We discuss the first 2 games of the 2nd round of the NBA playoffs and do a short Lefty-Lean-in and talk Lottery Karma.

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Keywords:

#jamesharden #nbaplayoffs #nbaplayoffs2026 #sportsbetting #detroitpistons #orlandomagic #sanantoniospurs #minnesotatimberwolves #houstonrockets #lalakers #lakersnation #lakers #okcthunder #76ers #76ersbasketball #newyorkknicks #nyknicks #knicks #atlantahawks #cavs #cavsnation #raptors #torontoraptors #celtics

Doug and Mike recap the weekends NBA games including 3 game 7s, and cold shooting stretches.

Then they preview the second round matchups including a look at how the teams fared against each other in the regular season.

Finally they discuss and compare the NBA Draft Proposal to the Droppin’ Dimes NBA Draft Proposal from episode 3.

Surprisingly similar!

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Keywords:

#jamesharden #nbaplayoffs #nbaplayoffs2026 #sportsbetting #detroitpistons #orlandomagic #sanantoniospurs #minnesotatimberwolves #denvernuggets #houstonrockets #lalakers #lakersnation #lakers #washingtonwizards #phoenixsuns #okcthunder #podcast #76ers #76ersbasketball #newyorkknicks #nyknicks #knicks #atlantahawks #cavs #cavsnation #raptors #torontoraptors #celtics

1. Introduction and Knicks vs. Hawks Recap (0:01)
2. Philly vs. Boston Analysis (2:45)
3. T-Wolves vs. Nuggets Discussion (10:42)
4. Pistons vs. Magic Insights (23:11)
5. Cavs vs. Raptors Breakdown (35:54)
6. Lakers vs. Rockets Commentary (48:36)
7. Predictions and Closing Remarks (66:19)

Predictions for upcoming games and closing remarks from the hosts.

Keywords:

#jamesharden #nbaplayoffs #nbaplayoffs2026 #sportsbetting #detroitpistons #orlandomagic #sanantoniospurs #minnesotatimberwolves #denvernuggets #houstonrockets #lalakers #lakersnation #lakers #washingtonwizards #phoenixsuns #okcthunder #podcast #76ers #76ersbasketball #newyorkknicks #nyknicks #knicks #atlantahawks #cavs #cavsnation #raptors #torontoraptors #celtics

A week into the first round of the NBA Playoffs, Doug and Mike break down each series with special attention to Monday nights games.

Timeline:

Detroit vs. Orlando - 0:37

T-Wolves vs. Nuggets - 17:17

Lakers' Surprising Lead - 34:43

Hawks vs. Knicks - 43:28

Cavs vs. Raptors - 51:31

Portland vs. Spurs - 60:24

Suns vs. Thunder - 64:39

Celtics vs. 76ers - 61:38

Lefty Lean In Segment - 70:08

Rookie of the Year Discussion - 76:08

Keywords:

#jamesharden #nbaplayoffs #nbaplayoffs2026 #sportsbetting #detroitpistons #orlandomagic #sanantoniospurs #minnesotatimberwolves #denvernuggets #houstonrockets #lalakers #lakersnation #lakers #washingtonwizards #phoenixsuns #okcthunder #podcast #76ers #76ersbasketball #newyorkknicks #nyknicks #knicks #atlantahawks #cavs #cavsnation #raptors #torontoraptors #celtics

MIchael brings on special guests, the Brothers Rosaen from the Brosaen Pistons Podcast to discuss the Pistons/Magic series and do a deep dive on the Pistons reasons for success, prospects for the playoffs, and a discussion of their individual players.

Then Michael lays out his idea for NBA Draft Reform to all but eliminate tanking but still support competitive balance.

Chapters

• 00:00 Pistons/Magic Game 2 and series
• 06:41 Cade Cunningham's Role and Impact
• 25:23 Playoff Expectations
• 37:15 Player Evaluation and Team Dynamics
• 44:16 Assessing Core Players
• 53:00 The Future of Key Players
• 01:07:19 The NBA Tanking Problem
• 01:15:29 Proposal for NBA Draft Reform

It's the First weekend of the NBA Playoffs! Like Christmas in April. Check out the pod for our thoughts on the first games in each series.

But first, Michael and Doug recap the brutal Hornets loss to the Magic.

Mike and Doug recap the Hornets Victory and all the other NBA play-in games, before Doug goes deep on the Hornets and the reasons for their success and growth this year. They also make 2-7 series predictions and 8th seed picks. Finally they close out the pod with their 2025-2026 NBA Awards picks.

It's the Droppin' Dimes inaugral episode, just in time for the start of the NBA postseason! Douglas Blake joins Michael to talk all about our predictions for every NBA playoff series including the play-ins.

Are the Hornets hot enough to make the playoffs? The East is wide open, who will emerge? Who can beat OKC in the west? Find out our picks and laugh along at our anecdotes from years of watching the NBA.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Hosts

05:25 Play-In Matchups Overview

12:30 Hornets vs. Magic Predictions

16:49 Warriors vs. Clippers Analysis

20:59 Analyzing the Knicks vs. Hawks Matchup

28:29 Nuggets vs. Timberwolves: A Battle of Strengths

34:30 Lakers vs. Rockets: The Impact of Injuries

39:08 Analyzing the Rockets' Roster

45:36 Finals Predictions and Team Analysis