Lakers Panic?, Paul Pierce's BIG Night, Celtics' Identity Complex + DPOY Odds & Blowouts

The Athletic NBA Show

In this edition of Point of Contention Jay King and James Edwards III debate. Hosted by Zach Harper.

Take 1: Fellas we are 50 games into the season, for most roughly 22 left until the playoffs and taking a look at the Western Conference, the Jazz, the Suns, Clippers and Nuggets are atop the Conference The injury riddled Lakers are 5th and falling fast!

Take 2: Last Saturday morning the NBA world woke up to what appeared to be an all night party with Paul Pierce, his friends playing poker, some “companions” if you know what I mean, and someone called Monica who, as Pierce himself said “could make some money.” Part of the festivities were broadcasted live for roughly 300 people on Instagram live.

Take 3: Clearly this has been a very mediocre season for Brad Stevens’ Celtics, and as noted in many a previous episode they don’t have a clear #1 guy, they don’t have a clear leader, they don’t have a signature style, yada yada yada.

Take 4: Continuing our weekly look at the Awards race with BetMGM.com... Last week we did Rookie of the Year, this week let’s do Defensive Player of the Year and it’s basically a two horse race right now.

Take 5: Blowouts. Earlier in the week guys “the Raptors uncorked the biggest blowout of NBA season in 130-77 destruction of Warriors” as one headline put it. At one point, the Raptors led by 61 points, the largest lead that any team has had this season.

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