1 00:00:05,600 --> 00:00:11,800 Speaker 1: This is straight fire with Jason McIntyre. What is up? 2 00:00:11,840 --> 00:00:15,240 Speaker 1: Straight fire? Fam, It's me Jason McIntyre. This is straight 3 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:21,360 Speaker 1: fire for Friday, April fifteenth, almost tax day everybody. Now 4 00:00:21,440 --> 00:00:24,720 Speaker 1: you're excited about to do your taxes. Beautiful weekend ahead 5 00:00:24,720 --> 00:00:28,200 Speaker 1: and a lot of people, perhaps myself included, we'll be 6 00:00:28,240 --> 00:00:30,440 Speaker 1: digging into the old taxes. Yeah, we wait till the 7 00:00:30,520 --> 00:00:33,440 Speaker 1: last minute. I am one of those guys studying in 8 00:00:33,520 --> 00:00:37,000 Speaker 1: high school who could forget the test you've known about 9 00:00:37,000 --> 00:00:40,040 Speaker 1: for three weeks and you end up cramming heavily. This 10 00:00:40,120 --> 00:00:42,600 Speaker 1: is obviously a staple in college for everybody, but um, 11 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:44,360 Speaker 1: no cramming needed for me. When it comes to the 12 00:00:44,440 --> 00:00:48,680 Speaker 1: NBA playoffs, we've got to play in games tonight. They're 13 00:00:48,720 --> 00:00:53,840 Speaker 1: elimination games. And Tuesday's games were great, Wednesday's games were blah. 14 00:00:54,440 --> 00:00:57,480 Speaker 1: We get two games tonight and then the playoffs begin 15 00:00:57,720 --> 00:01:02,920 Speaker 1: in full swing Saturday. This late as of now is good. Um, 16 00:01:04,120 --> 00:01:06,800 Speaker 1: you taught Dallas is the first one. If you haven't 17 00:01:06,800 --> 00:01:10,880 Speaker 1: paid attention, Luka done officially out. It's just so depressing 18 00:01:10,920 --> 00:01:13,080 Speaker 1: you know that the league has scheduled Dallas for that 19 00:01:13,160 --> 00:01:17,480 Speaker 1: first game Saturday, showcasing Luka don che She's a great watch. 20 00:01:17,520 --> 00:01:21,039 Speaker 1: He's just a tremendous talent. Now he's out, I will 21 00:01:21,080 --> 00:01:23,039 Speaker 1: tell you best bets later, and I'll tell you right now. 22 00:01:23,200 --> 00:01:25,520 Speaker 1: Utaw favored by five on the road. You Taw, by 23 00:01:25,560 --> 00:01:28,840 Speaker 1: the way, not a good road team this year. I 24 00:01:28,840 --> 00:01:32,080 Speaker 1: think this is criminally inflated. I will be on Dallas, 25 00:01:32,080 --> 00:01:34,920 Speaker 1: but the best bets are later. Then you've got Minnesota 26 00:01:35,040 --> 00:01:41,840 Speaker 1: and Memphis, followed by Toronto, Filthy Delphia, and then Saturday Night. 27 00:01:42,160 --> 00:01:45,560 Speaker 1: Remember Saturday Night's main event, the Wrestling Showcase in the 28 00:01:45,800 --> 00:01:48,280 Speaker 1: late eighties, early nineties, Whole Cogan it would be on. 29 00:01:48,560 --> 00:01:51,440 Speaker 1: I think it was NBC Saturday Nights main event in 30 00:01:51,480 --> 00:01:55,240 Speaker 1: the NBA. Is the potential m v P Nicole Yokich 31 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:58,200 Speaker 1: against one of the great players in the history of 32 00:01:58,200 --> 00:02:00,760 Speaker 1: the sport. Yes, that's a fact. Don't dispute it. Don't 33 00:02:00,760 --> 00:02:04,040 Speaker 1: tweet at me. Oh, he's obviously a top fifteen player 34 00:02:04,080 --> 00:02:07,400 Speaker 1: all time. We know this for sure. Top fifteen in 35 00:02:07,440 --> 00:02:09,760 Speaker 1: my book, top ten is not out of the question. 36 00:02:09,760 --> 00:02:15,360 Speaker 1: Steph Curry looks like he's going to return. He practiced Thursday, 37 00:02:15,400 --> 00:02:19,040 Speaker 1: sounding trending like he's gonna be back Saturday Night. Obviously, 38 00:02:19,080 --> 00:02:23,480 Speaker 1: the league would hate to not have Luca, not have Currie. 39 00:02:23,919 --> 00:02:26,040 Speaker 1: We know there's no Lebron. That's not a great start 40 00:02:26,120 --> 00:02:30,360 Speaker 1: to the playoffs. Sunday's games, uh too, obviously TVD given 41 00:02:30,400 --> 00:02:35,480 Speaker 1: Tonight's games, and then Brooklyn, Boston, Chicago Milwaukee is it? 42 00:02:35,800 --> 00:02:42,480 Speaker 1: If you know anything about basketball markets television ratings Saturday, 43 00:02:42,600 --> 00:02:44,840 Speaker 1: you know a lot of families across the country kids 44 00:02:44,880 --> 00:02:49,520 Speaker 1: play youth sports Sunday, Easter Sunday. A lot of people 45 00:02:49,560 --> 00:02:53,560 Speaker 1: either at a meal or home hosting after church of course, 46 00:02:54,160 --> 00:02:58,200 Speaker 1: and what two games do they have? The two big 47 00:02:58,360 --> 00:03:01,320 Speaker 1: markets the Boston celt X against Brooklyn, So you get 48 00:03:01,360 --> 00:03:04,440 Speaker 1: then the New York market in the Boston market, and 49 00:03:04,440 --> 00:03:07,480 Speaker 1: then you get Chicago, which hasn't been in the playoffs forever. 50 00:03:08,600 --> 00:03:10,560 Speaker 1: They're in the mix now. Although they're going to get 51 00:03:10,560 --> 00:03:14,120 Speaker 1: destroyed by the Bucks, they are still a big, big market. 52 00:03:14,200 --> 00:03:16,480 Speaker 1: And Milwaukee's the defending champ. So Sunday's games is pretty good. 53 00:03:16,480 --> 00:03:19,359 Speaker 1: We'll see about the other two matchups. But before I 54 00:03:19,360 --> 00:03:21,239 Speaker 1: get to that, wanted to quickly thank everybody for the 55 00:03:21,320 --> 00:03:23,480 Speaker 1: nice words on the Brian Windhorst interview. You guys seem 56 00:03:23,560 --> 00:03:26,760 Speaker 1: to like it, even the Laker fans who were not thrilled. 57 00:03:27,320 --> 00:03:29,560 Speaker 1: The way he's pumping up the Clippers and Steve Baumber 58 00:03:30,520 --> 00:03:32,520 Speaker 1: and the way the Lakers do not look like they 59 00:03:32,520 --> 00:03:34,840 Speaker 1: have their act together. I don't know why that's much 60 00:03:34,840 --> 00:03:36,440 Speaker 1: of a surprise to anyone. I think I saw the 61 00:03:36,480 --> 00:03:39,360 Speaker 1: stat last eight seasons. The Lakers have made the playoffs twice. 62 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:42,800 Speaker 1: They've got another first round once in eight years now. 63 00:03:42,840 --> 00:03:44,280 Speaker 1: Of course, six of them was the end of the 64 00:03:44,360 --> 00:03:49,800 Speaker 1: Kobe Bryant era, transitioning to ultimately Lebron in l A. 65 00:03:50,680 --> 00:03:54,240 Speaker 1: And this year, you know, injuries got them. They stunk 66 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:56,920 Speaker 1: Russell Westbrooke. But we've done enough Lakers. We kind of 67 00:03:56,960 --> 00:04:00,920 Speaker 1: want to make this about the NBA playoffs and predictions 68 00:04:00,960 --> 00:04:02,840 Speaker 1: for the brackets now. I've been I've been doing some 69 00:04:02,880 --> 00:04:07,160 Speaker 1: flip flopping, as you know. When the Celtics ended up 70 00:04:07,200 --> 00:04:09,040 Speaker 1: with the two seed on Monday, I came out and said, oh, 71 00:04:09,080 --> 00:04:10,720 Speaker 1: I don't like that. I don't like that. Well, I 72 00:04:10,840 --> 00:04:13,560 Speaker 1: flipped I think Boston wins the series. I went on 73 00:04:13,640 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 1: Cowherd Show on Thursday. I picked the Celtics to win it. 74 00:04:18,360 --> 00:04:21,520 Speaker 1: I don't want to pick six. I don't want to 75 00:04:21,520 --> 00:04:25,839 Speaker 1: go against Durant in seven, so I will go five. 76 00:04:26,320 --> 00:04:30,039 Speaker 1: I'm gonna say Boston takes down. Yes, Boston takes down Brooklyn. 77 00:04:30,040 --> 00:04:35,919 Speaker 1: And five, I'm just not certain after k D and Kyrie, 78 00:04:36,080 --> 00:04:39,880 Speaker 1: what exactly Brooklyn has no Joe Harris. That Ben Simmons stuff. 79 00:04:39,920 --> 00:04:43,720 Speaker 1: It sounds like maybe maybe he'll play like what is that. 80 00:04:45,839 --> 00:04:49,920 Speaker 1: I've staunchly been a Ben Simmons defender. I've had to 81 00:04:49,960 --> 00:04:51,200 Speaker 1: throw in the towel on that. You know, at some 82 00:04:51,240 --> 00:04:52,800 Speaker 1: point you just put your hands up and say, hey, 83 00:04:53,279 --> 00:04:57,560 Speaker 1: I can't do more. I can't, you know. Um that 84 00:04:57,640 --> 00:05:01,320 Speaker 1: being said, I like Boston. I think by one. If 85 00:05:01,360 --> 00:05:03,960 Speaker 1: I was able to bet on one sweep, it would 86 00:05:03,960 --> 00:05:08,000 Speaker 1: be the Milwaukee Bucks against Chicago. Apologies of course too 87 00:05:08,880 --> 00:05:10,280 Speaker 1: all the Bulls fans out there. You guys had a 88 00:05:10,279 --> 00:05:12,320 Speaker 1: tremendous season kind of petered out there at the end. 89 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:17,200 Speaker 1: But the Bucks are the most likely sweep, and the 90 00:05:17,240 --> 00:05:21,400 Speaker 1: East first round just doesn't seem enticing outside of Raptors sixers. 91 00:05:21,400 --> 00:05:24,000 Speaker 1: I'm picking the Raptors. I'm betting the Raptors. Not in 92 00:05:24,040 --> 00:05:26,039 Speaker 1: game one, not in game one, but for the series. 93 00:05:26,320 --> 00:05:29,160 Speaker 1: Give me the Raptors. I think they are a nightmare 94 00:05:29,200 --> 00:05:32,400 Speaker 1: matchup for Philly. I think em beat by the way 95 00:05:32,400 --> 00:05:35,440 Speaker 1: I saw a static Embeat is the first center to 96 00:05:35,520 --> 00:05:39,440 Speaker 1: win the scoring title since Shack twenty two years ago. 97 00:05:40,600 --> 00:05:44,320 Speaker 1: My gosh, and that dovetails beautifully into my point about 98 00:05:44,960 --> 00:05:49,080 Speaker 1: centers and the playoffs. I mean, honestly, tell me the 99 00:05:49,160 --> 00:05:52,279 Speaker 1: last team built around a center that want a title. 100 00:05:52,360 --> 00:05:55,000 Speaker 1: It's just it's a wing guard league right now, and 101 00:05:55,040 --> 00:05:56,600 Speaker 1: this is gonna be the problem for him. Beat. He's 102 00:05:56,600 --> 00:05:59,680 Speaker 1: gonna get his thirty five and fifteen and then he's 103 00:05:59,680 --> 00:06:02,120 Speaker 1: gonna around and be like Tobias Harris didn't hit his shots. 104 00:06:02,360 --> 00:06:05,440 Speaker 1: Tyrese Maxe's in his first playoffs and James Arden's gonna 105 00:06:05,480 --> 00:06:07,240 Speaker 1: get locked up by I don't know any one of 106 00:06:07,320 --> 00:06:11,279 Speaker 1: Scottie Barnes, O G n O B. Fred VanVleet and listen, 107 00:06:11,279 --> 00:06:14,320 Speaker 1: Fred VanVleet can play some d go ask the Warriors 108 00:06:14,400 --> 00:06:17,040 Speaker 1: remember that and be a final. Van Vleet gets after 109 00:06:17,080 --> 00:06:21,000 Speaker 1: it now. He now the one weakness is he's been 110 00:06:21,000 --> 00:06:24,200 Speaker 1: injured and the Raptors don't have much of a bench, 111 00:06:24,240 --> 00:06:27,159 Speaker 1: so they don't have depth like they have in the past. 112 00:06:28,200 --> 00:06:31,120 Speaker 1: So if there's foul trouble problem for the Raptors, that's 113 00:06:31,120 --> 00:06:33,520 Speaker 1: why I think it Beat eats. I usually don't like 114 00:06:33,600 --> 00:06:38,799 Speaker 1: betting overs on players because they're inflated overs on star players. Obviously, 115 00:06:38,920 --> 00:06:40,720 Speaker 1: I told you guys, stay away from de John to Murray, 116 00:06:40,720 --> 00:06:42,720 Speaker 1: I told you guys, stay away from trede Young. I 117 00:06:42,760 --> 00:06:45,680 Speaker 1: didn't mention stay away from Durant. That should be automatic. Well, 118 00:06:45,680 --> 00:06:48,279 Speaker 1: guess what, all those guys did not hit their total. Meanwhile, 119 00:06:48,320 --> 00:06:50,240 Speaker 1: I pick obscure guys where I can find an edge 120 00:06:50,240 --> 00:06:52,520 Speaker 1: in the market, hasn't totally caught up or paid close 121 00:06:52,640 --> 00:06:56,720 Speaker 1: enough attention to, and Boom you can exploit that. I 122 00:06:56,800 --> 00:07:01,320 Speaker 1: don't think that the Raptors are able to contain and beat. 123 00:07:01,320 --> 00:07:04,240 Speaker 1: He's gonna put up monster numbers. But I'm curious what 124 00:07:04,240 --> 00:07:05,880 Speaker 1: the what they're gonna hang. Are they gonna hang like 125 00:07:05,920 --> 00:07:08,280 Speaker 1: thirty three and a half for Joel Embiid I had 126 00:07:08,320 --> 00:07:10,960 Speaker 1: thirty five. I don't know. I'm certainly not betting unders 127 00:07:11,000 --> 00:07:13,760 Speaker 1: on and bad that's for sure in the West where 128 00:07:13,760 --> 00:07:17,880 Speaker 1: there is some still to TBD. I have also swung 129 00:07:17,960 --> 00:07:20,840 Speaker 1: on the MAVs. I love the Mavericks coming into the postseason. 130 00:07:20,840 --> 00:07:22,480 Speaker 1: I said they're a sleeper to win the championship. I 131 00:07:22,520 --> 00:07:26,480 Speaker 1: wrote about it for Fox Sports. Yes, championship not a 132 00:07:26,480 --> 00:07:30,240 Speaker 1: good matchup for the Suns. They're not. They don't have 133 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:33,800 Speaker 1: anyone to defend Luca. He's too big for Bridges. That 134 00:07:33,880 --> 00:07:36,400 Speaker 1: sounds funny like two bigs for Bridges. He's too big 135 00:07:36,440 --> 00:07:41,080 Speaker 1: for Michael Bridges. And defensively, they are switchy on the wings. 136 00:07:41,560 --> 00:07:43,000 Speaker 1: So it's not a major problem. You want to let 137 00:07:43,080 --> 00:07:45,200 Speaker 1: eight and get twenty two and twelve, fine, you'll get 138 00:07:45,200 --> 00:07:47,080 Speaker 1: twenty two as long as he's not getting a billion 139 00:07:47,080 --> 00:07:50,960 Speaker 1: rebounds offensively giving him second chances. That would be bad. 140 00:07:51,680 --> 00:07:54,560 Speaker 1: But I I do like how the MAVs are constructed. 141 00:07:54,560 --> 00:07:57,720 Speaker 1: They're built for these playoffs. The Luca injury obviously stinks. 142 00:07:58,000 --> 00:08:00,640 Speaker 1: I'm still gonna pick them to win this series against 143 00:08:00,640 --> 00:08:05,080 Speaker 1: the Jazz. I do believe Jalen Brunson, the point guard 144 00:08:05,160 --> 00:08:07,960 Speaker 1: Villanova kid. He has a lot on the line. He's 145 00:08:07,960 --> 00:08:10,720 Speaker 1: an impending free agent. He wants Fred van Vleet money. 146 00:08:10,720 --> 00:08:13,800 Speaker 1: He hasn't quite earned it yet, but he's close. I 147 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:15,880 Speaker 1: don't know if Jalen Brunson could be the starting point 148 00:08:15,880 --> 00:08:19,800 Speaker 1: guard on a contender, on a playoff team. Probably, I 149 00:08:19,840 --> 00:08:21,960 Speaker 1: guess you just look around in the league and you're like, damn, well, 150 00:08:22,400 --> 00:08:25,760 Speaker 1: who if? If the maths don't keep Brunson. Where does 151 00:08:25,800 --> 00:08:28,760 Speaker 1: he go? Do the Knicks overpay for Jalen Brunson? I 152 00:08:28,760 --> 00:08:32,120 Speaker 1: mean they've got quickly, But like, what is the market 153 00:08:32,160 --> 00:08:33,880 Speaker 1: for I mean, there's a billion point guards out there 154 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:36,200 Speaker 1: you can get. There's at least four good ones in 155 00:08:36,200 --> 00:08:40,319 Speaker 1: the draft coming up. I even look at the non 156 00:08:40,320 --> 00:08:42,560 Speaker 1: playoff teams, like are the Wizards making a play for 157 00:08:42,640 --> 00:08:46,640 Speaker 1: Jalen Brunson? Indiana Pacers certainly are not. Pistons have theirs 158 00:08:46,679 --> 00:08:51,360 Speaker 1: in Kate Cunningham. Orlando probably is not. And then you 159 00:08:51,400 --> 00:08:53,320 Speaker 1: look in the West, it's like Houston, they're not spending 160 00:08:53,320 --> 00:08:57,160 Speaker 1: any money. Okay, see is certainly not spending any money. 161 00:08:57,559 --> 00:09:01,720 Speaker 1: Portland has Damien Alard and if you listen to Windhorse, 162 00:09:01,840 --> 00:09:05,640 Speaker 1: it doesn't sound like Lillard's going anywhere. Sacramento there set 163 00:09:06,320 --> 00:09:08,439 Speaker 1: Lakers take can't afford Brunson. So you look around, you 164 00:09:08,559 --> 00:09:13,199 Speaker 1: like Spurs pals, like what's the market I I truthfully 165 00:09:13,240 --> 00:09:18,280 Speaker 1: don't know where he makes sense? What teams can afford 166 00:09:18,360 --> 00:09:21,240 Speaker 1: him or need a point gard. Now, if something crazy happens, 167 00:09:21,280 --> 00:09:24,400 Speaker 1: like say Chris Paul and the Sons win the title 168 00:09:24,400 --> 00:09:27,920 Speaker 1: and Chris Paul says, I'm walking away I'm retiring, unlikely 169 00:09:28,520 --> 00:09:30,880 Speaker 1: all of a sudden boom. You've got a huge amount 170 00:09:30,880 --> 00:09:35,079 Speaker 1: of money there that you can reallocate if CP three retires, 171 00:09:35,920 --> 00:09:39,280 Speaker 1: rides off into the sunset, finally gets a championship, instantly 172 00:09:39,280 --> 00:09:43,240 Speaker 1: becomes you know, point god again, he had to lose 173 00:09:43,240 --> 00:09:45,079 Speaker 1: that title, guys, I'm sorry, never gets it done in 174 00:09:45,080 --> 00:09:49,880 Speaker 1: the playoffs, and you know, you get the Villanova guys, 175 00:09:49,880 --> 00:09:52,400 Speaker 1: Bridges and Brunson together in Phoenix, and yeah, maybe you've 176 00:09:52,400 --> 00:09:55,080 Speaker 1: got something here. But I don't know where the market 177 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:57,040 Speaker 1: is for Bronson. I do believe he's going to be 178 00:09:57,080 --> 00:10:02,280 Speaker 1: fine against Conley. It sounds is like they've fared pretty 179 00:10:02,320 --> 00:10:04,200 Speaker 1: well without Luca this year that I think the record 180 00:10:04,280 --> 00:10:07,200 Speaker 1: was eight and nine. I don't know what it was 181 00:10:07,600 --> 00:10:14,560 Speaker 1: post din Witty trade, but I mean, I'm anticipating the 182 00:10:14,640 --> 00:10:17,880 Speaker 1: lineup that we're going to see is probably din Witty, Brunson, Bullock, 183 00:10:19,960 --> 00:10:22,680 Speaker 1: DFS Story and Phinney Smith for those who don't watch 184 00:10:22,720 --> 00:10:25,040 Speaker 1: the Mavericks, and then Dwight Powell and then you've got 185 00:10:25,080 --> 00:10:28,280 Speaker 1: Maxi coming off the bench. Burton's The problem is the 186 00:10:28,320 --> 00:10:31,880 Speaker 1: depth in the backcourt, Like do you trust Trey Burke? Uh? 187 00:10:32,320 --> 00:10:37,439 Speaker 1: Do you trust Frank Nilikina, Josh Green. Are these guys ready? 188 00:10:37,800 --> 00:10:40,719 Speaker 1: Fox Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in 189 00:10:40,760 --> 00:10:43,760 Speaker 1: the nation. Catch all of our shows at Fox Sports 190 00:10:43,840 --> 00:10:46,920 Speaker 1: Radio dot com and within the I Heart Radio app. 191 00:10:47,000 --> 00:10:50,240 Speaker 1: Search f s R to listen live. But I just 192 00:10:50,320 --> 00:10:52,320 Speaker 1: look at I look at Utah and I I don't 193 00:10:52,360 --> 00:10:55,400 Speaker 1: like what I see. They're just trending horribly in every 194 00:10:55,440 --> 00:11:01,360 Speaker 1: FACET under five record away from Home issues with Donovan 195 00:11:01,400 --> 00:11:05,040 Speaker 1: Mitchell and Rudy Gobert persist regardless of what Quinn Siders says, 196 00:11:05,080 --> 00:11:09,079 Speaker 1: and there's a Quinsider rumors and no Joe Ingalls, one 197 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:11,400 Speaker 1: of the glue guys on the wing, just an awesome 198 00:11:11,400 --> 00:11:14,280 Speaker 1: player for Utah, like he's he's done for the season. 199 00:11:14,760 --> 00:11:17,160 Speaker 1: So I look at this team and I'm like, why 200 00:11:17,200 --> 00:11:19,000 Speaker 1: are we supposed to believe in Utah again? Like they 201 00:11:19,040 --> 00:11:20,959 Speaker 1: were I think the number one or number two seeds 202 00:11:20,960 --> 00:11:25,280 Speaker 1: in January and they just created Like sure, Jordan Clarkson's 203 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:28,079 Speaker 1: coming off the bench. I like Alexander Walker a lot, 204 00:11:28,720 --> 00:11:31,520 Speaker 1: But when you're starting Bogdanovitch and Royce O'Neil and you 205 00:11:31,600 --> 00:11:35,880 Speaker 1: look behind them, it's like dust Off, Rudy Gay Daniel House, 206 00:11:35,920 --> 00:11:38,320 Speaker 1: like they're just is not a lot there. So I'm 207 00:11:38,360 --> 00:11:39,880 Speaker 1: I mean, I'll get to the best bets later, but 208 00:11:40,000 --> 00:11:42,760 Speaker 1: I'm on the Mavericks guys. I think they will prevail 209 00:11:42,800 --> 00:11:45,160 Speaker 1: in this series. If you can steal one of the 210 00:11:45,160 --> 00:11:47,480 Speaker 1: first two at home, I think you're fine in the 211 00:11:47,520 --> 00:11:49,120 Speaker 1: series because then you get Luca back for the game 212 00:11:49,160 --> 00:11:52,920 Speaker 1: three and four, hopefully his ankles had enough time, and 213 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:54,880 Speaker 1: you win one. You win one or two of those 214 00:11:54,920 --> 00:11:58,880 Speaker 1: in Utah. Again, this is just outside of Mitchell, Conley 215 00:11:59,000 --> 00:12:02,880 Speaker 1: and Gobert just not a great team. It's just overrated, 216 00:12:02,880 --> 00:12:04,680 Speaker 1: and I think they get bounced and then they split 217 00:12:04,720 --> 00:12:08,160 Speaker 1: them up in the same vein of Damien and c J. 218 00:12:09,080 --> 00:12:11,080 Speaker 1: I think I talked about it with wind Wars. They 219 00:12:11,120 --> 00:12:13,920 Speaker 1: stuck together for a long time. They would go up, 220 00:12:13,960 --> 00:12:15,960 Speaker 1: they would go down, and eventually they're like, all right, 221 00:12:15,960 --> 00:12:18,880 Speaker 1: we've had our it's over. I think that's where we 222 00:12:18,920 --> 00:12:23,640 Speaker 1: are with with Utah. And the one surprise I want 223 00:12:23,640 --> 00:12:27,040 Speaker 1: to give you in the West is the Memphis Grizzlies 224 00:12:27,440 --> 00:12:30,120 Speaker 1: and the Minnesota Vikings, But not the surprise you think. 225 00:12:31,480 --> 00:12:35,240 Speaker 1: I do think this will be a competitive series from 226 00:12:35,280 --> 00:12:38,640 Speaker 1: a trash talking standpoint, from good athletes, A bunch of young, 227 00:12:38,720 --> 00:12:41,079 Speaker 1: good players out there, but I'm going to go out 228 00:12:41,080 --> 00:12:43,840 Speaker 1: on a limb. You can get it. Plus six hundred 229 00:12:44,480 --> 00:12:51,160 Speaker 1: Memphis to sweep Minnesota and Edwards Patrick Beverly. By the way, 230 00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:53,559 Speaker 1: Beverly was fine for all those f bombs he dropped 231 00:12:53,559 --> 00:12:56,160 Speaker 1: on the Clippers after the game. Thirty thou dollars, which 232 00:12:56,200 --> 00:12:58,160 Speaker 1: is nothing. It's it's a part of most of America. 233 00:12:58,240 --> 00:13:03,319 Speaker 1: But fine or bad language, no big deal at any rate. 234 00:13:04,280 --> 00:13:08,320 Speaker 1: The Memphis profile is just it's incredible. It's almost overlooked. Now. 235 00:13:08,360 --> 00:13:10,439 Speaker 1: I said they couldn't win the championship. I don't think 236 00:13:10,480 --> 00:13:13,439 Speaker 1: they can. But this team was eighth and offensive efficiency 237 00:13:13,880 --> 00:13:16,880 Speaker 1: fifth in defense. They are, without a doubt, the deepest 238 00:13:16,920 --> 00:13:21,400 Speaker 1: team in the league. Whether whether John Morant has hurt, 239 00:13:21,440 --> 00:13:25,080 Speaker 1: whether Jaren Jackson Jr. Is in foul trouble. Everywhere you turn, 240 00:13:25,160 --> 00:13:27,160 Speaker 1: you've got guys who are just contributing. And I'm just 241 00:13:27,200 --> 00:13:30,240 Speaker 1: telling you guys right now, Anthony Edwards is going to 242 00:13:30,320 --> 00:13:33,839 Speaker 1: have some problems. Between Dylan Brooks and Desmond Bane, those 243 00:13:33,880 --> 00:13:38,160 Speaker 1: are two hard nosed, gritty defenders. And Anthony Edwards is 244 00:13:38,200 --> 00:13:41,079 Speaker 1: still a young guy. I think he's twenty one years old, 245 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:44,000 Speaker 1: and this league can really eat you up. And I 246 00:13:44,040 --> 00:13:46,760 Speaker 1: know he saved him against the paper clips and Karl 247 00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:51,319 Speaker 1: Anthony Town's battling his own demons. I have some concerns 248 00:13:51,320 --> 00:13:53,520 Speaker 1: from Minnesota. Right, they had a great season. Right, you 249 00:13:53,559 --> 00:13:58,080 Speaker 1: win twenty three games two years ago, or sorry, last year, 250 00:13:58,080 --> 00:14:00,319 Speaker 1: twenty three games there, you double it to forty six. 251 00:14:00,520 --> 00:14:02,839 Speaker 1: Then you win the playing game at home. Everybody's going crazy. 252 00:14:02,880 --> 00:14:06,600 Speaker 1: They're partying it up, jumping on and I'm fine with that. Hey, 253 00:14:06,720 --> 00:14:09,560 Speaker 1: celebrate you. You guys haven't done jack squat in forever, 254 00:14:11,080 --> 00:14:13,719 Speaker 1: and I don't really I don't think it's hit them 255 00:14:13,800 --> 00:14:15,920 Speaker 1: yet that Oh wait, we still have to go out 256 00:14:16,000 --> 00:14:20,720 Speaker 1: and play other good teams like the Memphis Grizzlies, and 257 00:14:20,800 --> 00:14:23,080 Speaker 1: if as long as John Rand's healthy, I think this 258 00:14:23,200 --> 00:14:25,320 Speaker 1: could be a blood bath. Now when I say blood bath, 259 00:14:25,360 --> 00:14:28,520 Speaker 1: I mean for nothing. I think the games could be competitive. 260 00:14:28,800 --> 00:14:33,240 Speaker 1: Like remember last year, Utah had some competitive games against Memphis, 261 00:14:33,320 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 1: but Utah didn't lose any of them. I think that's 262 00:14:36,040 --> 00:14:38,640 Speaker 1: what this is. Memphis has some competitive games with Minnesota 263 00:14:38,880 --> 00:14:42,160 Speaker 1: but sweeps them real quick. I'll wrap up with the Warriors. 264 00:14:42,280 --> 00:14:46,200 Speaker 1: I do believe this Steph Curry return is just great news. 265 00:14:47,400 --> 00:14:49,880 Speaker 1: Crazy stat for you. I had to triple check this. 266 00:14:50,720 --> 00:14:53,760 Speaker 1: The big three of Golden State, Curry, Clay, and Draymond 267 00:14:54,160 --> 00:15:01,040 Speaker 1: have played a combined eleven minutes together all season, eleven 268 00:15:01,080 --> 00:15:04,160 Speaker 1: minutes eighty two games. So Clay was obviously out for 269 00:15:04,200 --> 00:15:06,000 Speaker 1: a while, Draymond was out for a while, then Curry 270 00:15:06,080 --> 00:15:10,160 Speaker 1: was out obviously. It's like, oh, you fall into old 271 00:15:10,160 --> 00:15:15,920 Speaker 1: habits instantly, which reminds me of the Matt Damon Poker 272 00:15:15,960 --> 00:15:19,560 Speaker 1: movie where his buddy gets out of jail and they say, 273 00:15:19,560 --> 00:15:21,680 Speaker 1: hey man, we we gotta go straight. You can't do 274 00:15:21,760 --> 00:15:24,280 Speaker 1: this stuff anymore, and instantly they start playing poker, falling 275 00:15:24,280 --> 00:15:28,160 Speaker 1: into old habits and cheating. I think the Warriors, it's 276 00:15:28,160 --> 00:15:30,920 Speaker 1: not gonna take long for them to click. Doesn't sound 277 00:15:30,960 --> 00:15:33,480 Speaker 1: like Jamal Murray will be back. Michael Porter Jr. Is 278 00:15:33,480 --> 00:15:37,560 Speaker 1: still not there. Would not shock me if this was 279 00:15:37,600 --> 00:15:39,640 Speaker 1: for one or four. Nothing. We'll see how Curry looks 280 00:15:39,640 --> 00:15:42,080 Speaker 1: in Game one if he's on a minister restriction. Just 281 00:15:42,200 --> 00:15:44,600 Speaker 1: Denver teams just not really built for the playoffs. Again. 282 00:15:44,600 --> 00:15:45,920 Speaker 1: I'll go back to what I said about him be 283 00:15:47,000 --> 00:15:50,040 Speaker 1: building around a center in the modern playoffs is a 284 00:15:50,040 --> 00:15:52,400 Speaker 1: tough sell. And you want to go back to when 285 00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:54,760 Speaker 1: the Nugs made the run to the in the bubble 286 00:15:55,400 --> 00:15:58,840 Speaker 1: to the Western Conference finals, that was a Jamal Murray show. 287 00:15:58,880 --> 00:16:00,600 Speaker 1: If you got to go look up the members like, yeah, 288 00:16:00,640 --> 00:16:03,120 Speaker 1: Yogis was really good, but that was Jamal Murray's show. 289 00:16:03,160 --> 00:16:05,360 Speaker 1: I think he went over fifty points like three times. 290 00:16:05,880 --> 00:16:08,680 Speaker 1: He just went off. And there's a guard wing league 291 00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:11,920 Speaker 1: in the playoffs. The centers like Yogis is too good 292 00:16:11,920 --> 00:16:15,120 Speaker 1: to get played off the floor. But I just I 293 00:16:15,120 --> 00:16:18,840 Speaker 1: see him having a lot of problems. Now, No, kich 294 00:16:18,920 --> 00:16:21,360 Speaker 1: Is still gonna get triple doubles and big numbers, but 295 00:16:21,800 --> 00:16:24,840 Speaker 1: in terms of influencing influencing victories like you can in 296 00:16:24,840 --> 00:16:27,560 Speaker 1: the regular season, that ain't happening in the playoffs. All right, 297 00:16:27,640 --> 00:16:31,200 Speaker 1: let's get to the best bet for this weekend. Fox 298 00:16:31,240 --> 00:16:34,320 Speaker 1: Sports Radio has the best sports talk lineup in the nation. 299 00:16:34,640 --> 00:16:37,560 Speaker 1: Catch all of our shows at Fox sports Radio dot 300 00:16:37,600 --> 00:16:40,600 Speaker 1: com and within the I Heart Radio app search f 301 00:16:40,920 --> 00:16:45,400 Speaker 1: s R to listen live. The only thing better than 302 00:16:45,440 --> 00:16:49,680 Speaker 1: sitting on your couch watching the game. He's making money 303 00:16:49,680 --> 00:16:54,520 Speaker 1: while you do it. Here's your best bet. Tonight's games 304 00:16:54,560 --> 00:16:58,120 Speaker 1: are real tough. Number one, I cannot officially bet on 305 00:16:58,160 --> 00:17:03,440 Speaker 1: the calves with Jared Allen out now. He missed the 306 00:17:03,520 --> 00:17:07,400 Speaker 1: game on Tuesday. I was sorry the game on Wednesday, 307 00:17:07,560 --> 00:17:11,040 Speaker 1: and they've labeled him as fifty fifty. I've waited as 308 00:17:11,040 --> 00:17:13,639 Speaker 1: long as I could. This morning still looks like no 309 00:17:13,800 --> 00:17:17,720 Speaker 1: word on Jared Allen's availability. If he plays, Atlanta is 310 00:17:17,720 --> 00:17:20,800 Speaker 1: gonna have some brajor problems and I would probably take 311 00:17:20,840 --> 00:17:24,120 Speaker 1: Cleveland and upset. I know, the Highlight Factory or whatever 312 00:17:24,119 --> 00:17:27,200 Speaker 1: they call it in Atlanta can get juiced up when 313 00:17:27,200 --> 00:17:31,680 Speaker 1: Trey Young's hitting uh logo shots. But Charlotte put together 314 00:17:31,720 --> 00:17:34,359 Speaker 1: a pretty good game plan for blitzing Trey Young and 315 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:36,760 Speaker 1: trying to make him turn it over. Of course, Charlotte 316 00:17:36,800 --> 00:17:39,720 Speaker 1: has zero rim protection and it was a layup line 317 00:17:39,720 --> 00:17:41,360 Speaker 1: and Trey Young had a bunch of assists and then 318 00:17:41,400 --> 00:17:44,359 Speaker 1: finally they changed their strategy and Tray Young sharks dropping bombs. 319 00:17:45,000 --> 00:17:51,840 Speaker 1: Cleveland should be okay defensively against Trey Young. My problem 320 00:17:51,880 --> 00:17:56,600 Speaker 1: is if you put Darius Garland on him, Like Darius 321 00:17:56,640 --> 00:17:59,480 Speaker 1: Garlands your number one offensive weapon, you know where down 322 00:17:59,680 --> 00:18:02,760 Speaker 1: big time, your number one weapon chasing around Trey Young. 323 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:07,240 Speaker 1: I don't like that. Can they try Achora on him? Now? 324 00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:11,240 Speaker 1: Acora gives you nothing offensively, So that hurts LeVert so 325 00:18:11,280 --> 00:18:12,720 Speaker 1: many injuries. I don't know that he can play, So 326 00:18:12,760 --> 00:18:16,520 Speaker 1: I don't know what the good matchup is for Trey Young. 327 00:18:16,880 --> 00:18:20,880 Speaker 1: So the big thing is if they do end up 328 00:18:22,080 --> 00:18:24,960 Speaker 1: blitzing Young with the double teams and saying we'll give 329 00:18:25,000 --> 00:18:28,160 Speaker 1: you your four on three break inside the three point line. 330 00:18:29,400 --> 00:18:31,880 Speaker 1: We got Jared Allen and Evan Mobili back there, come, come, 331 00:18:31,920 --> 00:18:34,000 Speaker 1: come at us, let's let's get We'll take your best shot. 332 00:18:34,480 --> 00:18:37,320 Speaker 1: I like Cleveland chances back there. But of course, if 333 00:18:37,359 --> 00:18:39,320 Speaker 1: you don't get out to the three point line and 334 00:18:39,400 --> 00:18:42,359 Speaker 1: Herder Goes, goes nuts or Bogdanovitch, then you're in trouble. 335 00:18:42,440 --> 00:18:47,040 Speaker 1: So it's tough for me to build a case for 336 00:18:47,240 --> 00:18:50,160 Speaker 1: the Calves without knowing Jared Allen's information. So I'm gonna 337 00:18:50,119 --> 00:18:52,040 Speaker 1: I'm gonna punt on that one. I may pop a 338 00:18:52,200 --> 00:18:54,920 Speaker 1: player prop or two online. Obviously I'm doing the picks 339 00:18:54,960 --> 00:18:57,160 Speaker 1: for Fox Sports. If I do that, you'll see him 340 00:18:57,200 --> 00:19:01,800 Speaker 1: on Instagram or Twitter. Then you've got the Pelicans Clippers game. 341 00:19:02,280 --> 00:19:05,959 Speaker 1: And I really, guys, I really wanted to make a 342 00:19:06,000 --> 00:19:09,040 Speaker 1: case that the Pelicans would be the side I thought. 343 00:19:09,080 --> 00:19:11,840 Speaker 1: I really thought they had a chance and then you 344 00:19:11,920 --> 00:19:14,520 Speaker 1: start and I don't want to this is not like 345 00:19:14,520 --> 00:19:17,520 Speaker 1: a gambling secret, but you just go take the temperature 346 00:19:18,119 --> 00:19:20,760 Speaker 1: and you go see what other people are saying. And 347 00:19:22,880 --> 00:19:26,840 Speaker 1: almost everybody who feels like a square or who is like, 348 00:19:26,880 --> 00:19:29,560 Speaker 1: oh yeah, I cover gambling, and you know they're new 349 00:19:29,600 --> 00:19:32,080 Speaker 1: to the space. They don't know. They seem to be 350 00:19:32,680 --> 00:19:36,600 Speaker 1: on the Pelicans here, and sometimes your first instincts are 351 00:19:36,640 --> 00:19:39,600 Speaker 1: not great. And then I looked at the line and oh, 352 00:19:39,640 --> 00:19:44,080 Speaker 1: would you look at that Clippers opened at four, it's 353 00:19:44,119 --> 00:19:48,280 Speaker 1: up to five. And now it's like, well, wait a minute, 354 00:19:48,760 --> 00:19:54,119 Speaker 1: money on the Clippers. Clippers have I would say a 355 00:19:54,400 --> 00:19:59,600 Speaker 1: small advantage getting that extra day of rest. I look 356 00:19:59,640 --> 00:20:03,159 Speaker 1: at the matchups and it's like, well, c J. McCollum 357 00:20:03,200 --> 00:20:07,440 Speaker 1: against what Reggie Jackson like, the Pelicans obviously will put 358 00:20:07,440 --> 00:20:09,840 Speaker 1: HERB Jones on on Paul George. We know that is 359 00:20:09,880 --> 00:20:12,800 Speaker 1: the matchup to watch and that that could hit hinder 360 00:20:12,840 --> 00:20:15,600 Speaker 1: the Clippers. But Paul George can also be a distributor, 361 00:20:16,119 --> 00:20:19,320 Speaker 1: and the Clippers have capable guys. This Norman Powell's going 362 00:20:19,400 --> 00:20:23,359 Speaker 1: off from deep. So again, I know you guys are 363 00:20:23,359 --> 00:20:25,720 Speaker 1: sitting here waiting for bet, but it's super early on 364 00:20:25,760 --> 00:20:29,000 Speaker 1: Friday morning, and I'm I'm just like I I need 365 00:20:29,040 --> 00:20:30,520 Speaker 1: a little bit more time. But I will say this, 366 00:20:30,640 --> 00:20:32,560 Speaker 1: I'll bet the Clippers. I know five is not the 367 00:20:32,560 --> 00:20:33,879 Speaker 1: best number, but if this is up to five and 368 00:20:33,880 --> 00:20:37,400 Speaker 1: a half or six, you're way way way off off 369 00:20:37,440 --> 00:20:41,360 Speaker 1: the opener of four. So I don't love the Clippers 370 00:20:41,359 --> 00:20:46,080 Speaker 1: in this spot. I I just I think I gotta 371 00:20:46,119 --> 00:20:49,200 Speaker 1: take them. Just not not necessarily a fade the public, 372 00:20:49,240 --> 00:20:51,320 Speaker 1: but this to me feels like a game where a 373 00:20:51,320 --> 00:20:53,720 Speaker 1: guy like Terrence Man breaks out. You remember how he 374 00:20:53,720 --> 00:20:57,720 Speaker 1: had that monster game. Might have been games against Utah 375 00:20:57,760 --> 00:21:00,320 Speaker 1: in the playoffs last year. I feel like the could 376 00:21:00,320 --> 00:21:02,000 Speaker 1: be a Terrence Man game. He had a couple of 377 00:21:02,080 --> 00:21:04,520 Speaker 1: nice plays against the Timberwolves, but we didn't get to 378 00:21:04,520 --> 00:21:07,200 Speaker 1: see a ton of it. Timberwolves play no defense except 379 00:21:07,240 --> 00:21:10,359 Speaker 1: for Patrick Beverley. We know her Jones plays a lot 380 00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:12,639 Speaker 1: of defense. And I do want to see if the 381 00:21:12,640 --> 00:21:17,639 Speaker 1: Clippers can play the Pells Bigs off the floor. If 382 00:21:17,640 --> 00:21:20,440 Speaker 1: you if they don't ride Haze and Valentiunis and they 383 00:21:20,440 --> 00:21:22,119 Speaker 1: gotta go small to match of Clippers, that it's a 384 00:21:22,119 --> 00:21:26,320 Speaker 1: win for the Clippers. You got Patum Morris Powell Man 385 00:21:26,440 --> 00:21:28,800 Speaker 1: Reggie Jackson, Paul George, You've got a bunch of wings. 386 00:21:28,800 --> 00:21:31,239 Speaker 1: Covington's like, that's a big edge to the Clippers. So 387 00:21:32,040 --> 00:21:36,440 Speaker 1: whatever edge you think the Pels have with Ingram and C. J. McCollum, 388 00:21:36,880 --> 00:21:39,440 Speaker 1: you've just got like five different guys on the Clippers, 389 00:21:39,440 --> 00:21:40,960 Speaker 1: you can throw it up. So I'm gonna go with 390 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:44,439 Speaker 1: the Clippers here, no prop for me just yet. And 391 00:21:44,440 --> 00:21:48,360 Speaker 1: then quickly on Saturday's games. Let's take one more quick 392 00:21:48,359 --> 00:21:52,440 Speaker 1: look at the lines for Saturday's games. Dallas was the 393 00:21:52,480 --> 00:21:55,800 Speaker 1: three point favorite. It's now Utah by five. I'm sorry, 394 00:21:55,840 --> 00:21:59,120 Speaker 1: I absolutely have to take the five points there. Dallas, 395 00:21:59,200 --> 00:22:01,960 Speaker 1: Jalen Brunson, and didn't we I really think they show 396 00:22:02,080 --> 00:22:04,600 Speaker 1: up and Utah does not dominate them. So give me 397 00:22:04,800 --> 00:22:09,320 Speaker 1: Dallas getting five. I don't know about the Memphis opener. 398 00:22:09,440 --> 00:22:12,880 Speaker 1: Seven feels high. It's still early Friday. We could see 399 00:22:12,880 --> 00:22:15,520 Speaker 1: some money come in on one side of the other 400 00:22:15,640 --> 00:22:18,960 Speaker 1: heading into the game Philadelphia. I was a little surprised 401 00:22:18,960 --> 00:22:20,840 Speaker 1: at this. I saw the sixers in game one would 402 00:22:20,840 --> 00:22:24,960 Speaker 1: be a great bet, sharp money on the Raptors five 403 00:22:25,040 --> 00:22:26,399 Speaker 1: to four and a half. So I'm gonna wait on 404 00:22:26,440 --> 00:22:28,880 Speaker 1: that one. Golden State obviously, as soon as the current 405 00:22:28,920 --> 00:22:31,199 Speaker 1: news hit, money came in on the Warriors five and 406 00:22:31,200 --> 00:22:33,880 Speaker 1: a half up to six. I don't really have anything there. 407 00:22:33,920 --> 00:22:36,720 Speaker 1: I will say the biggest game one play of Saturday 408 00:22:36,720 --> 00:22:39,240 Speaker 1: Sunday for me is on the Bucks. Open at nine, 409 00:22:39,800 --> 00:22:41,440 Speaker 1: I got nine and a half. It's up to ten. 410 00:22:42,200 --> 00:22:44,160 Speaker 1: I think the Bucks just smash them. This is a 411 00:22:44,240 --> 00:22:48,000 Speaker 1: really strong Milwaukee team. We know that defending champions, they 412 00:22:48,119 --> 00:22:51,560 Speaker 1: roll at home. No Alonzo. Obviously Chicago has had some 413 00:22:51,600 --> 00:22:55,119 Speaker 1: time to adjust. It's just this is what Milwaukee does. 414 00:22:55,160 --> 00:22:57,240 Speaker 1: They destroyed teams similar to the Phoenix Suns. They just 415 00:22:57,280 --> 00:22:59,840 Speaker 1: run them off the court. They overwhelmed them. I the 416 00:23:00,119 --> 00:23:01,919 Speaker 1: I think Milwaukee is my big play at nine and 417 00:23:01,920 --> 00:23:03,760 Speaker 1: a half. I still like it at ten if you 418 00:23:03,760 --> 00:23:05,399 Speaker 1: want to get it. And I do think Boston is 419 00:23:05,400 --> 00:23:07,080 Speaker 1: a bet. They opened a three and a half up 420 00:23:07,080 --> 00:23:10,080 Speaker 1: the four. I do think Boston prevails. I know that 421 00:23:10,320 --> 00:23:12,600 Speaker 1: the Robert Williams back line of the defense is a 422 00:23:12,600 --> 00:23:15,600 Speaker 1: big thing. Guess what they've had now through two and 423 00:23:15,600 --> 00:23:18,360 Speaker 1: a half weeks, three weeks to prepare for this. They've 424 00:23:18,400 --> 00:23:21,359 Speaker 1: had ample time to get ready for Brooklyn. Brooklyn doesn't 425 00:23:21,359 --> 00:23:23,359 Speaker 1: have a bench. I like Boston so those are the 426 00:23:23,359 --> 00:23:27,440 Speaker 1: best bets. Should be a fun opening weekend of the 427 00:23:27,560 --> 00:23:31,760 Speaker 1: NBA Playoffs. Everybody have a happy Easter. I don't want 428 00:23:31,760 --> 00:23:34,840 Speaker 1: to get overly religious, but Easter is a big holiday 429 00:23:34,840 --> 00:23:37,399 Speaker 1: this weekend. I'll talk to you guys on Monday.