logo
Podcast: Rockets' key variables and storylines for 2025 NBA playoffs

Podcast: Rockets' key variables and storylines for 2025 NBA playoffs

USA Today16-04-2025

Podcast: Rockets' key variables and storylines for 2025 NBA playoffs Should the Rockets want the Warriors or the Grizzlies in the first round of the 2025 NBA playoffs? Today's The Lager Line explores that and much more.
The NBA's 2024-25 postseason begins with Tuesday night's play-in tournament games — and in the Western Conference, the Golden State-Memphis winner earns the No. 7 playoff seed and a date with the No. 2 Rockets in a first-round series.
Game 1 will take place inside Houston's Toyota Center on Sunday, April 20.
With that in mind, our latest podcast episode of The Lager Line (hosted by Ben DuBose and Paulo Alves) examines key variables and storylines for the Rockets (52-30) entering the 2025 playoffs.
Discussion topics include whether the Warriors or Grizzlies would be a better matchup; arguments for Alperen Sengun, Jabari Smith Jr., Jalen Green, and Ime Udoka as playoff X-factors; perspective on what the Rockets showed to end the regular season; and the implications of Phoenix (36-46) missing the playoffs and sending a 2025 draft lottery pick to Houston.
Tuesday's podcast, which is sponsored by Clutch City Lager of Karbach Brewing, can be listened to below in its entirety. Each episode of the show is also made available via flagship radio station SportsTalk 790 and all major podcast distributors under 'The Lager Line.'
More: By the numbers: Rockets finish regular season at 52-30, No. 2 in West

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Pacers vs. Thunder NBA Finals: Indiana coach Rick Carlisle calls criticism of referee Scott Foster "awful," "stupid"
Pacers vs. Thunder NBA Finals: Indiana coach Rick Carlisle calls criticism of referee Scott Foster "awful," "stupid"

Yahoo

time9 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Pacers vs. Thunder NBA Finals: Indiana coach Rick Carlisle calls criticism of referee Scott Foster "awful," "stupid"

OKLAHOMA CITY — Indiana Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle on Sunday decried the swell of public criticism of the officiating that flowed following the Oklahoma City Thunder's Game 4 win in the 2025 NBA Finals, describing the carping on perceived mistaken calls and non-calls — specifically those involving longtime NBA referee Scott Foster — as, among other things, 'awful' and 'stupid.' During his news conference at Indiana's Sunday practice session ahead of Game 5 on Monday, Carlisle fielded a question about how much of a role he felt the officiating played in Game 4, which featured 53 personal fouls, two flagrant fouls, two technical fouls and 71 total free throws — all high-water marks for the series. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander shot 10 of those free throws, including eight in the fourth quarter, as part of a 15-point final frame that helped Oklahoma City erase a 10-point third-quarter deficit to tie the series at two games apiece. Pacers head coach Rick Carlisle speaks with referee Josh Tiven during the second half of Game 4 of the NBA Finals against the Oklahoma City Thunder, Friday, June 13, 2025, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy) (ASSOCIATED PRESS) Foster, who's been officiating NBA games since 1992, called 23 of those fouls, according to analysis by Yahoo Sports contributing NBA writer Tom Haberstroh: Some fans and pundits called foul on the elevated total number of calls in general, and the number of times Foster blew his whistle in particular. Carlisle made clear on Sunday he found the critiques offensive. Advertisement 'As far as officiating, I think it's awful, some of the things I've seen about the officiating, and Scott Foster, in particular,' Carlisle said. 'I've known Scott Foster for 30 years. He's a great official. He's done a great job in these playoffs. We've had him a lot of times, and the ridiculous scrutiny that's being thrown out there is terrible, and unfair, and unjust. It's stupid.' Asked which critiques specifically he'd seen and was referring to, Carlisle declined to elaborate. 'I'm not getting into it,' he said. 'I've said what I'm going to say.' After Game 4, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault said he didn't see anything untoward in the uptick in whistles — referred to by one reporter as 'a crap-ton of free throws.' 'Well, there were a crap-ton of fouls — that's why there were a crap-ton of free throws,' Daigneault said. 'I thought the refs did a good job tonight. Both teams shot a lot of free throws. It was physical. That was what the game was. It was a physical game on both ends of the floor for both teams.'

Top Trade Destinations for Ja Morant After Desmond Bane Deal
Top Trade Destinations for Ja Morant After Desmond Bane Deal

Newsweek

time23 minutes ago

  • Newsweek

Top Trade Destinations for Ja Morant After Desmond Bane Deal

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The NBA world was sent into a shockwave on Sunday when the Memphis Grizzlies decided to trade their starting guard, Desmond Bane, to the Orlando Magic in a deal and price that came as a surprise to many. The Grizzlies traded Bane to the Magic, and in exchange, Orlando received a major haul: Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, Cole Anthony, four unprotected first-round picks, and a first-round pick swap. Many were shocked by the trade, but immediately, people turned their attention to the future of Ja Morant in Memphis. It is clear as day that the Bane trade is an inch closer to rebuilding for Memphis. If that is indeed the case, Morant's days in Tennessee are numbered. With that likely being the case, Morant could have a new home this summer. Here are the top landing spots for the two-time All-Star. Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies warms up against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April 24, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. Ja Morant #12 of the Memphis Grizzlies warms up against the Oklahoma City Thunder during Game Three of the Western Conference First Round NBA Playoffs at FedExForum on April 24, 2025 in Memphis, Tennessee. Photo byToronto Raptors The Raptors are a team that possesses a substantial collection of trade assets. For starters, they have high draft picks and salary cap flexibility. Additionally, they have an array of players whom they could include in a potential trade package for Morant. More importantly, the Raptors could use a point guard. Toronto has struggled to find its groove after its 2019 title, and a potential addition of Morant could help it pivot toward that direction. Miami Heat A potential trade sending Morant to Miami is undoubtedly one of the more intriguing possibilities. The Heat have found themselves stuck in neutral, and after a rough season, it might be time to reignite their competitive fire — something we've come to expect from them over the last 15 years. Miami remains a premier destination for star talent, and while some might raise concerns about Morant's fit in a city like that, the Heat could put together a compelling package for the 25-year-old guard. Sacramento Kings The Kings are a team that has been vocal about acquiring a point guard, and Morant fits that bill. Sacramento will be one of the few teams looking for a point guard. If Morant indeed becomes available, look for the Kings to agree to pursue him. Sacramento may not have the best draft capital in a potential trade, but they have assets like Domantas Sabonis, DeMar DeRozan, Zach LaVine, and Malik Monk that could be used in a trade for Morant. More NBA news: Lakers Insider Opens Door on Potential Walker Kessler Trade Magic Land Desmond Bane From Grizzlies in Blockbuster Trade Grizzlies Urged to Blow Up Roster Following Desmond Bane Trade For more on the Grizzlies and general NBA news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle defends referee Scott Foster: ‘He's a great official'
Pacers coach Rick Carlisle defends referee Scott Foster: ‘He's a great official'

New York Times

time33 minutes ago

  • New York Times

Pacers coach Rick Carlisle defends referee Scott Foster: ‘He's a great official'

OKLAHOMA CITY — Pacers coach Rick Carlisle gave an impassioned defense Sunday of veteran NBA referee and lightning rod Scott Foster after he was ripped by Indiana fans and media commentators for the officiating in Game 4 of the finals. 'I think it's awful with some of the things I've seen about the officiating, with Scott Foster in particular,' Carlisle said before the Pacers' practice on Father's Day. 'I've known Scott Foster for 30 years — he's a great official. He's done a great job in these playoffs. We've had him a lot of times, and the ridiculous scrutiny that's being thrown out there is terrible. It's unfair and unjust.' Advertisement The Pacers blew a 10-point lead from late in the third quarter and lost Game 4 to the Oklahoma City Thunder, 111-104. The Thunder took 38 free throws in the game, but the Pacers attempted 33. While Carlisle declined to say what he was responding to in his defense of Foster, an online review of commentary about Foster showed a number of harsh criticisms, including from Carlisle's hometown news outlet, the Indianapolis Star, which published a headline on its website that read: ''Just an abomination. It was typical Scott Foster.' Pacers fans lament ref's calls in NBA Finals Game 4 loss.' The first part of the headline was actually a quotation from media personality and former NBA announcer Bill Simmons, who blasted Foster after the game on Zach Lowe's podcast, which he hosts as part of Simmons' Ringer network. This story will be updated.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store