BIG Changes In New CBA: How do you feel about an in-season tourney? 🤔

Ring Them! Hot shooting earns the LSU Tigers their first ever NCAAW title 🐅

PrizePicks

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A Wild Friday & Slow Saturday

Philadelphia, Memphis, and Indiana coming together on Friday to beat teams who all really needed wins:

There’s been much debate about the state of NBA defense over the last couple of years. But have we considered that a lot of guys are just really, really good at scoring the ball? Exhibit A: Jalen Brunson vs. Donovan Mitchell on Friday night. Like, these first-quarter highlights from their duel look like career highlights for a lot of players.

Minnesota was on track to beat the Lakers on Friday in a game with massive playoff implications…then, suddenly, tragically for the people of Minneapolis, the Wolves took a nap. Right on the court. All five of them. Well, they didn’t actually fall asleep. But it sure felt like they did, allowing LA to go on a 24-2 run and win with relative ease. Speaking of massive playoff implications (it feels like every game has them), New Orleans got a huge win over LAC Saturday behind some middy magic from Brandon Ingram (36 PTS, 13/23 FG).

Sunday Evening, Everyone’s Ballin’

We had nearly a full slate of games on Sunday (13, to be exact!) We’re going to rapid-fire a lot of these recaps—that doesn’t mean we don’t care about your team, we promise! There’s just a lot to talk about. If you want to take a look at any of the box scores, click here!

Toronto (39-39) got a franchise-record 20 assists from Fred VanVleet and cruised to a 128-108 win over a team that was allegedly the Charlotte Hornets (26-53.) In the Windy City, a gargantuan third quarter from Chicago (38-40), where they outscored Memphis (49-29) by 24, helped the Bulls capture a 128-107 W. Chicago only turned the ball over one time.

Staying in the Midwest, a Portland (33-45) team led by reserves, two-way players, and rookies handed Minnesota (39-40) a 107-105 loss that will sting for a while. New York (46-33) won 118-109 over Washington (34-44) and probably ended the Wiz’s dreams of a play-in spot. Or nightmares, depending on which Wizards fan you talk to.

Brooklyn (43-35) may have also dealt a fatal blow to Utah’s (36-42) play-in hopes by winning 111-110? There’s a question mark after that sentence because the score was 103-84 with five minutes left in this game. An unreal Jazz comeback came up ever so short. Late Trae Young free throws helped Atlanta (39-39) officially clinch a play-in spot and sent Dallas (37-42) into a hole that will be tough to climb out of if they want any type of postseason. With their “perfectly balanced” record, ATL is Team Thanos once again.

San Antonio (20-58) got a triple-double from Tre Jones and won 142-134 over a Kings (47-31) team who would probably rather just simulate until the playoffs. Orlando (34-44) got double-figure scoring from eight different players in a 128-102 stomping of Detroit (16-62). The LA Lakers (40-38) took care of Houston (19-60) thanks in part to an AD 40-piece—the Lake Show is not the same team they were five months ago.

Phoenix (43-35) has Kevin Durant now. They’ve had him for a while, but sometimes you have to say it out loud so it actually feels real. He outdueled SGA as the Suns got a 128-118 win over OKC (38-41). Milwaukee won their 56th game this season (that’s a lot) in a comfortable victory over Philadelphia (51-27). If you’re offering, then yes, we’ll take seven Giannis/Embiid playoff matchups. Donovan Mitchell scored 40+ for the third straight game as Cleveland (49-30) eliminated Indiana (34-45) from postseason contention.

And to finish off the busy day, a Jokic-less Nuggets (52-26) held off a Warriors (41-38) team that is now only a half-game clear of the play-in heading into the final week of the season.

You still with us? MVP.

In-Season Tournament Time?

The new CBA says you have to play one-on-one against Joel Embiid. Yes, you reading this. Good luck.

Okay, that’s not true. But the new NBA Collective Bargaining Agreement—which was agreed upon by owners and the NBPA—includes some big potential rule changes, most notably an in-season tournament that could start as early as November of this year. Tournament games will also count as regular season games, so there will be no tournament “break.”

At the beginning of the season, teams will only be scheduled to play 80 games instead of the regular 82. The tourney will start with pool play, and the top eight teams will then move on to a single-elimination bracket. Once that bracket is set, the rest of the schedule will be released. The two teams in the tournament championship will play 83 games, with the rest of the league remaining at 82.

April Anger

That name doesn’t flow nearly as well as “March Madness,” but it’s not our fault the NCAA tournament goes into April!

Both the Men’s and Women’s Final Four had moments to remember. On the women’s side, Caitlin Clark had a truly unbelievable tournament, and Iowa as a whole should be proud of their run. But Sunday belonged to the 🔥 SCORCHING 🔥 hot Tigers, who shot 54% from the field and 65% from three-point range. Jasmine Carson went 7/7 and 5/5 from 3PT in the first half! An all-around offensive clinic.

As for the fellas, we had some Mid-Major Madness (who is a great follow on Twitter, BTW) as San Diego State capped off a 14-point comeback with a buzzer-beater to make their first-ever NCAAB championship game. It’s literally the moment you practice in the street as a child. Storybook stuff.

Frozen Moments

• Now that’s just rude, David Roddy…there’s no reason for that.

• How many basketball players can do what Victor Wembanyama did? It can’t be more than three…

• Shaedon Sharpe is a legit building block in Portland.

Good Reads

South Carolina dared Caitlin Clark to beat them — and she did — Nekias Duncan (Basketball News)

What We’re Enjoying

Ribbons by Ryan Beatty: It’s been a few years since we got new music from phenomenal pop/R&B artist Ryan Beatty, so his new single “Ribbons” is a welcome sight! Or, sound. Check out the slow, sprawling single below.

Signing Off

And we’re out of here 🫡 Enjoy some alone time this week! Being around other people is great, but we all need some solo moments to recharge our mental battery. Even putting your phone down and going for a quick stroll will help clear your head. Talk soon!

-Quinn Everts

Trivia Answer: Not only does Magic Johnson have the most assists in a Finals game with 21, he also has the second-most with 20 (two times) and third-most with 19 (two times.) Legend!

Before you go…