Category: Basketball

Keep Jays together, or make a push for Giannis? Forsberg and Giles discuss originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

An intriguing offseason lies ahead for the Boston Celtics after their stunning first-round playoff exit.

The Celtics blew a 3-1 series lead for the first time in franchise history, falling in Game 7 in front of their home crowd. Their lack of a strong frontcourt presence, as well as an over-reliance on 3-pointers, may have cost them another run at a championship.

C’s president of basketball operations Brad Stevens addressed those issues during his end-of-season press conference on Wednesday. He also answered a question about star Jaylen Brown’s rumored “frustration” with the organization, stating that Brown “has not expressed those frustrations to me.”

Nonetheless, Brown’s future with the team has become a hot topic as offseason trade rumors begin to swirl. The Celtics have recently been linked to Milwaukee Bucks superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo, with NBA insider Marc Stein advising to “keep an eye on” the C’s in the Giannis sweepstakes.

While Antetokounmpo would help their frontcourt dilemma, the Celtics almost certainly would have to part ways with Brown to pry him from Milwaukee. That may seem like a non-starter, but given Antetokounmpo’s status as one of the NBA’s elite talents, it’s something Stevens must at least consider if the offer is on the table.

So, should the Celtics stick with the Jayson Tatum/Jaylen Brown tandem on their quest for Banner 19, or should they split them up to acquire Giannis? NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg and Tom Giles discussed the topic on the latest episode of the Celtics Talk Podcast.

“I would rather have Jaylen Brown than Giannis,” Giles said. “But if Jaylen Brown says, ‘I want to be traded,’ that’s where the conversation changes. That’s kind of where I’ve been for a while. If you can have those two guys (Tatum and Brown), that gives you the best chance of winning. If you kind of get nudged into it, that changes the conversation.”

As of now, it seems highly unlikely that Brown will request a trade. During his Twitch stream on Wednesday night, Brown stated, “If it was up to me, I would play in Boston for the next 10 years.”

But as he acknowledges, his future in Boston isn’t up to him. It’ll be up to Stevens to decide which path to take, and although it would hurt to break up the Jays, the opportunity to add an elite talent like Antetokounmpo would be enticing.

“As much as I’m leery of the Giannis stuff, I get why it has to at least be a conversation,” Forsberg said. “I’m hopeful that whatever comes next involves the Jays and figuring out the best way to accentuate their talents and giving them the best opportunity to make another run. …

“Giannis is great in a vacuum, but you’re introducing whole new factors into your locker room. There’s a chance it works really great, there’s also a chance it doesn’t work. He wasn’t always happy in Milwaukee when they weren’t winning. …

“How does Tatum feel about that? All of a sudden, just having another guy who’s very much part of the elite universe. It’s one thing when you’ve done it with Jaylen and Jayson for all these years, it’s just another when you introduce someone new. There’s a whole bunch of variables that go into it.”

Antetokounmpo is a 10-time All-Star, two-time MVP, nine-time All-NBA selection, and NBA Finals MVP. That said, trading a lucrative package centered around Brown to acquire him would be risky. The 31-year-old played in only 36 games last season due to multiple injuries, and as Forsberg notes, it’s possible he wouldn’t be the best fit in the C’s locker room.

The questions surrounding Antetokounmpo’s future could be answered before the new league year begins in July. Bucks owner Jimmy Haslam said Wednesday that he’d like a decision to be made before the NBA Draft, which is set for June 23.

Also in the episode:

• Breaking down Brad Stevens’ end-of-season press conference.
• What’s the Celtics’ roadmap for improvement next season?
• Reacting to Brad Stevens’ praise of Hugo Gonzalez.

The Cleveland Cavaliers had a tough time getting anything going offensively against the Detroit Pistons in Game 1 of their second-round series. That task was made more difficult with the loss of sharpshooter Sam Merrill, who was limited to just seven minutes in Game 1 with a hamstring injury.

Cleveland could be without Merrill for all of Game 2. He’s officially listed as questionable on the injury report ahead of Tuesday’s matchup with a left hamstring strain.

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Merrill has been playing through various injuries this season. A hand injury he suffered near the beginning of the season has required him to ice his hand after games and practices. He’s also been dealing with left hamstring issues off and on, which caused him to miss regular-season games in March and April.

Merrill is one of the toughest players on the team. If there’s any possibility that he could play through the injury, he’ll likely try to.

At the same time, this could be a long series. There’s no point in rushing Merrill back now if there’s a chance that this injury could be in a better place in a week.

Merrill’s shooting has been indispensable for an offense that has been stuck in neutral for much of the postseason. Cleveland’s offense has been 16.8 points per 100 possessions better when he’s on the floor compared to when he’s not. That’s due to his shooting and the gravity he has as an off-ball mover.

The Cavs don’t have an easy way to replicate Merrill’s shooting if he can’t go. Max Strus has been good at times this postseason, but this team needs both Strus and Merrill, not one or the other.

This season, Merrill averaged 12.8 points on 42.1% shooting from deep. In eight playoff games, he’s averaged 6.6 points on 37.9% shooting from deep.

Ric Flair, the legendary professional wrestler, might have captured the frustration of some Los Angeles Lakers fans over Luka Doncic having been sidelined for the past five weeks with a Grade 2 hamstring injury.

Flair also hit a nerve.

Famous for his signature "woo,'' Flair sounded off on X, writing “Luka, Please Get In The Game! Take A Shot Of Cortisone And Deal With The Pain! They Are Paying You 50 Million A Year, And You’re Not There! WTF! I Hope @JeanieBuss Trades You Next Year. Nobody Wants A Lame Duck On Their Team!’’

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Recognizing needed postseason adjustments before oddsmakers adjust for them is the best way to find value in the NBA playoffs. After the Detroit Pistons won Game 1, the Cleveland Cavaliers need to make such an adjustment.

These Cavaliers vs. Pistons predictions and same-game parlay picks for Game 2 anticipate Cleveland sitting Jarrett Allen more and more on Thursday, May 7.

Our best Cavaliers vs Pistons SGP for Game 2

SGP leg #1: Jarrett Allen Under 7.5 rebounds (-135)

Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen played six minutes of the first quarter on Tuesday, failing to grab a single rebound. Meanwhile, Detroit Pistons center Jalen Duren played 10 minutes and found three rebounds. That is the mismatch that Cleveland cannot survive.

Allen was ineffective out of the gates of this series, no small part of how the Cavaliers were trailing by 16 points in that opening frame.

Allen did not play a minute in the second quarter. That may have been an overreaction from Cleveland’s coaching staff, but a similar adjustment likely looms.

SGP leg #2: Jarrett Allen Under 10.5 points (+100)

Allen scored just two points in his 18 minutes in Game 1. Worse yet, he took only four shots.

Not to sound too harsh, but there may not be a purpose to playing Allen against Detroit. If he cannot rebound and he is not going to get shots up, what threat does he pose?

The Pistons’ frontcourt is simply too athletic for Allen.

SGP leg #3: Dean Wade Over 3.5 rebounds (+105)

Someone needs to play more minutes, though. And that someone seems likely to be Dean Wade.

Look at the fourth quarter on Tuesday, when Cleveland thought about making things interesting. Allen played four minutes, while Wade played nine. All of the Cavaliers’ starters played at least eight minutes except for Allen.

Expect Wade to get more run, for better or for worse.

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Get Douglas Farmer's full breakdown of this game, including his best bet, plus the latest NBA odds, injuries, and betting trends, in his Cavaliers vs Pistons predictions for Game 2.

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There appears to be a difference in what Jaylen Brown says behind closed doors and what he divulges to Celtics president of operations Brad Stevens.

Tracy McGrady, who has mentored the Boston superstar, said Tuesday that Brown is frustrated with the only team he’s ever played for his in his career, while Stevens said Wednesday during his end-of-season press conference that Brown has not revealed any lingering issues to him.

“His frustration lies deeply in the organization and other things that we really don’t have the details. It’s just a lot of stuff I’ve been hearing just going on with the Boston organization with JB,” McGrady said Tuesday on his “Cousins” podcast with fellow ex-NBA star Vince Carter.

“I think part of him is like, ‘I showed you guys more of who I am as a basketball player not only what I did on the basketball court but the leadership I displayed within this team and you’ve seen that.’ Not having our best player in (Jayson Tatum). You’ve seen a different side of me and what I’m able to bring to the game of basketball. So, all that stuff just came into play with him and his frustration.”

Stevens said he has not had a lengthy sit-down with Brown since Celtics’ tough Game 7 home loss to the 76ers, a series Boston led, 3-1, but he didn’t catch that vibe.

“I talked to Jaylen Monday a little bit after, just real quickly and it was nothing but positive. He has not expressed those frustrations to me,” Stevens said.

“We’ve been here 10 years together, and I do think that — obviously I love JB and everybody around here loves JB. Just like any of our other guys, as we get to the end of the season, I’ll be here and my door is always open if anybody ever wants to come in and talk about it. Talk about their team, their place, whatever the case may be, I’m all ears. … None of (the frustrations) have been expressed to me.”

McGrady’s remarks certainly open the door for a potential trade-rumor-filled offseason for Brown, especially in light of the Celtics blowing their first-round series.

Brown had to carry the load this year with Tatum missing most of the season in his return from tearing his Achilles tendon, and he responded with a career-high 28.7 points per game.

His brilliance helped the Celtics unexpectedly grab the East’s No. 2 seed, but the bitter ending to the season could change things in Boston.

Since their 2024 championship run, Boston has now been upset before the Eastern Conference finals in back-to-back years, both as a heavy favorite.

Stevens has shown he’s willing to make drastic changes, including shipping off veterans last offseason to get under the luxury tax, and some have wondered if he could plan another big move.

Giannis Antetokounmpo remains the top trade target in the league, and a player of Brown’s caliber certainly would be enticing if Boston wanted to shake things up.

There’s also the chance that this run without Tatum has Brown feeling he should be the alpha on a roster and perhaps he’s eyeing his own team he can lead.

Brown recently called this season his “favorite year” of his career, calling the roster a “special group.”

“Being able to just be a part of a group, through the uncertainty came to fight, came to compete, came and went to war,” Brown said on a Twitch stream. “I’ll take a team like this any day of the week.”

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Luka Doncic said Wednesday he was given platelet-rich plasma injections in Spain in an effort to speed up his eight-week timeline for return from the hamstring injury that has had him sidelined since April 2.

“I went to Spain to do PRP,” Doncic told reporters. “Everybody knows that its one of the best countries to do that. Obviously, you know, we talked with the Lakers doctors, so everybody agreed for me to go there.”

Each injection required four days of rest in-between, calling for an extended stay in Spain, he said.

“I know and trust lots of people in Spain that I used to work with before," he said. "I needed four days in between every shot. I did it four times, so that’s why I stayed longer.”

Doncic said he's been running, but he's yet to reintroduce any contact.

The Lakers lost to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 1 of their Western Conference Semifinals series 108-90 on Tuesday.

Doncic said it has been hard to watch while knowing he can't yet participate.

“It's very frustrating. I don't think people understand how frustrating it is," Doncic said. "All I want to do is play basketball, especially this time. It's the best time to play basketball. It's very frustrating to see what my team is doing, I'm very proud of them, but it's been very tough to watch.”

At the same time, the six-time NBA All-Star is aware that coming back too soon would put him at risk.

“It's a tough one for me. I've come back from injuries too soon before, and it wasn't the best result," he said. ”This is the first time I have a hamstring injury. It's not the same like other injuries. You have to be very careful. I'm doing everything to come back."

The Thunder host the Lakers in Game 2 on Thursday night.

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In theory, this should be the competitive Eastern Conference series. Oddsmakers have effectively said the Cleveland Cavaliers should have a legitimate chance at winning this series by favoring the Detroit Pistons by only a bucket at home in tonight's Game 2.

But my Cavaliers vs. Pistons predictions and NBA picks for Thursday, May 7 firmly believe Cleveland has roster problems that should show up again, which could lead to reduced minutes for Jarrett Allen.

Don't miss tip-off at 7 p.m. ET on Prime Video.

Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 2 prediction

Who will win Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 2?

Pistons: It would be bold to suggest Detroit might sweep this series, but at the least, fully expect the Pistons to take a 2-0 lead before desperation and home court give the Cavaliers some traction over the weekend.

Cavaliers vs Pistons best bet: Jarrett Allen Under 7.5 rebounds (-135)

This same bet was priced at +100 in Game 1, but it still holds value as long as the number remains at 7.5.

Cleveland Cavaliers’ center Jarrett Allen might be borderline unplayable in this series. Detroit Pistons’ center Jalen Duren is too active on the offensive glass for the Cavaliers to play Allen as he struggles finding boards.

Duren snagged seven offensive rebounds in Game 1, directly part of why Allen played only 18 minutes.

Cleveland has plenty of work ahead of it in this series, but that work doubles when giving up offensive rebounds as often as Allen did.

COVERS INTEL: Allen’s struggle against Duren is a known problem for the Cavaliers. Allen was not in any foul trouble in their meeting on March 3, yet he played just 21 minutes while Duren snagged six offensive rebounds.

Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 2 same-game parlay

If Jarrett Allen is going to play less, someone needs to play more. Evan Mobley cannot play two positions at once, though Cleveland would be better off if he could.

Dean Wade saw nearly 28 minutes of action in Game 1, nearly 10 minutes more than Allen did. Wade managed only five points and three rebounds, but his plus/minus was only -4 in those 28 minutes, a palatable thought in a game the Cavaliers lost by 10 points.

Wade might join Mobley, Donovan Mitchell, and James Harden by handling a workload in the mid-30s minutes. And that should lend many rebound opportunities.

Cavaliers vs Pistons SGP

• Jarrett Allen Under 7.5 rebounds
• Jarrett Allen Under 10.5 points
• Dean Wade Over 3.5 rebounds

Our "from downtown" SGP: 2-0, Detroit

Cleveland’s roster fails against Detroit. It may be that simple. When Cade Cunningham can cut through a porous defensive backcourt — yes, that is a direct reference to James Harden’s and Donovan Mitchell’s defensive mistakes — the entire Pistons’ offense hums.

Detroit is content to slow things down and win at the rim, effectively the recipe from Game 1, which would have also cashed this exact same-game parlay.

Cavaliers vs Pistons SGP

• Jarrett Allen Under 7.5 rebounds
• Jarrett Allen Under 10.5 points
• Pistons -3
• Under 216

Cavaliers vs Pistons odds for Game 2

• Spread: Cavaliers +3.5 | Pistons -3.5
• Moneyline: Cavaliers +135 | Pistons -160
• Over/Under: Over 216 | Under 216

Cavaliers vs Pistons betting trend to know

Four of the five matchups between these two this season, including Game 1, have gone Under their totals. Find more NBA betting trends for Cavaliers vs. Pistons.

How to watch Cavaliers vs Pistons Game 2

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DETROIT (AP) — Cleveland Cavaliers reserve guard Sam Merrill had an MRI on his left hamstring after injuring it in a Game 1 loss to the Detroit Pistons.

The Cavs held him out of practice Wednesday, a day before they will shoot to even the second-round series in Detroit.

Merrill had one assist and one turnover in six-plus minutes of the opener on Tuesday night.

The 29-year-old Merrill averaged 12.8 points during the regular season and scored in double digits twice in the seven-game, first-round series against the Toronto Raptors.

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The Philadelphia 76ers will be without their star center when they look to even the second round playoff series against the New York Knicks.

Joel Embiid was ruled out for tonight’s Game 2 with hip and ankle injuries. His absence comes on the heels of scoring 14 points on 3-of-11 shooting from the floor in Monday’s Game 1.

The Knicks recorded a 137-98 statement victory against the 76ers in Game 1 thanks, in part, to 35 points from Jalen Brunson and solid performances from OG Anunoby, Karl-Anthony Towns and Mikal Bridges.

The next game in the Knicks vs. 76ers series is scheduled for Friday night in Philadelphia.

76ers vs. Knicks start time:

Game 1 between the 76ers vs. Knicks is scheduled to tip off at 7 p.m. ET tonight, May 6.

How to watch 76ers vs. Knicks for free:

If you don’t have cable, you’ll need a live TV streaming service to stream the game for free.

DIRECTV is our top pick for watching basketball live for free — its five-day free trial includes ESPN (plus nearly every other channel you’ll need for the rest of the NBA postseason). When the trial is over, you’ll pay as low as $49.99/month and gain access to over 90 live channels.

If you aren’t ready to commit to a full-on subscription, you can try a Sling Orange Day Pass. Priced at $4.99, you’ll get 24 hours of access to all Sling TV Orange has to offer, including ESPN. Sling also offers weekend and week-long passes for its Orange plan, which offer between three and seven days of access.

Knicks-76ers second round playoff schedule

• Game 1: Knicks 137, 76ers 98
• Game 2: Wednesday, May 6 (7 p.m. ET, ESPN)
• Game 3: Friday, May 8 (7 p.m. ET, Prime Video)
• Game 4: Sunday, May 10 (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC)
• Game 5: Tuesday, May 12*
• Game 6: Thursday, May 14*
• Game 7: Sunday, May 17*

* if necessary

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Though Jarred Vanderbilt suffered a gruesome dislocated right pinky injury during the Lakers’ loss in Game 1 against the Thunder on Tuesday, coach JJ Redick said his forward has been listed as day-to-day for the second-round series.

Vanderbilt, who is left-handed, was injured in the second quarter trying to block a dunk by Oklahoma City’s Chet Holmgren, but his hand hit the backboard. Vanderbilt immediately doubled over in pain, as the bone broke through the skin and had to be put back in place.

“They were able to put his finger back together and it’s splinted and he’s day-to-day,” Redick said Wednesday.

The Lakers and Thunder play Game 2 here Thursday night at Paycom Center.

Redick said it was a “reduction” for Vanderbilt, meaning it was a procedure to restore his dislocated finger.

Vanderbilt had his finger taped and had a splint on the finger after the game.

Read more:Frustrated Luka Doncic breaks his silence; doctors forecasted he'd miss Thunder series

“Yeah. I mean, he's obviously a tough-minded player and person,” Redick said. “It just, he had a full dislocation. So they just put the stuff back together. You know, he'll be day-to-day.”

Redick was asked if it’ll be a pain tolerance issue for his defensive-minded forward.

“Certainly the pain is involved,” Redick said. “From my understanding, it's basically making sure basically the tissue is healed enough. We're obviously going to splint him, but making sure the tissue is healed enough to protect his skin barrier.”

Jaxson Hayes called Vanderbilt’s finger injury “disgusting” because the “whole bone was out of his skin.”

“Obviously, you never want to see one of your teammates go down,” Hayes said. “But, I mean, that was gross. That was really gross.”

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

With the 2026 NBA draft lottery on the horizon, 14 teams will gather in Chicago to hear if they will get the No. 1 overall pick in this class.

Pick Nos. 15-60 are already finalized but the lottery order is yet to be determined. With such a top-heavy class, there are plenty of reasons for fans to get excited even if their favorite team is not called at No. 1 overall.

This year has notable prospects including AJ Dybantsa, Cameron Boozer, Darryn Peterson and Caleb Wilson. So even a top-four pick could change a franchise.

MORE: AI predicts the 2026 NBA Draft; Who are the top picks?

While the future of how the NBA draft lottery will work is currently undetermined based on concerns about tanking, the odds for this year are set in stone. Here is what you need to know, including trade details, for each team picking in the lottery.

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Game 1 of the Eastern Conference semifinals is something that Philly would love to forget and they have a chance to get it right as our NBA player prop projections are ready for Game 2 between the Philadelphia 76ers and New York Knicks, with the model highlighting several high-value spots.

By analyzing the data against current market lines, we’ve identified where the strongest edges exist.

These 76ers vs. Knicks predictions are driven by numbers instead of guesswork.

If you’re building your card, here are the model’s top NBA picks for Wednesday, May 6.

76ers vs Knicks computer picks for Game 2

76ers	Knicks
George o17.5 points -120	Brunson o26.5 points -105
Maxey o2.5 3-pointers -120	Towns o11.5 rebounds +105
Oubre Jr. u5.5 rebounds  -115	Anunoby o17.5 points -110

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76ers Game 2 computer picks

Paul George Over 17.5 points (-120)

Projection: 20.65 points

Paul George has consistently hovered around his points prop line throughout the Philadelphia 76ers’ playoff run, either clearing it or coming close on multiple occasions.

With Joel Embiid ruled out for Game 2, Philadelphia will need more scoring punch from its supporting cast, putting added pressure on George to step up. Facing the risk of going down 0-2, the Sixers will be counting on Playoff P to deliver the offensive lift they need.

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Tyrese Maxey Over 2.5 3-pointers (-120)

Projection: 3.35 3-pointers

Tyrese Maxey struggled from deep in Game 1, going 0-for-3 from beyond the arc, but he’ll look to quickly rediscover his range in Game 2.

The 76ers guard has been a key spark throughout the postseason, often carrying the offensive load when Joel Embiid has been limited or unavailable.

With that responsibility likely back on his shoulders, Maxey will be counted on once again to provide scoring punch and perimeter production in Game 2.

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Kelly Oubre Jr. Under 5.5 rebounds (-115)

Projection: 4.93 rebounds

Everything still circles back to Embiid, and with him ruled out for Game 2, additional rebounding opportunities are likely to open up across the board.

Kelly Oubre Jr. grabbed five rebounds on eight chances in just 27 minutes during Game 1, and while he should see enough volume to stay active on the glass again, there’s still some risk he lands just shy of this line.

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Knicks Game 2 computer picks

Jalen Brunson Over 26.5 points (-105)

Projection: 28.75 points

Jalen Brunson torched the 76ers for 35 points in Game 1, and he’ll look to keep that momentum rolling back home at Madison Square Garden — a stage where he’s consistently thrived under the spotlight and delivered on this scoring line.

Having cleared the Over in six of his last 10 games, Brunson is well-positioned to replicate that performance in Game 2 as he looks to do whatever it takes to defend home court.

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Karl-Anthony Towns Over 11.5 rebounds (+105)

Projection: 13.06 rebounds

Karl-Anthony Towns has been a force on the glass throughout the New York Knicks playoff run, but his rebounding output in Game 1 against the Sixers was relatively quiet by his standards.

With the Knicks ranking fourth in the league at home in offensive rebounding (13.1 per game), expect Towns to elevate his presence on the boards in Game 2 with the home crowd behind him.

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OG Anunoby Over 17.5 points (-110)

Projection: 18.83 points

OG Anunoby has had a steady impact for the Knicks throughout this postseason, providing efficient scoring and clearing the Over on this points prop in five of his last seven playoff games.

With the series set to shift to Philadelphia after tonight, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Anunoby deliver another strong outing before the Knicks hit the road.

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How to watch 76ers vs Knicks Game 2

Location	Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
Date	Wednesday, May 6, 2026
Tip-off	7:00 p.m. ET
TV	ESPN

Not intended for use in MA.
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No team won more games than the Thunder this season. A well-oiled machine with back-to-back 60-win regular seasons flexed its basketball muscle Tuesday night.

While the final score is not entirely indicative of a back-and-forth affair, a dominant team performance nonetheless forced LA back to the drawing board.

​Facing the clear-cut deepest team in the league — playing an unconventional 11 guys in the first half — the Lakers’ top item is still the head of this venomous snake in Shai Gilgeous-Alexander. A game plan of multiple bodies held up for a while before the reigning MVP took out a scalpel and dissected LA’s defense.

​SGA scored a modest 18 points with six assists and seven uncharacteristic turnovers. LA used a similar scheme they’ve done with many stars this season, sending help instantly with multiple help defenders and forcing the opponent to play out of rotation.

​Marcus Smart was given the on-ball assignment to chase and stick on SGA. Any ball screen was played with aggressive coverages as shown in the clip below. Watch as Lu Dort comes to the screen for his guard, with Jaxson Hayes as the opposite defender.

​SGA comes off the screen with downhill intentions. Hayes never leaves him with Smart trailing and four Lakers with a foot in the paint. It forces SGA to throw an errant pass out of bounds.

A few possessions later, watch as he comes to get a screen from Jaylin Williams and Deandre Ayton meets him at the level. SGA leaves his feet to find his open teammate, with LeBron James perfectly anticipating the pass for a transition basket.

While he hit five of them, the purple and gold’s defense held SGA to just seven shot attempts in the first half and more turnovers (four) than assists (three).

OKC, being the problem solver team they are, came up with some answers at halftime to counter. One was having the screen set much higher for SGA, making it harder to send help and creating more space for their superstar guard to operate.

Watch below as Isaiah Hartenstein comes to the screen for SGA almost at the midcourt mark, which sends him downhill into a patented step-back in the mid-range.

​Later in the fourth quarter, the Lakers decide to “fire” him on the catch — send two defenders to take the ball out of his hands — and make the Thunder play out of rotation. OKC made crisp passes out of it all night, as shown below, as the ball swung around the court and ends up in the corner for a three from Jared McCain, who connected on 4-7 on the night from long distance.

LA overall held the leading 3-point attempting team in the playoffs to just 13 makes on 30 shots. It was an eight-point game with just under a minute left in the third before the Thunder put the game on ice in the fourth.

There’s no answer for SGA, as he’s shown an ability to break any defense thrown his way and is the heavy favorite to lead his team back-to-back championships.

​You have to pick your poison, and sometimes you die either way.

“Tonight was very simple,” SGA said postgame.  “Multiple bodies, that means multiple people are open and just trust my teammates from there.”

Even as simple as it was, the game plan and execution were good, but it just wasn’t perfect. Even then, the odds are stacked against you against a team playing with all the answers.

You can follow Raj on X at @RajChipalu