We have two important NBA games tonight on NBC and the Peacock with playoff results and teams hoping to make up before the next postseason begins. Also, two of our reporters take an early look at the Sweet 16.
Roundball Rock
The Cleveland Cavaliers and Orlando Magic face off tonight (8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock) in a battle of teams with varying degrees of disappointing seasons thus far.
The Cavaliers were a juggernaut last year, but fell victim to the Indiana Pacers’ playoff magic. Cleveland has been strong after a slow start, but the fact that the team traded away All-Star guards Darius Garland for James Harden it is a clear indication that the group knew that the situation would not be enough. Will Harden, who has a checkered postseason history, be enough to get the Cavs over the top?
Meanwhile, the Magic were supposed to be one of the teams that could join the Boston Celtics in the Eastern Conference. Instead, the Celtics are in second place with Jayson Tatum as he missed most of the season, while Orlando fought for its life in the playoffs. The Magic also made a big change in their title hopes, trading for a guard Desmond Bane before the season. The results are mixed.
Ultimately, both Cleveland and Orlando entered this year with high expectations, and the gambles they’ve made on their rosters show they won’t be satisfied with another brief playoff appearance.
Meanwhile, the Denver Nuggets are what I consider to be the most interesting team heading into the playoffs. With Nikola Jokić roster, they are legitimate championship contenders when healthy — and that’s an important caveat, because it hasn’t happened much. That changes, however, behind the key players Aaron Gordon again Peyton Watson He came back on Sunday.
In the final three weeks of the season, I’m looking to see if the Nuggets can stay healthy and play better defense, long term. If they can, Denver can compete with the likes of Oklahoma City and San Antonio in the West.
It’s fun 16
We have a few days left before the men’s tournament continues. To prepare you for the Sweet 16, our reporters had this text exchange (actually, it was on Slack) about what stood out to them.
Andrew Greif: Rohan, we’re down to the Sweet 16 in both the men’s and women’s tournaments. Is there one game you rotate to watch, in particular?
Rohan Nadkarni: Andrew, I find myself endlessly fascinated Rick Pitino and St. John’s, who are in a monster matchup with Duke. A variation of old-school Pitino trying to bring down some blue blood at Duke, trying to recreate the magic of Coach K and Jon Scheyer, should be fun to watch.
What story did you enjoy over the weekend?
Grief: It feels fitting at this point in college sports that the last “Cinderella,” seeded, to the left is Texas, one of the richest athletic departments in the nation. No. 11 The Longhorns are only the sixth team to make the Sweet 16 after playing their way through the 64-team field in the “First Four” round. A big personnel budget and NIL have proven to be no guarantee of March Madness success but it seems that every team left from the big conference.
Finally, Rohan, if you could show someone just one highlight from the first weekend, what would it be? I’ll start: Vanderbilt’s buzzer-beater—which isn’t the one that nearly got out of Nebraska.
Nadkarni: I can show everyone the bad defense of the Florida Gators that led to three game-winners by the Iowa Hawkeyes. How do you follow the person behind in that situation? This was definitely not a knock on my brother, a student from Florida who was actually watching.
What we are watching
Two games in the NBA on NBC’s “Coast 2 Coast” highlights are worth watching tonight.
All times are Eastern:
- 8pm: Orlando Magic vs. Cleveland Cavaliers, on NBC and Peacock
- 11 pm: Denver Nuggets vs. Phoenix Suns, on NBC and Peacock
What we learn
The Lakers are hot again LeBron James‘ the adjustment from being a star to giving control to partners is a big reason why. Louisa Thomas in The New Yorker examines James’ changing game.
It’s a good time when the Texas Rangers pitcher Carter Baumler found out he was making the opening day roster when he got a surprise mound visit.
It’s never too late for LA28 news: The Gamers released a visual for the event yesterday.
The Warriors’ Moses Moody he needed counseling after a serious knee injury.
Details are open Travis Kelce The contract to return to Chiefs was revealed yesterday.
