That and more in Sunday's NBA newsletter.
Good morning. Let's basketball.
SMELLS LIKE ROSES: Derrick Rose played as well as he has in years, leading the Bulls to a solid win over the Bucks. In his first playoff game in three years, he controlled the tempo and showed no hesitation going at Michael Carter-Williams. He got MVP chants! The Bucks were in the game most of the way and need to execute a little better -- that offense is not good -- but if Rose is playing this well, Milwaukee just can't beat Chicago.
FOURTH QUARTER PLAYOFF ANTHONY DAVIS! As expected, the Warriors beat the Pelicans in Game 1. For a while, it was a blowout. It was clear Stephen Curry would not be playing the fourth. Until Fourth Quarter Anthony Davis happened. After struggling all night, he dropped 20 in the quarter, including two on a breathtaking alley-oop finish. Golden State prevailed, but we saw something pretty frightful from the Pels.
Also: HOW STEPH? HOW?
ROCKET SHIP: James Harden was relatively quiet and the Rockets still beat the Mavericks handily. Chandler Parsons looks unhealthy, mummies have moved faster than Dirk Nowitzki guarded the pick and roll and Dallas lacks much shooting. Meanwhile, the Rockets' supporting cast fills its role (hit threes, defend) really well. This game was an enthusiastic endorsement of Houston's chances at a long run.
THE MOST INSULTING OVERTIME GAME EVER: The Wizards beat the Raptors in overtime because of Paul Pierce. I feel we should leave it there because I'm mad I'm even having to think about this game. (The war between Toronto and Pierce is slightly funnish. So is the war between Randy Wittman and the whiteboard.)
SUNDAY'S SCHEDULE: Four more games! They start later, so please go mow the lawn and give the dog a bath.
Celtics at Cavaliers, 3 p.m. ET, ABC
Nets at Hawks (aka Dinner Break), 5:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Blazers at Grizzlies, 8 p.m. ET, TNT
Spurs at Clippers, 10:30 p.m. ET (aka you're going to be late for work on Monday), TNT
HARD TO WATCH: Remember when word broke that, in a hilarious effort to get his players to pay attention, Brian Shaw rapped a pre-game scouting report? Video has leaked. It's about what you expect. Shaq really was the best rapper on those dynastic early Aughts Lakers squads.
ON SEFOLOSHA: Howard Beck has a bunch of player reaction to the Thabo Sefolosha arrest and injury. Everyone's pretty pissed off and alarmed.
GOOD CALL: Mark Jackson is voting for Steve Kerr for Coach of the Year. He also passed his first excruciating test of the postseason -- calling a Warriors game -- with flying colors. He had a few odd comments during the regular season, and the off-screen comments on Joe Lacob remain odd, but I think all told he's handled the weird circumstances of being paid to talk about a team he feels unfairly canned him pretty well.
THE GREATEST: Jimmy Goldstein's April basketball itinerary is marvelous.
Happy Sunday. See you next time.
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