We have an action-packed episode of The Big Number coming your way!

Dan Devine and Tom Haberstroh break down Luka Doncic’s dominance this stretch. They discuss the recipe for success for the Lakers and Marcus Smart’s contributions this year. Where do the Lakers actually stand in the West? Is this the peak version of Luka?

Next, they share how the Lakers’ defense is improving in the stretch. But is this a real top-10 defense, or is the sample size too small? Plus, the duo analyzes the impact of LeBron James, Luka Doncic and Austin Reaves on the court together and how their roles are evolving. What version of LeBron will we see in the postseason?

Later, Tom and Dan discuss the NBA holding a vote to explore adding expansion teams, exclusively in Las Vegas and Seattle. What does the potential return of the Seattle Supersonics mean for the NBA? What are the ripple effects of expansion?

All that and more on this episode of The Big Number!

(1:10) The Big Number - Luka's Hot Streak 

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On this episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine marvel at Bam Adebayo's big night as he passed Kobe Bryant for 2nd most points in a game in NBA History with 83.

All this and more on this week's episode of The Big Number!

1:10 Big number: 83 - Bam Adebayo’s points vs. Washington

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On today’s Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine break down the NBA’s hottest team: the Charlotte Hornets. What’s the secret behind their sudden rise to dominance?

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On today's episode of The Big Number, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine take a deep look into the MVP favorites. Are SGA and Jaylen Brown hurt by having a great team that performs just as well with them on the floor as they do off?

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Tom Haberstroh is joined by ESPN’s Brian Windhorst to dig into the NBA’s $500,000 fine for the Utah Jazz and debate whether fines can truly deter teams from benching their stars. Windhorst breaks down four of the league’s core values to explain why proposals to “fix” tanking rarely last. 

The duo also look ahead to the second half of the season as the Spurs continue to close in on the Thunder in the Western Conference and Jayson Tatum’s return to the Celtics in the East begins to feel inevitable. Don’t miss Windhorst’s behind-the-scenes stories about his time covering the Miami Heat with Tom and where LeBron might have landed if the draft didn’t exist.

(1:32) The Big Number: Jazz fined $500k
(4:23) How can NBA fix tanking?
(20:57) Would LeBron have gone to Cleveland without the draft?
(27:44) Is the Jazz fine unfair?
(36:08) Are Thunder vulnerable to Spurs in West?
(54:46) Should Tatum return for Celtics this season?

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We have an action-packed episode of The Big Number for you!

First, Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine discuss the controversial way the Utah Jazz are utilizing Jaren Jackson Jr.

Next, the duo dives into the league-wide tanking concerns and why it is a significant issue in light of the NBA gambling indictments. What solutions can the league establish?

Later, Dan and Tom discuss the small numbers, including James Harden's role in the Cavaliers’ success and why Donovan Mitchell is thriving with Harden. Also, they break down how many teams will have salary cap space this summer, the number of trades the Bulls have made and whether the Bulls are a hopeless organization.

Plus, they discuss the suspensions following the Detroit Pistons-Charlotte Hornets fight earlier this week. What are the implications of the suspensions for the race in the East? Can the Pistons maintain their top spot?

All that and more on The Big Number!

The Big Number: 00:00:28
The Little Numbers: 00:26:19
Pistons and Hornets Suspensions: 00:41:46

 

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It’s trade deadline mania for the Big Number! 

Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine recap the out-of-nowhere James Harden-Darius Garland swap between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Cleveland Cavaliers and discuss the implications for both teams, as well as an impatient Donovan Mitchell. 

First, Tom live reacts to the biggest trade deadline shock yet: Anthony Davis to the Washington Wizards? What were the motivations behind this trade? Winners and losers? Is this all that Luka Doncic was ultimately worth? 

Later, the pair make the rounds for the rest of the big headlines before deadline day: Jaren Jackson Jr. to the Utah Jazz, and the de facto love letter Giannis Antetokounmpo delivered to the city of Milwaukee via local media. 

Plus, why are the Jazz making a win-now move with all the incentives in the world to tank? Is Giannis Antetokounmpo really going to be moved? Will James Harden have a shot at a championship with his fourth team in six years? All that and more, today! 

00:00 Welcome 00:05 Anthony Davis traded 
11:44 Big number: 179.7 - James Harden career win shares 
34:42 Little number: 112.4 - Cavs' offensive rating without Donovan Mitchell 
41:20 Little number: 161- minutes the Cavs’ “core four” players have played 
45:13 Little number: 53,817,156 — amount Donovan Mitchell is owed on the player option he holds for the 2027-28 season 
55:21 Giannis watch 
1:03:27 Jaren Jackson Jr. traded to Jazz

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It's an emergency live podcast for today’s Big Number! Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine react to Giannis Antetokounmpo’s trade request from the Milwaukee Bucks.

The pair discuss the paltry roster Milwaukee has built around the Greek Freak that has him “ready for a new home,” and mull over potential trade scenarios. 

Do the New York Knicks and the Miami Heat have a shot at Antetokounmpo? Are there any dark horse candidates that can provide the Bucks’ demand for young talent and draft picks? Can Stephen Curry and Giannis team up in the Bay?
That and more in today’s Big Number!

(1:14) Giannis 'ready for a new home'
(15:44) Giannis to Nets?
(29:22) Giannis to Heat?
(35:54) Giannis to Hawks?
(42:10) Why Giannis won't go to New York
(55:42) Giannis to Pistons?
(1:03:07) Giannis to Spurs?
(1:10:29) What if Giannis stays with Bucks?

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Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine react to Jimmy Butler's season-ending ACL injury and discuss its impact on Golden State. Is there a Kuminga or Butler trade that could possibly save the Warriors' season?

Plus, they break down what’s going on with the New York Knicks as their downhill slide continues after the NBA Cup. Is the criticism of Karl-Anthony Towns fair, or should Mike Brown shoulder the blame?

(1:06) The Big Number: Jimmy Butler out for the season
(28:08) The Little Numbers: Warriors offense without Butler
(32:44) The Little Numbers: Draymond Green's salary
(36:53) The Little Numbers: Golden State's playoff odds
(42:56) Is KAT what's wrong with the Knicks?

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Tom Haberstroh and Dan Devine discuss Jaylen Brown’s $35,000 fine after calling out the NBA refs, break down how the lack of foul shots is impacting the league in the new year and ask what can be done to end the scoring drought.

Next, they dive into the latest NBA trade deadline rumor mill news. The duo breaks down Rich Paul’s comments surrounding a potential Austin Reaves trade and gives their thoughts on the best fit for Ja Morant.

Later, they react to Giannis being booed by his home crowd. Should the Bucks trade Giannis for Jalen Johnson? Plus, they discuss Anthony Davis not undergoing surgery for his hand injury and confirm he is back on the trade block. Where would he fit best?

1:12 - The Big Number: $35,000 - Jaylen Brown’s fine for criticizing refs
3:50 - NBA scoring drought: What's causing the slump?
15:57 - The Little Numbers: 77 - 3-shot fouls called since January 1st
22:11 - The Little Numbers: 12 - teams with at least 17% of total points from free throws
26:43 - The Little Numbers: 3.4% - OKC’s FTA rate increase in the new year
30:49 - Latest with the trade deadline
32:41 - What’s next for Ja Morant?
37:37 - Anthony Davis back on the trade block
47:10 - Giannis gets booed by home crowd

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