What's Wright - NBA Reaction: Celtics SNAP Thunder win streak, Murray DROPS 53 + Sweet 16 PREDICTIONS | Nick Wright

Welcome in to Episode 437. Wild NBA night, including something I didn’t think existed until I saw it: a 13 point comeback in overtime. We’ll hit Celtics Thunder, the West race, a Rockets autopsy, March hoops picks, and a little personal news, plus schedule notes so make sure you’re subscribed; also, quick PSA from the opening beat, protect the squirrels and toss the vapes.

Personal news I care about a lot: First Things First got nominated for Outstanding Sports Studio Show, and that means more to me than I can say. From launching in 2017 with Chris and Jenna, to CC’s exit, the rotating cast, COVID from the house, and even a stretch where I was warned we might get canceled, the show kept evolving and I kept feeling more ownership over what it could be.

The pivotal fork in the road was pushing, hard, for Broussard as my full time opposite and keeping it a three person desk with Wildes, even when adding a fourth was on the table; I put my chips in because I knew it was right for the show. I’m proud of our crew from day one to now, grateful for KW and Brew, and humbled to be listed next to juggernauts; the lesson is simple: when you truly own something, be willing to stake yourself on the right call.

Sweet 16 picks: I’m piling on Houston to win the South at plus money, partly because Florida was the softest one seed and Houston now gets a massive quasi home court with games at Rice. I also like St. John’s getting six and a half against Duke; their defense and coaching should keep it tight even with late foul shooting chaos, and I’ve got them live to win the region.

Celtics Thunder felt like a Finals preview, and I don’t see a big gap. J Dub was just back and working into rhythm, Tatum’s still ramping even as Brown plays with an edge, and while OKC’s great, Boston is a tough matchup; if that’s the series, I’d lean Celtics even without home court.

The one seed race is sneaky: OKC’s closing schedule is brutal, while San Antonio’s is friendlier, so I think the Spurs can run them down. If that happens, the one seed history plus massive overachievement makes Wemby a real threat to leap Shay in MVP.

The Lakers have a stranglehold on the three seed with tiebreakers and a soft stretch, and they see OKC twice which could shape the top. That lines up a dream first round for L.A. against Houston, while Denver and Minnesota bash each other in a round two classic if Ant’s right.

On the Rockets, the vibes are bad; it looks like they don’t like each other, and Udoka hasn’t held it together. The overtime collapse was the flashing red light, with a 13 point OT lead melting to zero and KD missing the tying free throw at the end; they’ll steady as a six but that team looks like it can’t wait to go home.

Where do Jokic and Murray rank as a duo right now? When Jamal is rolling like he was, they look as good as anyone, but he’s not consistently that guy, which keeps them short of the all time tier; it’s a testament to Joker’s greatness that they still feel inevitable.

MVP check: we might be numb to Jokic’s nightly absurdity, but Luka is getting flat out underrated. He just averaged 40 on a long road trip, and 33 plus on a 50 win team historically wins or finishes second; somehow he’s tracking third or fourth, which makes no sense for a season this dominant.

Public Defender: golf course alligators. If an animal’s truly dangerous, you don’t tee off next to it, but gators share fairways across America; that’s the point. LeBron saw one 15 feet away, shrugged, turned his back, and kept it moving because, on courses, gators mind their business.

We’ve got the NFC over under show tomorrow and next week we’re live Wednesday and Thursday with a Friday mailbag. Thanks to the crew and to you for riding with us; like, rate, and subscribe, and we’ll see you tomorrow.