SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant discuss [2:40] the impact of Luka Doncic's calf strain on the Mavs' playoff hopes starting Saturday against Utah. Despite the uncertainty about Luka, Kevin says the best thing the Mavs have going for them is their finest defense in decades. David says the measuring stick for this season will be how the Mavs fare should they advance to face Phoenix, the best team in the league. [15:38]  Evan says it's too early to worry about the Rangers' bullpen, while Kevin says dithering without adding arms could burn up the hopes of players and fans alike. [31:18] And David talks about the unusual depth of this NFL draft and what it could mean for the Cowboys in rebuilding their offensive and defensive lines.  
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Luka's leg, Rangers' arms and the hole in the Cowboys

SportsDay Insider (formerly Ballzy) is hosted by Dallas Morning News sports writers Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore. Hear their expert analysis, hot takes and humor about the things you’d expect — Cowboys, Mavs, Rangers, Stars — and a few things you didn’t see coming, each Tuesday afternoon in The Dallas Morning News podcast feed. To listen and never miss an episode, search for "The Dallas Morning News" in your favorite podcast app and hit the “Subscribe” or “Follow” button. (Here are quick links to our feed on popular apps Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/1s8F8hSUDMM8j3EmQpCpP3) , Apple Podcasts (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-dallas-morning-news/id1379040585) , Stitcher (https://www.stitcher.com/show/the-roundup) and iHeartRadio (https://www.iheart.com/podcast/339-the-dallas-morning-news-46861104/) .) You’ll also get access to our daily news roundup, our biweekly discussion program, The Deep Side of Dallas, and our special audio reports. Find quick links and more instructions at http://dallasnews.com/listen.

Sports

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore discuss [4:45] the Stars and Mavs closing in on the finals in their respective sports. David notes that no NBA team has ever blown a 3-0 lead at any level of the playoffs, but Kevin says the absence of Dereck Lively II in the paint certainly has encouraged the Wolves’ Anthony Edwards and Karl Anthony-Towns, who outplayed Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving in Game 4. The Mavs need to close out Game 5 in Minneapolis, David said, to give Lively and Luka time to recuperate. [18:40] Evan goes over the Rangers’ weird week, and Kevin proposes a blockbuster trade. [43:08] David tells us what OTAs really mean and explains what Mike Zimmer meant when discussing the rehabilitation of Mazi Smith’s career and Dan Quinn’s hand in it.
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Stars-Mavs on brink, Rangers on hold and did Mike Zimmer take a shot at DQ?

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant discuss [4:30] the conference finals run by the Mavs and Stars, the first time in Dallas history both have made it that far simultaneously. Kevin likes the Stars’ chances of advancing better than the Mavs’. David acknowledges the Mavs as underdogs but believes their defense and the presence of Luka Doncic, the best player in the series, makes it a toss-up. [25:59] Evan tells us what the problem is with the Rangers’ lineup (Hint: absence of the regular third baseman) and whether he thinks they’ll ever slug again. [42:09] And Kevin and David look over Jared Goff’s new contract and what it means for the Cowboys’ negotiations with Dak Prescott.
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Mavs, Stars make history, Rangers in reverse and the price of Dak Prescott

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, [2:15] Evan Grant and David Moore discuss the twin second-round series of the Stars and Mavs: One team on the verge of making its conference finals after another dominating win; the other blowing a chance to do the same with an inexcusable loss. Not only was the Mavs’ free throw shooting horrendous, their superstars, Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving, couldn’t match the Thunder’s Shai Gilgeous-Alexander with their scores combined. [21:08] Evan tells us what’s up with the Rangers’ lineup and Adolis Garcia in particular. And the guys discuss [41:42] Tom Brady’s curious shot at Dak Prescott in discussing his upcoming role as analyst for Fox’s opening game between the Cowboys and Browns.
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Stars dominate, Mavs flop, Rangers can’t hit and the GOAT takes a shot at Dak

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, Evan Grant and David Moore [4:30] talk about the Mavs and Stars each advancing to the second round for the first time in 21 years. Kevin says Jake Oettinger will have to step up from his regular-season performance against Colorado in which he gave up an average of five goals a game. David tells us when the Mavs will miss Maxi Kleber the most. [31:40] The guys also discuss the transformation of Kyrie Irving, who seems happy in Dallas and is playing like it. Evan says as Corey Seager goes, so goes the Rangers’ offense. And David [51:10] tells us why Will McClay doesn’t always draft players from the SEC or Big Ten, but it’s a tiebreaker.
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Mavs and Stars advance, Rangers hitting and we’re still talking Cowboys draft

SportsDay Insiders Kevin Sherrington, David Moore and Evan Grant discuss [1:12] the Cowboys’ draft and why, why, why they didn’t take a running back. David provides insight into the Cowboys’ thinking and what they got right, namely, the offensive line, and what the signing of Zeke Elliott means. [24:45] Evan says the Rangers did about as well as could be expected for a tough April schedule, while Kevin argues that, if they’d played well, they could have distanced themselves from the competition. [44:55] Kevin and David analyze the difference in the Clippers when Kawhi Leonard plays or doesn’t, and the impact it has on the Mavs in the playoffs. And the guys reveal the depth of their hockey knowledge in discussing the Stars’ ability to square their playoff series with Vegas at 2-2.
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Luka's leg, Rangers' arms and the hole in the Cowboys

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