Let’s face it, national television-wise, this weekend is all about college basketball. The conclusion of conference tournaments leading up to the penultimate event of March Madness (aside from the Final Four), Selection Sunday, have basically all of the airwaves and attention on lock. That’s not to say there aren’t some intriguing NBA games on the slate, it’s just that you’ll need NBA TV or a League Pass subscription to see most of them. Madness, indeed.
Friday.
Utah at Philadelphia – B-. So Al Jefferson just realized that by kicking the ball out once in a while to shooters could potentially free him up on the block. It’s a good thing Philly has such talented wing defenders who are capable of helping and recovering, because if Jefferson is learning life lessons like that, the Jazz will only improve with the basics down.
Dallas at Sacramento – B. This remains an entertaining match-up with the defending champs still trying to figure stuff out and the talented but inexperienced Kings, well, doing the same, but remember the 2003 Western Conference Semifinals between these franchises? Here were the scores of all seven games: 124-113, 132-110, 141-137, 99-83, 112-93, 115-109, and 112-99. Ah, good times, good times.
Saturday.
New Orleans at Minnesota – C+. At least we can say this game is watchable because of Kevin Love destroying the universe right now. Go to your local pub, and, after convincing the barkeep that they do indeed carry NBATV, demand this one be shown on the place’s main screen. Trust me, it’ll be fine.
Dallas at Golden State – B. The last of the Mavericks’ back-to-back-to-back comes against a team that loves getting up and down the court as quickly as possible, especially at home. A perfect match-up for an aging team with weary legs, don’t you think? Still always a fun pairing regardless.
Sunday.
Boston at Los Angeles Lakers – A. Yes they’re both aging, both in need of perhaps some upgrades before the upcoming trade deadline, but these two teams also have recent Finals history with one another, and there shouldn’t be much doubt that they’ll bring out the best in each other on a Sunday afternoon.
Selection Sunday – BRACKETS. I feel like I know next to nothing about 90 percent of the teams who will be in this field, but come on: It’s Selection Sunday. No matter what, looking at a fresh bracket is just an annual good feeling.
Enjoy the weekend. Hopefully you aren’t on a bubble of any kind.
Griffin Gotta contributes to The Hoop Doctors and is a co-managing editor of Straight Outta Vancouver. The story arcs and infinite weirdness of the NBA are addictions he deals with every day. Email him at griffingotta at gmail dot com.
