QUARANTITLE - 8/2

1. Nets (118) vs Wizards (110)

• I Didn't Watch This - Rough way to start the article, but I don't regret not wasting my time with this awful product. Just like every other time I criticize the Nets or the Wizards for that matter, let it be clear that this is through no fault of their own. They've been plagued with injuries since before the season started and there's no way around that.

2. Celtics (128) vs Trail Blazers (124)

• Believe in Boston - People don't realize how good the Celtics are right now. They came within 4 points of beating Milwaukee despite possibly the worst Tatum performance ever. Tatum rebounded tonight with 34 points to help seal the game. Disregarding their near collapse, I truly feel like this team could beat anyone in a 7 game series. Super well rounded and deep off the bench with as good of coaching you're gonna find in the NBA. Watch out for this squad to make a Finals run come playoff time.

• Remember Gary Trent Jr's Name - Similar to my De'Aaron Fox point from the other day, Gary Trent Jr is constantly overlooked due to Portland's place as a small market team and for his lack of stardom. He's never going to make headlines as an alpha, but as a consistent 3&D contributor on a championship team? You bet. He can play nearly any role a team would need and slot in nicely with most schemes. Once he inevitably leaves Portland to get paid elsewhere, get used to hearing his name. Put Trent and Christian Wood on the All-"Could Fit Into Any Lineup" 1st Team.

3. Spurs (108) vs Grizzlies (106)

• Grizzlies Continue to Disappoint - Memphis' Restart schedule is noticeably harder compared to most other teams. This discrepancy remains in the minds of Grizzlies players, staff, and fans as they push for the "Memphis vs Errrbody" narrative. As much as I support that, they need to perform in the winnable games on their schedule before we can assume Memphis would have a chance against "Errrbody". Losing to San Antonio and Portland cause huge swings in the race for the 8th seed, an even bigger game will take place tomorrow vs New Orleans. Tune in.

• Could the Spurs Shock the World? - After many (including me) counted them out of the Playoffs prior to the Restart, San Antonio has started 2-0 and now leads the teams battling for 9th place and the chance for a play-in. A stunning playoff berth would break the NBA record for consecutive years in the playoffs and provide some sort of closure for what might be Popovich's last year as head coach. As aesthetically pleasing as that sounds, I don't want it to happen. Regardless, Lakers in 4.

• Dillon Brooks Needs to Relax - I'm as much of a Memphis Grizzlies homer as you can get. I'm always hesitant to be overly critical of the team because of their lack of positive recognition as it is, however, Dillon Brooks' play is inexcusable. His excessive aggression hurts the team more than it helps. On the rare occasions that it helps, he gets overconfident and misses a number of heatchecks. It's gotta stop. Dillon cost Memphis the game with his reckless foul on DeRozan with 1 second remaining. Without the foul, the game likely would've gone to overtime with a surging Grizzlies offense taking over. I can't stay quiet anymore about this. Someone please tell him to calm down and start Grayson Allen if he doesn't.

4. Magic (132) vs Kings (116)

• I'm All in on Orlando - Yeah, it's just the Kings. But still, Orlando is a very good team hiding behind the mask of a lottery team. One good addition and its an instant top 5 seed in the east. Mark my words.

• Can Sacramento Go Home Early? - Watching the Kings is an ugly sight. I love Fox but it's almost like you can see the poor management manifesting itself on the floor live. It's sad because this is a team I want to love but just can't. All the pieces are there to be a fun and energetic squad but there's always something holding them back. Spoiler alert: it's Vlade Divac.

5. Rockets (120) vs Bucks (116)

• Live By the Three - Houston broke the all time record for 3pt attempts in a single game tonight with 61 yet somehow only made 34% of them. If that's not a testament to Houston and Daryl Morey's mentality appoaching the playoffs, I don't know what is. They're such a wild card night in and night out. Live by the three, die by the three. We saw them live by it tonight. We've also seen them die a horrible death by it in the past. Missing 27 straight threes in a playoff game and continuing to shoot is the type of confidence I aspire to have.

• Rockets Underrated Defensively - You'd expect such a small lineup like Houston to be dominated by a team with the reigning 7 foot MVP and a plethora of big wings. You'd be wrong. PJ Tucker deserves all the credit you can possibly give someone after holding down the paint against guys like Giannis and Anthony Davis. Outside of the paint, the Rockets are solid defensively on the perimeter despite unfortunate stereotypes assuming otherwise. That being said, don't expect this team to make it out of the first round.

6. Suns (117) vs Mavericks (115)

• Mavs Depression - Yikes. Back to back heartbreakers for Dallas. There isn't a team I enjoy losing close games more than Dallas. Not only because everyone around me is a fan of them, but also because of Luka's pubescent whiny face in crunch time. He's a once in a lifetime talent, no doubt. But he has Luke Skywalker tendencies in his seemingly exasperated approach to his mission. Moving on from Luka Skywalker, I don't want to take up any more of Owen Daryani's time here. His new game analysis series "X's and Owens" launches tonight on the website. During the Orlando Restart, he'll be covering Mavs games exclusively but hopes to move on to greater things once next season tips off. Check out his article for tonight here.

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IMAGE CREDIT: Thomas Shea