The NBA

[Kirby101]

And injuries, always the X factor! e.g. look at Milwaukee and Giannis

Absolutely. There is one player on each team that they would be done without.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Absolutely. There is one player on each team that they would be done without.

My Sixers are a prime example. When Joel Embiid was in the lineup, and playing at an MVP level, Philly was as high as third in the East, then he was lost for nearly two months from a knee injury, and during that time, they fell all the way to eighth and now has to face Miami and Jimmy Butler (whom we NEVER should've let walk) in the play-in round tomorrow night.

[Surf]

Embid is back though right? Wow, I guess the Heat aren't going to tear through this thing like last season. I'll take the Lakers and GS to win play-in tonight.

Don't think they will but If the Heat come into Philly and win... WPP you're gonna have to strongly consider banning yourself. Hawks/Bulls, flip a coin and it'll land on it's side. I don't believe in the Boston Tatum's but they'll make short work of either of those two.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Embid is back though right? Wow, I guess the Heat aren't going to tear through this thing like last season. I'll take the Lakers and GS to win play-in tonight.

Don't think they will but If the Heat come into Philly and win... WPP you're gonna have to strongly consider banning yourself. Hawks/Bulls, flip a coin and it'll land on it's side. I don't believe in the Boston Tatum's but they'll make short work of either of those two.

Embiid's been back over two weeks, and he's helped keep the Sixers from potentially dropping out of the race altogether. I worry about Miami because Jimmy Buckets turns into a beast come playoff time.

[hyped78]

Embiid's been back over two weeks, and he's helped keep the Sixers from potentially dropping out of the race altogether. I worry about Miami because Jimmy Buckets turns into a beast come playoff time.

I have to say that I’m highly surprised Embiid made it back on time for the start of the playoffs. I think that makes the 76ers a very dangerous #7 or #8 seed, not the typical team you get on such a low seed. E.g. if the Sixers take #7 and are healthy, they can totally beat the Knicks

[Kirby101]

A good game between Lakers and Pelicans. Zion was outstanding, but hurt the last two minutes.
Lakers go on to the Nuggets, Pels meet the winner of the next game.

[frankiedetroit]

A good game between Lakers and Pelicans. Zion was outstanding, but hurt the last two minutes.
Lakers go on to the Nuggets, Pele meet the winner of the next game.

Yeah, I wonder what happened to Zion. I'm glad we got one on the road, regardless of now having to face the Nuggets. Maybe we can take that one too. [Hope springs eternal].

I figured the Kings would enact revenge on the Warriors for last year. Watching the Warriors reminded me of watching the Celtics lose Game 7 to the Cavs in '92. You suspected it was Bird's last year and that that game was the last time we'd see him, McHale and Parish together. I get the same impression now about Steph, Klay and Draymond. They had an amazing run, and when the Warriors were clicking, they played a beautiful brand of basketball.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Yeah, I wonder what happened to Zion. I'm glad we got one on the road, regardless of now having to face the Nuggets. Maybe we can take that one too. [Hope springs eternal].

I figured the Kings would enact revenge on the Warriors for last year. Watching the Warriors reminded me of watching the Celtics lose Game 7 to the Cavs in '92. You suspected it was Bird's last year and that that game was the last time we'd see him, McHale and Parish together. I get the same impression now about Steph, Klay and Draymond. They had an amazing run, and when the Warriors were clicking, they played a beautiful brand of basketball.

Yeah, the Warriors enjoyed one hell of a run, but now, it appears to be over. It stands to reason one member of that trio will be shown the door, and I think it'll be Draymond as I suspect GS has had its collective fill of his antics and wants him gone.

[Kirby101]

Tonight the play in between the two teams nobody wants to meet. The Heat and the 76s. If Butler or Embid are in top form, both are dangerous. And both can move on.

[Surf]

Yeah, the Warriors enjoyed one hell of a run, but now, it appears to be over. It stands to reason one member of that trio will be shown the door, and I think it'll be Draymond as I suspect GS has had its collective fill of his antics and wants him gone.

As a Klay Thompson fan he didn't deserve to play 36 minutes last night or most of this season. Tough to see a baller grind down to nothng but it happens all the time in sports. Chris Paul really needs to consider an exit. The last few teams he's been on once he leaves they tend to have a bump. Phoenix is looking stronger this season than last, sure Durrant is big but he's never missed much.

Lakers were an ass hair from losing that game at the end too. AD came up big at the end against his old team.

[WestPhillyPunisher]

Tonight the play in between the two teams nobody wants to meet. The Heat and the 76s. If Butler or Embid are in top form, both are dangerous. And both can move on.

All too true. Just last season, Butler went off, carrying Miami from the play-in tourney to the Finals before losing to Denver, so yeah, it's possible. Meanwhile, if Embiid is healthy and at the top of his game, he can carry Philly as well. We have emerging superstar Tyrese Maxey while trade deadline acquisition Buddy Hield is our long range bomber, and veteran Kyle Lowry provides postseason experience. All things considered, I like our chances.

[Hiromi]

Investigation into Jontay Porter of the Raptors determined he was betting on his own team to lose, he's been banned from the NBA for life

[Deathstroke]

Investigation into Jontay Porter of the Raptors determined he was betting on his own team to lose, he's been banned from the NBA for life

It was a lot more than simply betting on his own team to lose (in games he didn't play). He gave information to known NBA bettors, tried to influence stuff by not playing and placed more than $50k in bets through someone else's account.

He's an utter moron.

Not only does he lose out on ever playing in the NBA again, he's kind of tainted his brother who plays for the Nuggets. And it isn't like he didn't know all his action were against the rules he is supposed to abide by as a player.

He deserves his lifetime ban and I hope it remains enforced forever.

The only thing I'd say is that the NBA's hand-wringing about this might be a bit more easy to digest if they weren't advertising betting apps throughout their programming. Lie down with dogs, don't be surprised when your players turn out to be fleas.

[Scott Taylor]

Indeed (about gambling in sports).

Same thing goes for other major sports like MLB, which is sponsored by DraftKings and FanDuel, and NFL has sportsbooks inside their stadiums that are open on game days. NBA/MLB/NFL are better off having no official relationships with gambling companies of any kind. IMO, of course.

But then I am totally against state lotteries too. Its all predatory.

[Surf]

Boos are raining down in Philadelphia.

Tyler Herro is like, look, I missed out last time.