Community Shootaround: Possible First-Round Upsets
Game 1 is in the books for all eight of the NBA’s first-round playoff matchups, and several of those games set up potentially fascinating series. Six of the eight higher seeds held their home-court advantage in the first game, but some of those favorites looked a little shaky in their victories, leading to plenty of speculation about first-round upsets.
We’ll start with the weekend’s biggest upset, which took place in Cleveland, where the Pacers dismantled LeBron James and the Cavaliers in Game 1. It won’t be a surprise if the Cavs eventually pull out this series, but their 98-80 loss on Sunday was something we haven’t seen since James returned to Cleveland in 2014. In their last three first-round series, the Cavs have swept the Celtics, Pistons, and – one year ago – the Pacers.
Of course, these Pacers are a much different team than the squad swept out of the postseason a year ago. Victor Oladipo looked like the best player on the floor on Sunday, and players like Myles Turner, Bojan Bogdanovic, and Lance Stephenson looked great in supporting roles. This Pacers team was overlooked and underappreciated all season, and appear poised to give the Cavs all they can handle in round one.
The other Game 1 upset occurred in Portland, where the Pelicans edged out a two-point win over the Trail Blazers. Anthony Davis (35 points, 14 rebounds) was the best player on the court in that game, but Jrue Holiday‘s impact shouldn’t be understated. Besides posting 21 points and seven assists, Holiday also locked up Damian Lillard on the other end of the court — Lillard made just six of 23 shots.
The Pelicans don’t have a whole lot of standout talent behind Davis and Holiday, but Nikola Mirotic (16 points, 11 rebounds) stepped up as a reliable third option on Saturday. If he – or another Pelican – can continue to support Davis and Holiday throughout the series, New Orleans should have a chance.
Elsewhere, the Raptors, Rockets, and Thunder had to battle to the end to hold off the Wizards, Timberwolves, and Jazz, respectively, but came away with Game 1 victories. The Bucks pushed the Celtics to overtime before losing Eric Bledsoe and Giannis Antetokounmpo to foul problems and ultimately losing the game. None of those four favorites is a mortal lock to advance, though Houston is probably close.
The Warriors and Sixers took care of business with comfortable wins over the Spurs and Heat, respectively.
What do you think? Will we see an upset – or multiple upsets – in the first round of the postseason? Which lower-seeded teams do you think look like the best bets to advance to round two?
Head to the comment section below to share your thoughts!
2018 Pre-Lottery NBA Draft Order
The NBA conducted its draft tiebreakers on Friday evening, further cementing the draft order for 2018. While we’ll have to wait until the lottery to determine the exact order for this year’s event, we now know what most of the 60 selections look like.
Listed below is the pre-lottery 2018 NBA draft order. Each lottery team’s chances of landing the No. 1 overall pick are noted in parentheses. We’ve also included notes for picks whose status remains up in the air — for instance, the Lakers‘ first-round pick could still technically end up with either the Sixers or Celtics.
We’ll update this list after the May 15 lottery once the official order is set, but here’s the tentative 2018 NBA draft order:
First Round:
- Phoenix Suns (25.0%)
- Memphis Grizzlies (19.9%)
- Dallas Mavericks (13.8%)
- Atlanta Hawks (13.7%)
- Orlando Magic (8.8%)
- Chicago Bulls (5.3%)
- Sacramento Kings (5.3%)
- Cleveland Cavaliers (from Nets) (2.8%)
- New York Knicks (1.7%)
- Philadelphia 76ers (from Lakers) (1.1%)
- Note: Celtics will receive pick if it lands at No. 2 or No. 3 via lottery (2.9% chance).
- Note: Celtics will receive pick if it lands at No. 2 or No. 3 via lottery (2.9% chance).
- Charlotte Hornets (0.8%)
- Los Angeles Clippers (from Pistons) (0.7%)
- Note: Pistons will keep pick if it moves into top three via lottery (2.5% chance).
- Note: Pistons will keep pick if it moves into top three via lottery (2.5% chance).
- Los Angeles Clippers (0.6%)
- Denver Nuggets (0.5%)
- Washington Wizards
- Phoenix Suns (from Heat)
- Milwaukee Bucks
- San Antonio Spurs
- Atlanta Hawks (from Timberwolves)
- Minnesota Timberwolves (from Thunder)
- Utah Jazz
- Chicago Bulls (from Pelicans)
- Indiana Pacers
- Portland Trail Blazers
- Los Angeles Lakers (from Cavaliers)
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Boston Celtics
- Golden State Warriors
- Brooklyn Nets (from Raptors)
- Atlanta Hawks (from Rockets)
Second Round:
- Phoenix Suns
- Memphis Grizzlies
- Atlanta Hawks
- Dallas Mavericks
- Note: Mavericks would swap places with Hawks if Atlanta gets higher first-round pick than Dallas via lottery.
- Orlando Magic
- Sacramento Kings
- New York Knicks (from Bulls)
- Note: Knicks would swap places with Kings if Sacramento gets higher first-round pick than Chicago via lottery.
- Philadelphia 76ers (from Nets)
- Philadelphia 76ers (from Knicks)
- Brooklyn Nets (from Lakers)
- Orlando Magic (from Hornets)
- Detroit Pistons
- Denver Nuggets (from Clippers)
- Washington Wizards
- Brooklyn Nets (from Bucks)
- Houston Rockets (from Heat)
- Los Angeles Lakers (from Nuggets)
- Minnesota Timberwolves
- San Antonio Spurs
- Indiana Pacers
- New Orleans Pelicans
- Utah Jazz
- Oklahoma City Thunder
- Dallas Mavericks (from Trail Blazers)
- Charlotte Hornets (from Cavaliers)
- Philadelphia 76ers
- Oklahoma City Thunder (from Celtics)
- Denver Nuggets (from Warriors)
- Phoenix Suns (from Raptors)
- Philadelphia 76ers (from Rockets)
Mavs Notes: Nowitzki, Smith, McDermott, Rebuilding
Dirk Nowitzki confirmed he will return to the Mavericks for his 21st season in 2018/19, while Dennis Smith Jr. will enter next season as an NBA sophomore. Despite being in different stages of their careers, Nowitzki and Smith both want to see the Mavericks return to relevance, per the Associated Press.
“I’ve been in a couple of arenas that are playoff teams, and I just witnessed the atmosphere,” Smith said. “I can only imagine how it is playoff time.”
Nowitzki has been part of numerous playoff teams in Dallas and helped lead the franchise to an NBA championship in 2011. In recent seasons, he has accepted that the Mavericks are in a rebuilding stage and contributed in any way possible. Still, he – along with the front office – wants to compete as soon as possible.
“We’re certainly hoping that we’re not in the early stages of a rebuild,” head coach Rick Carlisle said. “We want to get through this as expeditiously as possible. But there’s no way you can skip steps.”
- Doug McDermott joined the Mavericks in early February and played well, fulfilling the role of effective three-point shooter, as he has throughout his career. Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News writes that McDermott, who could hit restricted free agency, would like to return and the feeling is mutual. “I hope so,” McDermott said of returning. “I loved my time here. I feel like I fit in right from the first game, and it just allowed me to be myself out there.
- The Dallas Morning News looks at all of the Mavericks’ decisions heading into both restricted and unrestricted free agency, including what the future may hold for McDermott, Seth Curry, and Nerlens Noel.
- The Mavericks are clearly still in the rebuilding phase and the fan base should get used to the team not being competitive, Tim Cowlishaw of the Dallas Morning News writes. Dallas will need a lot of work just get to the level of some of the Western Conference’s lower-seeded playoff teams, making a postseason run unlikely to happen anytime soon.
Los Angeles Notes: Bryant, Lopez, Rivers, Woodson
Kobe Bryant added an Oscar to his impressive list of accomplishments this year and the retired Lakers legend is enjoying his post-basketball career. However, should any free agents want to speak with him about possibly joining the Lakers, the Black Mamba is available for advice and input, Sam Amick of USA Today Sports writes.
Bryant spoke highly of Lakers general manager Rob Pelinka, who served as Bryant’s agent during his two-decade career. He believes Pelinka and the front office can put forth a formidable team comprised of young talent and season veterans. However, the former NBA Most Valuable Player and five-time NBA champion preached patience.
“You look at the Lakers and the youth and the players that they have, and you’ve just got to be patient and develop these guys,” Bryant said. “I always say it’s about having a patient impatience, where you want to win championships now but you know that’s not going to happen now but you have the determination and the resolve to work and push and learn as if you’re going to be that immediately.”
Check out more notes involving L.A.s basketball teas:
- Frank Urbina of HoopsHype looks at four possible destinations for veteran center Brook Lopez as he enters free agency. The Trail Blazers and Bucks are listed along with possible reunions with the Lakers and Nets, as Urbina looks at how Lopez fits on each team.
- After missing the playoffs, the Clippers enter the offseason with several decisions to make with their roster entering the 2018/19 season, Broderick Turner of the Los Angeles Times writes. The biggest of them all may be whether or not to retain head coach Doc Rivers.
- As we noted earlier, Clippers assistant coach Mike Woodson is scheduled to meet with the Knicks next week about the organization’s head coach position.
Mike Woodson To Interview With Knicks
The Knicks will interview Clippers assistant coach Mike Woodson for their vacant head coaching position on Wednesday in Los Angeles, tweets Brad Turner of the Los Angeles Times. New York received permission to meet with Woodson, per ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.
Woodson is the fifth confirmed candidate that New York plans to interview, including David Blatt, David Fizdale, Jerry Stackhouse, and Mark Jackson. The Knicks have also reportedly reached out to Jeff Van Gundy, who coached the team for parts of seven seasons and led New York to the 1999 NBA Finals.
Like Van Gundy, Woodson also coached the Knicks, serving at the helm for parts of three seasons from 2012-2014. Woodson is the last head coach to lead the Knicks to the playoffs — the team won the Atlantic Division in 2012/13 with a 54-28 record, but was eliminated by the Pacers in the Eastern Conference Semifinals that spring.
Woodson also played for the Knicks for one season after the team selected him 12th overall in the 1980 NBA Draft.
The 60-year-old was fired by the Knicks after the 2013/14 season and replaced by rookie coach Derek Fisher. Woodson joined the Clippers as an assistant coach in September 2014 and has held that post since, becoming a key advisor to Doc Rivers.
In an interview on Saturday with Marc Berman of the New York Post, Woodson admitted that he wants to “finish what he started” as the Knicks’ head coach.
“I don’t want to hide the fact I’d love to be back,’’ Woodson said. “I’d like to finish what I started. At the end of the day, you want to come to New York, based on my body of work there. I want it to be mutual. I want them to want me. I hope they call me.’’
Woodson got his wish and he now joins a talented pool of candidates as the Knicks search for Jeff Hornacek’s replacement.
Kawhi Leonard Expected To Miss Remainder Of Postseason
Spurs All-Star Kawhi Leonard is expected to miss the remainder of the postseason with the intent of fully rehabilitating his injured right quadriceps, Shams Charania of Yahoo Sports reports.
We noted earlier today that Leonard has remained in New York to continue his rehab in hopes of returning this season. However, it appears that after months of speculation, Leonard’s 2017/18 season is over and his future in San Antonio becomes the focal point.
The 26-year-old appeared in just nine games this season, averaging 16.2 PPG, 4.7 RPG, and 2.3 APG in 23.3 minutes per contest. Leonard missed the first 27 games of the season, then appeared in nine midseason contests, suffering a partial tear in his left shoulder in early January. He has not played since January 13 as he rehabs his right quadriceps tendinopathy.
Leonard finished third in NBA Most Valuable Player voting last season behind winner Russell Westbrook and runner-up James Harden.
Without Leonard, the Spurs still made the postseason as the seventh seed with a 47-35 record. San Antonio suffered a 113-92 Game 1 defeat to the Warriors on Saturday and will have to battle Golden State without their two-time Defensive Player of the Year.
Conspicuously, Leonard has been largely absent from the Spurs during his rehab. Just today, head coach Gregg Popovich said that Leonard would only return once his group of doctors and associates deem him ready.
“You’ll have to ask Kawhi and his group that question…so far they say he’s not ready to go. So we can’t do anything until that happens. Then we would have to decide what’s going on from there. But that’s the first thing that has to happen.” Popovich said.
It seemed that Leonard’s situation reached a boiling point in late March when a team meeting was held in which his teammates asked him about his status. While the meeting was not tense, according to several reports, Leonard’s teammates left without a clear indication of his situation.
Leonard can hit free agency next summer, where he will have no shortage of suitors. However, given his frustrating season in San Antonio, reports have suggested that teams will inquire about his availability in trades this offseason. Yesterday, the Clippers emerged as a potential trade partner for the Los Angeles native.
While there’s a chance Leonard will never play for the Spurs again, his extensive rehab suggests he wants to be healthy for his next NBA game — whenever and wherever that game takes place.
Sixers Hope To Keep Brett Brown Long-Term
Coach Brett Brown has only one season left on his contract after this year’s campaign, but the Sixers hope to keep him on the sideline for the foreseeable future.
“I’m invested in keeping Brett here for a long time,” owner Josh Harris told Keith Pompey of the Philadelphia Inquirer prior to Saturday’s 27-point Game 1 win.
He added that the Sixers are different than other sports franchises, as it places an emphasis on longevity and creating a positive culture. Harris, who also owns a majority stake in the NHL’s New Jersey Devils, believes that Brown has proven to be the right man for the job, despite having a career 127-283 regular season record.
“I think he should be coach of the year,” Harris said. “I think that Brett was clearly an amazing coach before this year in terms of his player development skills, and his vision and the culture that he built.
“This year was the first year that he was really tested in terms of his in-game tactics and how he ran the team and wins. We were judging him by wins. Go win some games. He delivered in spades. We over-exceeded expectations. …I hope he’s here for a long time.”
Playoff Notes: Leonard, Smart, Wolves
The Spurs lost Game 1 against the Warriors without Kawhi Leonard‘s services at their disposal and coach Gregg Popovich was asked if could see the 2016/17 MVP candidate returning for this season’s playoff run.
“You’ll have to ask Kawhi and his group that question…so far they say he’s not ready to go. So we can’t do anything until that happens. Then we would have to decide what’s going on from there. But that’s the first thing that has to happen.” Popovich said (via ESPN Now video link).
The coach added that Leonard is in New York rehabbing his injured quad and Chris Haynes of ESPN.com (Twitter link) hears that the small forward still has not been cleared to play. Sources tell Haynes that there is no timetable for Leonard’s return, but he is being “examined routinely.”
Rumblings of his rift with the organization continue to linger over the team with veteran Pau Gasol recently telling the media that many of the San Antonio’s players haven’t seen Leonard in weeks. Several teams are keeping tabs on the situation and we learned this weekend that the Clippers will be among the teams with a trade offer should the Spurs put Leonard on the trade market.
Game 2 of the Spurs-Warriors series will be held on Monday. As the teams await the contest, let’s take a look at some notes from other playoff squads.
- Marcus Smart said he hopes to be ready to return to the court for a potential Game 7 of the Celtics‘ opening-round series or Game 1 of a potential second-round matchup, Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe relays (Twitter link). The combo guard, who is recovering from surgery on his right thumb, hasn’t played since early March.
- Taj Gibson, who signed a two-year, $28MM deal with the Wolves last summer, played through pain during Wednesday’s playoff-clinching win and he’ll do the same during the team’s series with the Rockets. “No different, just got to play through it,” Gibson said of the pain he played through earlier in the week (via Jerry Zgoda of the Star Tribune). “There’s not much improvement. It’s just something thatâs going to have to heal up in the offseason and get rest.”
- Jimmy Butler has played only three games for the Wolves since recovering from knee surgery earlier in the season. Still, he’s confident that the team, despite the injuries woes, will be able to compete in the franchise’s first playoff series since 2004, Zgoda relays in the same piece. “I feel good, well-rested to tell you the truth,” Butler said. “I’m confident in myself and these group of guys. Everybody’s locked in and focused. We donât have anything to worry about, just go out and play.”
Hornets Granted Permission To Interview Ettore Messina
The Hornets plan to interview Spurs assistant Ettore Messina for their head coaching vacancy, tweets Adrian Wojnarowski of ESPN. San Antonio has granted permission for Messina to interview with Charlotte.
Messina, who has been with the Spurs for the past four seasons, has experience working with new Hornets GM Mitch Kupchak when they were both with the Lakers. Messina served as a consultant for coach Mike Brown during the 2011/12 season.
Although there has been speculation about other candidates, Messina is the first name to emerge in an interview capacity since the Hornets fired Steve Clifford on Friday. A long-time international coach, Messina has been in the running for several NBA head coaching opportunities in recent years.
Messina was named best coach in the Italian League three times and is a two-time winner of EuroLeague Coach of the Year. He was named to the Italian Basketball Hall of Fame in 2008.
Embiid Clears Concussion Protocol, Will Miss Game 2
Sixers center Joel Embiid has cleared the NBA’s concussion protocol but is still listed as out for the second game of the playoff series with Miami, tweets Ramona Shelburne of ESPN.
Embiid’s last remaining step to clear the protocol was to prove he could handle contact. He was just cleared for contract drills on Saturday, so Philadelphia officials are electing to be cautious (Twitter link).
It has only been 15 days since Embiid underwent surgery to fix a broken orbital bone. He was able to shoot with the team for about a half hour before Saturday’s game, but hasn’t found a protective mask that meets league approval.
The Sixers’ decision to hold out Embiid for another game was made easier by their dominance in the second half of the opener, which saw them roll to a 130-103 victory. Game 2 will take place Monday in Philadelphia before the series heads to Miami for Game 3 on Thursday and Game 4 on Saturday.
Embiid remained mostly injury free this season, playing in 63 games and averaging 22.9 points, 11.0 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per night.