Good morning. It’s Monday, which means there are so many highlights in this edition of the newsletter that mere email clients cannot handle it. Click on the headline to open it in a browser. Let’s basketball.

The Sacramento Kings have been in third place in the Western Conference for a few months now, ever since the Pelicans crashed. For all that’s been made of the immense parity in the league, particularly in the West, the Kings have stayed above the fray. Not by much, and most “X teams within X games” formulations have included the Kings in that mix.

But it’s worth recognizing that Sacramento has held its resolve and stayed above the teams that have made runs at taking that third spot, whether it be the Mavericks, the Suns or the Clippers. The Kings are young, and many of these players have not been in this position of success and pressure much if at all in the NBA. They are not supposed to be here. As such, it’s easy to count them out. A paper tiger. A cut below.

And maybe that’s fair. There is a typical progression with NBA teams, especially those without one of those generational superstars we spend so much time talking about. But I’ll say this: in an NBA where parity is increasing rapidly, the old formulas don’t necessarily hold. In an NBA where suddenly anything can happen, anything can happen.

Bleacher Report @BleacherReport

MALIK MONK FORCES OT 😤 THIS GAME.

6:02 AM ∙ Feb 25, 2023

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That is Malik Monk forcing overtime against the vaunted Clippers by tying the score at 153 on Friday.

The Kings have the best offense in the NBA this season at 118 points per 100 possessions. This is also the best offense in NBA history. The Kings, Nuggets and Celtics have actually been battling for the top offensive mark this season. There’s a chance they end up with the best three offenses ever. Thanks to the three-pointer and some other particular factors (Sacramento’s speed and Nikola Jokic’s incomparable vision, to name a couple), top-end offenses are just unbelievably powerful right now. And none is more powerful right this moment than that of Sacramento.

This is how the L.A. Clippers can shoot 24/40 — 60% — on three-pointers in regulation, setting a season high and putting the team’s total at 153 points … and still need to go to overtime. This is the power of an all-time great offense: sometimes, not even A Buck Fifty-Three is enough to pay your bill.

An offense like this is an incredible weapon, especially when you consider the versatility of what Sacramento does. Obviously, they can hit the long-ball with Kevin Huerter, Harrison Barnes and Keegan Murray leading the charge from deep. They have Domantas Sabonis, known for his brilliant Diet Jokic passing but also a gifted bruiser at the rim who picks up a lot of timely offensive rebounds. Rim pressure is also provided by De’Aaron Fox and Monk, who are willing to shoot but just as willing to spike the ball on your head.

ClutchPoints @ClutchPointsApp

WHAT A DUNK BY MALIK MONK 😱

6:08 AM ∙ Feb 25, 2023

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The game can be won or lost in the space in between. That’s where the superstars of this league tend to be made. I’m not calling De’Aaron Fox a superstar. I’m not calling De’Aaron Fox a superstar. I’m really not calling De’Aaron Fox a superstar. But like the superstars of this league, Fox can win the game in the spaces in between.

NBA TV @NBATV

DE'AARON FOX FOR THE WIN IN THE OT THRILLER 🦊

6:32 AM ∙ Feb 25, 2023

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I understand why the Kings would be considered as a preferred playoff opponent for some of these parity pack Western teams, even over teams also in the parity pack. I even believe it; we’ve seen that playoff experience matters, that’s something that hasn’t really changed in the changing NBA. Sacramento’s defense is also … uh, not very good, despite Mike Brown’s best efforts to find something that works consistently on that end.

But acknowledging that the Kings will face new and difficult challenges in the postseason, and will be fairly rated as an underdog against a team with a worse record in all likelihood — that’s not the same as saying that the Kings are a paper tiger, a cut below. The Kings came back from the dead three times on Friday night, on the road, against a two-time Finals MVP and his All-NBA friend. The Kings absorbed some of the hottest shooting of the season, and matched it point by freaking point until they hit 176.

If you want to beat the Kings, you have to actually beat the Kings. Getting hot isn’t enough. Evidence suggests those dudes are probably going to get even hotter.

Sacramento Kings @SacramentoKings

"I don't give a f*ck who's over there." Fox and Monk are only worried about themselves. 😤

6:53 AM ∙ Feb 25, 2023

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Quin Back

Quin Snyder, a delightfully intense offensive mastermind most recently seen getting on the first lifeboat off the Titanic, is the new head coach of the Atlanta Hawks. Hiring a full-on head coach midseason in lieu of an interim is a bold and increasingly common move. I’m interested to see how much Snyder will try to install his philosophy on the fly this season vs. leaning on the Hawks’ existing approach — i.e. watch Trae Young dribble, and occassionally also watch Dejounte Murray dribble.

I’m also really interested to see how Landry Fields envisions the current roster working with Snyder’s system long-term. Might be another interesting summer in Atlanta.

Scores

FRIDAY

Knicks 115, Wizards 109 — New York is gaining on Cleveland fast for No. 4. Julius Randle with a marvelous effort.

Cavaliers 119, Hawks 136 — I don’t believe in any Hawks statement games at this point, and in fact this is a strong “fired coach bounce” candidate. But still, nice win for Atlanta. Scoring 14 straight buckets against an elite defense is no joke.

Heat 99, Bucks 128 — Kevin Love starts his first game as a member of the Heat. I like what Love provides this team on paper; however, it’s typically not a great sign when buy-out pick-ups are immediately starting games for you. He had 0 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, a steal and a block.

This game was not competitive after the first quarter. Also, Giannis didn’t play after the first quarter. That’s a bad sign for Miami.

Hornets 121, Timberwolves 113 — LaMelo Ball is out here doing things.

Nets 87, Bulls 131 — Thanks for joining us, Chicago. The season is 73% over already.

Thunder 115, Suns 124 — Torrey Craig, spicy! Count of Monte Cristo stuff.

NBA @NBA

Lu Dort and Torrey Craig trade TOUGH blocks on both ends 🚫 What a sequence on ESPN.

4:41 AM ∙ Feb 25, 2023

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Rockets 101, Warriors 116 — Look at Klay Thompson popping 12 threes against a glorified G League team. We love to see a hyped up Klay Thompson.

Kings 176, Clippers 175 (2OT) — I’m still buzzing a little bit, like 60 hours on.

SATURDAY

Raptors 95, Pistons 91

Heat 103, Hornets 108 — Kudos to Charlotte for competing every night at this stage in the season. And they’ve found a silver lining to this otherwise brutal campaign, even if they don’t end up with Victor Wembanyama: the Hornets just might have a franchise center in Mark Williams.

Here he is closing down a win over the Heat to finish with 18 and 20. Your soundtrack is Eric Collins, as the gods intended:

NBA @NBA

MARK WILLIAMS SEALS IT 🗣️ 18 points (career-high) 20 rebounds (career-high) 75% FG Hornets win their 4th straight!

2:32 AM ∙ Feb 26, 2023

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Meanwhile, Miami can’t get on track and is still stuck a few games into the play-in. Jimmy Butler seems aggravated.

Brady Hawk @BradyHawk305

Jimmy Butler’s take postgame pretty simple: “We lost. I’m tired of losing.” “We gotta figure this out very, very quickly.”

3:29 AM ∙ Feb 26, 2023

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Pacers 121, Magic 108

Pelicans 106, Knicks 128

Nuggets 94, Grizzlies 112 — Ja Morant was the most dominant player on the floor. Denver’s defense has improved over the course of the season, but they really struggle to close down the paint. I imagine this will be an even more fearsome match-up when Steven Adams is back.

That said, Denver very much underperformed on offense. How much of that is the active Memphis resistence and how much is just a lack of verve from the Nuggets in this one?

Celtics 110, Sixers 107 — Great finish here with a game-winner from Jayson Tatum, who had a quiet offensive night otherwise.

Joel Embiid, who had 41, swishes the 60-footer but knows he released it too late.

The Sixers were up double-digits in the third quarter and had a chance to head into the fourth in very comfortable position, but they kept losing Al Horford and he hit four straight threes to get it close. Pretty tough loss for the Sixers here.

Spurs 102, Jazz 118 — That’s 16 straight losses for San Antonio. Still a game up on Houston.

Kris Dunn had a great performance on his 10-day contract, and also had a dust-up with Jeremy Sochan. Welcome back to the NBA!

ClutchPoints @ClutchPointsApp

Jeremy Sochan and Kris Dunn exchange shoves 😳 Double techs were issued.

2:53 AM ∙ Feb 26, 2023

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SUNDAY

Suns 101, Bucks 104 — No Giannis. Tight game. 14 straight for Milwaukee. The streak is running on fumes but it’s still running!

Joe Ingles, you’re up four with 2 seconds left, stay away from the shooter!

Most impressive plays in that sequence: Chris Paul locking up Jrue Holiday and getting the strip, and that Khris Middleton to Brook Lopez dime. Beautiful work. I’ll always watch Devin Booker working on Holiday, as well. Masters of the form.

Nets 127, Hawks 129 — Trae Young for the win, using every little bit of that 7.3 seconds.

Really remarkable stuff here to pick his own pace and not get rushed by the clock, to pump fake Mikal Bridges out of the play in this situation and to beat the (very smart) Spencer Dinwiddie rear contest. All without even glancing at his teammates. Great buzzer beating game winner.

Wizards 82, Bulls 102 — Chicago is only 6.5 games out of the No. 6 seed. But seriously, good win over a team they are trying to pass.

Lakers 111, Mavericks 108 — Dallas was up 27 on the 13th seed in the second quarter and couldn’t close the deal. Maxi Kleber is going to solve this? If you think depth isn’t important at this level in the NBA, look at some of the names on the backs of the Mavericks’ jerseys here.

Lakers are now the 12th seed.

Raptors 93, Cavaliers 118

Kings 124, Thunder 115 — Seven straight games above 30 points for De’Aaron Fox. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander is fighting a sprained ankle. Bad timing for that.

Timberwolves 104, Warriors 109 — Brutal collapse by Minnesota in the fourth. Klay Thompson was in his bag. This shot is nuts.

Warriors on NBCS @NBCSWarriors

ARE YOU KIDDING KLAY 😱

2:49 AM ∙ Feb 27, 2023

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But the Warriors — missing Steph and Draymond — forgot how to inbound the ball in the closing minute and almost gave the game back to Minnesota. I feel like both teams should be mad about this one!

Rockets 114, Blazers 131 — The Rockets are an affront to the sport of the basketball and human decency. However, they are also still an NBA team, which makes Damian Lillard dropping 71 on them truly impressive.

Did Houston give up 12 threes to Klay on Friday and 13 to Dame on Sunday? Yes. Yes, they did.

Clippers 124, Nuggets 134 (OT) — The Clippers when heading to overtime: “Not this s—t again!”

And would you believe Paul George hit a heave just after the buzzer just like Joel Embiid did on Saturday?

Denver quickly took care of business in the extra frame. Nikola Jokic finished with a 40-point triple-double. The Clippers took the Nos. 1 and 3 seeds in the conference to overtime this weekend and came out 0-2. Brutal.

Schedule

All times Eastern.

Pistons at Hornets, 7
Heat at Sixers, 7, NBA TV
Celtics at Knicks, 7:30
Magic at Pelicans, 8

Be excellent to each other.