Zach and ESPN's Nick Friedell discuss the building drama of Heat-Celtics, and then (43:11) Adam Mares of DNVR talks all things Nuggets -- what this Finals run means to the city, visiting Nikola Jokic's hometown, whether the national media ignores the Nuggets, what matchup Denver fans should prefer, much more.
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Friedell and Mares

ESPN's Zach Lowe talks to various basketball people about various basketball things.

Sports

Zach is joined by Mo Dakhil for reactions to Game 3 in Knicks vs. 76ers, Cavaliers vs. Magic, and Nuggets vs. Lakers. They also preview the Game 3's in the Friday slate of games and how they expect the rest of the first round to play out.

2:55 Sixers bounce back against the Knicks
20:35 Lakers vs Nuggets
38:30 Magic vs. Cavs
44:00 Clippers vs. Mavericks
52:09 Wolves vs. Suns
58:15 Miami Heat shocking the Celtics yet again
1:09:53 Pels vs. Thunder
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First Round Check-In with Mo Dakhil

Zach and ESPN's Kevin Pelton discuss what they've seen from every Game 1 of the first round and what to look for as each series progresses.

Knicks-Sixers (2:11)

Celtics-Heat (8:03)

Cavs-Magic (12:06)

Nuggets-Lakers (16:46)

Timberwolves-Suns (27:10)

Thunder-Pelicans (36:21)

Clippers-Mavericks (50:23)

Bucks-Pacers (1:02:57)
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First Round Analysis with Kevin Pelton

Zach discusses the Warriors being eliminated from playoff contention and questions if this is the end of this team as we know them, then he is joined by David Thorpe for their annual 8x8 first round deep dive.
0:00 The Warriors being eliminated by the Kings.
19:10 Injury updates following the play-in.
25:55 Minnesota vs. Phoenix series preview
41:20 Sixers vs. Knicks preview
51:42 Lakers vs. Nuggets preview
1:04:00 Clippers vs. Mavs series preview
1:17:00 Magic vs.Cavs series preview.
1:26:45 Pacers vs. Bucks preview.
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First Round Deep Dive with Coach David Thorpe

Zach is joined by ESPN's Chris Herring to review Sunday's regular-season conclusion, preview the four play-in games and four playoff series that we know so far, and give their final awards picks for the 2024 season.
7:00 Winners and losers from Sunday's regular season conclusion
12:15 Is Orlando actually a good matchup for the Cavs?
18:00- The Phoenix Suns avoiding the Play-In by beating the Wolves
24:30- Can the Bucks beat the Pacers without Giannis?
30:00- The Mavericks-Clippers Trilogy
36:45- Lakers vs. Pelicans Play-In preview
49:54- Philadelphia vs. Miami Play-In preview
1:00:30- Warriors vs. Kings Play-In rematch from last year's playoffs
1:09:45- Hawks vs. Bulls Play-In
1:17:20- Rapid-Fire Awards Picks.
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Regular Season Conclusion, Play-In Preview, and Awards Picks.

Zach asks injury expert Jeff Stotts about the extent of Giannis Antentokounmpo's injury and his potential recovery timetable. Then The Athletic's Mo Dakhil joins to discuss Knicks-Celtics, playoff seeding, and the MVP race.


What will Giannis' recovery look like? (1:27)

Dakhil (17:20)

Does anything concern you about the Celtics? (21:03)

Knicks are a joy to watch (24:26)

Jrue Holiday extension (32:01)

Bucks make a starting lineup change (36:34)

Nuggets move into pole position in the West (45:12)

MVP race is not over (51:45)

West seeding possibilities (1:01:18)
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Friedell and Mares

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