:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59475841/usa_today_10794661.0.jpg)
Congratulations to the New Orleans Pelicans for breaking out the walis and getting the Portland Trail Blazers out of the paint post-haste. They (likely) have an upcoming date with the Golden State Warriors, and if Stephen Curry isn’t ready to go next week, then that series could be more intriguing than originally thought.
(2) Boston Celtics at (7) Milwaukee Bucks - 1:00 PM ET, ABC, WatchESPN
Jabari Parker talked his way onto the court in Game 3 and made the most of his 30 minutes (17 points, 5 rebounds) in the Bucks’ 116-92 blowout victory. It feels like the Milwaukee crowd had some effect on a Boston team that couldn’t throw the ball into the ocean on Thursday (40.0 FG%), and they’ll need to bring that same intensity to the arena today if they want to avoid going down 3-1.
(2) Golden State Warriors at (7) San Antonio Spurs - 3:30 PM ET, ABC, WatchESPN
The Warriors are outscoring the Spurs by an average of 16.7 PPG in this series, and there’s little reason to think that won’t continue today. However, to their credit, San Antonio has been competitive in the first half of the 3 games so far. But when Golden State decides to flip the switch, the Spurs have been powerless to stop them.
(1) Toronto Raptors at (8) Washington Wizards - 6:00 PM ET, TNT
The self-proclaimed “best backcourt in the NBA” blessed us with 56 points on Friday as the Wizards were able to hold serve at home for a 122-103 win. Toronto is desperately missing the services of Fred VanVleet: The Raptors’ bench only managed to score a combined 32 points in Game 3.
(4) Cleveland Cavaliers at (5) Indiana Pacers - 8:30 PM ET, TNT
In Game 3, the Cavs blew a 17-point halftime lead and lost 92-90 to the immortal Bojan Bogdanovic (who finished with 30 points) and the Indiana Pacers. Cyborg LeBron probably shows up tonight to prevent the series from going to 3-1, but with James already averaging 32.7/11.3/8.3 in this series, I’m not sure what else is expected of him.