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[TimberKat]

This is at last the 2nd time this season where Holmgren hit a clutch 3 to win a game.

[KGdaBom]

This is at last the 2nd time this season where Holmgren hit a clutch 3 to win a game.

Denver had a great chance to win, but gave up the offensive rebound leading to that Holmgren 3.

[TimberKat]

This is at last the 2nd time this season where Holmgren hit a clutch 3 to win a game.

Denver had a great chance to win, but gave up the offensive rebound leading to that Holmgren 3.

This is really bad from all star coaching point of view. Now OKC has the tie breaker with a few pct points ahead in division wins. Wolves need to win the next two home games.

[KGdaBom]

This is at last the 2nd time this season where Holmgren hit a clutch 3 to win a game.

Denver had a great chance to win, but gave up the offensive rebound leading to that Holmgren 3.

This is really bad from all star coaching point of view. Now OKC has the tie breaker with a few pct points ahead in division wins. Wolves need to win the next two home games.

Taking care of business. Win those games.

[WolfAddict]

Both the Magic and the Rockets have pretty bad road records so theoretically we should be able to come out on top in both of these games.

[Klomp]

There has been growing separation of tiers in the West (some games still in action)

Updated now that all relevant games went final

Top 4: Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Denver, LA Clippers (all within 2 games)
------4 games of separation------
5-8: Sacramento, Phoenix, Dallas, New Orleans (all within 2 games)
------2.5 games of separation------
9-12: LA Lakers, Utah, Houston, Golden State (all within 1.5 games)
------3.5 games of separation------
13-15: Memphis, Portland, San Antonio

[winforlose]

There has been growing separation of tiers in the West (some games still in action)

Updated now that all relevant games went final

Top 4: Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Denver, LA Clippers (all within 2 games)
------4 games of separation------
5-8: Sacramento, Phoenix, Dallas, New Orleans (all within 2 games)
------2.5 games of separation------
9-12: LA Lakers, Utah, Houston, Golden State (all within 1.5 games)
------3.5 games of separation------
13-15: Memphis, Portland, San Antonio

It really is interesting how it segmented itself so cleanly into groups of 4. I wonder if Houston can pull out of the tailspin and make the play in. Seems like GSW is probably done, but if they pull some last minute trade deadline magic maybe they can pull a rabbit and drop some Lakers at the same time.

[KGdaBom]

There has been growing separation of tiers in the West (some games still in action)

Updated now that all relevant games went final

Top 4: Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Denver, LA Clippers (all within 2 games)
------4 games of separation------
5-8: Sacramento, Phoenix, Dallas, New Orleans (all within 2 games)
------2.5 games of separation------
9-12: LA Lakers, Utah, Houston, Golden State (all within 1.5 games)
------3.5 games of separation------
13-15: Memphis, Portland, San Antonio

What are the chances that somebody outside the top 4 currently can rise up to win the west? I think slim and none and slim is about to leave town.

[Klomp]

There has been growing separation of tiers in the West (some games still in action)

Updated now that all relevant games went final

Top 4: Minnesota, Oklahoma City, Denver, LA Clippers (all within 2 games)
------4 games of separation------
5-8: Sacramento, Phoenix, Dallas, New Orleans (all within 2 games)
------2.5 games of separation------
9-12: LA Lakers, Utah, Houston, Golden State (all within 1.5 games)
------3.5 games of separation------
13-15: Memphis, Portland, San Antonio

It really is interesting how it segmented itself so cleanly into groups of 4. I wonder if Houston can pull out of the tailspin and make the play in. Seems like GSW is probably done, but if they pull some last minute trade deadline magic maybe they can pull a rabbit and drop some Lakers at the same time.

I would love if the two play-in teams from that list were Utah and Houston!

[BlacJacMac]

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[KGdaBom]

Lakers without Bron or Brow leading fully healthy Boston by 88-78 after 3. I wonder what kind of meltdown the Celtics board will have if they lose that one.

[KGdaBom]

Celtics are going to lose. Down 12 with 2 minutes to go. I visited their board and mentioned our meltdown when we lost to the Spurs. They were pretty cool and some even had a sense of humor about this humiliating loss. Way busier than our board. they are on page 35 for this game and I'm sure it will get to 40.

[b7s4]

Rockets acquire Steven Adams for Victor Oladipo, 3 second-round picks:

https://theathletic.com/5245689/2024/02/01/rockets-grizzlies-trade-steven-adams-victor-oladipo/?amp=1

The Houston Rockets have acquired center Steven Adams from the Memphis Grizzlies for guard Victor Oladipo and three second-round picks, a team source confirmed Thursday.

Adams has been ruled out for the season with a knee injury he suffered last January that forced him to miss the remainder of the 2022-23 season and the playoffs. As for Oladipo, he is dealing with a patellar tendon injury in his left knee and has not played a game since April of last season.

The Rockets are 22-25 entering Thursday, while the Grizzlies are 18-29.

Houston had made no secret of their desire to beef up their center depth behind starter Alperen Şengün, with coach Ime Udoka even addressing the issue prior to Monday night’s loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. Enter Adams, one of the most respected and physical big men the league has to offer, a true rim protector and two-way rebounder.

For all the success the Rockets have had this season, they have struggled defending in the paint, a weakness that has reared its head on a routine basis. Adams obviously isn’t available to suit up for Houston this season, still recovering from offseason knee surgery, but he will continue his rehab in the city and is expected to make a full recovery ahead of the 2024-25 season.

For the Grizzlies, this feels like the deal before the deal.

They still have a week to find another home for Oladipo if they so choose and pick up extra draft capital in the process. Memphis gets off the Adams contract — he was due for $12.5 million next season — which is a huge loss in the community and locker room but also gives it a bit more wiggle room financially.

After Adams was unavailable for the Grizzlies’ postseason and also missed this year, it always felt like both sides were moving in different directions, as unfortunate as injuries are. Memphis is positioning itself for the 2024-25 season where Ja Morant, Desmond Bane and Jaren Jackson Jr. should be healthy and ready to go.

Why both sides made this deal
The Adams trade is the logical conclusion of two of the trade deadline’s more inevitable endgames. First, that the Rockets would convert Oladipo’s expiring contract into a big man they could carry into a future season. Second, that the Grizzlies would trade one of their injured big men before the start of next season to avert going over a nearing luxury tax cliff.

Houston had already had traded Kevin Porter Jr.’s contract for Oladipo’s deal last fall precisely as a “keep the money alive” deal. That cost the Rockets a second-round pick, but relative to the alternative of cutting Porter — who was charged with assault and strangulation of his girlfriend in September; he eventually pled guilty to misdemeanor assault and a harassment violation — it kept them in the game for future trades with a mid-sized contract. Adams’ $12.6 million salary for 2024-25 is a reasonable carry for a Houston squad with a relatively clean cap sheet, and he can play a lighter minutes load as Şengün’s backup in 2024-25 upon rehabbing from knee surgery that ended his 2023-24 season.

The Grizzlies, prior to this trade, projected to be nearly $20 million over next year’s tax line. They were carrying the contracts of Adams and Brandon Clarke — both out for the 2023-24 season and facing battles back from serious injuries even a year from now — at a combined cost of $25 million.

Moving off Adams’ deal puts Memphis in position to potentially stay below the first tax apron next year, especially if the Grizzlies also decline the $14 million option on Luke Kennard (who might also be a trade candidate in the next seven days). With Jaren Jackson, Jr. capable of playing increased minutes at center and Xavier Tillman likely to be an inexpensive restricted free agent to retain, the Grizzlies are still covered in the middle. They could probably add another inexpensive free agent with their biannual exception if they don’t select a big man with a likely high lottery pick in the 2024 draft.

With that as the backdrop, the only thing left was for Memphis and Houston to haggle over compensation. For Memphis, walking away with three second-round picks for an injured Adams probably feels like a win, even if only of the three picks is likely to land in the top 40. The Grizzlies get two picks in 2024 — the best and worst of three that Houston had coming from Golden State, Oklahoma City and Brooklyn — and one in 2025 that is the better of Houston’s or Oklahoma City’s.

Memphis also generates a $12.6 million trade exception for Adams because it can take Oladipo’s expiring contract into the $12.5 million injured player exception for Morant. (Yes, they are taking an injured player into an injured player exception. Nobody said the CBA made perfect sense, but here we are).

For Houston, on the flip side, three seconds wasn’t a reason to walk away from this, not when the Rockets are sitting on a heap of more valuable draft capital from Brooklyn over the next four years. Adams, who turns 31 this summer, will also be reunited with former Memphis teammate Dillon Brooks, as the Rockets continue to build an identity around defense and toughness under new coach Udoka.

[KGdaBom]

Boston fans treated me well on my visit. My favorite post was this one.

Worst loss of the season? One of the worst losses in Celtics history.

[b7s4]

Joel Embiid suffered meniscus injury in left knee, 76ers say

https://theathletic.com/5245779/2024/02/01/joel-embiid-meniscus-injury-76ers/?amp=1

Reigning MVP Joel Embiid suffered a lateral meniscus “injury” on his left knee and will be out at least through the weekend, the Philadelphia 76ers announced Thursday, placing the defense of his lofty title on life support.

Embiid, who suffered the injury in the fourth quarter of a loss Tuesday against the Golden State Warriors, has already missed 12 games this season and will miss his 13th game Thursday against the Utah Jazz. Per a new league rule, any player who does not play in at least 65 regular-season games is ineligible for postseason awards. Embiid will be out for at least two more games, and if his absence extends any further, his MVP defense is over.

The two-time scoring champ was hurt when Jonathan Kuminga of the Warriors fell on his left knee. An MRI and further tests revealed the “injury,” which is what the team is calling it, and the extent of the damage or the time he will miss is still unknown.

Embiid immediately clutched his knee in visible agony before exiting the court on his own power. He did not re-enter the game as the 76ers went on to lose 119-107. Embiid scored 14 points in 30 minutes before exiting.

“Embiid, in consultation with the 76ers medical staff and several leading specialists, will be out through the weekend while a treatment plan is finalized,” Philadelphia said in a statement. “Updates will be provided as appropriate.”

The NBA fined the 76ers $75,000 Thursday for failing to include Embiid on their injury report “in an accurate and timely manner” before the team’s game against the Denver Nuggets on Saturday. Embiid missed that game because of soreness in his right knee – not the one he injured against Golden State.

Embiid’s place as an All-Star starter is also in jeopardy. He was selected to start for the East, and if he cannot play in that game, which is Feb. 18 in Indianapolis, commissioner Adam Silver will select his replacement. The Sixers, meanwhile, have lost four straight and as of this writing are fifth in the East, a full seven games out of first.

Longer term, Embiid had publicly committed to play for Team USA this summer at the Olympics. He still has half an NBA season and playoffs to worry about and try to return for, but injured knees would almost surely keep him out of the Paris Games, which would send the Americans scrambling to replace a 7-footer who can shoot 3s.

In other words, much is riding on the weekend and whatever further diagnosis awaits the NBA’s MVP.

[Klomp]

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Might be passing Taj and Jimmy as the ultimate Thibs whisperer

[winforlose]

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?s=20

A foul is one word for it.

[Klomp]

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[winforlose]

https://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/274533/Zach-LaVine-To-Undergo-Foot-Surgery-Out-4-6-Months

Interesting that Lavine was already a nightmare to try and move and now is probably impossible. With Harden, OG and Siakam already moved, Murray is probably the highest profile player left, with Standrew Wiggins also probably high on the list.

[TimberKat]

It turns out the second tie-breaker for all star coaching is conference record (not division record). So, Finch and staff can still get in if they win today.

The more ironic case would be Finch qualified then is let go like Bucks coach. Then we will have both leagues' all star coaches are gone within the same season. Now that must be a first in NBA