5.4.18

Share The Grip

S.E.: I already miss Ichiro.J.S.: Save it for our baseball newsletter, The Seam, coming in 2022.S.E.: Fair enough. And readers, ignore this dribble and scroll down (after reading the rest, of course) to our new segment.

Written while listening to Run The Jewels’ Run the Jewels 3 [

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No. 1 Toronto vs. No. 4 Cleveland

Game 1: Cavaliers 113, Raptors 112Game 2: Cavaliers 128, Raptors 110 [Box Score] [Highlights]Game 3: Raptors @ Cleveland, Tomorrow, 8:30 EST, ABC

  Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.

The Toronto Raptors, beloved basketball team of the country of Canada, which had a few decent seasons but ultimately flattered to deceive and allowed Drake to do way too many things in general, passed away last night.

It was 23.

It died peacefully and without a fight, down 20 points late in the fourth quarter, and with loved ones by its side.

Disappointing, for sure. But surprising? Now, now.  

When someone or something passes, a beautiful thing happens: All the bad memories disappear, and all the good ones emerge from wherever they were hiding. All the pain goes.

So let’s remember the good times.

There was the one series win for Vince Carter, who never won more than 47 games as a Raptor. There were the few mediocre seasons with Chris Bosh, who left. Pretty sure Rudy Gay stopped by for a hot second.

There were the 50-win seasons for Kyle Lowry and DeMar DeRozan, ruined by LeBron…

Well, it looks like there weren’t many good memories.

But there’s no need to be angry anymore. The hard part is over.

Rest easy, Raptors.

Janos said it best, though. 

If you really want to know what happened, just watch LeBron’s highlights. He dropped 43.  

Eastern Conference

No. 2 Boston vs. No. 3 Philadelphia

Game 1: Celtics 117, 76ers 101 Game 2: Celtics 108, 76ers 103 [Box Score] [Highlights]Game 3: Celtics @ 76ers, Tomorrow, 5 EST

From East Somerville to Hyde Park to Jamaica Plain to the North End, the Garden was reverberating and rocking on Thursday night in a way few eras in Celtics history ever have.

[Jaylen Brown: "Man, I’ve never seen TD Garden like it was tonight. I think I’ll remember that game forever.”]

And in a game of runs, the most resounding moment for the Celtics came in the second quarter, when they turned a 22-point deficit to a five point one within seven game minutes.

How do they keep doing this?

You have to (again) credit the coach for preaching good basketball from tip to buzzer. This young core didn’t panic. They continued their offense when they were down 20 as they would if they were up ten, while the 76ers looked like they’d never played with a lead.

The Celtics went on an 18-3 run to close the half, and Philadelphia coach Brett Brown didn’t call one timeout during the run. That worked for M.J. and Phil Jackson, not a bunch of young fellas.

And where the hell did Ben Simmons go? Look:

31 MIN | 1 PT | 0-4 FG | 5 REB | 7 AST | 5 TO | Minus-23

Ben, did you just do this to prove to Donovan Mitchell that you are a rookie?

Boston hasn’t lost at TD Garden this postseason (6-0) and the Celtics are an insane 33-0 all time after going up 2-0 in a playoff series.

[READ: The Celtics have done this all season]

Western Conference

No. 1 Houston vs. No. 5 Utah

Game 1: Rockets 110, Jazz 96Game 2: Jazz 116, Rockets 108 [Box Score] [Highlights]Game 3: Rockets @ Jazz, Tonight, 10:30 EST, ESPNGame 4: Rockets @ Jazz, Sunday, 8 PM, TNT

Is there a good other-sport comparison for the Utah Jazz?  

They exist in a uniquely bad location, have never landed a big free agent -- Joe Johnson, pre-star Carlos Boozer? -- and yet have a legitimate and definitive history of stars and smart behind-the-scenes people.

(We’ve heard Salt Lake City is beautiful, but it is *notoriously* *dreaded* *among* NBA players.)

OK, so they sucked for most of the ‘80s, but Jerry Sloan (coached from 1989-2011) is maybe the greatest coach to never win a ring. John Stockton and Karl Malone are among the greatest players without a ring.  

Carlos Boozer and Deron Williams were a legit Stockton-Malone cover band; Gordon Hayward was a star; Donovan Mitchell is a star; Quin Snyder is a top-five coach; Dennis Lindsey is a top-five executive.

Of the 43 all-star selections they’ve had, only four -- Carlos Boozer (twice), Rickey Green (once) and Mehmet Okur (once) were signed in free agency. The latter two were claimed on waivers; the other 39 came through draft or trade.

They were born in the dugout while other cities were born on third base. And here they are, tied with a 65-win team after losing their star last year to a city with ample history and -- if you love Whiskey Saigon -- a nightlife.

Do you, Utah. And do you, Donovan Mitchell.

No. 2 Golden State vs. No. 6 New Orleans

Game 1: Warriors 123, Pelicans 101Game 2: Warriors 121, Pelicans 116 [Box Score] [Highlights]Game 3: Warriors @ Pelicans, Tonight, 8 EST, ESPNGame 4: Warriors @ Pelicans, Sunday, 3:30 EST, ABC

When Charles Barkley said he wanted to punch Draymond Green during the Warriors’ game two victory, he pretty much spoke for all of America.

But he towed the line a little too hard, apparently, so he had to apologize before Wednesday’s Utah-Houston game:

“I apologize to Draymond Green. What I said was wrong and inappropriate. I would never punch an NBA player.”

Green, always good for a reverent quote, responded:

“Punch me in the face when you see me, or no one cares what you would have done. You’re old and it is what it is.”

Solid offday beef.

Kill time at work: The New Yorker’s Anthony Davis and the Plight of the Modern N.B.A. Big Man is a good and long read.

What else happened?

• Diamond Joe Ingles is becoming a cult hero. He punked Paul George last series. His newest playoff target: The MVP.

• The official game two Ben Simmons highlight reel. (H/T Kyle Malloy)

• Robert Kraft, Gucci Mane and Meek Mill combined to make quite the spectacle last night.

• Kevin Hart ate his laughing words.

• COACH NEWS

  • The Phoenix Suns have selected Igor Kokoškov (kuh-KOS-kov) as their 19th coach. A Serbian native, Kokoškov has been an assistant in the NBA since 2000 and for the Utah Jazz for the last three years. It’s random, but far better than one of these Mike Brown-Jeff Hornacek-Mike Woodson types who the league has already regurgitated.  

  • David Fizdale has been hired by James Dolan to coach the Knicks during the seemingly infinite rebuild. Probably because he has no more hair to pull out.

  • Sam Presti (Emerson alum) says he will bring back Billy Donovan next year.

• READ: Family, faith pave Semi Ojeleye’s path to home with Celtics (Includes some juicy Coach K gossip)

• READ: LeBron James remains a damn miracle

• READ: The Legend of Brad Stevens

• READ: Sadness, silence and shock in Raptors' dressing room

• LISTEN: Bill Simmons and Brian Windhorst discuss the playoffs, LeBron’s plan, and more

Pat vs. The House

From the mean streets of Prospect Hill to a gentrified loft in South Boston, friend of the Grip Pat Tracy has always held one thing near and dear to his heart: His bookie. Welcome to the first segment of Pat vs. The House, a betting column every Friday where Pat will share who he’s picking -- and why -- for games du jour. 

Golden State Warriors (-4) at New Orleans Pelicans (+4) Round 2 - Game 3 - 8:00 PM ET

P.T.: The New Orleans Pelicans lost me a significant percentage of my net worth with their antics in the first round against the Blazers. But, this round the Pelicans are playing against a team that employs two players that have made 200 three-pointers in a season at 44 percent or over.  Only seven players have ever done that (Steph did it thrice). Betting against the Warriors is the most disheartening thing that a person can do. Don’t hunt for an upset against this team. Steph Curry’s release is inhuman. And if they are down late in the game, I bet Zaza Pachuila will be available to injure a key player on the opposing team.

Pat’s Pick --> WARRIORS -4

Odds to win series:  Warriors (-5000) New Orleans Pelicans (+1800)

Prop Bet

Who does something more reckless tonight? Draymond Green (-150) Javale Mcgee (+125)

Houston Rockets (-4) at Utah Jazz (+4) Round 2 - Game 3 - 10:30 PM ET

P.T.: Betting on the rockets wasn’t fun in game two.  That was surprising. And expensive. But betting on the Rockets is fun approximately 90 percent of the time.  You get to watch a flashy offense splash threes, and you get to imitate Harden’s “nose-bleed” celebration from the edge of your own couch.  That being said, I am cautious, because….Donovan Mitchell. I wouldn’t be incredibly surprised if the Jazz win one at home, but I’m thinking their chance is in game four.  Harden is going to come out of the gate on a mission to not go down 2-to-1. Also, Chris Paul has never made it to the conference finals. That has nothing to do with betting, just thought I would mention it.  HARDEN IS GETTING 50!

Pat’s Pick --> ROCKETS -4

Odds to win series:  Rockets (-650) Jazz (+450)

Prop Bet

Will the Rockets’ 7’1 Center Zhou Qi make an appearance on the court tonight? YES (-220) NO (+350)

Pat’s $20 ParlayWarriors -190Rockets -180Warriors vs Pelicans - over 232.5 points

WINS $71

The Upcoming Playoff Schedule

Courtesy of Sports Illustrated