Latest news with #Baraheni
New York Times
28-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
The Pistons-Knicks Game 4 no-call: How costly could that be?
After getting the split they hoped for in New York, the Detroit Pistons were feeling good about their chances in this series with the Knicks as they headed back home. But after back-to-back losses, they now find themselves on the brink of elimination, needing to steal another game at Madison Square Garden to stay alive. Advertisement The story of Sunday's heartbreaking 94-93 Game 4 loss undoubtedly was the controversial no-call in the final second. Officials admitted postgame that a foul should have been called on Tim Hardaway Jr., which would have given Detroit three free throws with just 0.3 seconds remaining — a potentially series-altering mistake. On the latest episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily,' Dave DuFour and Es Baraheni discussed the foul on Hardaway and whether the series is now over with the Pistons down 3-1 heading back to New York. Additionally, DuFour and Baraheni talked about the Denver Nuggets' Game 4 win over the LA Clippers, capped by Aaron Gordon's dramatic game-winning dunk. They also discussed whether Los Angeles Lakers coach JJ Redick was wrong to play his starters heavy minutes in their 116-113 Game 4 loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, as well as how Anthony Edwards has stepped up in the series. Also included in the episode is whether the Milwaukee Bucks' championship window is closed after their 129-103 loss to the Indiana Pacers, which put them down 3-1 and on the brink of elimination in the series. DuFour and Baraheni also discussed the positive signs from the Orlando Magic, despite being 3-1 down against the Boston Celtics, and previewed Game 4 of the Golden State Warriors-Houston Rockets series. Watch the full episode of 'The Athletic NBA Daily' below or on the YouTube channel, or via the 'The Athletic NBA Daily' podcast feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
What gives with the No. 7 Warriors being favored over the No. 2 Rockets?
What gives with the No. 7 Warriors being favored over the No. 2 Rockets? (This article was written with the assistance of Castmagic, an AI tool, and reviewed by our editorial team to ensure accuracy. Please reach out to us if you notice any mistakes.) As the NBA playoffs approach, one of the more surprising storylines has been the betting odds favoring the seventh-seeded Golden State Warriors over the second-seeded Houston Rockets. Advertisement On the most recent episode of "The Kevin O'Connor Show," guest Esfandiar Baraheni and host Kevin O'Connor examine the playoff matchup and why oddsmakers are favoring Golden State — and whether the Warriors deserve that status. Are Stephen Curry and the seventh-seeded Warriors deserving favorites over the second-seeded Rockets? (Photo by) (Ezra Shaw via Getty Images) Oddmakers believe in the Warriors ... but should they? While playoff intensity and game-planning do tend to favor experienced teams and might explain why Golden Sate is a -190 favorite to win the series at BetMGM, Barahini suggests Houston's defensive versatility and depth might give it more than a puncher's chance — especially when it comes to slowing Steph Curry. Advertisement 'I'm a little surprised that Golden State's so heavily favored as a 7 over 2," Baraheni says. "I feel like Houston has played Golden State very well this season.' But a number of reasons for the Warriors' favored status are laid out: their reputation for playoff poise, the clutch brilliance of Curry and, now, Jimmy Butler, plus a much-improved defense since acquiring Butler midseason. 'You have a guy [Curry] who you can rely on every single time" O'Connor says. "I think this will be one of those series where every game is going to go down to the wire. Every game is going to be very close.' There's a certain comfort in betting on established champions, especially in late-game situations. The Rockets' case: Defense, depth and matchups But the discussion doesn't shy from the reasons to be bullish on the Rockets, either. Houston finished the year as one of the NBA's best defenses, with plenty of size in Alperen Şengün and Steven Adams and disruptive perimeter players in Amen Thompson, Dillon Brooks and Fred VanVleet. In fact, Baraheni specifically mentions Thompson as someone who has "shut the water off" on Steph in previous matchups, and Houston's team defense as capable of supporting its big men on the perimeter — unlike some of Golden State's previous opponents. Advertisement O'Connor also highlights the rebounding advantage Houston has. 'If you look at the way those Şengün/Adams [lineups] perform, the reason that thing works offensively is because they generate so many offensive rebounds," O'Connor says. "They crash the glass.' With Golden State's relative lack of size on the interior, this presents a crucial potential swing factor. Is experience everything? What tips the scale for those picking the Warriors? According to O'Connor and Baraheni, it's the question of late-game offense and experience. Golden State has thrived in the clutch this season, while Houston, for all its defensive prowess, has struggled to create clean looks and score consistently in fourth quarters. Advertisement 'I just trust Steph Curry and Jimmy Butler more than I do Jalen Green or Şengün or Fred VanVleet,' O'Connor says. Prediction: It's closer than the odds suggest While O'Connor picks the Warriors in seven, and Baraheni slightly favors Houston in six, it's going to be a closer matchup than many believe. 'I think people are discrediting the Rockets a little bit too much,' O'Connor says. Both agree Houston might be underrated, not just for its defense and rebounding, but for its potential to disrupt Golden State's offensive flow with its physical style. To hear the full discussion, tune into "The Kevin O'Connor Show" on Apple, Spotify or YouTube.
New York Times
19-02-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Cooper Flagg is NBA Draft's top prospect; where is his best fit?
Cooper Flagg stands above the rest of the 2025 NBA Draft class. As the post-All-Star break sprint begins, many teams will vie for playoff spots, while others will consider tanking in hopes of landing the Duke standout. On the latest episode of 'NBA Daily,' Es Baraheni was joined by Bryce Simon to discuss Flagg's best fit if he moves on from the Blue Devils after the season as expected. A partial transcript has been edited for clarity and length. The full episode is available on YouTube below or in the 'NBA Daily' podcast feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Baraheni: I want you to make one fan base's day. There are five teams right now at the bottom: the Wizards, the Pelicans, the Jazz, the Hornets and the Raptors. That's really the race toward the bottom. Which one of those teams would you like to see Cooper Flagg on the most, whether that be fit, or whether that … team deserves a player like him? Advertisement Simon: I want to be clear: He should be the first pick for all of these teams. Just because Toronto has BI (Brandon Ingram), Scottie Barnes and RJ Barrett, I don't think if they get the No.1 pick, they should be like, 'You know what, we're actually going to take so and so.' But because of that roster, I'm like, 'OK, Toronto, don't love it as much.' I'm not saying the Wizards shouldn't take him because they have Alex Sarr, I think that would be an interesting fit. But where he really slots in are actually places that have four-men, where it's like, 'Hey, you move on from those guys and let Cooper Flagg be the guy.' It could be the Pelicans … how funny would that be? You move on from Zion (Williamson), the most recent big-time Duke guy, for Cooper Flagg. Then you let him, Trey Murphy (III) and (Yves) Missi and whoever else … you let those guys build out this thing. Or, it could it be in Charlotte. I think he and Brandon Miller complement each other very well as this wing-forward combination. I would have said Mark Williams two weeks ago, but I don't know what that means for him anymore. Then obviously, you have LaMelo Ball there, as well. So, those are the two teams. For me, I would go ahead and move on from Miles Bridges (if I were Charlotte), I would go ahead and move on from Zion Williamson (if I were New Orleans), and I'd let Cooper Flagg come in. Utah would also be interesting, but those are the teams that stick out for me. Baraheni: The Hornets are interesting because adding Cooper would also make it more viable to keep LaMelo just because of the defensive potential of a guy like him on the weak side roaming around. That just enhances you so much defensively that you can actually live with some of the mistakes that LaMelo makes on the defensive end, which is kind of an intriguing fit there. So, Charlotte and, maybe, New Orleans are the teams. Hornets and Pelicans fans: Rejoice. You can listen to full episodes of 'NBA Daily' for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify, and watch on YouTube.
