We have that and more in Monday’s NBA newsletter.
If the 2018-19 Celtics have been one thing consistently all season, it’s unpredictable. So we can’t call it a huge surprise that Boston looks like one of the most cohesive teams in the league all of a sudden after its sweep of the Pacers in the first round of the NBA playoffs. Certainly, reaching their considerable potential at just the right time was within the field of possibilities for a time with true range between looking unstoppable some nights and lousy on others.
This is a spectacular time to hit your stride, though. The Bucks should beat the Pistons on Monday to advance to the East semifinals, which would tip off later this week in Milwaukee. Giannis Antetokounmpo has never been past the first round before, and the C’s (the ones who have been healthy, anyway) have been to two straight conference finals. But the Bucks have been incredibly impressive all season — consistently — while the Celtics are just now deciding to be unstoppable. Will it carry over, or was Boston just taking advantage of a Pacers team out of gas and out of tricks?
We’ll find out in what should be a really competitive and strategic series. Kudos to the Celtics for rising to the occasion.
Scores
Celtics 110, Pacers 106
Boston wins series 4-0
Warriors 113, Clippers 105
Golden State leads 3-1
Raptors 107, Magic 85
Toronto leads 3-1
Blazers 111, Thunder 98
Portland leads 3-1
Schedule
Bucks at Pistons, 8 ET, TNT
Milwaukee leads 3-0
Rockets at Jazz, 10:30 ET, TNT
Houston leads 3-0
Links
The higher seed won all eight games on the road this weekend. Boo. The only series in which the higher seed isn’t leading is Nuggets-Spurs (tied 2-2). Getting all the chalk through to the second round is still feasible.
The Blazers’ guard duo was tremendous late Sunday night, leading Portland to a 3-1 series lead and putting the Thunder on the brink of being forced to not answer some very tough questions about their future.
The Clippers brought it at home on Sunday, but the Warriors were too much. Especially Klay Thompson, who, after the game, implied Golden State didn’t want to mess around with LA any more because they don’t want the Rockets getting extra rest. This was after he tried to slip the Warriors’ slogan into an answer about team unity but held the towel with the slogan printed on it upside down. Basically, Klay is already the Finals MVP favorite.
The Raptors have quietly put together three strong games and have the Magic on the verge. They are as cool and mechanical as the Sixers are spicy and anxious. Can’t wait for that series. Though this highlight (highlight? ehh) has made me question my Raptors to the Finals pick.
Dirk Nowitzki wrote a letter to Dallas fans.
Can Myles Turner and Domantas Sabonis co-exist?
You saw Paul Flannery’s Shootaround on Jaylen Brown’s breakout, right?
Oh good, Magic Johnson still talks to Jeanie Buss almost every day and wants to help bring the Lakers back.
Enjoying the Celtics without worry.
Michael Avenatti (yes, that guy) allegedly embezzled almost $2 million Hassan Whiteside intended to give to an ex-girlfriend in a post-breakup settlement. Avenatti spent it on a half-share of a private jet. The jet got impounded as the other half-owner was about to take off.
And finally: the only way to explain this James Harden flop was that he was throat-punched by a ghost.
Be excellent to each other.