The Lowe Post ESPN

Zach and ESPN's Tim MacMahon look ahead to the chess match on both sides of the ball in the NBA Finals, the differing paths the Celtics and Mavericks took to get here, and how they see the series playing out. Then ESPN's Draft Analyst Jonathan Givony joins for the latest on the top of the draft, how the Spurs plan to build around Victor Wembanyama, and the future of LaMelo Ball.

Pressure is squarely on the Celtics (5:51)

Boston's recent past and path to the Finals (11:41)

Dallas' roller coaster ride from 2011 Finals to now (18:27)

Matchups when Dallas has the ball (29:51)

Matchups when Boston has the ball (49:25)

Predictions (1:02:27)

Givony (1:11:16)

Spurs' plans to build around Wemby (1:21:23)

Future of LaMelo Ball (1:32:27)
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Zach and ESPN's Kevin Pelton react to Luka Doncic's monster game as the Mavs advance to the Finals, how the Celtics and Mavericks match up on both sides of the ball, Minnesota's looming financial crunch and fake KAT trades.


Wolves had no answer for Luka (3:07)

Celtics won't have best player in the Finals (15:28)

Luka's on pace to wind up in rarefied air statistically (24:31)

NBA Finals Preview (28:22)

Minnesota's future and fake KAT trades (59:57)
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Zach and ESPN's Chris Herring discuss the Western Conference Finals, Minnesota's chances of pulling an historic comeback, the Mavs playoff surge and very early thoughts on their potential Finals matchup with Boston, the state of the Celtics and the pressure on them to win, the Mike Brown situation in Sacramento, and the incomparable Bill Walton. Then Caitlin Cooper of Basketball, She Wrote discusses the future of the Indiana Pacers. 

A team will eventually come back from a 3-0 hole (1:41)

Taking stock of the Wolves-Mavs series (11:19)

The full KAT experience (15:14)

The Kyrie trade may age like a fine wine (26:58)

Drop vs. blitz debate (31:15)

Remembering Bill Walton (35:34)

Mike Brown extension talks tabled in Sacramento (42:37)

Temperature check on the Celtics heading into the Finals (45:32)

Cooper on the future of the Pacers (1:07:14)
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Zach and ESPN's Tim Bontemps discuss Luka Doncic's game-winning 3-pointer to put the Mavs up 2-0 in the Western Conference Finals, the struggling Minnesota offense, the media narratives around Jayson Tatum, and why the Celtics need to win the NBA title.

Final sequence (1:33)

Are we emotionally prepared for a Celtics vs. Kyrie Irving NBA Finals? (10:52)

Last minute blow by blow (12:17)

Minnesota's struggling offense (22:50)

KAT and ANT need to be better (29:50)

Luka's offensive brilliance (34:02)

Have the Celtics become Jaylen Brown's team? (41:49)

The Celtics need to win the title (1:01:00)
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Zach and Kirk Goldsberry discuss the Mavericks win in Game 1 of the Western Conference finals, how both Dallas and Minnesota might adjust in Game 2, the All-NBA results, Cleveland firing JB Bickerstaff and what comes next for Donovan Mitchell, quick Pacers-Celtics takes, and Kirk's new book "Hoop Atlas."

Dallas grinds out Game 1 in Minnesota (2:17)

Kyrie Irving has been amazing for Dallas (15:52)

Derrick Lively was a homerun pick by the Mavs (24:10)
 
All-NBA Teams announced (39:17)

JB Bickerstaff out in Cleveland (53:35)

Pacers-Celtics (1:00:08)

Hoop Atlas (1:10:09)
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Zach and ESPN's Kevin Pelton react to Game 7 wins for the Minnesota Timberwolves and Indiana Pacers, questions in Denver and New York going forward, Knicks injuries, and more. Plus: Quick thoughts on Mavs-Wolves and Celtics-Pacers in the conference finals, what's next for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and much more. 

Nuggets offseason questions (19:47)

Mavs-Wolves Western Conference Finals Lookahead (30:34)

Offseason in OKC (36:34)

Pacers push past Knicks in MSG (43:13)

Celtics-Pacers Eastern Conference Finals Lookahead (1:04:11)
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