Welcome to Layup Lines, our basketball newsletter where we’ll prep you for the tip-off of tonight’s action, from what to watch to bets to make. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox.
D’Angelo Russell has played very well for the Lakers and has done it with extreme confidence both on and off the court.
Los Angeles drafted Russell as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2015 NBA Draft but traded him in 2017. He was re-acquired by the franchise before the trade deadline, and he has since stepped up as a team leader while LeBron James is sidelined with an injury.
The guard recorded 28 points and 9 assists during a victory over the Raptors on Friday, then dropped 33 points and 8 assists against the Knicks on Sunday. But it wasn’t enough to defeat New York, led by a 33-point performance from Russell’s former teammate Julius Randle.
"That one hurt for us… it just didn't really go our way." @Dloading had a great night (33 pts, 8 ast, 6 3pm) but the loss is a tough pill to swallow. pic.twitter.com/DyMJQamNqb
— Spectrum SportsNet (@SpectrumSN) March 13, 2023
After the game, the Lakers guard was asked if it brought back any emotions playing against Randle. Here is what Russell said:
“I’m a fan of his game. No relationship. We played together [and] went our separate ways after that. It’s just been competitive energy ever since then. That’s how I am with everybody. I’m not really friends with anybody, to be honest. On the court, it’s no love. You just want to battle and try to get the win and maybe shake hands after.”
At least Russell acknowledged that he was a fan of Randle’s game. But that’s ice-cold stuff from the former No. 2 overall pick. Sheesh!
The Tip-Off
NBA content from around the USA TODAY Sports network.
I wrote about the top NBA draft prospects who will participate in the upcoming March Madness tournament. Here is a brief excerpt:
“Houston’s Jarace Walker is an incredibly impactful defender more than capable of guarding both the ball handler and the screener in the pick-and-roll. Opponents are shooting just 29.7 percent in the paint when he is on the floor, per CBB Analytics.”
You can check out the full list here.
One to Watch
(All odds via Tipico.)
Bucks (-1.5, -130) vs. Kings (+110), O/U 243.5, 10:00 PM ET
With all apologies to Grizzlies-Mavericks and the growing rivalry between Dillon Brooks and literally everyone in the league, this is the matchup of the night. Sacramento has the best offense in the NBA and the Bucks have the second-best defense. This should be fun.
Shootaround
— Ranking all 68 of the 2023 men’s NCAA tournament teams by mascot
— 4 teams with the hardest path to the 2023 Men’s Final Four (including Duke)
— 5 decisions (Kansas out West!?) the NCAA men’s selection committee absolutely got wrong
— North Carolina quickly declined an NIT invitation after a historic NCAA tournament miss