Welcome to Layup Lines, our daily NBA newsletter where we’ll prep you for a tip-off of tonight’s action, from what to watch to bets to make. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every weekday afternoon.
What’s good, hoop heads? It’s your boy Sykes and I will be your sherpa as you head into tonight’s NBA action.
Can y’all believe that they’re letting me do this? I can’t either. The takes are going to be absolutely scorching coming from this guy. Luckily for you, you’ll get a reprieve when someone else inevitably takes the reigns again. But until then? Let’s talk some hoop.
I’ll try not to drive this thing too far off the rails.
The Tip-Off
Some NBA goodness from around the USA TODAY Sports network.
For a lot of us, it’s time to gear up and get ready for the playoffs. You’re hoping your team makes a deep postseason run to maybe win a championship if the Phoenix Suns are nice enough to let them. But for the rest of us? It’s draft time, baby. My Wizards stink and I need to know who we’re about to pick up in June.
That’s why it’s a perfect time to check out the homie Bryan Kalbrosky’s latest mock draft with all 58 picks included. Who is going No. 1? Chet Holmgren, of course.
“When it comes to the No. 1 overall pick, the more I watch him play, the more I’m moving closer to the “Chet-No-Matter-What” camp. Holmgren had 19 points, 17 rebounds, and 7 blocks during the first tournament game then matched up well against an NBA-sized opponent in Jalen Duren, defeating Memphis in the process. In terms of upside bets, the ceiling is just too high to pass on Chet.”
Smart man.
One to Watch
(All odds via Tipico.)
Mavericks (+130) vs. Timberwolves (-3.5, -160), O/U 228.5, 8 PM ET
Is it just me or are the Timberwolves must-watch TV at this point? Not only because Karl-Anthony Towns could drop 60 at any moment, but also because either he or Patrick Beverley might talk some elite-level smack to their opponents.
In their 3 previous matchups this season, these two teams haven’t combined for more than 218 points but over their last 5 games, the Timberwolves are averaging 127 points per game alone. I’m taking the over tonight.
Who’s in and out?
— On a separate note, Andre Iguodala has been ruled out with a back injury for Friday night’s action with the Hawks despite rumors swirling about a return.
— On the Hawks’ end of the spectrum, Bogdan Bogdanovic has been ruled as questionable as of now.
— Both Julius Randle and Mitchell Robinson are game-time decisions for the Knicks against the Heat.
Shootaround
— Massive demand from today’s NBA players for Kobe Bryant’s signature sneaker line was a huge part of the reason why Nike brought it back.
— The Celtics look like they could be a legitimate NBA champion now, but they were awful the first half of the year. Celtics Wire has Jayson Tatum’s explanation for why.
— A Hoopshype poll of 52 former and current NBA players still has Michael Jordan as the most influential player to touch an NBA floor. Nothing but respect for my GOAT.
Let’s do this all again next week, family! Hopefully, they let me back in here. Til next time. Peace.
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