Welcome to Layup Lines, our daily NBA newsletter where we’ll prep you for a tip-off of tonight’s action, from what to watch to bets to make. Subscribe here to get it delivered to your inbox every afternoon.
What’s up, family. It’s Sykes, once again, here to lead you into tonight’s playoff action. But before we dive, a quick thought on Kyrie Irving.
Irving was fined $50,000 from the NBA for his behavior aimed at Celtics fans during the Nets’ Sunday afternoon game in Boston. He flipped fans off and yelled obscenities at them which, under normal circumstances would very obviously be a fineable — and maybe even suspension-worthy — offense. And, obviously, Irving did ultimately get fined.
But I feel like that fine makes little sense when you take into account the context of the situation.
Obviously, there’s lots of history between Irving and the Celtics. He left that team high and dry in 2019 after saying he wanted to stay. It was his right to leave, ultimately, but he obviously misled the organization and its fans. That’s something the Celtics are only just now recovering from.
But does that leave room for Celtics fans to yell obscenities at him with no retaliation? I’d say no. The league’s fine says otherwise.
Irving explained his actions. The jeering he faced went beyond simple boos. Many have argued that this is what sort of comes with the territory. Shaq even reprimanded Irving on Inside the NBA for his actions.
Here’s the thing. Irving certainly isn’t right. But Celtics fans aren’t, either. And a fine won’t stop these things from escalating — if anything, it’s only empowered the worst fans to lean in a bit more.
These are the playoffs. Emotions are running high between players and fans alike. This stuff is going to happen and, just like the NBA protected its fans with Irving’s fine, Irving needs a bit of backup here, too. Or, better yet, he needs to be able to just handle it on his own.
So the best thing the NBA can do tonight when Irving gives back the energy Celtics fans are giving him is look the other way.
The Tip-Off
Some NBA goodness from around the USA TODAY Sports network.
The Miami Heat — and, more specifically, Jimmy Butler — just put the rest of the East on notice with an absolutely dominant performance over the Hawks on Tuesday.
Butler was straight up unstoppable. Our Prince Grimes crunched the numbers on his 45-point performance and, man. All I can say is sheesh.
The 45 points were a playoff-career high for Butler and put him in elite company, as he joined LeBron James and Dwyane Wade as the only Heat players with at least three 40-point playoff games.
Butler’s other two 40-pieces each came in those 2020 playoffs when he scored 40 in Game 1 of their series against the Bucks and 40 against the Lakers in Game 3 of the finals. The Heat won both games, and the first set the tone for their gentleman’s sweep of the Bucks and MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo. They beat the Celtics in the conference finals.
Yeah, man. The Heat are scary.
One to Watch
(All odds via Tipico.)
Nets (+130) vs. Celtics (-3.5, -160), O/U 226.5, 7 PM ET
After the finish of game 1, do I really need to convince you that this game is an absolute must-watch?
Kevin Durant had one of his worst games of the season with just 21-points. I cannot imagine him giving a poor shooting effort like that again. But, even still, the Celtics are deep enough to win it. I think they’ll make it a slugfest tonight…but the Nets take game 2 outright. I’d take them +3.5.
Who’s in and out?
—Ben Simmons is out (back) for game 2 against Boston but seems likely to play by game 4 on Monday.
—Scottie Barnes (ankle) is doubtful for game 3 against the 76ers.
—Matisse Thybulle (unvaccinated) is ineligible to play in Toronto and will be out for game 3 against Toronto.
—Bobby Portis (calf) is probable for the Bucks in game 2 against the Bulls
Shootaround
—JJ Reddick was surprised by how dominant the 76ers have been over the Raptors, Ky Carlin of Sixers Wire writes.
—Tyrese Maxey = LeBron James? Whew boy. This is fun.
— Devin Booker dapping up a baby is the cutest moment in playoff history, Bryan Kalbrosky writes.
—Can we get Tee Morant and Karl-Anthony Towns Sr. on a podcast or something? I’m literally begging.
That’s a wrap, folks! Catch you next time.
Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).
