We know better than to declare The Process complete — The Process is about contending for championships, not merely advancing in the NBA playoffs. But it’d be absurd to fail to acknowledge what a key milestone the Philadelphia 76ers reached on Tuesday, beating the Miami Heat, 104-91, and winning their first-round series, 4-1.
Step 1 in The Process is complete
We have that and more in Wednesday’s NBA newsletter.
Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
The Sixers won their first series in six years, and are the only East team to advance in five games. They’ll meet the winner of Celtics-Bucks. Boston edged Milwaukee in Game 5, 92-87 on Tuesday, thanks in minor part to a shot clock SNAFU late. The C’s can end that series on Thursday, or the Bucks could send it to a Saturday Game 7.
We’ll definitely have at least one game on Saturday, though: Game 1 of Pelicans vs. Warriors, as Golden State finished off the Spurs, 99-91, on Tuesday despite Manu Ginobili’s best efforts in what could be his final game. We don’t know if Stephen Curry will be back in time for that Game 1 tip-off. That could be some series, y’all.
Tuesday’s Scores
Celtics 92, Bucks 87
Boston leads 3-2
Recaps: CelticsBlog | Brew Hoop
Sixers 104, Heat 91
Philadelphia wins 4-1
Recaps: Liberty Ballers | Hot Hot Hoops
Warriors 99, Spurs 91
San Antonio wins 4-1
Recaps: Golden State Of Mind | Pounding The Rock
Wednesday’s Schedule
Four games! On a weeknight!
Wizards at Raptors, 7 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Series tied 2-2
Pacers at Cavaliers, 7 p.m. ET, TNT
Series tied 2-2
Timberwolves at Rockets, 9:30 p.m. ET, TNT
Houston leads 3-1
Jazz at Thunder, 9:30 p.m. ET, NBA TV
Utah leads 3-1
Links on Links on Links
The report from Condoleeza Rice’s NCAA-created Commission on College Basketball leaked ahead of its release on Wednesday. The report implores the NBA to end the one and done era by abolishing the age minimum. NBA commissioner Adam Silver has leaned in that direction in public comments lately, but has also said he’s waiting on the college basketball report before doing anything. He also needs players’ union approval to make this change, considering it’s in the labor agreement. How quickly will Silver move? The commission’s report says that if the NBA doesn’t act before the next basketball season, the NCAA should take more drastic measures — like making all freshmen ineligible — to end one-and-done. Hmm.
Meek Mill was released on bond in time to make it to the Sixers’ game. Magical. Can’t wait for a potential Drake vs. Meek Mill battle in the East finals.
I wrote about clarity and Russell Westbrook.
Zach Lowe beat everyone to the punch by asking whether the Pelicans still need DeMarcus Cousins, who will be a free agent coming off of a torn Achilles this summer. The thing with New Orleans and Cousins to me is that I’m not sure it should be a question of giving him the max or trying to get him for, like, 75 percent of max. His mere presence at any salary level changes what you are able to do on the court dramatically. It should really be a question of whether you want him with this core going forward at all.
The Utah crowd left Donovan Mitchell speechless with an ovation Monday night. Jazz fans are wild, but, boy, do they love that team.
Steven Adams is just a normal bro. What a delight of a profile from Royce Young!
Haley O’Shaughnessy’s surprise All-Stars of the playoffs.
Always read Rob Mahoney, but especially as he considers the future of the Blazers. Dane Carbaugh’s piece on the same issue is worth a read, too.
Be excellent to each other.
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