Wolves vs. Nuggets might kill us all

Even if you aren't particularly invested in a particular outcome, this series is maximally stressful.

Good morning. The Knicks also stress me out. Let's basketball.

It's Spida Season

Donovan Mitchell is one of those players with a variable playoff reputation. We all remember his massive scoring output in various games for the Jazz and Cavaliers. But we also recall that his team has never ventured very deep, though his big men (Rudy Gobert and now Jarrett Allen) often get more of the blame than him.

The truth is somewhere in the middle: his scoring average does increase when we get to the playoffs (28 per game vs. 25), but his efficiency goes down a bit (51.% eFG in the playoffs vs. 53% in the regular season).

Through two games this year, that latter isn't happening – his eFG is 65% – but the scoring sure is. He had 30 again as Cleveland went up 2-0 on Toronto with a 115-105 win. James Harden and Evan Mobley packed some punch, too.

Cleveland led wire-to-wire after leading for roughly the last 37 minutes on Saturday. Toronto's playing cromulent basketball, they aren't getting blown out here: the Cavaliers are just substantially better. That's my take through two games, at least. Cleveland's offense is more powerful than Toronto's defense, and the Raptors' offense can't take advantage of the weaknesses in the Cavaliers' defense.

We'll see if a change of scenery and maybe, possibly the return of Immanuel Quickley can change that. Maybe Brandon Ingram will hit some shots, too.

Ca-Caw?

Regardless of who is on the rosters, I just don't think the Knicks ever want to invite the Hawks into their building. New York went up by as many as 14 and led 91-79 entering the fourth. The Knicks had done well to contain Atlanta's offense and find some consistent offense of their own. And then the ghost of Ice Trae manifested within the body of C.J. McCollum.