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The Trail Blazers vs. Nuggets series has the potential to deliver fireworks early and often. On Monday, ESPN’s staff took a deep dive into storylines for each team in the 2021 NBA Playoffs. When it came to Portland and Denver, offense and defensive concerns dominated the conversation.
For the Blazers, ESPN contributor Royce Young raised concerns over Portland’s fluctuating rotations. Young listed the Blazers’ bench as the biggest issue for coach Terry Stotts’ squad heading into the postseason.
The bench. The Blazers adjusted their roster to focus on wing defense, but they still are in search of their best seven or eight players. Their bench has been spotty, with Enes Kanter and Carmelo Anthony’s minutes expectedly coinciding with dips on the defensive end. But they also need to complement non-Lillard minutes with offense. It’s been a challenge for Portland all season to find stable rotations, and as they head into playoff ba
As the regular season comes to a close, each team has something to play for: seeding or draft picks. With the addition of play-in games to the 2021 NBA playoffs, the scramble for seeding is wilder and more important than ever, with almost every game down the stretch having significant postseason implications.
Play-in matchups after Saturday s games:
EAST
Game 1: No. 8 Charlotte Hornets at No. 7 Boston Celtics winner is No. 7 seed in playoffs; loser moves on in play-in
Game 2: No. 10 Indiana Pacers at No. 9 Washington Wizards winner moves on in play-in; loser is eliminated
Game 3: Wizards/Pacers winner at Celtics/Hornets loser winner is No. 8 seed in playoffs
2 Related
Who Philly plays in the first round will be determined through the play-in, with the Celtics, Hornets, Pacers and Wizards all in play for the 8-seed.
Taking the top seed is a boost, but not necessarily an accomplishment for the Sixers, with coach Doc Rivers downplaying its importance earlier in the week. I don t look at the No. 1 seed as being this great achievement, Rivers said. I just think it s great to have because of home-court [advantage]. The achievement is winning [the championship]. Royce Young
With a win against the Cavaliers, the Washington Wizards have settled the final play-in spot for the East, securing at least a top-10 seed and, therefore, eliminating the Chicago Bulls.
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The game is the game. This is the way it must go. I said Week 1 of deez here diareez that if you want to compete for titles for an extended period of time, this is how you give yourself the best chance. It’s not that tanking is the only way. I understand there have been franchise guys taken outside the top 5, but it behooves an organization to maximize its odds. Losses lead to wins. You just have to zoom out a little, be patient. It’s a lateral to the other side of the field, you go backward to go forward. Just means bearing down and dealing with some losses for a bit. And don’t get me wrong, it’s pretty easy to see how somebody would not be enjoying this. It’s not like I felt healthy, on May 9, watching Thunder-Kings, celebrating Moe Harkless showing up ready to p
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1️⃣8️⃣2️⃣ TRIPLE-DOUBLES
Russell Westbrook is officially the NBA’s all-time triple-double leader!
#WES182OOK | @russwest44 https://t.co/exvo3JNhNY
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1️⃣8️⃣2️⃣ TRIPLE-DOUBLES
Russell Westbrook has officially passed Oscar Robertson for the all-time NBA triple-double record
WHY NOT? https://t.co/RdfVBXLzJf
Robertson was among those to congratulate Westbrook on his historic accomplishment:
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Bradley Beal @RealDealBeal23
Mr. Triple Double !!! Congratulations big bro. It’s a pleasure to witness history!! First Ballot HOF @russwest44
The 32-year-old became the first player since the Hall of Famer in 1961-62 to average a triple-double when he put up 31.6 points, 10.7 rebounds and 10.4 assists per game in 2016-17. At the time, many likely thought it would be a one-off, with the eventual MVP motiva