April 18, 2025 • 22 mins
Ben Spector joins Dante and Jake to break down the upcoming round one matchups in the NBA Playoffs.
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
You're listening to Magic Insiders with Dante Marctelli and Jane Chefman.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
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Now back to Kalon, He's gonna try another three, take
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One forty seconds man Carol Jumper.
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Whoo.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Magic Insiders is presented by International Diamonds Center, your local
diamond experts since nineteen eighty one. And now here are
your hosts, Dante Marcitelli and Jake Chapman.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
And welcome every one of those Magic Insiders presented by
International Diamonds Centator Dante Marcitelli, Jig Katman, Ben Spector back
to take the reins here in about two or three minutes,
we're gonna turn things over to him. Get a playoff preview,
an NBA playoff preview. We've got some big matchups tonight.
Play in finale as we wrap things up. The final
two playoff spots will be secured after tonight, and we've
(01:11):
got some good games.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
We'll preview that. The Magic start their.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Series on Sunday, Easter Sunday, three point thirty. We'll have
it for you at three o'clock right here on ninety
six to nine. In the game at three o'clock on ABC,
they'll start their pregame show.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
No local coverage.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
We will not jump on the telecast until Game two
on Wednesday in Boston. Team just took off, Jake Ben
The team is on its way to Boston, Massachusetts to
get ready for Game one on Easter Sunday, and Jake,
I steal before we get to our playoff preview, and
this and that I one final thought on the Orlando Magic.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
I still feel I still feel.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
This, And I've done a lot of interviews with folks
up in Boston and they're not overly excited about having
Orlando in the first round. And I think the prevailing
thought is this is exactly what Joe Mizzoula wants because
it's gonna get his team ready, right, It's gonna get
his team primed and ready. But I think everybody's thought,
fans and players is I'd kind of like to ease
into the playoffs as I defend my championship. And they
(02:07):
ain't gonna be no easing in against you, Ortlanta Magic.
They are going up to Boston for a fight. They
are ready to compete in this series. And it would
not surprise me whatsoever if the Magic go up there
and get Game one tomorrow, Game one on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Yeah, And you just think about the idea that they
knew it was going to be Orlando or Atlanta and
two completely stylistically different teams, right, And so for sure,
I think having Joe Mozila and him being happy and
nobody else being happy about it, that's probably how it
generally is.
Speaker 4 (02:36):
No, this is true.
Speaker 5 (02:37):
This is true, and the franchise.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
But as far as Boston's concerned, you know, if they
want to look at it as.
Speaker 5 (02:44):
A way to.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Jump in with two feet into the deep end of
this iteration of the postseason, and that's fine.
Speaker 5 (02:50):
We're not looking at it as any any.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Sort of primer or pump up or way to get
the Celtics ingratiated into this postseason.
Speaker 5 (03:00):
Looking at it as a chance to shock the world.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
So I love the fact that they left early, that
that are headed up there today.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Yes it is.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
I mean you're gonna spend almost a full week up there.
I guess what five days to be sure. So I
think we'll be ready on Sunday. I'm sure that place
will be absolutely electric. But no, if I'm Boston, I'd
be sitting there looking at just about anybody else in
the play it and say I probably would have would
have preferred to see those guys.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Well, we're excited to break it all down or excited
to look around the association this time of year. Jake
Tristan de Silva doesn't feel like he's a rookie anymore, right,
so we're we're gonna say, I think we've moved on.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
He's not a rookie.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
So I think you can say safely say that our
graduate associate, Ben Spector, I think we got a graduate.
I think we got to move him up, right, We're
no longer a rookie here. He's a playoff rookie. But
but well a rookie and title only he's been here
long enough to have graduated.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
Right, Well, you.
Speaker 5 (03:50):
Remember back in the day, like on the broadcast, you know,
I always call it.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
I don't say graduate associates, I say broadcast coordinator, and
so right and so and so, I think broadcast coordinator.
He's he has certainly elevated himself to that role over
the course of the season.
Speaker 5 (04:03):
We can think, I don't know if you put me
on the spot.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
I don't know if I've got a nice little a
nice title for for graduating.
Speaker 5 (04:09):
How about how about graduated associate?
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Yes, post postgrad, post grad?
Speaker 5 (04:16):
Like that? All right, good stuff either way.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Regardless of what the title is, he is our broadcast
coordinator and he is our host for the remainder of
Magic Insiders.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Ben, great to have you back, take it away.
Speaker 7 (04:25):
Well, thank you. I appreciate that all the kind words.
The playoffs feel different, they do. This past week has
felt different. It feels like, you know, throughout the regular
season you say they need a change of scenery, they
need they need a page turner. The playoffs really feel
like a page turner. Feels like a different time of year.
Because it is, there's a lot more intensity that comes
with it.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Ben, let me jump in there because I saw you
sort of take it all in when when we arrived
to the arena for the play in game.
Speaker 8 (04:51):
Just what were the vibes like, is oh my goodness,
the shirts on the seat, seeing an empty playoff arena
before all the fans got there with the S shirts
on the seats, I honestly didn't even know what to
expect because playing it, it's kind of a weird situation
where it's.
Speaker 6 (05:05):
Not the playoffs.
Speaker 7 (05:06):
We're calling it game eighty three, but we were kind
of skeptical of calling it game eighty three.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
We didn't know.
Speaker 7 (05:13):
He's kind of thrown out the window and I walk
in and I just thought, this is playoff basketball.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
This is it.
Speaker 7 (05:18):
And in the arena when the game started, it was
bumping the crowd, pops when things were happening. It was incredible.
It was really awesome to see it. I just can't
wait for Game three and four of this series. I
really can't, because it's going to be electric in there.
But speaking of the playoffs, I want to start with
that playan though, I want to talk about something that
(05:38):
I think is very important, because the Sacramento Kings had
a new GM in play. Scott Perry, who actually spent
time in Orlando, and then Demonte Sabonis had some pretty
strong comments and said I need to know what's happening
here for the future.
Speaker 6 (05:51):
And he also said the Kings need a point guard.
Speaker 7 (05:53):
Funny enough, the Kings trade away to Darren Fox, they
once had Tyre's Haliver and Dante. What do you make
of this situation real quick before we jump into the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Yeah, you're exactly right.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
I think it's no surprise that every nothing that comes
out of Sacramento surprises me, and that is the way
that whole thing has been set up.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
I listened to that press conference too. First of all,
he's very short.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
I don't know if he's always answers questions that quickly,
but you could tell he was either if that's not
how he always is, then he came across very annoyed
to me, which he should be. He's had two all
star point guards traded away, you know under his tenure, right, well,
he never get to play with Haliburton. But but that
Sacramento King's organization has traded away two all star caliber
(06:34):
point guards and that has affected his games. You've seen
the plummet in numbers offensively from Dematas Sabonis since they
moved away from the Aaron Fox. So he's right, they
need a point guard. Anybody can look at that roster,
Jay can tell that need that that team needs a
point guard.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
And now they get five months to think about it.
Good luck Scott Perry.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Let me just say this real quick about Scott, because
we know Scott. He was here with Rob Henigan, obviously,
But when I.
Speaker 5 (06:56):
Was reading the write up, first of all, it.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Didn't take They didn't have much of a certain did
they buy they must have there's a quick turnaround.
Speaker 5 (07:04):
It was a very short.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
List of names ready to go as soon as Montys
haided the walk.
Speaker 5 (07:10):
But Scott's right up.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
Perry, who started his executive career in two thousand with
the Pistons, just according to Shaman Shams on ESPN dot
Com with the Pistons, spent.
Speaker 5 (07:19):
Three months with the Kings into twenty seventeen before leaving
for the New York Knicks.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
I think I remember how that all broke down, if
I recall, but just the idea that you have on
your resume spend spending three months as an assistant general
manager with the franchise is sort of funny, and they
put that as it. You know, they're very familiar with
his work. What can you really get done in three months?
To be honest.
Speaker 5 (07:40):
But we'll see.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
I mean, we know Scott Perry has been around for
a long time. We know he could be very effective executive.
I just don't know what exactly needs to be done,
because typically there's a little grace period with your main
superstar when you when you have changed over like this,
and for demonismotives to be already annoyed and already talking
about his few sure, that does not bode well.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
Well, And I'll tell you this grace period.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
He's keeping Doug Christie because that's the easiest thing to do, right,
this is it's the most obvious thing.
Speaker 4 (08:07):
Then you make a change. I got to observe.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
I gotta watch from Afar, right, Ben, that's what we're doing.
I gotta watch from Afar. So he's getting that job.
Speaker 7 (08:13):
You don't get post grad associate title after three months.
Speaker 6 (08:16):
I'll tell you that you might.
Speaker 5 (08:18):
You might.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
That's right. This is a good part that is earned.
That is anned title.
Speaker 7 (08:25):
So we'll stick in the Western Conference here. We'll start
with the playoffs now. And I was looking at all
these matchups and something that I noticed, and actually I
know it's a little early in the show. I'm gonna
do it I'm gonna make this this uh my call
of the game, which is brought to you by rings
clip from Ring Central. I got to get the read
up here. I was really excited about it and I
lost it. So that's all right, give me give me
(08:47):
a second for us.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
It just rolls off our tongue. Yeah, I know all
the game brought right, do you you got We've got
it memorized.
Speaker 6 (08:55):
So yeah, I'm on you take it away from me.
Then well let's start.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
Call the game brought you by clip from Central.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
We think the way you work was secure meeting, exam
messaging on any device with Glip by RingCentral.
Speaker 4 (09:05):
Visitglip dot com to learn more.
Speaker 7 (09:07):
It just sounds better that way, honestly for everybody. But
every series in the Western Conference I feel like can
go seven games, and except for the Thunder series because
we don't know the opponent yet and I still don't
think that that game can go seven.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Game, that series is going three games.
Speaker 6 (09:21):
Right right exactly.
Speaker 7 (09:23):
But I look at all these series and I can
I feel like I can flip a coin. I want
to start with Houston and Golden State. You look at
the season series for that. Golden State won that three
to two. But both teams, especially Golden State, very different
since the trade deadline, And they've only had one game
since the trade deadline against each other, and Houston won
that game. But I was looking at that game. I
was rewatching the highlights. Steph Curry really struggled. I mean,
(09:45):
he he only hit one three. He was one of ten,
one of eight from three. Jake, what do you make.
Speaker 6 (09:51):
Of Golden State as a seventh seed in these playoffs?
Speaker 5 (09:55):
Oh? Just in general, I mean, it's it's it's pretty scary.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
I think if you're the the rest of the Western
Conference knowing that, you know part of the reason they're
the seventh seed is because the struggles they had earlier
in the season, and they look like a different team
right now. I don't think they're a championship level team
with Jimmy Butler. I think we're I think something's gonna
boil over at some point and they're probably gonna find
a matchup that they don't like. But I but I
could see them advancing past Houston to be sure.
Speaker 5 (10:21):
I mean, they sure as heck have the experience.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
One thing I'm keeping an eye on is Steph had
thirty seven the other night. He made a whole bunch
of shots late in that In that Memphis game, that
hand seems like it's bugging him. He was not very
good for the first I think what two and a
half quarters before he seemed like he figured it out.
Speaker 5 (10:35):
So if there's if anybody can figure out.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
A way to limit Steph, I think it's it's some
of the defenders that Houston's able to trot out there.
So I don't know, I expect it to be a
six or seven game series. I would probably probably lean
towards Golden State though, just because of the experience.
Speaker 5 (10:53):
If Steph's right, then I definitely like Golden State in
the series.
Speaker 7 (10:57):
It's very difficult to go against Steph Curry. I mean,
I saw him shaking his hand after at some points
during that playing game against the Grizzlies, and I just thought.
Speaker 6 (11:06):
He's gonna find a way.
Speaker 7 (11:07):
He's gonna figure it out because that's what he does
and he's been doing his whole career. And then you know,
Jimmy Butler played well in that game. Butler was wearing
a number thirty Steph Curry jersey and practice.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
Okay, now.
Speaker 6 (11:22):
I'm just saying he knows what.
Speaker 4 (11:24):
A shame because I this.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
It took Jimmy Butler has actually got me rooting against
Steph Curry. That's what it took adding Jimmy Butler to
that team. And I was such a sad situation because
I love Steph. He's one of my favorite players of
all time. And it took adding Jimmy Butler for me
to root for that thing, for the wheels to fall
off and to and to root for Memphis in that
basketball game. I love how selfless he is now. Jimmy
came out the other day and said he's doing this
(11:46):
all for Draymond and Steph right, because one they they
haven't won yet, so that's very selfless. And two, you know,
it's it's not about him finally getting his championship, it's
about getting them their fifth.
Speaker 4 (11:56):
So I love how selfless he is.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
And but you bring up a good point, though, I'm
picking up one game, one game. One game against Indiana,
he had ten points in that game. Three games against
Cleveland he had eleven, and then in three sorry two
games against Cleveland he averaged eleven a game, and then
three games against Houston sixteen points a game. That's the
third fewest he's average. So it's interesting. That's a great
defensive team. It's not going to be easy for Steph
(12:21):
Curry and the Warriors. I'll be pulling for Steph. I
hope he gets fifty a game. I will not be
I would I personally would not be excited to see
Jimmy Butler get to the second round.
Speaker 7 (12:29):
That's just he knows how to win a fan base,
that's for sure. He knows how to do it right
away he has.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
I think he's found his joy though, and that's really
always found.
Speaker 4 (12:37):
That's really all he is. Do we not think he's
going to turn on that entire organization.
Speaker 5 (12:41):
I can't. I'm just hoping.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
I feel like the higher I feel like, the brighter
the spotlight, the more likelihood we have of of Jimmy
and Draymond having a fistfight at mid court, and like
that's in the middle of a game. It's like that
a series deciding game. That's really what I'm pulling for.
So I think so I think I would like that
for them to advance past the first round, just to
kind of elevate the stage a little bit, you know,
(13:04):
make it wrestle bank.
Speaker 5 (13:05):
Yeah, two of them finally square off.
Speaker 6 (13:07):
You know, You're gonna get something when you watch this team.
Speaker 7 (13:09):
So it's either gonna be on one end of the
spectrum or the other end of the spectrum. Real quick, though,
one more thing on the Western Conference before we hit
a quick break, Dante, what do you think of this
Nuggets path here? I mean, you gotta play the Clippers
in the first round, and the Nuggets have it. You know,
they fired Mike Malone, but after that they rated off
three straight wins, so they ended the regular season on
a high note. But then you gotta play the Clippers
in the first round. If you beat the Clippers, you
(13:30):
got to play the Thunder in the second round in
the Eastern or Western Conference semi finals, and then whoever
you play in the Western Conference finals, if you get there,
that's a tough opponent.
Speaker 6 (13:38):
What do you think of this Nuggets path? You think
they got a chance here?
Speaker 4 (13:40):
I did? I think they have a chance or the
fourth seed.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
I think the fact that they clinched fourth and that
that they won in the last game of the year
and that that series goes through Denver, I think is huge.
Speaker 4 (13:48):
I'm a big David Adaman fan.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
I think it's it's tough to come in and do
everything you want to do in three games and then
into the playoffs, so I'm rooting for him. I love Jokich,
Aaron Gordon, you know, all that, all that thing, but
I just personally.
Speaker 4 (14:00):
Feel the Clippers are rolling.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
I feel the Clippers are rolling, and now that you've
got a healthy Kawhi Leonard for whatever reason, I don't
know what it took, but you know, James Harden goes
in and out of being motivated, but he seems highly
seems highly motivated right now. Then I think they're deep enough.
And I love Zubats. I think Zubots is a problem.
I don't know. I don't know how good he is
defensively against Jokic. I haven't looked at it that closely,
but I personally feel the Clippers are going to the
(14:24):
NBA Finals. I think they're the only team in the
West that can beat Okay. See I don't and I
think if Okac gets there, they're winning the championship.
Speaker 4 (14:32):
But I think the Clippers knock them off. So I
love Denver, I love Adaman.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
I think I would be pulling for Denver in that series,
but I think the Clippers win.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
I agree, I think I think Denver is gonna be
gonna make it tight. But I but I think that's
about as good as they can hope for right now.
You got the best player in the series. I don't
think there will be a big fall apart with the
firing of the coach, because it felt like everybody in
the locker room had a sense that it was coming.
And as you mentioned the I think Adelman will be
able to keep the thing rolling in the right direction.
The clip are playing some of the best basketball in
(15:01):
the league right now, and so yeah, I like the
Clippers to advance in that series, to be sure, and
it is going to be interesting.
Speaker 5 (15:08):
I don't know how they've defended nobody defends Jokic. Well, no,
the Nuggets problem is they don't have any help.
Speaker 3 (15:17):
You know, if Jamal Murray isn't playing like Jamal Murray
from a couple of seasons ago in the postseason, and
then you look down the bench, they just I think
roster to roster, the Clippers have them out class.
Speaker 5 (15:27):
So I like the Clippers. I will say in six.
Speaker 7 (15:29):
Clippers one of the best defenses in the NBA, also
finished the regular season winning eight straight games.
Speaker 5 (15:34):
And their offense has been good. I mean, I mean
they're playing. They're playing, you know, top three ball on
both ends of the floor.
Speaker 7 (15:40):
At the right time of the year too, and come
playoff time, it's the best thing for the Clippers. All right,
that's it for the Western conners. Rol stubside for a
quick moment here we'll talk about the Eastern Conference.
Speaker 6 (15:49):
More of that after this.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
This is Jonathan Isaac of Orlando Magic.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
You're listening to Magic Inside as Mesdante and Jake on
the Magic's flagship station ninety six to nine.
Speaker 6 (15:58):
The game Welcome Back.
Speaker 7 (15:59):
Magic Insider is brought to you by International Diamond Center,
Dante Marcatelli, Jake Chapman, Ben Spector. Here previewing the playoffs.
Your Orlando Magic are in the twenty twenty five NBA
Playoffs and we need everybody in whennes is the action
live at the Kia Center as the Magic squad defend
our home court this postseason, from downtown to all around.
Speaker 6 (16:18):
We feel the energy.
Speaker 7 (16:19):
Secure playoff tickets today at Orlandomagic dot com.
Speaker 6 (16:22):
Everybody In.
Speaker 7 (16:23):
Presented by advent Health, The Magic take on the Celtics
Game one on Sunday three point thirty three o'clock. Pre
game coverage on ninety six nine the game on Sunday.
Jake will have the call with Jeff Turner. Very excited.
Big series coming up for the Magic, But with the
Eastern Conference, all these series are kind of interesting because
(16:45):
you can look at them and you can make the
case that they can go six or seven games. You
can also make the case that they could be done
pretty quickly. But one team in the East that has
a lot of storylines that come along with it, it's
the Milwaukee It's the Bucks. And that's because Bobby Port
is back from injury. That's a big piece for Milwaukee
in any series they play, they're going to have the
(17:05):
best player with gianni Ante to Kumpo. But I'm burying
the lead a little bit here because Damian Lillard is
supposed to return from his blood clot Persham's Trantia and
Jake is this is something, this is big. We hope
he's okay. We hope they're not rushing it. But if
Damian Lillard is back and playing even to seventy percent
(17:25):
of Damian Lillard level, it is huge for this Bucks
team and they could really be a threat in the East.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Yeah, and then from what I read like the doctors
who cleared him even told Bucks officials, we're blown away
that he's been able to be cleared and taking off
the blood thaying medication this soon. So I don't think
there was any Hey guys, it's the postseason. Let's get
him back out there. I think this is all above board.
If anybody could do it at Damian Lillard. The science
(17:50):
has been changing as of late, as far as blood
clouds and that stuff goes.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
I don't want to get too deep into.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
That, but I'm not concerned that he's being rushed back.
He won't play one, but I think it's going to
be the difference maker in that series. Indiana very sort
of quietly has it feels like a much more complete
team than last year, where they're not going to rely
on scoring one thirty five in order to win a
playoff game because as we know, it's not going to
be very likely. I thought they had a real shot
(18:17):
in this series without Dame. I think with Dame in there,
that'll be the difference maker. I expect that to be
a very long series, to be sure, both teams potentially
protecting home court, but you get Dame back in there,
and that swings the balance.
Speaker 5 (18:29):
In my opinion, I like Milwaukee in six or seven.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
Well, how about this, I mean you you wanted Milwaukee
if you're Indiana, right, this is what you position for.
You could have changed your whole approach the last couple
of weeks because you're thinking you're gonna get a Milwaukee
team without Damian Lillard.
Speaker 5 (18:42):
What did I talk you about the basketball gods, dal No,
I don't mess with them.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Just win the game you're supposed to win.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
They've beat now, they did beat Milwaukee with now Giannis
was in and out of that series last year, but
they beating four games to two last year, so there's
some familiarity. And maybe they just said let's let's let
the chips fall where they made. But you know that
game where you said everybody against the Magic, that might
have cost you an opportunity to get through, and Ben
I like to take pride in the fact that the
Magic messed up their chances to play to play someone
(19:08):
else in that first round.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
So we'll see how that will. Certainly see how that
plays out.
Speaker 7 (19:12):
Yeah, you don't want to mess with the basketball gods
at all. And then the Knicks are playing the Pistons,
and the Knicks are.
Speaker 6 (19:18):
Pretty confident too.
Speaker 7 (19:19):
I Mean, all the talk about the Knicks was whether
or not they were going to be healthy come playoff
time because their depth is just not really there. And Dante,
I mean, you look at the Knicks and they feel
confident against going up against the Pistons.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
So well, here's my thought on that. It would not
surprise me if the Pistons win. I don't know that
they will, but it wouldn't shock me one bit. And
I love what JB. Bickerstaff has done. You know, he's
going to have them ready. He has found a way
to motivate them and tell them they belong here and
they deserve to be here. Tim Hardaway Junior going against
his former team, I think he's going to be fired up.
The Knicks are zero to nine against the top three
(19:52):
teams in the NBA, so I think if you can
rattle the cage a little bit, if Detroit can go
up there and get one or two games, then I
think it's a difference.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
I don't think New York can score as much as Detroit.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
And now that to me, to me, Jake, the veterans
that they have coming off the bench and Beasley and
Shruder than the additions they made, and Tobias. I think
this is gonna be Tobias Harris's finest hour.
Speaker 4 (20:13):
I really do.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
He's taken so much heat to me undeservedly in Philadelphia
and some of his other stops. I think he's gonna
come back. I think he's gonna be a big reason
that they're competitive. I think this goes seven and the
Knicks win, but I think they're gonna I think Detroit
is on the come up and they're gonna show everybody why.
Speaker 5 (20:28):
Yeah, I think. I think. I like the Knicks.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
I think the Pistons probably have They kind of have
bust out written on them. They they have won so
many games this regular season on effort and on physicality
and on all of those things that now the playing
field is leveled in that regard motivation will not be
an issue for the Knicks in the playoffs.
Speaker 5 (20:50):
And physicality, I think.
Speaker 3 (20:51):
They can at least get close to what Detroit's able
to bring.
Speaker 5 (20:54):
I love the Pistons. I love the Pistons story.
Speaker 3 (20:57):
My big question is, is Karl Anthony Towns about that
life Isaiah Stott Stewart. If you ever watched those cut
ups of Towns every time he gets filed or thinks
he gets fouled the noises he makes.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
Oh well, you got a little that. That Beasley Towns
thing is going to be something to watch this one.
Speaker 5 (21:16):
This one has boil over written all over it.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
And now let me just say this, as for old
heads like Dante and I Ben Nick's Pistons, the NBA
playoff sounds fantastic.
Speaker 5 (21:25):
So I'm excited for that one.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
You're exactly right, and everybody's everybody's taking shots at the
Knicks too, right, Ben, Like they've had this horrible season,
right your third nobody was catching Nobody in the East,
regardless of your season was catching Cleveland or Boston. That's
just the kind of year they had their third. Everybody
is taking shots at that team. I think they're gonna
turn it on when the playoffs start.
Speaker 6 (21:44):
I think they I think they turn on as well.
Speaker 7 (21:45):
I think a big reason why they got those shots, though,
is because they traded Forum protected first for mckel bridges
and mckail bridges. I'm not sure is worth the forum
protected first, but that's not my decision to make. I'm
not That's why they don't pay me to do that.
Speaker 4 (21:57):
That wouldn't have been, that wouldn't have been postgraduate.
Speaker 6 (22:00):
That would not have been postgraduate. Ben Spector's first move.
Speaker 7 (22:03):
He's Dante, he's Jake, I'm Ben Spector. Magic take on
the Celtics Game one, three point thirty tip three o'clock
here on ninety six nine in the game that's on Sunday.
Hopefully on Monday, Dante and Jake on Magic Insiders are
talking about a Magic win. That's it for Magic Insiders today.
We'll see you all on Monday.
You're listening to Magic Insiders with Dante Marctelli and Jane Chefman.
Speaker 2 (00:06):
Step back over, Durrance shot us up, Carro drills it
and the fole.
Speaker 3 (00:12):
Change for a three point preat big time bank cam
Fort headed back the way, a steal by Franz Fondner
to run out.
Speaker 4 (00:19):
The fog and get my to it.
Speaker 3 (00:21):
Froz Fagner and the fourth quarter.
Speaker 1 (00:24):
I'm like, if this is your daily destination for all
the latest on the Orlando match.
Speaker 5 (00:29):
Over it went down.
Speaker 3 (00:29):
Now back to Kalon, He's gonna try another three, take
out another.
Speaker 4 (00:32):
One forty seconds man Carol Jumper.
Speaker 6 (00:35):
Whoo.
Speaker 1 (00:37):
Magic Insiders is presented by International Diamonds Center, your local
diamond experts since nineteen eighty one. And now here are
your hosts, Dante Marcitelli and Jake Chapman.
Speaker 2 (00:49):
And welcome every one of those Magic Insiders presented by
International Diamonds Centator Dante Marcitelli, Jig Katman, Ben Spector back
to take the reins here in about two or three minutes,
we're gonna turn things over to him. Get a playoff preview,
an NBA playoff preview. We've got some big matchups tonight.
Play in finale as we wrap things up. The final
two playoff spots will be secured after tonight, and we've
(01:11):
got some good games.
Speaker 4 (01:12):
We'll preview that. The Magic start their.
Speaker 2 (01:14):
Series on Sunday, Easter Sunday, three point thirty. We'll have
it for you at three o'clock right here on ninety
six to nine. In the game at three o'clock on ABC,
they'll start their pregame show.
Speaker 4 (01:23):
No local coverage.
Speaker 2 (01:24):
We will not jump on the telecast until Game two
on Wednesday in Boston. Team just took off, Jake Ben
The team is on its way to Boston, Massachusetts to
get ready for Game one on Easter Sunday, and Jake,
I steal before we get to our playoff preview, and
this and that I one final thought on the Orlando Magic.
Speaker 4 (01:43):
I still feel I still feel.
Speaker 2 (01:45):
This, And I've done a lot of interviews with folks
up in Boston and they're not overly excited about having
Orlando in the first round. And I think the prevailing
thought is this is exactly what Joe Mizzoula wants because
it's gonna get his team ready, right, It's gonna get
his team primed and ready. But I think everybody's thought,
fans and players is I'd kind of like to ease
into the playoffs as I defend my championship. And they
(02:07):
ain't gonna be no easing in against you, Ortlanta Magic.
They are going up to Boston for a fight. They
are ready to compete in this series. And it would
not surprise me whatsoever if the Magic go up there
and get Game one tomorrow, Game one on Sunday.
Speaker 3 (02:19):
Yeah, And you just think about the idea that they
knew it was going to be Orlando or Atlanta and
two completely stylistically different teams, right, And so for sure,
I think having Joe Mozila and him being happy and
nobody else being happy about it, that's probably how it
generally is.
Speaker 4 (02:36):
No, this is true.
Speaker 5 (02:37):
This is true, and the franchise.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
But as far as Boston's concerned, you know, if they
want to look at it as.
Speaker 5 (02:44):
A way to.
Speaker 3 (02:44):
Jump in with two feet into the deep end of
this iteration of the postseason, and that's fine.
Speaker 5 (02:50):
We're not looking at it as any any.
Speaker 3 (02:53):
Sort of primer or pump up or way to get
the Celtics ingratiated into this postseason.
Speaker 5 (03:00):
Looking at it as a chance to shock the world.
Speaker 3 (03:02):
So I love the fact that they left early, that
that are headed up there today.
Speaker 4 (03:06):
Yes it is.
Speaker 3 (03:07):
I mean you're gonna spend almost a full week up there.
I guess what five days to be sure. So I
think we'll be ready on Sunday. I'm sure that place
will be absolutely electric. But no, if I'm Boston, I'd
be sitting there looking at just about anybody else in
the play it and say I probably would have would
have preferred to see those guys.
Speaker 2 (03:25):
Well, we're excited to break it all down or excited
to look around the association this time of year. Jake
Tristan de Silva doesn't feel like he's a rookie anymore, right,
so we're we're gonna say, I think we've moved on.
Speaker 4 (03:34):
He's not a rookie.
Speaker 2 (03:35):
So I think you can say safely say that our
graduate associate, Ben Spector, I think we got a graduate.
I think we got to move him up, right, We're
no longer a rookie here. He's a playoff rookie. But
but well a rookie and title only he's been here
long enough to have graduated.
Speaker 4 (03:49):
Right, Well, you.
Speaker 5 (03:50):
Remember back in the day, like on the broadcast, you know,
I always call it.
Speaker 3 (03:53):
I don't say graduate associates, I say broadcast coordinator, and
so right and so and so, I think broadcast coordinator.
He's he has certainly elevated himself to that role over
the course of the season.
Speaker 5 (04:03):
We can think, I don't know if you put me
on the spot.
Speaker 3 (04:05):
I don't know if I've got a nice little a
nice title for for graduating.
Speaker 5 (04:09):
How about how about graduated associate?
Speaker 4 (04:12):
Yes, post postgrad, post grad?
Speaker 5 (04:16):
Like that? All right, good stuff either way.
Speaker 2 (04:17):
Regardless of what the title is, he is our broadcast
coordinator and he is our host for the remainder of
Magic Insiders.
Speaker 4 (04:23):
Ben, great to have you back, take it away.
Speaker 7 (04:25):
Well, thank you. I appreciate that all the kind words.
The playoffs feel different, they do. This past week has
felt different. It feels like, you know, throughout the regular
season you say they need a change of scenery, they
need they need a page turner. The playoffs really feel
like a page turner. Feels like a different time of year.
Because it is, there's a lot more intensity that comes
with it.
Speaker 3 (04:44):
Ben, let me jump in there because I saw you
sort of take it all in when when we arrived
to the arena for the play in game.
Speaker 8 (04:51):
Just what were the vibes like, is oh my goodness,
the shirts on the seat, seeing an empty playoff arena
before all the fans got there with the S shirts
on the seats, I honestly didn't even know what to
expect because playing it, it's kind of a weird situation
where it's.
Speaker 6 (05:05):
Not the playoffs.
Speaker 7 (05:06):
We're calling it game eighty three, but we were kind
of skeptical of calling it game eighty three.
Speaker 4 (05:10):
We didn't know.
Speaker 7 (05:13):
He's kind of thrown out the window and I walk
in and I just thought, this is playoff basketball.
Speaker 1 (05:17):
This is it.
Speaker 7 (05:18):
And in the arena when the game started, it was
bumping the crowd, pops when things were happening. It was incredible.
It was really awesome to see it. I just can't
wait for Game three and four of this series. I
really can't, because it's going to be electric in there.
But speaking of the playoffs, I want to start with
that playan though, I want to talk about something that
(05:38):
I think is very important, because the Sacramento Kings had
a new GM in play. Scott Perry, who actually spent
time in Orlando, and then Demonte Sabonis had some pretty
strong comments and said I need to know what's happening
here for the future.
Speaker 6 (05:51):
And he also said the Kings need a point guard.
Speaker 7 (05:53):
Funny enough, the Kings trade away to Darren Fox, they
once had Tyre's Haliver and Dante. What do you make
of this situation real quick before we jump into the playoffs.
Speaker 4 (06:02):
Yeah, you're exactly right.
Speaker 2 (06:03):
I think it's no surprise that every nothing that comes
out of Sacramento surprises me, and that is the way
that whole thing has been set up.
Speaker 4 (06:09):
I listened to that press conference too. First of all,
he's very short.
Speaker 2 (06:12):
I don't know if he's always answers questions that quickly,
but you could tell he was either if that's not
how he always is, then he came across very annoyed
to me, which he should be. He's had two all
star point guards traded away, you know under his tenure, right, well,
he never get to play with Haliburton. But but that
Sacramento King's organization has traded away two all star caliber
(06:34):
point guards and that has affected his games. You've seen
the plummet in numbers offensively from Dematas Sabonis since they
moved away from the Aaron Fox. So he's right, they
need a point guard. Anybody can look at that roster,
Jay can tell that need that that team needs a
point guard.
Speaker 4 (06:48):
And now they get five months to think about it.
Good luck Scott Perry.
Speaker 3 (06:51):
Let me just say this real quick about Scott, because
we know Scott. He was here with Rob Henigan, obviously,
But when I.
Speaker 5 (06:56):
Was reading the write up, first of all, it.
Speaker 3 (06:58):
Didn't take They didn't have much of a certain did
they buy they must have there's a quick turnaround.
Speaker 5 (07:04):
It was a very short.
Speaker 3 (07:05):
List of names ready to go as soon as Montys
haided the walk.
Speaker 5 (07:10):
But Scott's right up.
Speaker 3 (07:12):
Perry, who started his executive career in two thousand with
the Pistons, just according to Shaman Shams on ESPN dot
Com with the Pistons, spent.
Speaker 5 (07:19):
Three months with the Kings into twenty seventeen before leaving
for the New York Knicks.
Speaker 3 (07:22):
I think I remember how that all broke down, if
I recall, but just the idea that you have on
your resume spend spending three months as an assistant general
manager with the franchise is sort of funny, and they
put that as it. You know, they're very familiar with
his work. What can you really get done in three months?
To be honest.
Speaker 5 (07:40):
But we'll see.
Speaker 3 (07:41):
I mean, we know Scott Perry has been around for
a long time. We know he could be very effective executive.
I just don't know what exactly needs to be done,
because typically there's a little grace period with your main
superstar when you when you have changed over like this,
and for demonismotives to be already annoyed and already talking
about his few sure, that does not bode well.
Speaker 4 (08:01):
Well, And I'll tell you this grace period.
Speaker 2 (08:02):
He's keeping Doug Christie because that's the easiest thing to do, right,
this is it's the most obvious thing.
Speaker 4 (08:07):
Then you make a change. I got to observe.
Speaker 2 (08:09):
I gotta watch from Afar, right, Ben, that's what we're doing.
I gotta watch from Afar. So he's getting that job.
Speaker 7 (08:13):
You don't get post grad associate title after three months.
Speaker 6 (08:16):
I'll tell you that you might.
Speaker 5 (08:18):
You might.
Speaker 4 (08:19):
That's right. This is a good part that is earned.
That is anned title.
Speaker 7 (08:25):
So we'll stick in the Western Conference here. We'll start
with the playoffs now. And I was looking at all
these matchups and something that I noticed, and actually I
know it's a little early in the show. I'm gonna
do it I'm gonna make this this uh my call
of the game, which is brought to you by rings
clip from Ring Central. I got to get the read
up here. I was really excited about it and I
lost it. So that's all right, give me give me
(08:47):
a second for us.
Speaker 4 (08:48):
It just rolls off our tongue. Yeah, I know all
the game brought right, do you you got We've got
it memorized.
Speaker 6 (08:55):
So yeah, I'm on you take it away from me.
Then well let's start.
Speaker 4 (08:58):
Call the game brought you by clip from Central.
Speaker 2 (09:00):
We think the way you work was secure meeting, exam
messaging on any device with Glip by RingCentral.
Speaker 4 (09:05):
Visitglip dot com to learn more.
Speaker 7 (09:07):
It just sounds better that way, honestly for everybody. But
every series in the Western Conference I feel like can
go seven games, and except for the Thunder series because
we don't know the opponent yet and I still don't
think that that game can go seven.
Speaker 3 (09:18):
Game, that series is going three games.
Speaker 6 (09:21):
Right right exactly.
Speaker 7 (09:23):
But I look at all these series and I can
I feel like I can flip a coin. I want
to start with Houston and Golden State. You look at
the season series for that. Golden State won that three
to two. But both teams, especially Golden State, very different
since the trade deadline, And they've only had one game
since the trade deadline against each other, and Houston won
that game. But I was looking at that game. I
was rewatching the highlights. Steph Curry really struggled. I mean,
(09:45):
he he only hit one three. He was one of ten,
one of eight from three. Jake, what do you make.
Speaker 6 (09:51):
Of Golden State as a seventh seed in these playoffs?
Speaker 5 (09:55):
Oh? Just in general, I mean, it's it's it's pretty scary.
Speaker 3 (09:59):
I think if you're the the rest of the Western
Conference knowing that, you know part of the reason they're
the seventh seed is because the struggles they had earlier
in the season, and they look like a different team
right now. I don't think they're a championship level team
with Jimmy Butler. I think we're I think something's gonna
boil over at some point and they're probably gonna find
a matchup that they don't like. But I but I
could see them advancing past Houston to be sure.
Speaker 5 (10:21):
I mean, they sure as heck have the experience.
Speaker 3 (10:23):
One thing I'm keeping an eye on is Steph had
thirty seven the other night. He made a whole bunch
of shots late in that In that Memphis game, that
hand seems like it's bugging him. He was not very
good for the first I think what two and a
half quarters before he seemed like he figured it out.
Speaker 5 (10:35):
So if there's if anybody can figure out.
Speaker 3 (10:38):
A way to limit Steph, I think it's it's some
of the defenders that Houston's able to trot out there.
So I don't know, I expect it to be a
six or seven game series. I would probably probably lean
towards Golden State though, just because of the experience.
Speaker 5 (10:53):
If Steph's right, then I definitely like Golden State in
the series.
Speaker 7 (10:57):
It's very difficult to go against Steph Curry. I mean,
I saw him shaking his hand after at some points
during that playing game against the Grizzlies, and I just thought.
Speaker 6 (11:06):
He's gonna find a way.
Speaker 7 (11:07):
He's gonna figure it out because that's what he does
and he's been doing his whole career. And then you know,
Jimmy Butler played well in that game. Butler was wearing
a number thirty Steph Curry jersey and practice.
Speaker 4 (11:16):
Okay, now.
Speaker 6 (11:22):
I'm just saying he knows what.
Speaker 4 (11:24):
A shame because I this.
Speaker 2 (11:26):
It took Jimmy Butler has actually got me rooting against
Steph Curry. That's what it took adding Jimmy Butler to
that team. And I was such a sad situation because
I love Steph. He's one of my favorite players of
all time. And it took adding Jimmy Butler for me
to root for that thing, for the wheels to fall
off and to and to root for Memphis in that
basketball game. I love how selfless he is now. Jimmy
came out the other day and said he's doing this
(11:46):
all for Draymond and Steph right, because one they they
haven't won yet, so that's very selfless. And two, you know,
it's it's not about him finally getting his championship, it's
about getting them their fifth.
Speaker 4 (11:56):
So I love how selfless he is.
Speaker 2 (11:59):
And but you bring up a good point, though, I'm
picking up one game, one game. One game against Indiana,
he had ten points in that game. Three games against
Cleveland he had eleven, and then in three sorry two
games against Cleveland he averaged eleven a game, and then
three games against Houston sixteen points a game. That's the
third fewest he's average. So it's interesting. That's a great
defensive team. It's not going to be easy for Steph
(12:21):
Curry and the Warriors. I'll be pulling for Steph. I
hope he gets fifty a game. I will not be
I would I personally would not be excited to see
Jimmy Butler get to the second round.
Speaker 7 (12:29):
That's just he knows how to win a fan base,
that's for sure. He knows how to do it right
away he has.
Speaker 5 (12:34):
I think he's found his joy though, and that's really
always found.
Speaker 4 (12:37):
That's really all he is. Do we not think he's
going to turn on that entire organization.
Speaker 5 (12:41):
I can't. I'm just hoping.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
I feel like the higher I feel like, the brighter
the spotlight, the more likelihood we have of of Jimmy
and Draymond having a fistfight at mid court, and like
that's in the middle of a game. It's like that
a series deciding game. That's really what I'm pulling for.
So I think so I think I would like that
for them to advance past the first round, just to
kind of elevate the stage a little bit, you know,
(13:04):
make it wrestle bank.
Speaker 5 (13:05):
Yeah, two of them finally square off.
Speaker 6 (13:07):
You know, You're gonna get something when you watch this team.
Speaker 7 (13:09):
So it's either gonna be on one end of the
spectrum or the other end of the spectrum. Real quick, though,
one more thing on the Western Conference before we hit
a quick break, Dante, what do you think of this
Nuggets path here? I mean, you gotta play the Clippers
in the first round, and the Nuggets have it. You know,
they fired Mike Malone, but after that they rated off
three straight wins, so they ended the regular season on
a high note. But then you gotta play the Clippers
in the first round. If you beat the Clippers, you
(13:30):
got to play the Thunder in the second round in
the Eastern or Western Conference semi finals, and then whoever
you play in the Western Conference finals, if you get there,
that's a tough opponent.
Speaker 6 (13:38):
What do you think of this Nuggets path? You think
they got a chance here?
Speaker 4 (13:40):
I did? I think they have a chance or the
fourth seed.
Speaker 2 (13:42):
I think the fact that they clinched fourth and that
that they won in the last game of the year
and that that series goes through Denver, I think is huge.
Speaker 4 (13:48):
I'm a big David Adaman fan.
Speaker 2 (13:49):
I think it's it's tough to come in and do
everything you want to do in three games and then
into the playoffs, so I'm rooting for him. I love Jokich,
Aaron Gordon, you know, all that, all that thing, but
I just personally.
Speaker 4 (14:00):
Feel the Clippers are rolling.
Speaker 2 (14:02):
I feel the Clippers are rolling, and now that you've
got a healthy Kawhi Leonard for whatever reason, I don't
know what it took, but you know, James Harden goes
in and out of being motivated, but he seems highly
seems highly motivated right now. Then I think they're deep enough.
And I love Zubats. I think Zubots is a problem.
I don't know. I don't know how good he is
defensively against Jokic. I haven't looked at it that closely,
but I personally feel the Clippers are going to the
(14:24):
NBA Finals. I think they're the only team in the
West that can beat Okay. See I don't and I
think if Okac gets there, they're winning the championship.
Speaker 4 (14:32):
But I think the Clippers knock them off. So I
love Denver, I love Adaman.
Speaker 2 (14:36):
I think I would be pulling for Denver in that series,
but I think the Clippers win.
Speaker 3 (14:40):
I agree, I think I think Denver is gonna be
gonna make it tight. But I but I think that's
about as good as they can hope for right now.
You got the best player in the series. I don't
think there will be a big fall apart with the
firing of the coach, because it felt like everybody in
the locker room had a sense that it was coming.
And as you mentioned the I think Adelman will be
able to keep the thing rolling in the right direction.
The clip are playing some of the best basketball in
(15:01):
the league right now, and so yeah, I like the
Clippers to advance in that series, to be sure, and
it is going to be interesting.
Speaker 5 (15:08):
I don't know how they've defended nobody defends Jokic. Well, no,
the Nuggets problem is they don't have any help.
Speaker 3 (15:17):
You know, if Jamal Murray isn't playing like Jamal Murray
from a couple of seasons ago in the postseason, and
then you look down the bench, they just I think
roster to roster, the Clippers have them out class.
Speaker 5 (15:27):
So I like the Clippers. I will say in six.
Speaker 7 (15:29):
Clippers one of the best defenses in the NBA, also
finished the regular season winning eight straight games.
Speaker 5 (15:34):
And their offense has been good. I mean, I mean
they're playing. They're playing, you know, top three ball on
both ends of the floor.
Speaker 7 (15:40):
At the right time of the year too, and come
playoff time, it's the best thing for the Clippers. All right,
that's it for the Western conners. Rol stubside for a
quick moment here we'll talk about the Eastern Conference.
Speaker 6 (15:49):
More of that after this.
Speaker 5 (15:50):
This is Jonathan Isaac of Orlando Magic.
Speaker 1 (15:53):
You're listening to Magic Inside as Mesdante and Jake on
the Magic's flagship station ninety six to nine.
Speaker 6 (15:58):
The game Welcome Back.
Speaker 7 (15:59):
Magic Insider is brought to you by International Diamond Center,
Dante Marcatelli, Jake Chapman, Ben Spector. Here previewing the playoffs.
Your Orlando Magic are in the twenty twenty five NBA
Playoffs and we need everybody in whennes is the action
live at the Kia Center as the Magic squad defend
our home court this postseason, from downtown to all around.
Speaker 6 (16:18):
We feel the energy.
Speaker 7 (16:19):
Secure playoff tickets today at Orlandomagic dot com.
Speaker 6 (16:22):
Everybody In.
Speaker 7 (16:23):
Presented by advent Health, The Magic take on the Celtics
Game one on Sunday three point thirty three o'clock. Pre
game coverage on ninety six nine the game on Sunday.
Jake will have the call with Jeff Turner. Very excited.
Big series coming up for the Magic, But with the
Eastern Conference, all these series are kind of interesting because
(16:45):
you can look at them and you can make the
case that they can go six or seven games. You
can also make the case that they could be done
pretty quickly. But one team in the East that has
a lot of storylines that come along with it, it's
the Milwaukee It's the Bucks. And that's because Bobby Port
is back from injury. That's a big piece for Milwaukee
in any series they play, they're going to have the
(17:05):
best player with gianni Ante to Kumpo. But I'm burying
the lead a little bit here because Damian Lillard is
supposed to return from his blood clot Persham's Trantia and
Jake is this is something, this is big. We hope
he's okay. We hope they're not rushing it. But if
Damian Lillard is back and playing even to seventy percent
(17:25):
of Damian Lillard level, it is huge for this Bucks
team and they could really be a threat in the East.
Speaker 3 (17:30):
Yeah, and then from what I read like the doctors
who cleared him even told Bucks officials, we're blown away
that he's been able to be cleared and taking off
the blood thaying medication this soon. So I don't think
there was any Hey guys, it's the postseason. Let's get
him back out there. I think this is all above board.
If anybody could do it at Damian Lillard. The science
(17:50):
has been changing as of late, as far as blood
clouds and that stuff goes.
Speaker 5 (17:53):
I don't want to get too deep into.
Speaker 3 (17:54):
That, but I'm not concerned that he's being rushed back.
He won't play one, but I think it's going to
be the difference maker in that series. Indiana very sort
of quietly has it feels like a much more complete
team than last year, where they're not going to rely
on scoring one thirty five in order to win a
playoff game because as we know, it's not going to
be very likely. I thought they had a real shot
(18:17):
in this series without Dame. I think with Dame in there,
that'll be the difference maker. I expect that to be
a very long series, to be sure, both teams potentially
protecting home court, but you get Dame back in there,
and that swings the balance.
Speaker 5 (18:29):
In my opinion, I like Milwaukee in six or seven.
Speaker 2 (18:31):
Well, how about this, I mean you you wanted Milwaukee
if you're Indiana, right, this is what you position for.
You could have changed your whole approach the last couple
of weeks because you're thinking you're gonna get a Milwaukee
team without Damian Lillard.
Speaker 5 (18:42):
What did I talk you about the basketball gods, dal No,
I don't mess with them.
Speaker 4 (18:45):
Just win the game you're supposed to win.
Speaker 2 (18:47):
They've beat now, they did beat Milwaukee with now Giannis
was in and out of that series last year, but
they beating four games to two last year, so there's
some familiarity. And maybe they just said let's let's let
the chips fall where they made. But you know that
game where you said everybody against the Magic, that might
have cost you an opportunity to get through, and Ben
I like to take pride in the fact that the
Magic messed up their chances to play to play someone
(19:08):
else in that first round.
Speaker 4 (19:09):
So we'll see how that will. Certainly see how that
plays out.
Speaker 7 (19:12):
Yeah, you don't want to mess with the basketball gods
at all. And then the Knicks are playing the Pistons,
and the Knicks are.
Speaker 6 (19:18):
Pretty confident too.
Speaker 7 (19:19):
I Mean, all the talk about the Knicks was whether
or not they were going to be healthy come playoff
time because their depth is just not really there. And Dante,
I mean, you look at the Knicks and they feel
confident against going up against the Pistons.
Speaker 2 (19:30):
So well, here's my thought on that. It would not
surprise me if the Pistons win. I don't know that
they will, but it wouldn't shock me one bit. And
I love what JB. Bickerstaff has done. You know, he's
going to have them ready. He has found a way
to motivate them and tell them they belong here and
they deserve to be here. Tim Hardaway Junior going against
his former team, I think he's going to be fired up.
The Knicks are zero to nine against the top three
(19:52):
teams in the NBA, so I think if you can
rattle the cage a little bit, if Detroit can go
up there and get one or two games, then I
think it's a difference.
Speaker 4 (20:00):
I don't think New York can score as much as Detroit.
Speaker 2 (20:02):
And now that to me, to me, Jake, the veterans
that they have coming off the bench and Beasley and
Shruder than the additions they made, and Tobias. I think
this is gonna be Tobias Harris's finest hour.
Speaker 4 (20:13):
I really do.
Speaker 2 (20:14):
He's taken so much heat to me undeservedly in Philadelphia
and some of his other stops. I think he's gonna
come back. I think he's gonna be a big reason
that they're competitive. I think this goes seven and the
Knicks win, but I think they're gonna I think Detroit
is on the come up and they're gonna show everybody why.
Speaker 5 (20:28):
Yeah, I think. I think. I like the Knicks.
Speaker 3 (20:31):
I think the Pistons probably have They kind of have
bust out written on them. They they have won so
many games this regular season on effort and on physicality
and on all of those things that now the playing
field is leveled in that regard motivation will not be
an issue for the Knicks in the playoffs.
Speaker 5 (20:50):
And physicality, I think.
Speaker 3 (20:51):
They can at least get close to what Detroit's able
to bring.
Speaker 5 (20:54):
I love the Pistons. I love the Pistons story.
Speaker 3 (20:57):
My big question is, is Karl Anthony Towns about that
life Isaiah Stott Stewart. If you ever watched those cut
ups of Towns every time he gets filed or thinks
he gets fouled the noises he makes.
Speaker 4 (21:09):
Oh well, you got a little that. That Beasley Towns
thing is going to be something to watch this one.
Speaker 5 (21:16):
This one has boil over written all over it.
Speaker 3 (21:18):
And now let me just say this, as for old
heads like Dante and I Ben Nick's Pistons, the NBA
playoff sounds fantastic.
Speaker 5 (21:25):
So I'm excited for that one.
Speaker 2 (21:26):
You're exactly right, and everybody's everybody's taking shots at the
Knicks too, right, Ben, Like they've had this horrible season,
right your third nobody was catching Nobody in the East,
regardless of your season was catching Cleveland or Boston. That's
just the kind of year they had their third. Everybody
is taking shots at that team. I think they're gonna
turn it on when the playoffs start.
Speaker 6 (21:44):
I think they I think they turn on as well.
Speaker 7 (21:45):
I think a big reason why they got those shots, though,
is because they traded Forum protected first for mckel bridges
and mckail bridges. I'm not sure is worth the forum
protected first, but that's not my decision to make. I'm
not That's why they don't pay me to do that.
Speaker 4 (21:57):
That wouldn't have been, that wouldn't have been postgraduate.
Speaker 6 (22:00):
That would not have been postgraduate. Ben Spector's first move.
Speaker 7 (22:03):
He's Dante, he's Jake, I'm Ben Spector. Magic take on
the Celtics Game one, three point thirty tip three o'clock
here on ninety six nine in the game that's on Sunday.
Hopefully on Monday, Dante and Jake on Magic Insiders are
talking about a Magic win. That's it for Magic Insiders today.
We'll see you all on Monday.
Hosts And Creators
Dante Marchitelli
Jake Chapman
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