Playoffs

Bucks/Celtics: Thursday night saw the Bucks defeat the Celtics 97-86, to bring the series even at 3 wins a piece. Had the Celtics won that game, the Sixers would have played Game 1 of their 2nd Round series in Boston on Saturday. However, now that a Game 7 is needed in the Bucks/Celtics series, the Sixers will likely play the winner on Monday night. If the Bucks win this series, the Sixers get home court advantage in Round 2. If the Celtics take the series, the Sixers will travel for Games 1 & 2.

• Giannis Antetokounmpo (MIL) racked up 31 points, 14 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and was a +17. He’s so freaking incredible and he’s only 23.
• Khris Middleton (MIL) shot near perfect, going 7-8 for 16 points, to go along with 5 rebounds, 1 assists (to 4 turnovers) and 1 steal. Big fan of Middleton’s game.
• Jabari Parker (MIL) continues to struggle. He had 11 rebounds, but he just doesn’t have the scoring touch we’ve seen in the past.
• Eric Bledsoe (MIL) must be infuriating to watch play for your team.
• Semi Ojeleye (BOS) played 22 minutes, took just 1 shot (and missed) and had nothing else to show but 4 rebounds. However, I’m to understand he made quite the difference in the hustle category.
• Al Horford (BOS) is as solid as they come. Nothing too sexy, but 10 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 blocks.
• Terry Rozier (BOS), who the Celtics have been heavily relying on, shot 5-17 for 16 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists. Rozier has stepped up in the absence of Kyrie, but he doesn’t scare me a bit.

Tonight:

• Raptors @ Wizards, Game 6 - 7 pm : The Toronto Raptors lead this series 3-2, but the Washington Wizards look capable of evening this thing up. I expect a Game 7. John Wall (WAS) has played incredibly well: he’s averaging 26.6 points, 12.2 assists and 5.8 rebounds over 5 games in this series. DeMar DeRozan (TOR) is averaging nearly 30 points a game (28.8).
• Cavaliers @ Pacers, Game 6 - 8 pm: This series is wild. The Cavaliers have looked like the inferior team, but lead the series 3-2. LeBron James (CLE) is doing everything in his power to will the Cavs past the Pacers, but the Pacers have more of a collective chemistry. Victor Oladipo (IND) started the series strong, but has struggled in the last 3 games shooting just 24% from the field. LeBron is AVERAGING 34.8 points, 11.4 rebounds and 8 assists in the series. He dropped 44 in Game 5, and the Cavs STILL needed a buzzer beater to win. Sheesh.
• Thunder @ Jazz, Game 6 - 10:30 pm: I’ll be honest, I’ve paid pretty much no attention to this series, mostly because I can’t watch it. (It’s been airing on NBA TV.) Donovan Mitchell (UTA) is nice: he’s dropped at least 22 POINTZZZZ in every game thus far, although he’s not the most efficient player on the court. Russell Westbrook (OKC) would not accept defeat, scoring 45 points in Game 5, and over a 20 minute stretch, he personally outscored the Jazz 33-28. I’m glad I don’t have to be a fan of the team Westbrook plays for. His talent is undeniable, but at some point you have to wonder if his play is... less than conducive? to winning. Oh, and Carmelo Anthony is cooked.

Coaching

• The Atlanta Hawks and Head Coach Mike Budenholzer have parted ways, according to Woj. This was in the works for a bit now, and was expected. Woj has reported that candidates for replacement include: “Charlotte’s Stephen Silas, Portland’s Nate Tibbetts and David Vanterpool, San Antonio’s Ime Udoka and James Borrego.” Last I heard, Budenholzer will likely be coaching an NBA team next season, and the Phoenix Suns could be a possible destination.
• The Memphis Grizzlies and interim Head Coach JB Bickerstaff have come to an agreement that will see Bickerstaff be retained as the Head Coach, according to Woj. The contract is a 3 year deal. Earlier this season, the Grizz fired David Fizdale, which seemed unfair due to injury to Mike Conley. I’m a fan of Fizdale, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him coaching a team next fall.

TV Ratings

• The Orlando Magic finished this season with the 2nd lowest TV ratings in the league. I like bringing up the Magic rebuild vs. the Sixers rebuild. Orlando hasn’t caught even half the shit the Sixers caught, and the Magic are an utter failure. They have nothing to build on moving forward, and no one gives a shit about them. From the Pinstriped Post: “How many losses can a fan take before changing the channel and never coming back?”
• Only the Brooklyn Nets had lower ratings than the Magic.

NBA Draft

• Mohamed Bamba is turning heads after some videos surfaced of the prospect training with Drew Hanlen. I like Bamba. I like saying “Bamba”.