After 3: NYK/DET, OKC/MEM, LAC/DEN

NEW YORK 2, DETROIT 1

Amid the fights and flareups developed a separation: New York is better at this.

The Pistons might still win this series, Detroit has enough, including another game in Michigan if the Pistons can pull out Game 4. But the Knicks feature some ballers, scorers growing in confidence, refining timing and precision as best one can with an elbow from Paul "Basketball Paul" Reed stuck in the sternum.

OG Anunoby's increased fluidity with the ball he isn't passing (22 points in Game 3, two assists in 129 minutes in the series) was enough to repeatedly, rightfully, warm over TNT broadcaster Reggie Miller. Jalen Brunson delivers distinct disengagement from whoever tries to hound his left hand, if Detroit forgets for a millisecond that Jalen Brunson (12 points and two assists in Game 3's final quarter) is left-handed, the play is over.

Karl Anthony-Towns (team-leading 31 points) knows, quietly and without enough fuss, that he can score on whoever is in front of him just as long as KAT's Knicks teammates deliver KAT the ball. Or, shock horror, re-deliver him the ball.

The second half was a dream. Mikal Bridges was able to turn the corner and score on Tim Hardaway Jr., Hardaway's riding elbow was whistled for the infraction, Mikal now allowed to talk some informed trash on his way toward the free throw line. Deuce McBride got off, Cameron Payne shook Ron Holland away from the ball, Josh Hart is, well, listen, they all can't be white-collar heroes.

New York features talents to translate to postseason success, New York only needs reminding of this after last spring's medical meltdown, a genuine excuse to avenge. Once the Knicks realize they can turn it up, even on a Turner Network, the defense will relax, float on its waves.

Bring on ABC. Keep Mike Breen in the building for every Knick win.

The Knicks didn't play strong defense in Game 3 but the ball was kept from Cade Cunningham when it needed to be, poor transition defense was later paired with strong transition close-outs at the right time. The Knicks found Malik Beasley all evening, made his follow-through a frustrating one, and happily watched as Hardaway missed three consecutive, crucial three-pointers in the fourth period after splashing six of his first eight from deep.

Detroit disappointed at home, no way around it, mistake possessions added up to decimate the advantage the Pistons' 45/43/81 shooting splits lent the group. Three free throw attempts at home is unacceptable for Cade Cunningham, who had nearly as many turnovers (six) as New York (seven). Tobias Harris (2-9 shooting) has dozens of foul-plagued performances in his past, he doesn't always let the whistles affect the rest of his output. He often does, but not always.

Worse, a Game 4 win for the home team hardly feels assured. Tom Thibodeau's teams aren't known for letting off the throttle. They're used to Tom's foot going through the floor of the car, sure, but not a delicate, hypermiling touch from Our Thibs. Jalen Brunson in a Sunday afternoon game? The Pistons might have a better chance back in New York.

The Pistons rattled, but New York put them that way. Not with shoves and silliness, but buckets.

Game 4 in Detroit on Sunday at 1 PM Eastern on ABC so 1:12ish

OKLAHOMA CITY 3, MEMPHIS 0

The saddest part here is the gimmick, the caveat: Oklahoma City came back because Ja Morant fell hard to the floor, left the game. The Thunder won 114-108, but primarily because the Grizzlies' best player couldn't stir the drink in the second half.

Which is nonsense, every single one of us watched Memphis' growing advantage in Game 3 with the same noggin. The Grizzlies had a 29-point lead but they were never up 29 points, though the Thunder were down 29 points. The number – THE DIFF – was always owned by Oklahoma City. The comeback was inevitable, Morant's fall made the comeback easier.

It may not have assured the inescapable Thunder win inside the blue brains of the remaining Grizzlies, but Memphis sure performed like it.

Overwrought shot attempts. As if each were judged by the curve of the size of the Grizzlies' lead, Memphis performing at home yet still in the shadow of the visiting Thunder. Jalen Williams is J-Dub on the Spot. Chet Holmgren started doing Dirk Nowitzki-shit, I'm standing behind the three-point line but I can almost touch the rim from here. The Thunder force opponents into considering and reconsidering shots, that's their thing, but the Grizzlies fell apart when asked to take the ball out of the net. Does that change with Morant walking it up court, instead of Desmond Bane, after an OKC splash?

Thirteen second half turnovers for the home team. OKC is good at stopping opponents from successfully spirally toward the goal, but 25 percent from the field in a closing half of an NBA playoff game at home is rather embarrassing, even without the team's MVP on the floor, even against OKC's league-leading defense. If the Thunder played Orlando in Orlando without Jalen Suggs and Franz Wagner, Orlando wouldn't do that.

This is arrogant analysis, bias on my part after the Thunder survived a 29-point ding. Still, this is the NBA: OKC needed to chop 13 points off its 26-point halftime deficit quarter by quarter, it scrubbed 13 points off the Grizzly lead seven minutes into the third. Zach Edey on, Zach Edey off (-2 in 30 minutes overall), the Thunder lit it up.

The only cloud was Morant's ongoing absence. Oklahoma City went into that halftime locker room and discussed a signature win, Ja Morant was no part of that conversation, the visitors busied themselves with their own impending improvements. Maybe I'm charmed beyond reasonable comprehension by the Thunder, but this comeback was always in the bag, Ja or otherwise.

Maybe I'm dissuaded by how badly mismanaged the Grizzlies are. I hope Tuomas Iisalo takes Memphis' early exit and gets a head coaching job with an NBA team that doesn't try this shit. Denver is off that list.

Game 4 on TNT at 3:30 PM Eastern on Saturday, in the same timeslot TNT typically broadcasts 'Camp Nowhere' starring M. Emmet Walsh and Alison Mack

L.A. CLIPPERS 2, DENVER 1

The Nuggets do not have the legs for this. Denver tried, in Game 3, tried before losing 117-83. The Clippers move their feet and beat teams at basketball.

Nikola Jokic and Russell Westbrook attempted a little of the pair's midseason magic, Christian Braun moved around, Jamal Murray somehow scored 23 points on 15 shots. Jamal went at it, but his makes were frantic, rushed, launched from odd angles. So, what do we think the misses looked like?

Aaron Gordon started well but he's already given his body to this franchise. Michael Porter Jr. barely moved, stiff defense and he missed 7-9 attempts from the field. This isn't his forte and the Clippers defend without fouling, but MPJ has four free throw attempts in 95 minutes in this series. Make it your gotdamned forte.

Denver's bench, in a 26-point blowout which moved into garbage time with four minutes to go, scored six points. Clipper arms are everywhere, yes, but this is not a rotation meant for the NBA playoffs. How can Peyton Watson and Julian Strawther be this many career minutes into playing alongside Nikola Jokic and still not know where to go?

Clippers, mostly. They move and talk and spring timely sparks of savvy from those who don't like to move or talk: Kawhi and even James Harden (the Clipper offensive hero in Game 3) create havoc easing large hands and big butts into the way of Denver's presumed but rarely used passing lanes.

Denver didn't double-clutch on its passes in Game 3, it never considered them. This is what the Clippers are like, in 2024-25, and this is certainly what the Clippers are like at home.

Game 4 on TNT at 6:30 PM Eastern on Saturday, the timeslot previously filled by a rerun of 'Murder in the First' starring Taye Diggs and Peter Onorati

JALEN ROSE

Pistons made their third quarter comeback with Jalen away from his seat, Rose arrived courtside just as Detroit cut the lead to one. New York immediately responded with a run, and win.

If the Pistons want to win Game Jalen has to watch it from the backstage bar. And if he has to watch it at the bar, for the team, Mr. Rose is allowed to bring whichever baseball bat he wants.

GLORY DAYS

So, that friend that Bruce dragged back into the roadside bar to have a "few drinks" and talk about baseball? The one that was "walking out" when Bruce walked in the bar?

That friend definitely drove home drunk, right? Say the friend, the "speedball" guy, had an accident on highway.

How many horrifyingly stark Bruce Springsteen songs is 'Glory Days' the prequel to?

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE

Thanks for reading!