- The Pelicans have fired head coach Alvin Gentry, per ESPN. In five seasons with the Pelicans, Gentry finished with a 175-225 record. Gentry led the team to just one winning record and had just one 40-win season. That lone season came in 2017-18 when the Pelicans made the playoffs and swept the Portland Trail Blazers in the first round. This season, New Orleans struggled with injuries at times but could never found a footing, highlighted by their 13-game losing streak. Though the Pelicans did have a run as one of the better teams in the Western Conference after Zion Williamson’s introduction, their woeful performance in the bubble was the final straw for Gentry, who had one year left on his contract.
- If you could change one moment in NBA History, what would it be? For me as a Magic fan, there are two moments that stick out. Tim Duncan almost signing when we had Hill & McGrady. Also, if Derek Fisher doesn’t hit the shot in G2 to send it to OT.
- All-Bubble Team (Dame/Booker/Warren/Kuzma/Porter Jr.)
- Damian Lillard: (Bubble MVP) The numbers: 37.6 points (50/44/89 shooting splits), 9.6 assists and 4.3 rebounds in 41.7 minutes a game
- Devin Booker: The numbers: 30.5 points (50/31/94 shooting splits), 6 assists and 4.9 rebounds in 33.8 minutes a game
- T.J. Warren: The numbers: 31 points (58/52/89 shooting splits), 6.3 rebounds and two assists in 36.4 minutes a game
- Kyle Kuzma: The numbers: 15.4 points (46/45/74 shooting splits), 4.4 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 28.5 minutes a game
- Michael Porter Jr: The numbers: 22 points (55/42/93 shooting splits), 8.6 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 33.3 minutes a game
- A look ahead to the play in game (Trailblazers/Grizzlies)
- The Trailblazers have to win one games.
- The Grizzlies have to win today to force Game 2 tomorrow.
- The biggest challenge for Memphis will be countering Portland’s size ... especially if Valanciunas gets into foul trouble. But also, stopping Damian Lillard.
- In the first restart game for both teams, Portland won 140-135 in overtime, but Lillard had what was for him an average game with 29 points. Lillard is shooting just 25 percent (4 of 16) on three-point attempts against the Grizzlies this season. During his recent 154-point outburst over three games, he shot a combined 48.9 percent (21 of 43).
- Will this be the beginning of how teams will guard Dame in the playoffs? Most teams use their athletic bigs to blitz Dame on PnR. This has really caused them problems in the past. Clarke is a big that can do this.
- My prediction is for the Blazers to win today.
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