BOS-CLE
Evan Mobley’s defense led the Cavaliers past the Celtics in Game 2
Daniel Olinger, Sporting News
Left-for-dead Cavs showing why they shouldn’t be counted out against the Celtics
Chris Fedor, cleveland.com
Evan Mobley’s Playoff surge forces the Cavaliers to answer 1 big question
Caleb Crowley, King James Gospel
Celtics were embarrassed by Cavaliers in Game 2, and an old question resurfaces: Are they tough enough?
Gary Washburn, Boston Globe
DAL-OKC
Luka Doncic, the Mavericks offense got back on track against the Thunder in Game 2
Josh Bowe, Mavs Moneyball
Kyrie Irving Is Right Where He Needs To Be
Patrick Redford, The Defector
Tim Hardaway, Josh Green reminded us in Game 2 that role players can be playoff-changers
Brad Townsend, Morning News
What makes Thunder’s Lu Dort impossible to screen?
Joe Mussatto, The Oklahoman
DEN-MIN
3 takeaways from Denver’s dominant showing in Game 3
Vinny Benedetto, Denver Gazette
Timberwolves stifled, humbled in Game 3 loss to Denver
Chris Hine, Star Tribune
How the Nuggets relieved Timberwolves pressure — literally — in Game 3 win
John Hollinger, The Athletic
Jamal Murray, Nuggets bounce back in Game 3 blowout of Wolves
Ohm Youngmisuk, ESPN
Nuggets fight back vs. Wolves after Michael Malone pushed all the right buttons during off days
Tony Jones, The Athletic
Nuggets punch back with clinical Game 3 rout of Timberwolves
Bennett Durando, Denver Post
Timberwolves were toast against Nuggets in Game 3 after being toast of NBA
Jon Krawczynski, The Athletic
IND-NYK
On Andrew Nembhard’s game-winner & the brink
Caitlin Cooper, Basketball She Wrote
How the Pacers’ out Knicksed the Knicks in crucial Game 3 win
Eric Nehm, The Athletic
Haliburton’s 35 points. Siakam with nine points in the 4th. Turner’s block. Nesmith’s offensive rebound. Then, Nembhard’s go-ahead 3-pointer. It took everyone for the Pacers to avoid a 3-0 hole
Scott Agness, Fieldhouse Files
Off-night for Jalen Brunson, Knicks results in Game 3 loss to Pacers
Fred Katz, The Athletic
How TJ McConnell Knows When To Exchange: Reading Where A Defender’s Weight Is Loaded
Marc Campbell, Low Man Help
Three Things: Mobley’s Screening, Luka’s Snakeback Jumper, Haliburton’s Aggresiveness
Jared Dubin, Last Night In Basketball
Team building the Minnesota, Oklahoma City way
Kurt Helin, NBC Sports
Have a clear plan and style of play.
Trust the plan.
Don’t get impatient.
It’s never quite that simple or easy — and it needs a sprinkling of luck — but those three basic steps are the ones both Oklahoma City and Minnesota used to build teams that may be on a collision course for the Western Conference Finals. Those steps work.
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