🏀 Playoff Luka strikes again

Plus. meet your 2023-24 Most Improved Player!

POWERED BY

On days like yesterday, what else can you be but grateful?

Our main man Kenny went live on First Take to talk playoff hoops with Stephen A. and Shannon, the Numbers on the Board crew made their ESPN debut, AND we were trending #2 on X with #NumbersonESPN.

From everyone here at Enjoy Basketball, thank you all so much for your support. None of this would have been possible without a community that truly loves and appreciates hoops just as much as we do. 💙🏀

Today’s Lineup

🪄 Luka Magic strikes again
The Mavs big win in LA lead the way on Tuesday

🤩 Two playoff classics
Monday night was a MOVIE for hoops fans

🏆 Most Improved Maxey
The Sixers young star kicks off NBA awards season!

Full-Court Coverage

Mavs break open gritty game in the 4th to even things up vs LA

For a series loaded with superstar scorers we got a surprisingly old-school game in this 96-93 Dallas W, you know outside of the ridiculous stepback 30=footers.

Despite getting Kawhi Leonard back for this pivotal game two, the Clippers really struggled to hit much of anything, shooting just 8-30 from downtown and 37% overall as they seemed to get bogged down in iso-ball far too often, despite a few nice transition moments from Russell Westbrook.

Not that the Mavs were faring much better for most of the game. Luka and Kyrie were making things happen, but some sloppy ballhandling and poor free throw shooting had this game mired in early 2000s slugfest vibes through the first three quarters.

Luckily in the 4th, the sparks started to fly. Both sides started to build a little momentum with the rock, but it was Dallas who ended up truly catching fire as PJ Washington made the Mavs star duo a trio with 10 points in the quarter. And who else but Luka to bring it home with an audacious stepback to ice it? Next stop, Dallas.

🏀 🏀 🏀

Timberwolves defenses and McDaniels magic puts Suns in 0-2 hole

Anthony Edwards might have been shot 3-12 from the field, but his prophecy writing was worth a whole lot more than that.

Despite Ant and Karl-Anthony Towns combining to make just six shots all game, Minnesota won this one convincingly behind the silky smooth jumper and defensive tenacity of Jaden McDaniels, who saved his best performance of the season for the perfect time to help the Wolves run away with a 105-93 victory.

And, fresh off being named the NBA’s most overrated player by his peers, Rudy Gobert casually shut up the haters and shut down the Sun’s superstar lineup. The presumptive DPOY routinely got switched onto Devin Booker and Kevin Durant on the perimeter and more than held his own. 2 wins away. 💪

🏀 🏀 🏀

Siakam’s superstar night helps Pacers even series in Milwaukee

This game can be summed up in two words. Pascal. Siakam.

The Pacers star midseason acquisition dropped 37 and 11 on Milwaukee to even the series up, becoming the first player since Wilt (of course) to start the playoffs with back-to-back 35-10 games.

Even more impressive was how he did it. From spot-up threes to gorgeous post fades and speedy transition finishes, Siakam showed off a full platter of offensive skills all night long.

And all that cooking only opened things up for his teammates, as Tyrese Haliburton led a contingent of unselfish perimeter passers to get the whole squad consistent open looks.

A flurry of first-half Damian Lillard buckets and some sweet long-range shooting from Brook Lopez had the Bucks nipping at the Pacer’s heels for the better part of 40 minutes, but at the end of the day, they just weren't able to slow down Indiana’s momentum in the 108-125 loss.

🏀 🏀 🏀

Jamal Murray rips Laker’s heart out with a dagger at the buzzer, Nuggets lead 2-0

On the “brutal playoff losses” scale, this game for the Lakers might just be off the chart entirely.

Anthony Davis was making everything in sight early, hitting 14 of his first 15 looks on the way to 32 and 11. D’Angelo Russell bounced back from a rough game one to tie a Lakers playoff record with seven threes. And LeBron James did what he does best, dominating the 4th quarter to the tune of 12 points and multiple clutch plays. Sounds like the recipe for an important Lakers W right?

But, despite LA’s lead ballooning as high as 20 early in the 3rd, the Nuggets got stuck in and slowly chipped away at the lead. Nikola Jokic grabbed every board in sight while bulldozing his way into the paint again and again, Michael Porter Jr. was burying everything outside, and Jamal Murray slowly worked his way into the game after a slow start to help Denver scratch and claw their way back into this one.

It all culminated in two pivotal plays. LeBron shrugged off his man on the perimeter to get a wide-open look with 17 seconds left. But… the shot went in and out, setting up Murray for a chance at history.

15-footer, baseline, AD in his face, all cash. 101-99 Denver. 💰

🏀 🏀 🏀

Knicks go up 2-0 on Sixers thanks to iconic final minute

Joel Embiid dropped 34-10-6 practically on one leg, Tyrese Maxey was doing his best Jordan flu game impression and, with 46 seconds left Kyle Lowry was at the line for two to put the Sixers up six. It seemed like Philly was going to get a pivotal win in MSG that could swing the series in their favor.

Instead, they ended up being on the receiving end of perhaps the most iconic Knicks playoff moment this century.

Lowry missed his second free throw, Jalen Brunson responded with a three that bounced off the front rim and in, and then came what will be an essential part of New York hoops folklore for years to come.

Timeouts, fouls, and other assorted controversies aside, talk about an all-out effort from the Knicks. Josh Hart forced Maxey to throw an errant pass on the ground, Isaiah Hartenstein fought off Embiid for the offensive board, and Donte DiVincenzo finished it off to give New York an improbable lead and an eventual 104-101 win. Absolute cinema. 🎥🎬

🏀 🏀 🏀

Cavs clamp up Magic again to take commanding 2-0 series lead

Is your favorite team of all time the 04 Pistons? Do you think the league has gone soft these days? Then boy is this the series for you. For the second straight game, the Cavs locked the entire Magic team in a cell and threw away the key, holding them to just 86 points on 36% shooting in a 10-point W.

Shout-out to D-Mitch with a gritty 23, Isaac Okoro with some immaculate 3-and-D play, and Evan Mobley for continuously living in Paolo Banchero’s nightmares, but there was a unanimous MVP in Cleveland tonight.

This time around, the lights were dimmer than expected for Jarrett Allen. The big-haired big man was relentless on the glass, made Orlando work for every shot inside, and chipped in with some solid buckets to put Cleveland up 2-0. Could he be the x-factor in a Cavs deep playoff run? 🤔

Which team do you think has the best chance of completing the 0-2 comeback? 🤔

Let us know why in the comments!

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

🏀 NBA Finals x FanDuel 🏀

The road to the NBA Finals has begun, and new customers on FanDuel can go on their OWN playoff run with $150!

Just place any FIVE DOLLAR bet and you’ll get $150 in Bonus Bets – win or lose!

Use your bets on Same Game Parlays, Live Bets, Championship Futures, and so much more!

There’s no better place to bet all of the playoff action than America’s #1 Sportsbook!

Just go to FanDuel.com/Kenny to get started.

FanDuel is the Official Sports Betting Partner of the NBA.

🧠 Daily Trivia 🧠 

Who has the record for the most triple-doubles in the playoffs? 🏀🏀🏀

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Three in the Key

🪙 A classic Kyrie dime
He just makes it look so easy…

😮 Monica was SHOOK
The ESPN analyst was going through it in the final moments of Knicks-Sixers

💪 The Deuce is loose!
Miles McBride rips the board away from Tyrese Maxey with AUTHORITY

What We’re Enjoying

Most Improved Maxey: Following the James Harden trade, the Sixers didn’t just want, they needed Tyrese Maxey to make the leap this season if they wanted to remain a contender. And, he didn’t let them down. Maxey blossomed into a true star in 2023-24, more than earning this season's Most Improved Players award. We’re so excited to see what’s to come. 🙏

Signing Off

Time to go y’all! The last couple of days have shown us just how incredible basketball can be. As the playoffs roll on, try and go into each game without any narratives or hot takes in your mind. This is the time of year to appreciate hoops for hoops’ sake. 💙🏀

Talk soon!

-Spencer Poole

🏀 🏀 🏀

In your best Mike Breen impression, what did you think of today's newsletter?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

🏀 🏀 🏀