Only a half-dozen or so teams have max-level space this season, and most won’t pursue Cousins at that level, sources say. He doesn’t make sense for rebuilding teams. Even bad teams hungry for a big jump in wins next season — say, the Suns — can’t be confident Cousins will be ready to produce at his usual All-Star level until 2019-20, anyway. (Still: Never underestimate Robert Sarver’s July 1 exuberance in the name of short-term gain.) Some teams are afraid of his baggage.
Only a half-dozen or so teams have max-level space this…
Celtics tie series vs. Miami
Tatum scored 31 points and Boston took its turn pounding Miami early, jumping out to a 26-4 lead and cruising to a 102-82 victory that evened the Eastern Conference finals at two games apiece. “Obviously, we knew how important this game was,” Tatum said. “Everybody just had to come up with a different sense of urgency.”
Clutch Points: “The ups and downs that we’ve had, that all brought us closer” 🗣️ Jayson Tatum on his relationship with Celtics head coach Ime Udoka pic.twitter.com/psSVjerZCO
StatMuse: Jayson Tatum is scoring 32.6 PPG after a loss this playoffs. The Celtics are 5-0 in those games. pic.twitter.com/2YZlVOgXYl
ESPN Stats: Points Scored in Game 4: All Heat starters — 18 Victor Oladipo — 23 This is the very first playoff game that an entire starting lineup was outscored by a player from its bench (since starters were first tracked in 1970-71).
Rudy Gobert: This Boston defense is tough
Precious Achiuwa: Al Horford looking like the DPOY right now. First team at least 🤧
Zach Kram: Re NBA blowouts: 18% of games this postseason have been decided by 25+ points. The record is 23% in 2016. But we remember the 2016 playoffs as amazing because of GSW-OKC and CLE-GSW. A few remarkable moments and series can make up for other blowouts across the board.
James Edwards III: Heard Dwane Casey is also in Boston with Cade, Stew and Killian. My guess is he wants the young fellas to take in the atmosphere of basketball at that level.
