Play-In Launches Nets and T-Wolves to #7 Seeds

Powered by

Welcome back to another Enjoy Basketball Newsletter! The post-season is finally here and did NOT disappoint last night as stars shone in Brooklyn, young guns showed out for Minnesota, and Patrick Beverley acted like he won the NBA Finals after one play-in win (and I fully support him, the man embodies Enjoy Basketball in my opinion). 

Let's get into it, fellow queens and kings (this is the post-season, so obviously not Sacramento). 

The NBA playoffs are finally here! And what better way to enjoy high-stakes basketball than with a little friendly competition with your crew? You’ve already got the best takes in the group chat — now put that knowledge to the test! Challenge your friends to an NBA playoff bracket on RunYourPool and show them who really knows hoops. RunYourPool is the internet’s favorite sports pool hosting service, with customizable scoring options, custom branding options, and a private message board to call out your wins. Add some enjoyment to the playoffs by starting your own pool today and use coupon code ‘ENJOYBB’ for 20% off your first contest.

And now... presenting the Enjoy Basketball Playoff Bracket Challenge, powered by RunYourPool! We're excited to see who will be crowned the winner from the community. Yes, there are BIG prizes! Pool closes on April 16 at 1pm ET. You won’t want to miss out. Sign up HERE

Kyrie kills Cavs as Nets secure #7 seed

Yes, the Nets only won by 7, but I was beyond impressed with Brooklyn. Kyrie Irving had a perfect first half: 20 points on 9-9 from the field. With a medley of fakes and crosses, Uncle Drew left defenders dazed as he stepped back for a three or blew past for an acrobatic layup. He finished with a dazzling 34 points and 12 assists and seemed like the best player on the court by a mile.

That is a huge compliment when you have Kevin Durant on your team. KD also tore apart the helpless Cleveland defense, scoring on all three levels as we know him to do. Impressively, he also dished out 11 assists. We all expected the duo of KD and Kyrie to score like crazy in such an important game, and they did. But who would've thought they would both tally double digit assists? It shows that talent kills in this league. 

Darius Garland also put on a masterclass, but his teammates unfortunately couldn't convert. I'm shocked he finished with only five assists, because he was creating shots for fellow Cavs like clockwork, but the non-Garland Cavaliers shot just 30% from three and 41% from the field. Cleveland was also very sloppy in the first half, but cleaned it up near the end to make it close behind Garland, who wouldn't take defeat for an answer. 

Timberwolves clip Clippers to claim #7 seed

This was the more entertaining game of the night and the difference in age was tangible. The average age of the Timberwolves starters was 25.6 years old while that of the Clippers was 30.4. 

Karl-Anthony Towns struggled heavily with just 11 points on 3-11 shooting before fouling out, so the other Wolves needed to step up. And step up they did. Anthony Edwards dropped 30 while D'Angelo Russell poured in 29, both barraging threes and penetrating the porous LA defense. On the Clippers side, they lead for a good chunk of the second half behind a stellar 15 3rd quarter points from Paul George, but Minnesota creeped back.

After a deep pull-up three by D'Lo followed by an emphatic Edwards dunk, I think I could hear the Minnesota cheers from here. Two more threes by the young guard duo tucked the Clips into bed, simultaneously waking up anyone sleeping within an 100-mile radius. You can tell it means so much to the state, after not seeing the second round of the playoffs since Kevin Garnett.

But my favorite player last night was Patrick Beverley. Everyone has an opinion on the loud, scrappy guard, and some people might clown him for acting like he won the NBA Finals even though it was just a play-in game. But when I saw Bev grab an offensive rebound off of a free throw with 4 seconds left, then climbing onto the scorer's table Kobe-style, and then openly weeping about his love for his team, I felt in touch with the man's pure love of basketball.

This postseason, we are getting plenty of new, young faces who will make their playoff debuts. I've ranked five of the top guys I'm eager to see in this new setting, where stakes are higher, defenses play harder, and the game slows down.

1. Zach Lavine

Poor Zach Lavine was traded from the Timberwolves just before they were good to the Bulls just after they were good. The two-time all-star finally gets his first playoff appearance in his seven-year career and I cannot wait to see what he brings. We know he’s a human highlight reel. We know he can score at all three levels. And we know he’s an offensive firecracker. When facing the gargantuan Bucks defense and potential DPOY Giannis Antetokounmpo, will Lavine’s slender frame power through? He might jump over them instead.

2. Anthony Edwards

It’s great to see the 2021 #1 overall pick getting playoff experience in just his second year. At times Ant Man has been the most dynamic scorer for the overachieving Timberwolves, and showed out last night in a high-stakes win. Through a flurry of high flying dunks and occasional three-point brilliance, Edwards has shredded defenses all year, and no doubt will for the next decade in the playoffs.

3. Dejounte Murray

Technically, Dejounte appeared in the playoffs in his rookie and sophomore year, but that Dejounte is nothing like present-day, all-star Dejounte. During his previous eleven playoff games, he has averaged 6.4 points per game. Now, Murray can create his own shot through a mix of improved dribble-crosses and precise finishing at the rim. This season, he is the first player EVER to average over 20 points, 9 assists, 8 rebounds, and 2 steals per game. Historic numbers from San Antonio’s star should translate to the playoffs, where he might be able to lead the 34-48 Spurs through the play in and give Phoenix some heat. 

4. Brandon Ingram

Brandon Ingram has never graced the playoffs, which is surprising since the players in the 2016 Draft picked directly before him (Ben Simmons) and after him (Jaylen Brown) seem like playoff vets at this point. The one-time all star’s skillset translates well to a winner-take-all setting like the play-in. Similar to the way fellow lanky wing Khris Middleton can reach above defenders and sink clutch midrange after clutch midrange, BI should be able to hit tough buckets when the game slows down and defenses lock in.

5. Darius Garland

I remember being so excited about Darius Garland when he was coming out of Vanderbilt three years ago. The on-ball creativity, shooting prowess, and tendency to make the right play screamed of someone you wanted running guard for your squad. Three years later, that DG has arrived, taking the Cleveland Cavaliers to the playoffs without LeBron James for the first time since 1998. He already showed out against Brooklyn, hopefully he gets some more help next game so we can see more of his greatness.

Lakers Fire Frank Vogel

The LA Lakers have fired head coach Frank Vogel after their disastrous 33-49 season. Who's to say that Vogel was a bad coach or lead to the disappointing season? He had the same position two years ago when the Lakers lifted the Larry O'Brian trophy in the NBA Bubble, did he suddenly become a worse coach? The Lakers played 39 different starting lineups this season due to injury and poor roster construction. I also don't think that was Vogel's fault. But front offices need scapegoats, so he's gone. The Lakers will start to conduct a search for a replacement, with some names like Kenny Atkinson, Quin, Snyder, Doc Rivers, and Mark Jackson jumping off the page. 

Monty Williams Voted Coaches Association Coach of the Year

Congrats to Monty Williams on being voted the National Basketball Coaches Association Coach of the Year. NOTE: This is not the official coach of the year award. Williams won this award last year as well, but Tom Thibodeau won the NBA's Coach of the Year Award. Still, it is impressive that Monty wins back-to-back, a testament to the greatness with which he has steered the Phoenix Suns these past two years.

What Makes Patrick Beverley Tick -- Mirin Fader (Bleacher Report)

Instant Grades for Every 2022 WNBA Draft First-round Pick -- Sabreena Merchant (Swish Appeal)

Knicks' Tom Thibodeau Addresses Julius Randle's Effort, Whether he Should've Played Younger Players Sooner -- Ian Begley, (Yahoo Sports)

Charlotte Hornets @ Atlanta Hawks - 7:00p.m. EST.

Two young, talented teams square off in a match up that might literally light the basketball on fire from how many points will be scored. Trae Young has been one of the ten best offensive players in the league all year and is even more dangerous with shooters around him. The Hornets love to run in transition lead by LaMelo Ball and Miles Bridges. Once the dust settles, I think Atlanta walks away victorious with a 40-bomb from Rayford Trae Young.

San Antonio Spurs @ New Orleans Pelicans - 9:30p.m. EST.

New Orleans is probably the fun team to pick. They have more well known stars in Brandon Ingram and CJ McCollum, and have been playing their best basketball at the right time. However, I think the Spurs are too fundamentally sound to lose this one, especially with Coach Pop at the helm. Look for it to be a team effort for San Antonio, with Dejounte Murray and Keldon Johnson leading the way. 

And that's it for me, y'all! I am absolutely pumped for more post-season basketball, especially seeing the young names above throw themselves into the best stretch of games basketball has to offer. Make sure to sign up for the bracket pool and see if you can beat your fellow Enjoyers of Basketball.

P. S. I'm from the future and can tell you that last year's Finals will repeat itself. 

- Conor Geelan

Last Trivia Answer: Quick flex: I somehow knew this one. The answer is Tyus Jones, who is the only player to tally 300+ assists and under 50 turnovers. With 324 assists and just 46 turnovers, Jones' 7.0 assist to turnover ratio is the best in NBA HISTORY! Interestingly enough, his brother Tre Jones is #2 with 5.1! The Jones' keep the ball on a string.

Trivia Question: Two players are tied for the most 40+ point games in a single playoffs with an incredible 8 times. Who are they? (Hint: one of them did it sometime in the last 5 years, and the other did it in the 1960’s.)