NBA Playoffs: First Round Breakdown

0:00 ... Show open ... Ross introduces panel and dedicates show #244 to Nikola Topic of the OKC Thunder who wears number 44.

0:53 ... The least interesting series so far is the Thunder/Suns series, which OKC led 3 games to one heading into Monday's game 4. It has been a boringly efficient effort by the defending champs.

6:53 ... The Lakers/Rockets series is next ... Kevin Durant has been a virtual "no show" while LeBron James has turned back the clock and dominated the series. Can the Lakers close the deal in game 5 and advance to the next round? Will Deandre Ayton's elbow to Alpy Sengun in game 4 light a fire under the Rockets?

14:46 ... The Celtics responded to their game 2 loss at home to the 76ers with two solid wins in games 3 and 4 in Philly. Boston has put a stranglehold on the series, which looks to finish up in 5 games on Tuesday in Boston. Joel Embiid tried to help the team when he returned in game 4, but his presence hurt guys like Tyrese Maxey and VJ Edgecombe who both had played so well prior to his return.

19:22 ... The Spurs are on the brink of moving on to the next round as they lead the Blazers 3 games to one after Sunday's comeback win. This "2 vs 7" series closely resembles the "2 vs 7" Boston/Philly series in the east. The talent gap is huge and the Spurs should easily move on in 5 games.

25:07 ... The Nuggets and Timberwolves played game 5 on Monday with Minnesota leading the series 3 games to one. The Nuggets were expected to come out and play with desperation, hoping to extend the series to game 6 in Minneapolis. With Anthony Edwards out of action for the Wolves, the Nuggets might still have a chance to win the series, but a win on Monday was mandatory.

31:02 ... The Raptors vs. Cavaliers series is tied 2-2 heading into Wednesday's game 5. The Cavs need some bounceback games from Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen when the series returns to Cleveland. Can James Harden have one of "those games" and spark his Cavs to a pivotal game 5 win?

37:40 ... The Knicks and Hawks are tied at 2-2 heading into Tuesday's game 5 in New York. Karl-Anthony Towns dominated game 4 on Saturday and if he continues to play like that, New York will emerge victorious and move on to the next round.

43:21 ... The Pistons vs Magic "1 vs 8" matchup has been the most compelling first round series. Orlando had a chance to push Detroit to the brink of elimination with a win on Monday night. The Magic seemed to sleepwalk through the regular season before advancing through the play-in games and playing solid basketball against the eastern conference's top seed.

50:07 ... In our final segment, we examine the career of Cleveland's Dennis Schroeder, who is in his 13th NBA season and 11th team. We play a fun game of "6 Degrees of Dennis Schroeder," and connect the veteran guard all the way back to Dr. James Naismith, the inventor of basketball.

56:32 ... Ross wraps the show and says goodbye.

TRT 56:49

Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.