Eastern finals preview
SEMIFINAL FIRST TEAM
Luka Dončić — he just broke, like, an entire franchise’s basketball operation.
Jayson Tatum — delivered the sort of performances only sports talk show hosts dream of (because they went to bed an hour before the game).
Bam Adebayo — knocked in 65 percent of his shots against Philly and I deduct Bam zero points for briefly working against DeAndre Jordan.
NO. 1 OKLAHOMA CITY VS. NO. 8 MEMPHIS C: Isaiah Hartenstein – 11 and 11 and four assists and floater form from the dunker's spot which will be emulated throughout NCAA hoops next season, you watch. So I don't have to. PF: Chet Holmgren – 15 and eight
NO. 2 BOSTON VS. NO. 7 ORLANDO C: Kristaps Porziņģis – consistent dollops of KP will allow the Celtics so much, more free throws, increased deflections, a good pair of hands to finish off a busted play. Enough to overcome Cleveland after two rounds of hoop? Remains to be banged, but
NO. 6 TIMBERWOLVES C: Rudy Gobert – had much to take on, with Karl-Anthony Towns out of town, handled it without complaint or reflex. Dominated down the stretch of the season, Wolves should be full of confidence in Minnesota's big center heading into the postseason and yes I just
PISTONS C: Jalen Duren – in better shape, doing what is asked. Also, to the outsider, his expectations appear to be communicated in fashion which works with Duren, different if not necessarily "better" for Jalen, also growing in capability of accepting such instruction. Out there for 78 games and