Playoffs
Sunday’s playoff slate had four first-round Game 4s: Cavaliers-Raptors, Spurs-Trail Blazers, Celtics-76ers, and Lakers-Rockets. Wikihoops’ spoiler-free signal makes Cavs-Raptors the clear first stop, Spurs-Blazers a maybe, Celtics-Sixers likely skippable, while the late Lakers-Rockets slot was not yet rated when checked. Queue order, not outcome talk: that is the useful bit for a delayed-watch morning.
Source: Wikihoops · NBA.com
Preview
NBA.com frames Monday’s Thunder-Suns Game 4 around Phoenix’s uncomfortable defensive choice: keep letting Shai Gilgeous-Alexander work one-on-one, or double him and trust rotations behind the play. Jalen Williams’ hamstring issue puts more creation pressure on Ajay Mitchell and Chet Holmgren, which gives Phoenix one tactical door into the game.
Source: NBA.com
Injury
Anthony Edwards avoided ligament damage but is expected to miss multiple weeks with a hyperextended left knee and bone bruise, while Donte DiVincenzo’s torn Achilles removes the other half of Minnesota’s starting backcourt. The injury news gives Monday’s Game 5 a radically different guard-rotation problem without needing any score talk.
Source: ESPN
Preview
NBA.com’s Pistons-Magic preview treats Game 4 as Orlando’s chance to prove that its physical edge and shot-making are more than a one-night correction. Jalen Duren’s struggles, Wendell Carter Jr.’s interior work, and Desmond Bane’s spacing are the useful watch points.
Source: NBA.com